Playing Neil Young and Crazy Horse's Rust Never Sleeps

Filipino band WYWY is making a name for themselves in the gulf region

Filipino band WYWY is making a name for themselves in the gulf region

By Rick Olivares

Meet one of the best Filipino bands you might not have heard of… WYWY.

Their name is pronounced “Why Why” after the Beatles song, “Within You Without You” from the masterful Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (the first track from Side Two as written by George Harrison), and are based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The band’s sound, however, is far from that Mersey beat sound that the Fab Four from Liverpool, England popularized. WYWY’s influences are Slowdive, Cocteau Twins, Lush, Radiohead, Portishead, and the like. Thus quite obviously, the band – McKie Alvarez on synthesizers, guitars, and beat, and X Alvarez on vocals, synthesizers, and xylophone – plays a blend of dream pop and shoegaze. 

“Our music has been described as dreamy, dark, and ethereal with the songs all about our personal experiences,” said McKie who works as an administrator in a construction company over a long-distance interview. X is a supervisor with a petroleum company.

And WYWY have been a hit not only among the Filipino community but also among the locals and expatriate crowd. They have performed in Lebanon and have been invited to perform in Bahrain. They self-released their first extended play single, “Within You, Without You” on compact disc and vinyl (it has since sold out). UAE-based label Analog Amigo Records made it available on cassette – and locally through United Cassettes Philippines – and it too has sold out.  

For their efforts and impact, the Dubai-based magazine, Illustrado, has named WYWY as among the 300 most influential Filipinos in the gulf. 

Furthermore, they were named Artist of the Year by Bahrain-based promoter/record label, Museland. Noted Museland, “Witnessing WYWY performing live is a wholly ethereal experience. The duo have been playing solidly over the year at everything from small, intimate gigs to large scale stages. Their unique brand of visceral music and dramatic presence puts them on a league of their own when it comes to live performance. Combining haunting vocals, deep synths and dream-like guitars, WYWY’s music seems designed to be experienced in a live setting.  In 2019, they played a number of memorable gigs including Sikka Art Fest, Analog Room, The Flip Side, and more recently Jaddaf Aloud. They also made their Bahrain debut with two brilliant shows.”

Now, that really says something.

WYWY hasn’t looked back since they began gigging in 2015. They opened for another band and were surprised by the reception they got. 

Flush with the reception they have gotten, WYWY is slated to release their follow up album sometime this 2020.

“UAE especially Dubai is more open than other Arab countries as most of the people here are expats,” added McKie. “The locals love art (and music).”

And so will others here in the Philippines and around the world… soon.

The Gaslight Anthem soundtrip

Fortunate to have seen The Gaslight Anthem during their formative years at New Brunswick, New Jersey. They were raw and had this rock and roll energy about their performances. Plus, it looked like they were some greaser gang out of S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders. I was entranced.

Imagine when I saw them years later when I saw a compact disc of The '59 Sound in HMV. I immediately got it and every release of theirs I could find.

They were even better than I remember. And this band and all their five albums plus the EP, Señor and The Queen occupy a hallowed space in my collection.

My cd of Malaysian black metal band Blackfire's Lahir Dari Api

Got this during their show at Mow's last Saturday, February 22, 2020.

My AninoKo collection

My collection of releases from Bay Area Filipino-American punk band AninoKo.

Watching Vietnamese band Cut Lon at Mow's

Went to see Vietnamese punk band Cut Lon at Mow's last Saturday, February 22. The band seemed certainly interesting as they called their brand of music "Pikachu-core" as they are all fans of the Pokemon character and they all wear Pikachu type costumes when they perform. It's quite a sight. It's far from the frightening stage personas of masked bands such as Slipknot or Mushroomhead, but cut Lon thrashes about with wild abandon.

And I must say there is more to this costume-dressing band... I do like their music. Even if I do not understand a word of Vietnamese. 

They released their 10-song debut album, Xao Ke, on cassette. And like their stage personas, the cover art belies the power of their music. I just had to get it along with a shirt.

Cut Lon unmasked. Taking a cue from American band, Kiss, the members of Cut Lon, are unmasked before their show at Mow's!

Move over Echo and the Bunnymen. Make way for Cut Lon!

That's me on the far right trying to take proper picks of Malaysian metal band Blackfire (before Cut Lon came on). What a solid night for underground music.

I had a blast watching Cut Lon and I hope to follow them on a regular basis.

