22/05/2024
DSR X MCBETH INVASION 2.0 FEATURING LILITH
Northern Luzon Leg, May 17 and 18 2024, Cauayan, Isabela and Tuguegarao, Cagayan
I would’ve written this as soon as the events ended but two days of loud music and moshing can take its toll. This is the first gigs/events that I attended since bringing Crystal Tears (metal band from Greece) in Tuguegarao in 2018(?). That event was not much attended as that was the week after the worst flood of the century devastated Isabela and Cagayan.
This is also the first gig I played since my Manla based band Franks not Dead (8 years ago) was active.
The idea of helping to co organize, perform music and MC for an event should have been far off from my schedule as I am preparing to tackle the bar exams again, but the lure of the scene and performing music is an itch that I need to scratch.
Life would be meaningless without music. Blah blah blah.
Anyway, the idea was introduced to me by a newfound friend in Chrysler Valdez of Naguilian, Isabela. He is the owner of Sa Lilim restaurant in Cabaruan, Cauayan, Isabela and a drummer. I knew him through another online friend Baste Encarnacion whom I met because of mutual love of buying and trading music gear. Talk about a friendship based on G.A.S.
When the idea was brought to me, I immediately said yes to supporting, as I always do. I volunteered to sponsor some of the backline equipment for the Cauayan Leg of the Lilith Tour. With the Tuguegarao leg, Geo Fernando, erstwhile vocalist for Manila based Deftones inspired band Tsunami and now frontman for metal hardcore outfit KAMADA requested for additional guitar amps to make sure they have their sound right. Of course I agreed to support. On a sidenote, I met Alvin Alisasis, one of the original founders of Nayon Tenor, a few weeks back in SM City Tuguegarao (in the playground while our kids are playing lol) and we discussed attending the event.
For me supporting the Cauayan leg of the tour and Kamada/Knuckleheads/Nayon Tenor for the Tuguegarao leg is an opportunity to test out my equipment and promote my advocacy project studio, WEAPONS OF MASS INSTRUCTION. Attending the Tuguegarao leg of the Lilith tour would also be an opportunity to reconnect with former collaborators Nayon Tenor.
Eventually, we also agreed to play for the Cauayan leg of the tour. Me, Baste Encarnacion and Chrysler. As RAS P.A., a name which has its origin from an insider joke about a local band. Jerry Molina was eventually invited to join the band to fill in the lead parts that I cant play because I only know three chords. Lol.
The Cauayan leg of the tour was hosted by Sa Lilim Restaurant and supported by Weapons Of Mass Instruction Music Studio which is scheduled May 17, 20214. I was mostly there to help Chrysler and be the MC for the night.
The Tuguegarao Leg on the other hand is organized by Nayon Tenor Productions with Knuckleheads Crew (Coincidentally, a music event production, custom cycles and tattoo crew that I co-founded with Geo of Kamada and Xyrus Lingan of Jamcool and Tattoogtugan fame). SM Downtown Tuguegarao is the designated venue for the event. The Tuguegarao leg was scheduled on May 18, 2024. With the Tugue leg, I came as a support for Kamada and Knuckleheads crew by sponsoring the amps for their performance which they did not use because they needed a bass amp more than guitar amps, lol (It was later used as a table and chair by bands in the backstage. Sana po wag na gawin next time, para po sa eksena din yang mga gamit na yan. Salamat).
Both events were sponsored and presented by Mcbeth, Deadstring Records(founded by Atty Mark Provido Piad and Lean Ansing of Slapshock), STILT Clothing(owned by Jordan Geyms, a Naguilian, Isabela local and the main man in charge of the Lilith Tour).
3PM
I arrived at the Sa Lilim Restaurant at about 3pm on the day of the event. The main band, Lilith and Maki (aka Virkus) was already doing their soundcheck with Patric Briones already starting to document their practice. Jordan of Stilt and Chrysler was already busy with errands and final touches at the time. Chrysler introduced me to Jordan of STILT and his brother Maki(former guitarist for Baguio based band Divina and performing as a solo act as Virkus for the event). Lilith and Virkus wrapped up their soundcheck at about 430pm or so and had a quick dinner before going back to their hotel. I stayed at the venue to discuss the details of the hosting and for the script to be used during the lulls in the performance as required by the main sponsor. We also waited for our guitarist Jerry and bassist Baste as we were supposed to jam because our first practice was met with heavy rains that we weren’t able to finish because of brownout. For various reasons we were only able to do a soundcheck/jam at about 6pm which we eventually had to stop because at the time our stage area and equipment is wet with rain coming from all sides.
