VANADIUM | CEMETERY GATES | 30th ANNIVERSARY REUNION CONCERT | 30 DEC 2025

Nagaland's early metal bands, Vanadium celebrated its 30th anniversary with a special homecoming concert at Imkongmeren Sports Complex on December 30, 2025, starting at 6:00 PM.
Formed in 1995, Vanadium was born out of sheer love for music at a time when resources were scarce. With limited instruments, little formal musical training, and numerous challenges, the band pressed forward driven purely by passion and belief. Despite the odds, the group carved out a space for itself in Nagaland's growing rock and metal movement of the 1990s.
Between 1995 and the early 2000s, Vanadium performed 20 to 30 shows across Mokokchung, Dimapur, Kohima, and Chümoukedima, including participation in the NE Beat Contest in Dimapur in 1997, one of the biggest platforms available to bands in the region at the time. The band largely performed cover songs, recalling that originality was often overlooked then. "Even cover songs had to be played exactly like the original, otherwise you wouldn't be considered good," the band reminisced.
As years passed, members gradually moved on to higher studies, business ventures, and personal responsibilities.
Music, however, remained close to their hearts. The band's last full line-up performance was in 2007, followed by a guest appearance in 2017 during the Silver Jubilee celebration of Squadron.
Vanadium suffered a major loss with the passing of original vocalist Imtitemjen in 2000, whose contribution remains an inseparable part of the band's legacy. For the upcoming concert, the band will be fronted by Ponen on band largely performed cover songs, recalling that originality was often overlooked then. "Even cover songs had to be played exactly like the original, otherwise you wouldn't be considered good," the band reminisced.
As years passed, members gradually moved on to higher studies, business ventures, and personal responsibilities.
Music, however, remained close to their hearts. The band's last full line-up performance was in 2007, followed by a guest appearance in 2017 during the Silver Jubilee celebration of Squadron.
Vanadium suffered a major loss with the passing of original vocalist Imtitemjen in 2000, whose contribution remains an inseparable part of the band's legacy. For the upcoming concert, the band will be fronted by Ponen on vocals, with Longden LKR and Temjen on guitars, Alem on drums, and Pokyim on bass. Satem will appear as a guest guitarist for the anniversary show. (report via mokokchungtimes.com)

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