Red-I’s Word Sound Power 2LP is out on Japan’s Oto Records

Red-I’s Word Sound Power 2LP is out on Japan’s Oto Records

By Rick Olivares

Filipino dub artist Red-I’s second full length album, Word Sound Power, is now out on vinyl via Japan-based label, Oto Records.

Word Sound Power is a double album and follows the extended plays releases Kings Music, Natty Dread I Beat, and Mystic Revelation. And easily, this is his best effort to date.

Many artists -- especially those not from Jamaica where dub music originated as an offshoot of reggae – add to their interpretation of the genre. In Red-I’s case, his use of the kubing (on the first rack “Highest Region”) adds a Filipino touch to the music. it isn’t only homegrown ingredients that he adds to the eclectic brew. There are traces of jazz, Middle Eastern, and Asian rhythms as well; no doubt the sum of Red-I’s influences and his many travels. They all add to the underlying beauty of Word Sound Power. 

Word Sound Power is Red-I’s first full length record since his self-released 2012 debut, Jahdgement Day, and the two-record set features guest performances by Mc Brother Culture, Ras Taro, King Spade, Lady I, and Camoi among others. All of Red-I’s releases have been on vinyl. As the saying goes – what’s good for turntables are good for soundsystems (and vice versa).

The album was launched at Irie Manila Sunday, February 16, at Casa Bambu, Poblacion, Makati. 

A late-night crowd of party goers as well as reggae and dub fans filled the roof deck watering hole and gyrated to the music provided by DJs Don P, Soulsteppa, Masta T, T Cash, Norris King, and Digital Dan Boi. 

British dub artist and DJ, Steve Vibronics, a frequent Manila visitor himself, was also on hand as part of his Asian tour to promote his new releases, Vibronics Meets Weeding Dub and Culture Dub not to mention recordings with fellow Briton, Sandra Cross.

According to Red-I, Word Sound Power has a limited pressing of 400 copies that are available through Oto Records’ website as well as regional vinyl and reggae/dub sites.

Red-I has broken out in the international dub music scene of late having performed at the One Love Festival in England last year and a recent show in Thailand. This 2020, he will participate in the International Dub Gathering from April 2-5 in Spain. “I am happy about all these developments,” said Red-I during the Irie Sunday show. “After 2012, I have seen a lot of my music released on vinyl by a Japanese label. I have been getting invites to perform abroad. Spain this coming April will be four nights of live performances from the best international dub artists. I am excited to participate and represent the Philippines in this gathering.”

Added Steve Vibronics, “The international dub scene is growing especially in Asia. I am on a mini-Asian tour playing music and meeting all these familiar faces and making new friends as well. I just played in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City and now am in Manila. I am supposed to have some tour dates in China, but I am backing out of it because of the Corona virus. However, it is good to be in Manila and share this night with Red-I.”

Review: Sound Architects’ Regenesis is a hauntingly beautiful masterpiece.

Review: Sound Architects’ Regenesis

is a hauntingly beautiful masterpiece. 

By Rick Olivares

Atmospheric instrumental band Sound Architects recently released on cassette tape their second album, Regenesis. It follows the hauntingly beautiful Transfer Protocol EP from last year that was a precursor of the brilliance to come.

Sans any words in the music of Sound Architects, the beauty of their instrumentals is you are free to interpret it in anyway. Me of cinematic mind, this is how I feel…

However, before we give way to our unfettered imagination, just a quick track back to Transfer Protocol that to my mind is like listening to music in an abandoned darkened building at night with their immediate surroundings bathed in the bright lights and pulse of a city coming alive at night. 

Regenesis picks up on that aforementioned pace in the aptly titled opening track, “Ignition Sequence” and it takes me back to driving along the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. No, not the romantic vibe you get from viewing the lovely coastal towns of surrounding Sorrento or Positano on a sunny day, but at night with a Blade Runnerish feel or even Daniel Craig’s James Bond riding out into danger.

The second track is “Temple of God” and it is like waking from a blissful sleep and in you’re in this forest with sunbeams finding holes through the foliage. It starts off with this John Carpenter vibe then turns up the majesty.

“Syndicates” gives off this eerie sense of foreboding. Like it’s something out of the film version of Minority Report. With deep shadows and a greater conspiracy at work.

And that segues into “Observers” that is mournful. Like someone watching a tragedy unfold from afar and is unable to do anything about it. Except watch. Uatu the Watcher would dig this.

“Containment Failure” would make an excellent soundtrack to that awesome Danish Netflix show, The Rain. 

