Reviews: The Non Metal Reviews Vol 2 no comments

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PEREK KASI GEREK –Cynically Fast Runaway CD (2011)
Nincompoops Kids Records

When I got the CD, there was a stern warning on the sleeve stating that the CD contains non breakdown riffing, I immediately thanked God. This band is from Sungai Petani playing fun thrashy hardcore punk schooling everybody not to take everything so seriously all the time and this 11 track of a CD is fucking amazing. I love the clear sound and the attitude. Its fun, crazy sometimes retarded but without spoiling the sound. The lyrics dealt with hilarious topics, from poking fun at Straight Edgers to Gudang Garam cigarettes, Japanese cartoons and a fat boy. Yes, you read that correctly. A fat boy. Contact the band via www.myspace.com/pxkxg     


ALWAYS LAST – Antidotes CD (2009)
Nervhous Records | Piss Art Records | Embrace Records

I am way behind in keeping track with the latest local releases. This one was released back in 2009. Always Last plays fast and highly infectious sing-along fat wreck chords punk rock and this is one awesome release. Containing 15 songs including an outro, this CD is total value for money. It came with a nice booklet for the brilliant lyrics too. The first song, I was chilled to the bones with the Queen-esque operatic harmonies; I knew I was in for a good treat and I was not dissapointed. The sound quality was top notch on par with the band’s brilliant song writing and arrangements. Shout out to the drummer for the awesome footwork. One word, brilliant. My favorite song? The semi acoustic track number 13, Aaina Kameilia (the aftermath). Wait, there’s a hidden acoustic track? Fuck you Always Last, for writing such a beautiful song. Email the band at wearealwayslast@gmail.com    

CARBON 4’TEEN/T.I.M – Cto-Soldier And The Promise Land Split (2010)
Red Ink Entertainment | Piss Art Records

Carbon 4’Teen is a punk band from Pontian, Johor playing fast melodic punk rock while T.I.M is a band from the muddy banks of Kuala Lumpur playing this weird hybrid of technical metal and jazzy punk rock with the virtuosity of Japanese visual kei guitarists. Yes, weird and I totally dig T.I.M. The CD contains 10 songs with each band contributing 5 songs each. I am really im pressed with T.I.M actually. The songs were really, really well written and the guitarist really shreds on the 6 strings. The drums were obviously programmed but that does not hinder my enjoyment at all even though I usually despise drum machines. I guess, it would all depend on how you arrange your songs and man, T.I.M really did it for me. All I could think of was this awesome blend of the complexity of jazz and the ferocious speed of punk and the sheer heaviness of metal. Did I mention that the singer can really sing? Yes, the guy can really sing. I recommend this because you really need to listen to T.I.M. This is fucking outside the box man. Awesome! Contact the band via carbon4teen@yahoo.co.uk and  akmalhishan@gmail.com   

PUSHER – Our Beloved City of the Dead CD (2010)
Knot Records

Pusher is a renowned punk band from Shah Alam playing this politically charged punk rock with plentiful flavor of reggae all over the place. This CD contains 9 songs including a bonus track taken from their 1999 demo. I am not really a fan of the Clash but the sound quality on this CD is pretty awesome. You got the 70’s buzzsaw guitars and the distorted crunchy rhythm well mixed and balanced. The bass was audible while the drums were clean, clear and crispy and this was done without losing that raw, organic snare and bass drum sound that I loved so much. Music wise, it took me a little while to get used to it though. Maybe I am too used to all those MTV punk sound to really appreciate the sheer brilliance of this piece of music. My lost though. Contact the band via www.facebook.com/pusher or knot_records@yahoo.com


Interview: Nekrad. no comments

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[TBB] Greetings. Can you please introduce yourself to the readers.
[Lufias] Greetings and hail. I am Lufias, lead vocal of Malaysia's extreme gothic band, Nekrad.

[Lycan] I am Lycan, permanent keys for Nekrad.
[TBB] Can you please give a brief history on how Nekrad was formed?

