TRIBUTE : BEHEMOTH : ASIA WORLD TOUR 2013 : SINGAPORE : 01/11/2013

Here we pay tribute to our brothers Nergal and Baal (ex-drummer) of Polish finest - BEHEMOTH !

LORD : DIGITAL LIVE TOUR 2013 - ASIA : STOP ZONE JOHOR BAHRU - MALAYSIA : 13/09/2013

LORD is a veteran Aussie Epic Power Metal band (originally known as DUNGEON). Frankly, we knew quite a little about LORD but when it comes to Power Metal, the guitar harmony and catchy choruses are always a threat to listen to. So we headed out to STOP ZONE to check them out.

 

If memory served us well, the last time we were in touch with Aussie Power Metal band was many years ago with Johnny Stoj & PEGAZUS.

 

Small turnout since it was Friday (working day), yet salute to TFHM PRODUCTION for still having guts to put up the show.

 

Opening band was DEMORFORESSUS (Johor Bahru), and they stand with potential. Blending a mixture of modern metal etc (they even have didgeridoo on stage), the band kicked ass with good song writing, heavy riffs (we sense element of Drone there) and strong vocal as well. They have an EP out somewhere, and we do need to check them out. Highly recommended !


DEMORFORESSUS

Next was NIRRAJIM (Muar) - a 3-pieces Eastern Black Metal band with melodic parts here and there, something that remind us strongly to early AS SAHAR. A good set with killer drumming.

NIRRAJIM

 

LORD then came on stage and blew everyone away. The crowds were extremely supportive, cheering the band continuously. Their set was tight and they nailed the numbers well. The band consist of Lord Tim (guitar/vocal), Andy Dowling (bass), Mark Further (guitar) and Simon Batley (drum). We are not sure whether Damian Costas still drums for the band.



 

 



The Digital Live Tour was to promote the band latest album 'Digital Lies' (released in Feb '2013). Check them out at : www.lord.net.au

 

We are unable to catch DETHREVAWAR (Kulaijaya) since we need to leave the venue early. Nevertheless, thumbs up to TFHM PRODUCTION !

 

Johor Setlists
1) Incipio (Digital Lies)
2) Betrayal Blind (Digital Lies)
3) Netherlife (DUNGEON - A Rise To Power)
4) Set In Stone (Set In Stone)
5) 2D Person In A 3D World (Digital Lies)
6) The Last Encore (Digital Lies)
7) The Power Within (DUNGEON - One Step Beyond)
8) Final Seconds (Digital Lies)
9) Through The Fire (Ascendance)
10) Footsteps In The Sand (A Personal Journey)
11) I Am Death (DUNGEON - Resurrection)
12) Creeping Death (METALLICA - Ride The Lightning)

METALLICA : ASIA TOUR 2013 : CHANGI EXHIBITION CENTRE - SINGAPORE : 24/08/2013

 

Total madness ! The Singaporean maniacs at the front row were the craziest ! The crowds were the loudest ! Even the official METALLICA - 'Tour Journal' stated - 'I believe we have a new leader for loudest crowd on this tour ! Singapore was singing along with 'Ecstacy of Gold" loudly and it just got louder from there !'

 

We were fortunate to be able to stand in the 2nd / 3rd line fronting the centre stage. Everybody were extremely excited, singing along to the intro - "Ecstacy Of Gold" yet still calm. There was this young fan that has already became uncomfortable. We asked him - "are you okay ?", and he gave the thumb up, but the plastic cup he was holding looked shaking.

As soon as METALLICA kicked off with "Hit The Lights", the ground shaked as everybody went berserk with fist held high, singing their heart out. But the worst is yet to come. When the band hit the 2nd song "Master Of Puppets", the madness began. The front row was really cramped and intense, and you have this terrible human wave came crushing from left, right and back. Totally sandwiched ! It was the craziest moment but the feeling inside there was priceless. A sudden glimpse of the book - 'Murder In The Front Row' (by Harold Oimoen & Brian Lew) about the San Francisco Bay Area Thrash Metal Scene flashed before our eyes.

 

Everybody was cool despite not knowing each other, yet clingin' and hangin' onto one another. We believed everybody was looking out for each other. By then, that young fan has already fainted standing, yes, standing, and we shouted loudly to the security and everbody helped to get him out fast. Several others were lifted out of the barrier during "Master Of Puppets" from the ground we stood. It was the best moment. The energy was enormous, the crowds were running wild, singing along to the chorus, even doing the 'wowowo' to Hammet's guitar solo when Hetfield gave the cue - "together".