“Advent” has me thinking of all those UFO flicks of the arrival of something that leaves you awestruck and frightened at the same time. There’s an underlying tension to the song that keeps you on the edge. 

The final track, “Regenesis” begins in a more somber manner. Like an event unfolding in slow motion then there’s this shimmering light for the unveiling.

When Sound Architects released Regenesis early this February, it is in my honest opinion, the first best release of 2020. Good music comes in small surprises.

Playing The War on Drugs' A Deeper Understanding

In 2014, I picked up The War On Drugs' Lost In the Dream on a whim. I came away blown away and a fan. Three years later, this album A Deeper Understanding, came out. And it is a solid record.

Agaw Agimat releases new single “Maghihintay”

Agaw Agimat releases new single “Maghihintay”

By Rick Olivares

Agaw Agimat released a new single, “Maghihintay” and its corresponding music video to last Saturday night, February 15 at 70s Bistro.

“Maghihintay, written by Agaw Agimat’s vocalist Wendy Villanueva, is a heartfelt paean to her mother who recently passed away as well as her beliefs about reincarnation and the cycle of life. The new single follows “Antok” that tells of the challenges that face people who work in the BPO industry – where Villanueva and Agaw Agimat drummer Renmin Nadela also work and came out in December of 2019.

The video for “Maghihintay” was shot in a farming area of Tagaytay called Amadeo and directed by Kadiboy Belarmino (who is also the lead vocalist of another Cavite-based band, Fherrond).

The show was also conceived to be a belated Valentine’s Day show and the first 20 couples were given a free cassette of “Maghihintay” that was manufactured by independent label, Mutilated Noise Records.

“We only had 20 copies of the cassette made,” bared Nadela. “We wanted it to be in a limited number and for the die-hard fans of the band. But we will see if we can add more to sell.”

One fan who lives out in Pililia, Quezon was unable to go. So, he had a friend purchase two tickets to the show to qualify as “a couple” in order to get the cassette.

According to the person who purchased two tickets on his behalf just to get the tape, the fan has every single release of Agaw Agimat and he wanted to maintain a complete collection of everything that is put out. “That really surprised me,” admitted Nadela. “We’ve also been getting a lot of inquiries about another run so we will have to look into this.”

The fourth generation line-up of Agaw Agimat – Renmin Nadela on drums Wendy Villanueva on vocals, John Lugtu (also of the Chongkeys) on guitar, Rene Serna also on guitar (and who also performs with Radha of Kulay and Arnel Pineda), and Adeng Maron (of metal band Orb of Blood) on bass – headlined an impressive show that featured Cavite-based bands Dally (that was very good impression with their groove-infused post-rock sound), the Deftones-inspired Save the Fall, Fherrond, Erectus, and the Chongkeys.

“I think it is an exciting time for Agaw Agimat,” said Nadela before the show. “We feel we have a solid line-up of talented and seasoned musicians. It just flows when we perform or even write music. We’re all excited about creating new music and I think it is safe to say that we will have a new album out before the year ends.”

It has been 16 years since Agaw Agimat released an album. The last was 2004’s Mantra. They previously also released three other albums, R-15 in 1995, Patak in 1997, and the widely-acclaimed Guerilla Ballroom in 2000.

“We were pleasantly surprised that ‘Antok’ received a lot of airplay in Manila and provincial radio stations,” added Nadela. “We’re hoping that ‘Maghihintay’ will also resonate well with music fans as well as music programmers.”

With Renmin Nadela and Wendy Villanueva of Agaw Agimat (and the Republicats).

Playing Opeth's In Cauda Venenum

A Look at the OPM vinyl market in the Philippines today.

A Look at the OPM vinyl market in the Philippines today.

By Rick Olivares

The recent re-release of the Eraserheads’ Ultraelectromagneticpop on vinyl is sold out. No surprise there. Except that it commands a huge price in the re-sale market. 

In a two months’ we’ve seen it reach almost Juan dela Cruz Band proportions. 

What that means in the old Juan dela Cruz Band records sell anywhere from P8,000-30,000 per title! At one time on Ebay, all the records were on sale for almost a half a million pesos! 

It is insane. It sounds too incredible yet it is true. Now whether anyone bought it is anyone’s guess.

As for Ultraelectromagneticpop, what we’ve seen it sell for ranges from P7,000-10,000 and now up to a whopping P20,000 (equivalent on Discogs)!

There were over 40,000 copies of that pressed in compact disc and cassette and it is rare that you will see it for sale. The one time I did see it – and it wasn’t in near mint condition – it sold for P13,000! 