[Lufias] Nekrad was formed in 1999/2000, somewhere after "most of" the lineup were done with schooling. The founder of Nekrad, Deq Schizorenzo, was at that time jobless and still not going to continue his further  studies. He met Lycan Cloudygate, who then plays lead guitar ( now the permanent keyboardist ), and they started talking about forming a Gothic and Melodic based metal band influenced by the known ugly and filthy U.K band Cradle of Filth, supported by some other bands which at that time were the top notch bands in melodic and technical element influenced in their musical arrangements such as Dimmu Borgir, Agathodaimon, Children of Bodom and  Nightwish. 

At the same time, Auks and Mancer who were among the closest friend with Deq were excited to play in the band as a bassist and fill the drum post. They started to practice somewhere in mid 1999 I guess. Afterward, I finished my studies, and worked as a part timer in a studio in Ipoh. I accidentally met Deq when they came in for practice in that studio. We were from the same school but was in different grades. At first, I just wondered why they didn't have a vocalist whilst the music were pretty kind to listen to. I then joined them and made up words by screaming and growling. Unexpectedly they liked it. we kept changing the keyboardist since every time we went for practices, there was no keyboard. And the keyboard parts in "Realms of Darkness" were recorded separately. Its too long aye? Hahahahahaa thats the point when Nekrad started. 

[TBB] The idea of spelling Darken backwards was awesome but why Nekrad? Were there any other reasons why the band stuck with that name? Were there any other names used before?

[Lufias] The name was 110% inverted from the word DARKEN and it also represents one of the characters in the mythical epic TV series 'Cave of the Golden Roses'. An evil male witch-doctor. Anyway anyhow, its only Nekrad and no any other name being used. Stuck??? what the hell on earth jesus christ shitting for????? We like the name and pretty sure its more darken then 'darken itself'. dont u like it? hahahahahahaha [Its an awesome name - ED]
[Lycan] Yup,that part of Nekrad's brief history,and why Nekrad? Ewrmm,in my point of view,as common Nekrad is backward darken, its symbolizes of mirror, as we see a mirror, we see ourselves yet its not us, its the other dimension of us. A mirror just used to face ourselves, to confront what we desire and find out who we really look, hehehe. And why backward darken? In dark we all be prepared, the universe was formed just from nothing, a blast of big bang, things then started to form, its what science said, not me. Yet the idea, from darkness, where light arise, and all color of beauty were created. In coincidence all purpose mingling, sharing and life begun, and death end, creation continues, hehehe. Dark energy is somehow so mysterious. Its out of logic and its hidden, waiting to be discovered. It's like an imagination. We cant prove it, yet we all can feel it. Thus I agreed to name this band, Nekrad, and I concur what Lufias said just now that the origin of our name came from a character from The Cave Of The Golden Roses trilogy. I just feel that its more than that. To me, its not a coincidence, its a purpose.
[TBB] What about the line up. Who is in the band right now? Do you still keep in touch with any previous members of the band?

[Lufias] The current line-up are Lufias (gallery of serpentine and succubus throat), Belial ( 6 strings of nocturnal necromancy), Nero (4 pinky-pinky bloody veins), Lycan (keys to the world behind sight!) and Majestic (thunderblasts from the northern grim). Of course I still keep in touch with the old line-up. Since Lycan is still in the band. Deq have always been together with me working on the song compositions and Nekrad artworks. Auks is pretty busy with his death metal band but we frequently meet in local gigs somehow.

[Lycan] Yeah, I keep in touch in telephatic ways, haha. To us, once a comrade, always a comrade, hehehe, we all shall meet again right? Because from one to many to one again.
[TBB] In your own words, if you were an outsider, from listening to Nekrad, how would you define their sound? Any influences?

lufias - sounds? its changes by time.. and depends on their producer. its not always constant at 1 identity yet and thats what they need to recover. but as for live performance.. more they undergone for gigs and event the more tougher the identity in term of sound they gain. so.. call us if u are interested!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA am i still outsiders?

lycan - For sure we all also a listener,and as we all know,music is universal,yet not all ears can comprehend too much kind of genres,so in law of attraction,we play what we like to hear...About a question if I an outsider? I might be not listen to this kind of music,because this music just attracted those who insider,music is a language that who understand it can reply it and in my view,there is no outsider when we like what others presented,in delivered music is about wave influences mind...Thats why we called all our supporters that enjoy with our music is Nekrademus,because there are no outsider when we understand what we hear...Its an answer from me.......savvy,ahaks...