As with the Crystal Tears tour, the Cauayan event was met with heavy rain. From 6 to 730pm, Cauayan was battered heavily coupled with thunder and lightning. Eventually, brownout ensued and Chrysler had to call the electrical tech for the backup generator. Turns out that we only needed the generator for 30 minutes as the Iselco line went back when the rain stopped to a drizzle. At this time, Europrison (Santiago Death Metal, first band to arrive) and Necro Antagonist (Vizcaya death metal band) is already at the venue. Seeing that the event will be pushed back for a later time, the bands requested for a soundcheck as well.
730PM
Due to the rain and brownout, the supposed to be 6pm start was moved to 730. At this point, almost all the performers save for R.O.G. was already at the venue. It was agreed that the order of bands to play would be Europrison(Santiago death metal), Necroantagonist(Nueva Vizcaya x Quirino metal), Virkus, Lilith, R.O.G. and then RAS P.A. A group of senior citizens are already camped out on two tables probably curious at the spectacle of metalheads in all their glory: black clothing, long hair, studs, spikes, patches.
Neuroprison( Santiago Death Metal)
1st band May 17, 2024, Lilith Tour
Neuroprison is the first band to take the stage. The group is composed 20 year old guys from Santiago City. Composed of Herem on vocals, Ellisson on guitar, Prince on bass and Van on drums. Prior to taking the stage, I always taught that the Isabela scene as having a more mainstream sound as reflective of the bands that I have seen and heard. I know that Ilagan and Santiago have their own punk scenes but never knew until now that Isabela also have a burgeoning metal scene as shown by these guys. These guys cite bands such as Suffocation, Cryptopsy , Immolation, Gorguts and Dying Fetus as some of their influences and it shows.
They started their set with a bludgeoning covers of Infecting the Crypts from Suffocation, moved towards mayhem with their take of Grave of the Fathers from Cryptopsy and finished their 3 song set list with a bludgeoning cover of Grotesque Impalement from Dying Fetus. These guys are currently working on their originals as they just started earlier this year as a side project by Van and Ellisson from Sarcastic Existence. What they lack in technicality they made up for being fun and loud. These guys can take command of the stage on any given day. The crowd, as usual, has not yet warmed up to the mayhem that was about to happen as their moods might have been dampened by the rain and brownout but the kindles of fire has been set. A few more alcohol and this party would be all set. Great set for a young band. They look the part too with their denim vests full of metal bands.
NecroAntagonist (Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya)
2nd Band, Lilith Tour, Cauayan, Isabela. May 17, 2024
Influenced by bands such as Suffocation, Gorgasm, Cephalotropsy, Defeated Insanity etc, the next band on stage may be Cagayan Valley’s best kept metal product. With 1 EP, 1 full length album and one 4 song EP on the way, they are one of most prolific music groups in the whole region. Their EP Necromorphic Psychopathy, released under Rotten Music of UK in 2009 and full length Realms of Reality released under Brutal Mind(ID) in 2022 can be scored through their social media pages. NecroAntagonist is a 5 piece brutal death metal outfit hailing from the wet and cold city of Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. Composed of Timi Patacsil on vocals, Ren de Vera and Jaspher Evangelista on guitars, Bijay Callejo on bass and Carl Ancheta on drums, they deliver heavy riffage and brutal lyricism to their music. This metal quintet is no slouch, having graced and performed with some of the most established Metal Music festivals like the Davao Extreme Metal Fest 2019 where they shared the stage with great metal acts like Kraanium, Waking the Cadaver, Stillbirth, Gutslit, Indecent Excision and Party Cannon to name a few.
