Singaporean Metal

Tariot – Drag Me to Hell Review

By Dear Hollow on December 14, 2023 in Reviews, Electronic, Metalcore, Nu Metal, Post-Hardcore, 35 comments

“Look, I’m one of like three metalcore apologists at Angry Metal Guy HQ, and I’ve had it up to here. No more sticky noted car, printer wrapped in festive holiday paper, or the squirting flower trick, okay guys? Plus the rubber rat with “BREAKDOWNS” scrawled with Sharpie was going too far. I already get my seven daily lashes from the Most Holy Gorilla when the punishment of metalcore promos seemed insufficient. As we approach the holidays, the last thing I want to do at the office Christmas party is to open my bonus addressed to “sellout.” Don’t even fucking think about it. And Jesus, Tariot sure ain’t helping my reputation.” Apologists and collaborators up against the wall.

Wormrot – Hiss [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]

By Dolphin Whisperer on December 21, 2022 in Things You Might Have Missed 2022, Grind, 40 comments

“Time—Hiss took even more time than Voices. For 21 tracks that span 33 minutes, six years? Well, unlike Wormrotߵs last outing, Hiss, in the spirit of the full-color rendering that garnishes the cover, is lush, which is not a word we often associate with the furious and grinding arts.” What’s that noise??

Lamentations – Passion of Depression Review

By El Cuervo on November 18, 2022 in Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, 19 comments

“In 2015, Singapore’s Lamentations demonstrated real potential with a debut entitled Echoes in the Wind. I’d always kept a weather eye on the Lamentations social media, but it took nearly 7 years for the sequel entitled Passion of Depression. 2022 sees the frontman Danny Jacob now collaborating with the members of his sister band Monotheist, and boasting a host of guest musicians including members and ex-members of Cynic, Extol, and Black Crown Initiate. Their Bandcamp page suggests that the band may now be based in the US, and I remained excited to hear how things had progressed with such a long period of gestation.” Lamentations of the wicked.

Doldrey – Celestial Deconstruction Review

By Steel Druhm on August 19, 2022 in Reviews, Crust Punk, Death Metal, 19 comments

“Having just covered the latest iteration of classic Gothenburg melodeath with The Halo Effect, it only made sense to tackle the one millionth take on buzzy, fuzzy Entombedcore, this time by way of Singapore’s Doldrey. This unsung act dropped an EP in 2019 and 2022 sees the full-length debut hit the mean streets. Billing themselves as “Deathpunk,” their style is not far removed from crusty acts like Mammoth Grinder, but more firmly tethered to the early days of the Stockholm sound. This means the HM-2s are set to ‘Brutal Stun’ and the d-beats are available for bulk purchase.” Noisy punks, noisy punks…

Oshiego – Jaljalut Review

By Felagund on January 23, 2022 in Reviews, Death Metal, 5 comments

“Oshiego play a very familiar style of death metal, with plenty of old school charm and technical flair. According to the promo material accompanying the album, their sound is described as a “relentless assault” and “crushing,” featuring an “uncompromising old school approach.” I wouldn’t disagree with these accolades outright, because for the most part, Jaljalut proves itself to be quite the “relentless” beast, maintaining a consistent, if overwhelmingly repetitive speed and tone throughout.” Relenting is for losers.

Witchseeker – Scene of the Wild Review

By Steel Druhm on March 27, 2021 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Speed Metal, 19 comments

“Wild and rowdy speed metal from Singapore with a penchant for earwormy hooks? Don’t threaten me with a good time! And Witchseeker is all about letting the good times roll on sophomore platter Scene of the Wild (ESL Slip o’ the Month). Taking heavy inspiration from early 80s speed acts Like Oz and Raven and newer bands like High Spirits and especially Enforcer, Witchseeker aim for that sweet spot between manic speed and rocking party anthems that stick on first exposure.” Wild boys.

Impiety – Versus All Gods Review

By Mark Z. on January 25, 2020 in 2020, Black Metal, Death Metal, Reviews, Singaporean Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, 25 comments

“When it comes to sheer force, nothing compares to Impiety. Formed in 1990, this Singaporean quartet originally played fairly traditional black metal before transforming into a blakkened fukkin death monstrosity with 1999’s iconic Skullfucking Armageddon. Amidst a salvo of blast beats, staccato riffing, and livid vocals, that album began a musical warpath which has now continued for over two decades.” God fight!

The Wandering Ascetic – Crimson Review

By Holdeneye on February 17, 2019 in 2019, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Singaporean Metal, Transcending Obscurity Asia, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 26 comments

“Who determines the subgenre of an album? Is it the band itself? The label? Metal Archives? The listener? Satan? Honestly, this is a question that hadn’t really seemed important in my mind until reviewing this album from Singaporean band The Wandering Ascetic. Crimson is the band’s first full length, but they began playing together in 2011 and released an EP in 2013. The project is being touted by Transcending Obscurity Asia as the more streamlined blackened thrash outlet for vocalist Kathir, whom fans of Rudra may recognize as that band’s longtime frontman. Streamlined blackened thrash sounded really nice while I was perusing promos, so I decided to join The Wandering Ascetic for a walkabout.” Lost in the woods.

Infernal Execrator – Obsolete Ordinance Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 1, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Death Metal, Pulverised Records, Reviews, Singaporean Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, 67 comments

“Infernal Execrator is a band that enjoys beating its listeners into tenderized meat, then massages the broken flesh with salt and vinegar. Their 2014 debut, Ad Infinitum Satanic Adherent, was a nonstop bloodletter that didn’t leave much to the imagination. But this year’s Obsolete Ordinance appears to have the flavors of a midsummer stew. How rich are these flavors?” Stewing in evil juices.

Assault – The Fallen Reich Review

By Ferrous Beuller on May 12, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, Reviews, Singaporean Metal, Thrash Metal, Transcending Obscurity, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 13 comments

“Singapore probably isn’t the first country that springs to mind when considering the apex of ferocious heavy metal, but Assault’s debut album, The Fallen Reich, is doing its very best to convince you of its worthy candidacy, by carving a thick slab of Gothenburg marbled death metal and thrashing the living hell out of it.” Skulls, tanks, skull-tanks.