5. Back in 1999, Nekrad released its debut demo called The Realm of Darkness. Can you please tell the readers about the demo? Is it still available? If its not, would you consider rereleasing it for those who never got the chance to experience it?

lufias - the realm of darkness consist of 4 dark raw track recorded live and DIY. its been release in cassete format and only 200 copy available. most of the song such as lycanthropy massive invades and tranquility beyond disharmony which is appear in Dragonia Pegaso is taken and arrange by putting a new hades breath in it. and the other 2 song which is dragonism his feel and vampiric idealogy and principal will be fit in our next coming album nekradvaganza, the only thing is the 2 song will be with new name, new lyrics its the only music structure are similarly the same like the original one.dragonism his feel will be renamed to "1 little 2 little devil" and vapiric ideology and principal will be "old lucifer had a farm!". about the availability of Realm of darkness.. ermmm lets make it this way.., who still have the cassete and if its in good condition.. i am willingly to pay up to RM200.00 to buy it. hahahahaahahahahaha.. no.. we dont have anymore of that release.. in some cases.. we might interested to rerecord it back.. following the original of it.. still thinking on how we can achieve it.. whatever it is thank you for those who support the realms of darkness!!

lycan - If I not mistakes in myspace our comrade yet i still dont know who have put our songs there http://www.myspace.com/nekrad666/music/songs/vampire-idealogy-principles-20119090....Readest can experience it there,i just advice,its not what we meant to be,but its the effort we can do at that time ya,hahahahaha...As Lufias have mention that we already bring it forward in split and our soon release album that songs will be there,if readest like to do comparison,you are welcome to do that,what ever you all said,its what you all are anyway,ahaks....

6. And then after that, the band went on a long hiatus. What was the reason for the long hiatus and what was the reason for you to reactivate the band? Hows the reaction from the local metalheads so far?


lufias - I like to say thats not only rely on 1 reason. there is couple of reason lead to where we need to be in a long hiatus. an issue of black metal that raise is affected us too, since some folks are thinking we are somekind one of black metal serenades. clearly we are more into gothic but in some reason might be due to the raw guitar sound thats make we been labeled as black metal. its a dark time for us anyway.. and i think its not only us, some other bands too.other thing is such as lack of commitment especially to their vocalist, its me.. hahahahaa.. other bandmates like to change their musical appearance.. i still remember at that time linkin park is on the move. and they intended to play such somewhat linkin park did.. i think thats another reason we can take into account.. some more.. i cant recall back. Let me take you Back to end of 2011, i attended metal event somewhere in ipoh, and the sensations come back, i keep remeber the feel to be on stage, delivering feels of gothic itself to the metalhead downthere. another reason to do a comeback is, i am intended to improve my vocal technic, in other words i need such an activity in regarding with music. start to gather material for it. look for someone that have an ability in doing recording and all other work for the release. once i had a recorded material in hand than start to gathers lineup. i would like to thank you Mr. Jadam because he is among the people who realize nekrad comeback. others than that is Dark-e who are too humble to offer doing a split.

lyccan -Yup,I agree with Lufias and I like to add something,in celestial work,i don't know what will happen,in prediction,we just can do our best,and by history I learn and see how this coincidence just a great picture to imagine,we start at time of dragon year in chinese zodiac,and we comeback also in dragon year again.....hahahahahahaha....Yup,its look mean nothing,yet why is that aite?ahaks...And for this 2nd comeback,in my heart,in full gratitude that a sacrificed and a good leader ship that Lufias bring to all of us to do what we like,to me thanks not enough for him,he has a vision for Nekrad,he do a lot of hardwork and as for me,i love to express myself with music,with this teamwork we make it in this league of metal......About the reaction of metalhead,its a bridge for us and them to coloured our scene,we enjoyed what we do,so they enjoyed with us,yup,its a moment to remember anyway when everytime we performed,we can saw a lot of metalhead energy clinging and we all feel good by that,yeay....