The crowd at this point, already ignited by alcohol and the loud introduction of the first band, gamely joined in the moshpit. With brutal ex*****on of the original songs, this band deserves to be a headliner on a music festival. Their short banter on every song and their unassuming and fun demeanor makes them a awesome band to watch despite delivering some of the most brutal music this side of metal. Rarely do we see this kind of tenacity and dedication to their craft. The fact that they have released 2 Eps and a full-length album speaks greatly of their undying commitment to the metal genre. Id say they deserve to be in every local productions carefully curated lineup every time. The fact that the travelled all the way from Vizcaya to showcase their metal prowess to us unsuspecting mortals deserves the highest degree of respect from me, who has been looking for great acts in this musical desert we call Region 2. The band tore through an all-original set of songs starting from the blistering Hymns of the Apocalypse, to the skull crushing Prophecy, the fast and bludgeoning riffs of Too Mutilated to R**e, the heavy groove of Inhuman Execration Goreberto Ellorando from Cl****al Expulsion joining in on vocal duties, the relentless Necromorphic and finally Psychopathy. From the first song to the last, the crowd got excited and moshed as hard as they could including senior citizens who had to be protected from time to time one as bodies kept flying and crashing. Needless to say, it was a performance to be remembered. By the time they put down their instruments, everyone has been put to notice. The moshing crowd looked like they went through a daily Crossfit WOD as they were all sweating and breathing dragon fire while the shocked audience kept their eyes on the stage as if they got dropped with a bomb.
This band is a must watch. I repeat the band is a MUST WATCH.
Their songs tackle subjects of mutilation, r**e, demented minds, brutality, torture, etc which are morbid thoughts laid into music. Say what you will about the subjects of metal songs, but they have one of the most expansive vocabularies in all of rockdom. Kudos mga kapatid, lakay, kabsat, kabagis! Hope to have you again on our next events. Special mention to Goreberto Ellorando of Cl****al Expulsion, who told us that he traveled from Manila to Isabela just for this gig because he finds provincial gigs more exciting and engaging. He also told us that his band is composed of members coming from Santiago, Dagupan and Vizcaya which is why he is already accustomed to going to the North. He stated that their rehearsals and gigs would be scheduled so that all members will be present considering their distance. Talk about long distance band relationship. Tugtog kayo next time brother!
Virkus(Baguio X Naguilian, Isabela)
3rd Band, Lilith Tour, Cauayan, Isabela. May 17, 2024
Okay, so the next band is an Alkaline Trio fan.
Asked if he could describe his music and he tells that it is heavy but he cant quite put a name or a certain genre to it. Which is fine. Because regardless of how you would call it, it is excellent music.
The Virkus project was a derailed pre pandemic project that never came into fruition. He was supposed to play guitars for us for a couple of AK songs but we never got around to learning the songs except for This Addiction and Radio(which he jumped in to fill on the mic for my lack of memory with the lyrics of the songs, lol).
Yet another artist with an impressive resume having played with a certain former vocalist of an eminent Baguio based band which he requested I not mention. Lets just say that the band is a project of the frontperson of a Musiklaban Champ band from the City of Pines.
With his impressive collection of custom guitars from La Union based luthier, 037 Customs Leo Mark Cabanilla, Virkus blazed through his 5 song set giving us the audience an opportunity to see and hear greatness live. The crowd at this point is still exhausted from the previous band so it is a nice respite from the fast paced cardio exercise that was brutal death metal to an almost classical recital of Peripehery, Tesseract and Intervals influenced music. His first song was Commence, played in a different tune from the original composition of his previous band. To be honest, aside from Buckethead, I haven’t heard or seen someone play instrumental rock onstage. This performance was an excellent display of musicianship as only professional guitarists like Virkus aka Maki Valdez could muster. Kunsintidor was his next song which is an original unreleased composition followed by a rendition of Scarlet by Periphery. He followed this up with the intensely melodic and heavy Desecrated Grave, which is also an original composition from his former band. He capped the performance with another unreleased original Blood China. Virkus aka Maki provided a fresh take into making and performing music at least in the local music industry. A modern version of a troubadour albeit using modern instruments to express his artistry. I would want to hear him be with a band again just to see how his songs would translate with live musicians instead of prerecorded tracks. You can hear the level of artistry he has put into his songs and it would be a treat to listen to it with the dynamics of a live band. Ever the humble guy, he says that he just enjoy playing music. An awesome performance from an awesome guy! Jam tayo ullit ng Alkaline brother!