 

It might gave shiver to the spine, but those tough and fast security personnel were always on alert, looking out for those in need. Plain water in plastic cup were passed out continously, and splashing of water came in once a while. The situation continued with "The Shortest Straw".

 

Then after, Hetfield started to connect with the crowds - "So you all have been waiting 20 years ? Thank you so much for waiting, that's some dedication ! We appreciate you waiting and we are grateful to be here. Finally after 20 years Singapore, this one goes out to the dedicated family member of Singapore. This is some old stuff ..." and then the killing riff of "Ride The Lightning" exploded and all hell broke loose again. It appeared a bit calmer during "Fade To Black". If you want the luxury, get the 'Unforgiven Pass' instead, where you can see METALLICA comfortably from the lounge area.

 

We left the front row to the middle during "The Memory Remains" to get the taste of reactions from the other crowds. Another highlight of the night, especially the never ending sing along towards the end.

 

What do you want ?" - Hetfield asked the crowd. A big response for "The Four Horsemen" came shaking. Are we goin' to get a sudden change in the setlist ? METALLICA only belted out the track once during the Tokyo show (10/08/2013). They didn't played it in Osaka (11/08/2013), Shanghai (13/08 & 14/08/2013), Seoul (18/08/2013) and Kuala Lumpur (21/08/2013). We do not know what will happen in Jakarta (25/08/2013) either. But it turned out to be "Sad But True", hence dissapointing many.

The magical moment for the younger fans (or perhaps all fans) must be during "Nothing Else Matters" and "Enter Sandman". The 'Black Album' as it is known to the fans had this more commercial touch and the band built their younger fanbase from there. Everybody was singing, jumping and doing whatever they felt like enjoying.

The 'encore' was even classic, its "Creeping Death", "Battery" and "Seek & Destroy".
 

Setting out of the event by LAMC Productions was top notch. The stage was brilliant and the location was perfect. Earlier, we have 'Metal On Metal' Canadian veteran - ANVIL on stage. From the look of their faces, they were really having fun despite their age. While, opening act - local band SACRILEGE managed to built up the momentum, as the crowds impatiently await for ANVIL and METALLICA.

There are a few artworks for the official shirts. The dated Singapore shirt (with the Merlion head) has long gone when we reached the booth. So, we get the shirt with the awesome 'The Four Horsemen' artwork instead with Asian countries printed at the back. The artwork was done by John Dyer Baizley - a painter and musician (vocal/guitar for BARONESS - American Progressive Metal band)

Getting to see METALLICA live, belting out our good old days favorites like "Master Of Puppets" (total madness !), "... And Justice For All" (where are the crowds ?), "Welcome Home - Sanitarium" (classic !) and "Creeping Death" (the crowds were loud ! Die ! Die ! Die !) was a life time experience. Everything was simply outstanding ! Thanks LAMC Productions !

"You kicked our ass !" - Hetfield said ! Yes, Singapore did !

 

Setlists

intro : Ecstacy Of Gold

1) Hit The Lights (Kill 'Em All)

2) Master Of Puppets (Master Of Puppets)

3) The Shortest Straw (... And Justice For All)

4) Ride The Lightning (Ride The Lightning)

5) Fade To Black (Ride The Lightning)

6) The Memory Remains (Reload)

7) Broken, Beat & Scarred (Death Magnetic)

8) Welcome Home - Sanitarium (Master Of Puppets)

9) Sad But True (Metallica)

10) ... And Justice For All (... And Justice For All)

11) One (... And Justice For All)

12) For Whom The Bell Tolls (Ride The Lightning)

13) Blackend (... And Justice For All)

14) Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)

15) Enter Sandman (Metallica)

Encore

16) Creeping Death (Ride The Lightning)

17) Battery (Master Of Puppets)

18) Seek & Destroy (Kill 'Em All)

 
No photo as we came to see it, hear it and feel it ...
 

For official photo, video & live download, visit Metallica.com

WINGS : ROCKESTRA 2013 : ISTANA BUDAYA - MALAYSIA : 26/04/2013

 

Malaysia's legendary rock band - WINGS returned to ISTANA BUDAYA with National Symphony Orchestra and we excitedly attended the first show as always.

