Southeast Asia Heavy Metal
Podcast Tour 2012
-Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines-
Episode 3: SINGAPORE
Episode 3 of
our Southeast Asian Heavy Metal Tour takes us to Singapore. The Metal
Lions are still untamed since our last visit in 2007. Still
differentiating themselves from their country neighbors in three
important aspects 1) Well Produced Metal 2) Contemporary Outlook on Metal (mostly similar to what is popular in the US, nowadays) and 3) Quality over Quantity (a
small huge scene). Nevertheless, one new aspect has to be taken in
accountant, the youth of Singapore. New bands with fresh ideas and a
desire to leave their own mark are self-launching themselves into the
scene; adding for more diversity and a much better balanced scene.
Taking in account that when we first did a special on Singaporean metal
back in 2007 most of the younger kids who are featured with songs in
this new special were thirteen or less, and now, five years later have
started to contribute significantly to the scene. This is probably one
of the most significant changes we noticed since we last documented the
bands from Singapore. On the other hand, aspects like well-produced
music, the musicians liking for more contemporary styles of metal and
the quality of the bands remain the same.
Metal fans at Morbid Angel concert (2011, Metal-rules.com)
“…a
well produced CD, actually goes a long way!” –Taufik, vocals METAL
GUNZ. The quality of Singaporean productions has mostly been on another
level compared to its neighboring countries. Singaporean metal artists
benefit from better recording houses and experienced sound engineers as
Taufik explains, “Most of our audio engineers are more competent. The
studios that record rock and heavy metal in Singapore; those guys know
the kind of sound of the different bands that are out there; so they
know how to achieve that kind of sound. Actually, most guys in Singapore
have their own little setup at home; so when they get to recording they
know the kind of sound that they want; and they know how to get it.”
Some bands have attracted the attention of international metal labels
such as Earache Records. For example, WORMROT a grindcore band which
many extreme metal bands in Singapore respect. Consequently, if it’s
good enough to catch the ear of an international metal label then a
well-produced record does go a lengthy way.
Taufik Abdullah, vocals METALGUNZ
Singaporean
metal artists have been able to stay relatively modern sounding.
Similar to the Philippines, Singapore has always taken a liking for a
more Avant-garde approach to metal music. This modern approach has been
taken up mostly by the younger bands as Ryan guitars for DEUS EX MACHINA
illustrates. “…a lot of kids are going into Metalcore rather than doing
what the rest of us are doing. That’s a really big scene right now
across Southeast Asia.” Regarding the current scene in Singapore Taufik
vocals for METAL GUNZ states, “In my opinion, the metal scene in
Singapore, it f*cking changes every year. It could be a totally
different scene at the end of the year, but who knows? Young bands that
are coming up; it’s great. They are bringing their own music, different
kind of sound. I guess whatever is popular this time around. When I
first started out playing it was thrash and heavy metal, and then it was
black metal, then death metal, now I guess it’s grindcore which is
awesome. The mix of bands in Singapore, if you go to a local gig, there
will be death metal, thrash, grindcore, it’s f*cking awesome, you know.
And new bands are always brining their own little twist to whatever
genre they are playing, so I think it’s cool. Like I say, the local
scene changes every other f*cking year, so we’ll see, we’ll see how it
goes.” Young bands in Singapore are influenced by modern American styles
of metal; however, they would like to be seen not as if they are simply
copying what the Americans are doing as Farhan guitars for metal core
ambient band EMBRACE THEM GHOSTS points out, “We see the American bands
as a reference for our music. For example; the guitar sound; and the way
how they portray their music.” Rex, lead vocals for the band interjects
by adding, “We only take reference from them, but we do create our own
sound…for us we have our own style; our own kind of oriental feel, we
also have our own break-downs that we define on our own terms.”
Regarding more traditional extreme metal styles of metal and how the
fans assimilate, members of the band DYETH express their gratitude to
the fans, “For here in Singapore, the fans really give us a whole lot of
support; and the band is really grateful; and say thanks to them for at
least supporting us preform; so that we can strive harder.” The extreme
metal scene in Singapore is relatively small but very much united as
bass player/vocals, Fiaz, for death metal band ASILENT explains, “The
extreme music scene here in Singapore is actually small. Reason being we
are a small country ourselves. But the love and passion that the fans
have here for extreme music is the same as anywhere else. So, any
touring bands or even local bands play a show here; we will show you the
same amount of love and support anywhere else.” The old kids and the
new kids all get along. “We get along pretty well with them. I think
there’s a certain amount of respect that we’ve all built up within the
scene itself. It’s not really huge, so everyone knows each other in a
sense.”, Ryan guitars DEUS EX MACHINA.
Ryan Joseph, guitars DEUS EX MACHINA
Interesting
to point out is what fuels metal musicians’ inspiration in Singapore.