Scene Report
RAS P.A. (Isabela Punk Rock)
4th Band, Lilith Tour, May 17, 2024
Next band was supposed to be either the first band if the show pushed through with the 6pm start or the last band had it not been that one of the members of the supposed 4th band went missing in action. Gulo no?
Thus, prompted to at least delay the next performer, I instead created 3 impromptu tshirt contests to fill in for the time while waiting for the member of the supposed 4th band.
So that I did.
STILT Clothing, owned by Jordan Geyms provided the tshirt prices for the night. One of the senior citizens went and participated in two contests but alas, youth always prevail. Nevertheless, she was buzzed and liquored up to join us in the succeeding melees onstage.
The games went and the prizes were given away without the 4th band’s member returning so we decided to take one for the team and play. Welll at that point I am little bit buzzed anyway to care.
So RAS P.A. onstage. Live!
RAS P.A. would be me on guitars and vocals, Chrysler Valdez on drums, Baste Encarnacion on bass and Jerry Molina on lead guitars. Formed as way to destress, I can only describe the band as dirty drunk raw punk ska in the vein of Rancid, Operation Ivy, Sublime, Alkaline Trio, The Clash etc etc.
I cant remember the sequence of the songs we played but here it is:
Timebomb- Rancid, I fumbled the lyrics as usual, but since most of the audience is drunk anyway they didn’t notice
Fallback Down- Rancid, again I forgot the second verse, again the crowd is too drunk
This Addiction- AK, now this song I know by heart, I think we did a good version
Radio-AK(with Maki Valdez on vocals), Maki is a better singer than me so props man
Take Warning- Operation Ivy, nah I got this
99 Red Ballons- Our version, yep mistakes and all
That’s it, just fun punk ska without the baggage of too much pretense. I am lucky to play with musicians who doesn’t have that rockstar or that big of an ego. We are in this for ourselves and no one else.
Oh did I mention that this gig is our second practice? Yep.
I would like to think that the audience enjoyed our set as they sang and danced/skanked along to our songs. Or maybe it was just the alcohol saying we are great musicians, do it again. Lol. Which we will btw, since this band is about having fun and just being minor threat. Ska! See you at the next gig!
Scene Report
Reign of Greed R.O.G (Cauayan Nu Metal/Rap Rock)
5th Band, Lilith Tour, May 17, 2024
Fortunately, immediately after the RAS P.A set, R.O.G.’s missing band member finally showed up and immediately took the stage. This band has been a constant mainstays of many local shows in Isabela and has established a name for themselves as a livewire act. Which is fittingly so, considering that they are also multiple winners of battle of the band contests in and out of Cauayan City.
The current lineup of Ryan Guerrero on vocals, Jovy Jagolino on guitars, Jharves dela Pena on guitars again, bassist John Mark Castillejos, Drummer John Mark and session guitarist Rafael Guillermo(also from local band Melancholia and son of vocalist Ryan Guerrero) makes up this awesome rap rock/nu metal outfit. With influences as wide ranging as Slapshock, Valley of Chrome, Atreyu, Limp Bizkit, Francis M and metal bands, the band is a surefire hit with many audiences within the city. Currently, the band is completing the recording of their original materials and coming up with new songs for release in the future.
The band infused mainstream music into a largely underground audience with performances and covers from Linkin Park(Pushing me away), Dicta License(Alay sa nagkamalay noong dekada nobenta), Juan dela Cruz(Beep Beep), and their original song Vase of Reality. Apparently, this is their first performance as a band since joining the CEZA Music Festival Battle of the Bands in Sta. Ana, Cagayan which I was invited as a judge. I remember them as being one of the top performers of that event.
The level of musicianship is topnotch and the band works magic with crowd. This band would be comfortable with major mainstream music festivals and with the promise of future original compositions, a band to look out for in the music events circuit and hopefully on the radio. Great set mga paps!
