To even mention Nemesis during a conversation on underground music is considered a faux pas; to put that in writing is tantamount to sacrilege. And with good right, too. Nemesis began in the underground scene more than a decade ago, in 1999, releasing their debut album, Onneshon in 2005. This was followed by their second album, Tritio Jatra in 2011, Nemesis had long emerged from their protective underground shell and blazed their trail to glory. By now, they have become downright superstars and any other tag is almost derogatory. However, considering the path of their journey, they remain synonymous with the underground. They may be the scene's greatest product in the years to come.
As bands often do, Nemesis was a band formed by a group of friends. Their well-known front man, Zohad, wasn't even in the picture during the first year, but destiny always gets her way. Zohad joined barely a year into Nemesis' invention and teamed up with the inimitable Maher, their fates were written. They were to be the next big thing. Ratul on bass, Omayr on guitars and Dio on the drums, completed the band and aided in increasing their chemistry even further. Nandito and Yawar, original members of the band, continued with the band when their study breaks allowed and soon their first single Obocheton was released in the mixed album, Agontuk-2. This single was a hint of what was about to come.
What helped Nemesis really seal the deal wasn't just their musical performances. It was a commitment to character that has been the difference between memorable and great for many performers. Nemesis' ace was how they marketed themselves. They didn't just perform as rock stars, they were rock stars. The band lived their characters, blurring the lines between fact and the fictionalised. This combination of raw talent and such obvious X-factor was rarely ever observed in the industry before, bar perhaps by Black. 2012 hit the mid-mark with Omayr and Maher finally breaking away from the band. Shocked fans wondered this was the end road; many doubted that Nemesis would sustain the hype without the duo, especially given the fans' bond with Maher. Fortunately, Nemesis did survive and rode the wave of confusion to greater heights.
Immortalised in billboard across cities, Nemesis had made a transition scarcely seen. The petulant posse of seemingly spoiled brats crossed the threshold of resistance of the national psyche. Their numerous appearances for charitable causes and their constant 100% during concerts had garnered them a wide appeal. Songs like 'Kobe' even blended the limits of Alternative Rock, reimagining boundary lines created. Their live performances backed up the energy of their tracks. Zerif Ahmed and Zeheen Ahmed stepped into to fill some big shoes and they did so with finesse. One final change saw Zafir Haque (guitar) and Shamim Imtiaz (guitar) to complete the band. Nemesis's contribution to the music industry was recognised with their critically acclaimed 2011 album success.
And so goes their story. With a publicist like the one the Rolling Stones had, Nemesis too can don the garb of the Bangladeshi invasion and spin their own tales of rock star debauchery and notoriety. They look the part, act the part and have the talent to back it, so why not? Nemesis burned the curtains of the underground scene and opened the audience to an inside view of the possibilities. It's sacrilege to not include their name when talking not only about the underground scene, but rather the music industry as a whole.