 

It was a grandeur opening when it opened with this one guy (Mohar) on stage playing the 'seruling' (Malay's traditional flute). Then with grand applause from the audience, the orchestra was lifted up onto the stage, followed with WINGS, each one dressed in suit.

 

The band then hit the haunting track "Amok" and with no break, continued with "Bujang Senang". We tried hard to guess, as the beginning part of "Bujang Senang" has really transformed into this one gigantic orchestral piece and when AWIE finally hit " ... ketenangan air halus manja ...", we just can't stop cursing ourselve for not able to figure that out. While, the 3rd track "Pengabdian Ku Kekasih" started with this one very 'bluesy' moment, with JOE and AWIE battling one another with the riffing and singing.

 

AWIE only started to communicate with the crowd after the 3rd song, thanking ISTANA BUDAYA for allowing them to return.

 

When IAN ANTONO (GOD BLESS - Indonesian veteran rock band) and HILLARY ANG came out for the guitar showcase - "Illusi Intonasi", the following set later turned really heavy especially the mid part of "Dari Tuhan", followed by the fast track "Ameringo" and "Julang Timur Tengah". IAN then left and HILLARY continued on stage until the end.

 

Our best moment must be when they belted out their rare tracks like "Hikayat Penuh Ranjau" and "Kota Kemusnahan" which you don't really get to hear during most of the usual shows.

 

Yes, WINGS might have heard us the last time, and "Harapan" was mesmerizing when blended with piano and orchestral strings. With AWIE hitting the high note perfectly, that was simply our climax. Thanks for "Bujang Senang" too.

 

It was then "Sejati" that wrapped the night up. The guitar intro alone sparked massive screams from the crowds. Everything was brilliant and AWIE (vocal) was simply top notch. It looks that all their hard works really paid off.

 

We are definitely ready for their next rockestra show if they somehow plan for their 3rd, but only if they promise us "Midnight Blues", "Rantai" and "Dalam Kehadiran Sofiah".

 

No picture ? Yes, none ! 'Seeing is believing' is crap if you need photo to justify that. By the way, camera is a big no in Istana Budaya. Just be there at ROCKESTRA 2013 instead and WINGS will ensure that you get this one mind blowing experience. Legendary show !

 

Setlist

  1) Amok (Bazooka Penaka)

  2) Bujang Senang (Teori Domino)

  3) Pengabdian Ku Kekasih (Bazooka Penaka)

  4) Suara Kita (Bazooka Penaka)

  5) Hikayat Penuh Ranjau (Hukum Karma)

  6) Anugerah (Hukum Karma)

  7) Sayap Illusi (Naga Kramat)

  8) Alam Barzakh (Teori Domino)

  9) Awang Thrasher (Jerangkung Dalam Almari)

10) Misteri Mimpi Syakilla (Hukum Karma)

11) Illusi Intonasi (guitar showcase)

     (with Joe Wings/Ian Antono/Hillary Ang)

12) Dari Tuhan (Belenggu Irama)

13) Ameringo (Naga Kramat)

14) Julang Timur Tengah (Mr Barbarik)

15) Taman Rashidah Utama (Hukum Karma)

16) Ranjang Mawar (Orang Asing)

17) Kota Kemusnahan (Belenggu Irama)

18) Harapan (Teori Domino)

Encore

19) Opera Hidup (Hukum Karma)

20) Sejati (Teori Donimo)

 

BACK FROM THE GRAVE : 10/02/2013 : SNAPSHOTS : MOC (MASTER OF CHAOS)

'BACK FROM THE GRAVE' - it spelt out well the return of Johor's Death Thrash legend MOC (MASTER OF CHAOS) as the headliner. Previously known as MANIPULATION OF CRISIS, the band has been inactive for quite a long time. Thanks to MUZIK BOX PRODUCTIONS & SOUTHERN METAL SQUAD for getting them back on stage. It was definitely one rare moment to those who were there. For us, the last time we were able to see them live was 18 years ago on 1st July 1995 at 'SYMPHONY OF THE EVENING BREEZE' gig.  

For old time sake, the pit was in chaos with fists flying high when they belted out 'Master Of Puppets" from METALLICA - "... come crawling faster, obey your master, your life burns faster ..."
 
So, here is the MASTER OF CHAOS ! They are back from the grave !