7. Dragonia Pegaso was an ultimate come back release. How do you feel about the release and how was the feedback so far? How many copies were sold, if you dont mind me asking. Why was it released as a split (with Vociferation Eternity) instead of an album of its own?


lufias - i feel the same like u.. ultimate release.. hahahaha as vociferation eternity is gthering with us. as for now there is a lot of positive and negative feedback, we sum it all and take it as the concern for us to do more better in future. yes, as an early plan to release an EP. but at the same times voci is also plan to release an ep, so instead of releasing 1 single product we admire to just straight compile it and release as a split. 1000 copy printed, few more left.

lycan - we love to collaborate with our friends,what i feel about it,its feel like having a baby,its excited to name,to nurture,to have time with,and what important to me,its a gud work to be done,why not doing it?hehe...

8. I read somewhere in your facebook page that Nekrad is currently in the studios recording new songs. What are the songs for and hows the current progress of the session? Can the metalfans expect something new added to the new songs?

lufias - we are planning for a full-length album this year. consisting of 10 brand new freaks extreme gothic opus and 1 re-record versions of tranquility beyond disharmony ( appear in dragonia pegaso ). as for now we are almost at the end stage. mixing are in progress as Dark-e ( vociferation eternity / silkhannaz/died / dissectomy ) is on the move of it, next is mastering session. what i can tell its a lot of changes and differences in term of musically and lyrically. its more gothic 'friendly' song and only listeners can judge it. as for us, we enjoying creating our material, so we are excluded to judge our own style and idea. also we are working on a project for a compilation from ipoh, and split EP with band from Kuala Lumpur and i still need to keep that as secret which band they are.

lycan - I love do magic,yet i can't do one,hahahahaha,and i doing it as not telling it now,its surprise it,hahahahaha...It is in process,and its feel good to doing it....Ewrmm,expectation? Tune yourself with our tune,so what will you have is goose bumps,hahahahahaha....

9. Can we expect a new release from the band this year? Maybe you can drop a hint or two in regards to that and how can the metal fans get in touch with the band?


lufias - yes, nekradvaganza album should be planned to release as earliest on june 2013. will keep you guys updated on the exact date of release. 9 new song, 1 cover song and tranquility beyond disharmony re-record versions. for sure song such as twinkle twinkle little scar and raging war and despair will be in there too.

lycan - welcome to be Nekrademus,yeay...

10. Last words to the readers?

lufias - last but not least, i would like to thanks to all listeners, supporters, haters, commenters, friend and family. appreciate what you did!! thanks to you too for the interview. HAIL NEKRADEMUS!

lycan - Thanks for this interview,and to the readers,when you read this,you already have a vibe with us,and when you have a vibe,you are in tune with us,thanks for that energy you bring to yourself and us,HAILZ NEKRADEMUS!



Reviews: The Non Metal Reviews Vol.1 no comments

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DISASTER FUNHOUSE / HOODED - Split (2012)
Alternative Label/Distribution | Ancaman Production | Quiet Still Dead Records

The only reason why I bought this CD was Disaster Funhouse, a local household name in Malaysian HC scene, making a comeback after God knows how many years of hiatus. Boy, was I in for a treat, Disaster Funhouse did not disappoint. This CD contains 13 songs with Hooded, an excellent HC band from Bandung, Indonesia, contributing 7 songs while the remaining 6 were contributed by Disaster Funhouse. Hooded played angry, old school with a bit of touch of modern HC while DF maintained their signature NYHC Warzone-esque brand of HC. Heavy, fast, straight to your face old School HC, the way it should be played. According to the sleeve, the songs which were featured in this CD were recorded way back in 2004. I do not know why, DF chose not to release this fine piece of music back then, but I am glad they chose to release it anyway. It came with a nice gatefold sleeve and a lyric sheet, complete with English explanations about each of the songs featured. Highly recommended. Email the labels at: ancamanfanzine@yahoo.com or anakmuda@gmail.com or quietstilldeadrecords@yahoo.com


THE EVERYDAY – Globalisasi Retromodlist CD (?)
Youth Culture Records

Retro rock. The one band that came to mind when I first listened to this 4 piece of a band is The Times, especially the lazy vocal parts. The lyrics were a bit cheesy, not really to my liking, although the music is moderately decent. Oh, one more thing, get a real drummer, boys. 