In fact, I have seen the Eraserheads’ last album, Carbonstereoxide, sell for P3,500.

The Ultraelectromagneticpop vinyl release saw only 2,500 copies pressed. So there is that desirability for the title. It’s just that the re-sale price is outrageous! 

Since the return to prominence and popularity of vinyl, we have seen Original Pilipino Music releases from the 1960-1980s shoot up in price. Those old records of the Dawn, Apo Hiking Society, Identity Crisis, Gapo Volumes 1 and 2, Anakbayan, Mike Hanopol, Sampaguita, Wally Gonzales, Jose Mari Chan, Gary Valenciano, and others have really gone up in value.

Of those released in the last decade, the Ang Nawawala soundtrack (with about 300 pressed) are hard to find and it is rare to see it in the back seller’s market. 

If there is any title among those recent re-releases that could possibly – and I must stress possibly --- fetch a high price in the future is Slapshock’s Twelve Point One. Technically, it isn’t a re-release as there is no compact disc or cassette version of this de facto “greatest hits” release that is a double-side picture disc! It does seem to have sold out as I do not see it anymore. 

Other new releases include The Dawn’s Greatest Hits but we aren’t really sure if the original analog masters were used or a compact disc as the local record companies have done so. 

The re-press versions of Apo Hiking Society or even the Boyfriends’ greatest hits retail for P1,500. Yet, some folks re-sell them for several hundred pesos or even up to a thousand pesos plus more. 

The problem is with the old record bars of yore a thing of the past (save for those in the indie market), most do not know where to buy them and simply look online where these re-presses are sold for a higher price.

When Jose Mari Chan’s Christmas in Our Hearts was released during the last Christmas season, re-sellers automatically added P300 to their price (limited edition or not). 

The terms “independent” and “underground” are loosely used, but it seems that the latter relates to punk and metal releases while the former is anything not of the aforementioned genres. But for our purposes, we will simply use the term independent. Or indie, as it sounds way more cool.

There is an average of 10 releases on vinyl every years by indie artists. They come out in an assortment of seven-inch singles or extended plays singles or 12-inch Eps or full length albums. They sell anywhere from P350 (for seven-inchers) to as much as P1,500 for the 12-inch full length. Pricing is definitely key.

Of the indie releases in the last 15 years or so, I’d say for the punk and hardcore community, the releases of Abrasive Relations that will curry a lot of value. Post-rock band Legarda has a split single release with Boston’s The Saddest Landscape two years ago. What makes this very hard to find is only 50 copies were pressed! 

However, I don’t imagine this will sell huge in the re-sale market is it is only those in their immediate community who know of the release or will even care to have one. 

If you go back to the 1980s, Ocean Zoo’s EP, Animal Party, is rather difficult to find and commands a high price when it is on the market. When that came out in 1980, it sold for P5.00. It didn’t do too well except for those who were into the scene back then. Right now, it is a Holy Grail for local rock music fans. 

Supposedly, the Eraserheads’ second album, Circus, will also be out on vinyl this year. And we hear that Parokya ni Edgar will also have a record out this year. Whether it is their debut Khangkhungkherrnitz that originally came out in 1996 or a greatest hits release remains to be seen. Whether this is a limited edition or not also remains to be seen. And whether this will command a high re-sale price is anyone’s guess.

I am also told that it isn’t only OPM releases that sell like crazy. Certain records released during the New Wave era also sell for insane prices. Seona Dancing’s release “More to Lose” or those releases by the Care – “Whatever Possessed You” and “Flaming Sword” are in demand that those with copies of this from countries in North America or Europe have jacked up their prices for the Philippine market (apparently, they aren’t as in demand over there). 

During the Record Store Day celebration two years ago, we saw Seona Dancing’s “More to Lose” priced at P14,000! Incredible.

Was it like this when I was buying vinyl in the 1980s? Not really. The only records that I know that were priced steep were the original UK presses of Beatles records. 

Personally, I am happy that vinyl is back. On the other hand, the hunt for records I want brings me back to those days. The one exception are these re-sale prices. 

Acclaimed American band, Power Trip, hits Manila with a mega-watt performance

Acclaimed American band, Power Trip, hits Manila with a mega-watt performance

By Rick Olivares

One of the most acclaimed American bands of the last decade hit Manila last Sunday.

Texas crossover thrash metal band Power Trip put on a mega-watt performance in a production by promoter Sleeping Boy Collective last February 9 at the 123 Block.