It is quite distinct to each artist and mostly depends on the genre of
metal being portrayed as Clarence vocals for melodic death metal band
ASSUALT explains, “To me personally, metal is all about frustration,
anger…society. In Singapore, actually we have a lot of social issues
such as the influx of foreigners; and I mean the government is not doing
anything about it.” As far as fuel for his music, guitarist Ryan for
DEUS EX MACHINA states, “For me it’s just putting out my ideas; getting
rid of some anger; it’s also creating an output for all of us.” However,
releasing anger and bringing to light social issues are not all that
inspire metal musicians in Singapore. For some musicians, playing metal
music is reaching out to like-hearts with a sense of compassion. Such is
the case of young guitarists and vocalist for the band ENESYA, Justin,
“…the tragedy that happens in our lives, but also in the world. I get
quite affected by people who suffer even if he or she is not related to
me. I would channel this energy and blend it into the songs.” Other
musicians desire for fans to connect with them on a more spiritual level
such is the case of Rex vocals for EMBRACE THEM GHOSTS, “Actually, we
write a lot about the journey in life. We believe, we have been broken
in a way or another…we want to touch the hearts of the crowd, people
that listen to our songs. So, in the songs that we write it is okay to
be broken. It is okay to fall and get back up again.” Finally, some kids
just want to have fun. In the case of Nazri “…just have fun; that’s why
we are called the After Party Kids, have fun, party and chase your
dreams!”
ASILENT
Hey!
What about the ladies? Yup, they are present, too! Although not too
many as active members in bands, but only one band we knew of through ECHO Productions,
all girl production company, leaded by head promoter Lydia. Despite
this, some ladies in the scene are responsible for setting up gigs,
promoting bands, and organizing national and international tours such is
the case of the ladies from ECHO Productions, Lydia, Sya and Lyn (see
funny picture below). “We bring in bands from everywhere. We don’t limit
ourselves to any genre, but most of time we seem to be doing a lot of
hardcore and metal shows, and sometimes punk rock. The only thing we
haven’t done, I think, is techno because it’s our next project and maybe
not!” (*laugh and talk among themselves).
Regarding the newest projects, the girls share the following
confidential information, “An upcoming one we are going to do is FALL OF
MIRRA, our local band, for their album launch party and other than that
we have been talking to a couple of bands from all over the world but
we cannot say anything yet; nothing to confirm yet; still in talks; (it’s a secret..*somebody
whispers.) And it’s a secret, and we don’t want you to know, yet, but
other than that we are helping out friends with shows.”
Lydia, Sya, Lyn ECHO Productions
In
short, Episode 3 of this 5 part series on Southeast Asian Metal has
shown us how well produced music; a contemporary outlook on metal;
quality over quantity; gifted musicians with the right promotion can go a
long way despite geographical limitations. Add to that an emerging
number of young musicians, who unequivocally will contribute to shape
the future of Singaporean metal. Furthermore, the already established
bands that persevere in releasing new records continue to influence the
younger generations and get better over time. All of these attributes
together, make up the soul of the metal lion which will continue to roar
over Southeast Asia and the rest of the world in the many years to
come.
Baybeats Concert 2009
BANDS/SONGS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
1. WORMROT - COMPULSIVE DISPOSITION/THE FINAL INSULT
WEBSITE, FREE DOWNLOAD DIRGE ALBUM FROM EARACHE RECORDS
2. DEUS EX MACHINA - JIGSAW
WEBSITE
3. ASSUALT - SUBVERSION
WEBSITE
4. THE AFTER PARTY KIDS - FAME ISN'T IN ME
WEBSITE
5. METAL GUNZ - BLOOD HARVEST
WEBSITE
6. EMBRACE THEM GHOSTS - THIS TAKES TWO TO TANGO
WEBSITE
7. ENESYA - A HALF STEP AWAY FROM DEATH
WEBSITE
8. WORMROT - PUBLIC DISPLAY OF INFECTION
9. DYETH - DISMEMBERED & INFECTED
WEBSITE
10. ASILENT - FEAST FOR THE BEAST
WEBSITE
Listen or Download our 2007 Southeast Asian Podcast Tour
Metaldogz.com
How metal is your dog?
Click on the image to visit the store
Listen to the show, find out how to win one of these tees!
Post your Image of you and your dog on Metaldogz.com Facebook wall to participate
Click here for Metaldogz.com Facebook Page
GUITARHEADS.NET
GuitarHeads.net is the industry leader in supplying high-end Guitar Parts, Hardware, Pickups, Bridges, Tuners, Upgrades, and General Guitar Accessories. Click on the image above to see some examples of the 1-of-a-kind works of arts created in the Guitarheads Custom Shop. Check out the Full Line of GuitarHeads products online at www.GuitarHeads.net , Guitarheadsheads.net on Facebook
