Rahul Mukerji Unites Musicians During the Pandemic Through Progressive Metal, Rock, and Jazz Fusion on New Single “Dushtan”

GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND (February 13th, 2026) — Rahul Mukerji, an innovative musician from Germantown, Maryland, now based in Boquete, Panama, releases his new single, “Dushtan,” out February 13, 2026, on all major streaming platforms. The track serves as the first introduction to his forthcoming album, slated for release later this year.

A project born from the pandemic, “Dushtan,” meaning “the rogue,” channels restlessness and resistance forged through isolation. During quarantine, Mukerji found the world locked inside a cage, where the feeling of separation haunted the artist. To translate that emotion, the musician blends indo-fusion instrumental music with progressive metal, rock, and jazz, collaborating with performers from around the world. The result is a heavy yet expansive composition that signifies unity amidst isolation.

A longtime admirer of artists like Pain of Salvation, Symphony X, and more, Mukerji worked with instrumentalists trained across both Western and non-Western musical traditions. Rather than prescribing fixed parts, Mukerji allowed musicians to interpret their roles and inspirations freely, encouraging a sense of release and movement through structural frameworks, instead of sheet music.

Written around a Phrygian tonality to emphasize a dark shade, the song carries a sense of urgency through bold percussion, a driving bass line, and an explosive drum performance by Leo Margarit, the accomplished drummer for the acclaimed progressive metal band Pain of Salvation. To subvert expectation, Mukerji incorporates a violin solo, adding a playful edge to the track’s intensity.

This is single will tease Mukerji’s innovative new album, Mridingit, which will be available on March 23, 2026.

Produced by: Bruce Ng & Rahul Mukerji
Mixed & Mastered by: Brett Caldas-Lima at Tower Studio
Album Artwork, Concept & Layout: Proviscocity Studios
Performers
Rahul Mukerji: Guitars, Programming
Leo Margarit: Drums
Ruben Rubio: Bass
Chaplin: Piano, Keyboards
Thisara Bandara: Violin

Rahul Mukerji is a multi-disciplinary musician, composer, and visual artist whose creations bridge fusion, rock, jazz, and cinematic sound design into a signature style that is technically rigorous while still being emotionally immersive. Born in India and active for more than two decades, Mukerji has developed a variety of work that moves between high-energy performance and narrative-driven composition. Since his debut album in 2017, Mukerji has gained recognition through notable performances, including The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2020, spotlighted in Vintage Guitar Magazine in 2021, and been nominated for his work at the Washington Area Music Awards in 2022. Whether delivering dynamic guitar-forward performances, composing cinematic music, or shaping audio-visual narratives, Rahul Mukerji continues to explore the expansive possibilities of modern world fusion.

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