The crowd of 300 people – including several Danish tourists -- who packed the venue came away tired, sweaty, and bewildered. In fact, some had to sit down in the middle of their raucous set to rest or go for a water break. It was that intense.

And the Dallas, Texas-based band is known just for that – their crossover hardcore punk and thrash metal to go with their livewire shows. They released two critically-acclaimed albums in the past decade – 2013’s Manifest Decimation and 2017’s Nightmare Logic. In between those two albums, the band also put out a couple of extended play albums. 

Along with American acts such as Deafheaven and Vampire Weekend, Power Trip is one of the more lauded and popular bands of the last decade. Such is their draw that top rock acts have oft invited the Texas Thrashers on their tours opening them up to new audiences.

Power Trip – vocalist Riley Gale, guitarists Blake Ibanez and Nick Stewart, drummer Chris Ulsh, and bassist Chris Wetzel – are in the midst of a six-nation Asian Tour and Manila was their second stop. 

“It’s cool to know that we have fans in this part of the world,” said Wetzel before their show where local hardcore acts Veils, Armas Ready, and Choke Cocoi opened for them. “We see a lot of people here and we’re just excited to play our music to an audience that is buzzing.”

When the American quintet hit the stage, Gale wore an Agnostic Front shirt. Ibanez sported a white Corrosion of Conformity top, while Whetzel proudly wore a Van Halen tour shirt. Behind them was their logo that is rooted in extreme metal but is at once readable; a subtle reference to its crossover influences. Corrosion of Conformity is a heavy metal band while Agnostic front is a hardcore act from New York. Van Halen is a hard rock act from California.

Riley makes no bones about how the American East Coast hardcore scene of the 1980s where bands such as Bad Brains, Agnostic Front, and Cro-Mags to name but a few influenced him. “I was weaned on that stuff,” he cheerfully admitted. 

The powerful performance saw the band roll out their songs – from the crowd favorite “Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe)” to “Soul Sacrifice” to their new song, “Hornet’s Nest” -- with the jacked up crowd chiming in between relentless moshing. 

“It’s always good when you have people tripping out on your songs and moshing to it,” summed up Whetzel. “And Manila was just awesome. We’re happy we played here and we certainly hope we can come back again.”

After their Asian tour – that followed a grueling American tour that kicked off last November of 2019  -- Power Trip will begin work on their third full-length album.

The Scorpions in Manila is a chance to see the band that will hopefully be enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Scorpions in Manila is a chance to see the band that will hopefully be enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

By Rick Olivares

It isn’t everyday where you get to watch a band with a chance to make it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in these shores. 

This coming March 7, Filipinos will get a chance to watch one of rock music’s most enduring acts in the Scorpions when they perform at the Mall of Asia Arena as part of their Crazy World Tour.

The band, along with the Rolling Stones and the Who have been around for 50-plus years and are still rocking hard. With the latter two inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it is possible the Scorpions, will surely follow. After all, they do have the track record to make a serious claim. 

Klaus Meine, the Scorpions’ vocalist, made no bones about his band’s hopes to make it into the music’s hallowed halls during an interview with American trade magazine, Billboard.

"It was good to see that finally they (the hall) picked up some classic rock bands, hard rock acts," Meine said. "Deep Purple's in there. Bon Jovi just made it. Judas Priest is nominated. It's good. Of course we would love to be part of the Hall of Fame family at some point. It's a huge honor for every musician out there, and for us, being a European band, that would really mean the world to us."

Ironically, the band is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame permanent exhibit, but not as an official inductee.

The Scorpions are certainly one of the longest-running, performing, and recording acts in modern music. The band was formed in 1965 in Hanover, Germany by guitarist Rudolf Schenker. Along with Meine, they are the only two remaining members of the band when their debut album, Lonesome Crow, was released in 1972. The band has sold almost 100 million records worldwide from 18 studio albums, six live recordings, and 28 compilation albums. 

Their 19^th studio album will be released this 2020 with the band having worked on new material.

While nomination and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has yet to come, the band has already made the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame for being one of the pioneers of a twin-guitar attack in the genre. Rudolf’s younger brother, Michael Schenker who made a name for himself as a lead guitarist, shared twin guitar duties with Matthias Jabs who joined the band in 1978 and still remains with the Scorpions. 

Michael, who made a bigger name for himself with English band UFO and his own Michael Schenker Group, was with the Scorpions during their early years and was a part of Lonesome Crow. He returned in 1978 to be a part of the massively popular Lovedrive album that sold over a million copies. That album featured the power ballads “Always Somewhere” and “Holiday” as the Scorpions perfected the hard rock ballad. 