BACTERIOSTATIC - Demo (2012)
Self released

Bacteriostatic ia a new three piece melodic punk rock outfit from Kulai, Johor. This demo contains 8 highly infectious and well written melodic punk rock tunes. The lyrics mostly talks about friendship, trendies and humanity. The quality of the sound is decent, with the bass is high on the mix while the drums were a bit at the back. I can barely listen to the sound of the bass drums. But all in all, this band has a high sense of melody that I can tell. The CDR demo came with a lyric sheet. Email the band at d_maggot_crusher@yahoo.com.my 

SOUL SAVIOR - Punk My Ride CD (2010)
Nervhous Records

This CD was released in 2010 so it is quite an old release. First look at the band’s logo I seriously thought that this was a heavy/power metal band or some shit, but no, Soul Savior is a chilled out melodic punk rock band from Patin rock city of Temerloh Pahang. Less the vocals, the band plays this chilled out punk rock tunes in the veins of NOFX, Propagandhi and Bad Religion. I kept mentioning chilled out, right? That was due to the way the singer sang their songs; chilled and relaxed, despite the fast and energetic blistering punk rock music that he is singing to. Kind of like Chris Cornell. The CD contains 8 highly melodic ear candies with lyrics about having fun and poetic interpretation of life with little pokes on modern day ideological nonsense here and there. Seriously, I had fun reading the lyrics. The words crafted for Running Out of Life and Romanticizing the Revolution were some deep and heavy poetic shits, man. The sound quality is very good even though the bass is barely audible. Maybe a couple of notch up on the treble knot would do the trick. The guitars were clean despite the never ending buzzsaw activities through out the CD. This CD is enjoyable. One listen and I am already humming the riffs. If you like MTV Punk rock, then you will want to give this band a listen. Contact the band at www.facebook.com/soulsavior

Books: Iron Maiden In The Studio - The Stories Behind Every Album. no comments

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Iron Maiden In The Studio - The Stories Behind Every Album.
Title: Iron Maiden In The Studio - The Stories Behind Every Album.
Authors: Jake Brown
Publisher: John Blake Publishing - 2011.
Additional Information: Hardcover, 235 Pages, RM 89.90, Kinokuniya Bookstore Kuala Lumpur.

1. Iron Maiden is one of the most successful metal band of all time. The influence that these old geezers managed to spread was beyond boundaries. I bought this book because its a book about Iron Maiden, I would be crazy to pass this on.

2. My first experience with Iron Maiden was when I was still schooling. I was still learning the ropes about what metal was all about. A fellow metalhead classmate dubbed me a compilation tape consisting of bands that I should pay attention to. I got my first dose of Carcass from that old tape, and of course Iron Maiden. What better ways to be introduced to Maiden, if not with Run To The Hills?

3. Known for being extremely melodic, cheesy catchy twin guitar leads, the infamous galloping rhythm sections, 5 octave craze by their frontman/airplane pilot and sing along choruses to top it all, Iron Maiden sure knew how to make our heads bang to the max. 

4. As the title of the book clarified, this book was about war stories behind each and every Maiden album, from the first self titled debut back in 1980 to the latest album, The Final Frontier which was released back in 2010. 

5. The 235 page thick book was divided into 16 chapters, one for every album, with the sixteenth chapter was dedicated to Eddie, the long time mascot of Maiden. Overall, the book dug the idea, the core and the in depth elaboration about each and every album and songs released by the band. You know, who wrote what and why. All that mumbo jumbos that only their hardcore fans would be able to appreciate.

6. Be very cautious though that this book is not an autobiography of the band but it would suit well as an additional read to any Maiden autobiography that you got in your collection. 

Worshippers.