They have influenced a lot of other acts from Yngwie Malmsteen, Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Metallica, testament, Skid Row, Cinderella, Helloween, and Hanoi Rocks to name a few.

Their songs and albums have been named to various Best of Lists by music authorities.

Crazy World Tour: Scorpions Live in Manila is brought to us by Insignia Presents, the concert and events company that brought international acts such as Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park and Grammy winner, Ella Mai in 2019. Their upcoming shows in 2020 include LANY headlining Plus63 Music and Arts Festival, Stereolab, and Rex Orange County.

Tickets for Crazy World Tour: Scorpions Live in Manila will be available for sale online starting Friday, January 31, 2020 at 11am at or at any SM Tickets outlets nationwide. 

San Pablo band Barred on Twilight Zone, artist Gerry Alanguilan & their debut LP

San Pablo band Barred on Twilight Zone, artist Gerry Alanguilan & their debut LP

By Rick Olivares

San Pablo City hardcore band Barred opened the local music scene’s vinyl record account for 2020 with the release of Bloodstained Existence (through Still Ill Records) this past week.

Bloodstained Existence follows Barred’s appearance in the Pilipinas Hardcore EP along with acts like Veils, Badmouth, and xxFortessxx that was released also by Still Ill in 2018.

The band is San Pablo City, Laguna’s latest export (the local hardcore punk music scene is alive and moshing). The city has produced among others, the famed and late comic book illustrator, Gerry Alanguilan, of whom the members of Barred professed to be fans of. “We are a fan of his work especially Timawa (that was released by local publishing company, Alamat back in the 1990s). “We also know him as an inker for many Marvel Comics titles as well as a friend and former colleague of Filipino-American comic book artist Whilce Portacio,” said Barred vocalist Regin Tenorio.

Alanguilan illustrated the cover to San Pablo City band, Mellow del Prado’s debut album.

“We’re very happy and proud of the outcome ng Pilipinas Hardcore,” observed a pleased Tolentino. “It feels good to hear and see people singing along to our song, “Resistance”, that was included in the EP.”

Bloodstained Existence, four years in the making, continues thematically as Barred rails against society’s ills.  The band – drummer Friedrich Esguerra, bassist Janry Garcia, guitarists Carl Cedric Garcia and Peter Cervancia, and Tenorio – recorded their initial demo in May of 2016 and completed the rest of the repertoire that would eventually comprise Bloodstained Existence a few months later. “We needed time for mixing and vocal tracking and (before we knew it), it was mid-2019.” 

The band also cited work and family time for getting in the way.

The album nevertheless… is finally out. And Tenorio found a way to weave into the music some of his childhood fascinations including his love for the famed television fantasy/science fiction/supernatural series, The Twilight Zone, that was created by the late American producer and playwright, Rod Serling.

“We got the intro of ‘Trapped’ (the lead-off song from the album) from the 1959 episode of The Twilight Zone titled, ‘No Time Like the Past’, he elucidated. In that particular episode, a scientist uses a time machine to return to the past to try and change key moments in world history that led to what the world is today. Unfortunately, he fails and understands that he can only live for tomorrow. 

“Bloodstained Existence is a message and an eye opener for everyone,” added Tenorio. “We want everyone to feel what life is like on the other side. There are terrors seen and unseen and there’s injustice, sorrow, famine, disease, death, abuse, pain, and suffering.”

Although Barred’s barbed and pointed social commentary continues for the entire album, the band does leave room for hope, “It’s never too late. We need to fight as one (against the social injustices). It’s a force that guides.”

The album cover (is also different from the test press version) is inspired by 19^th century French painters, Gustave Dore, Eugene Delacroix, and Theodore Gericault and the contrapposto style utilized by Baroque and Mannerist artists, and depicts the war in Heaven. The powerful imagery was also used by many of the band’s mid-1990s metalcore influences such as Arkangel, Congress, Liar, Sentence, Integrity, and All Out War.

For those interested in purchasing a copy of Barred’s Bloodstained Existence and Pilipinas Hardcore, you may reach out to Still Ill Records on Facebook or through their bandcamp page.

My Tool compact disc collection plus Fear Inoculum

My collection of Tool albums on compact disc. Their mind-blowing and highly creative album art and packaging designs work well on cd format as opposed to vinyl. I do have a few of their albums on vinyl though.