NOTE: Will fuse the Cauayan and Tuguegarao Leg performance of Lilith into one scene report. Read Below, thank you!
After the awesome performance of Lilith, I got around to talking to a few of the attendees and supporters who showed up despite the rain and brownout. I will just list you guys below so I can thank you.
1. Xander Garcia, hip hop artist and vocalist of Zero F***s Given from Ilagan who braved the rain just to show up cause he promised to do so. I never thought you would attend bro. Appreciate the effort, despite having declined your bands offer to perform you still showed up which is a judge of character. Most local bands/ artists will not show up to a local show if they are not in the line up. Our scene is small, we can only hope to support each other. Sometimes, we cant all perform because we also have to carefully curate the show. That being said, your showing up shows a lot of character and that’s one thing that I like. Support is not just a one way street. So yeah man, apir. Next gig, salang naman kayo. Let’s all make sure everyone gets their share of the spotlight. Pagpatuloy mo.
2. Rosano Tumolva, salamat sa pagdalo kahit galing ka pa sa Vizcaya to support your ka probinsya. Mahuhusay kayo. Hope to collaborate with you in the future!
3. Tox Pioquinto, hey man, nice meeting you. This guy is from Zamboanga and currently resides in Cauayan. He doesn’t know a lot of people in the local scene but he showed up for the gig. After the gig he instantly asked for my number for possible collaborations. Yes, we will do that bro. Heads up as this guy has a podcast and a clothing line. Let’s collaborate bro.
4. Jordan Geyms, nice meeting in person bro. Galing ng ginagawa mo. Lets make the Northern Music Scene Alive. To more collaborations lakay!
5. To the bands who performed, Neuroprison, NecroAntagonists, R.O.G, Virkus, RAS P.A.(Chrysler, Baste, Jerry for assisting and making the show better), Deadstring Records,Mcbeth, STILT Clothing. To all sponsors, attendees and guests. Salamat from the SA LILIM RESTAURANT and WEAPONS OF MASS INSTRUCTION.
DAY 2
TUGUEGARAO LEG, ORGANIZED BY NAYON TENOR AND SUPPORTED BY KNUCKLEHEADS CREW
May 18, 2024, SM DOWNTOWN TUGUEGARAO
The Cauayan, Isabela leg of the tour ended at about 1am of May 18, 2024. I had to go home to Tuguegarao, where I live, to attend the second leg of the Lilith Northern Luzon Tour. Me, Xander Garcia from Ilagan and Rosano Tumolva was able to get a bus ride home going Tuguegarao at 3am. Since both have residences in Isabela, I was the only person left to go to Tuguegarao where I live. Both promised to try to attend the Tuguegarao leg but for some reason was not able to.
I have asked permission from Jordan Geyms if I could have the 2 tube amps that was requested by Geo Fernando be transported with their van service going to Tuguegarao as those amps were heavy as f**k. Luckily, Jordan said yes and I was free to travel with only a guitar to carry. I was able to get home at 5am and slept the whole day.
I woke up at about 3pm. Geo Fernando was already asking me to come early and bring my vintage trike so he can display some merch or whatever. I asked him if the amps he requested was already in his possession. Apparently, Lilith arrived at about noon and had the amps delivered to SM already for set up. Anway, more on that later.
Just to set the record straight, I am attending the Tuguegarao leg in support of Geo and Kamada, Knuckleheads and of course Nayon Tenor, who I have collaborated with a lot in the past years. Knuckleheads is a music event production, custom cycles and tattoo crew/group that I named and started with Geo Fernando, Xyrus Lingan and Gelo Lingan to support the broader counterculture scene of the North. I had to refrain from co organizing with them due to heavy academic loads during my law school years. They have done quite a good job of staying true to the original intent of the crew for which I am very proud of. Nayon Tenor on the other hand, I have collaborated with a lot of events from my first big event at Sta. Ana Viray Festival Muziklaban event, to Indiependents Day with KonkreteInk at Maxs Resto, Indiependents Day at Brickstone Mall, Indiependents Day in Tumauini, Isabela among others. Over the years, the music production that Alvin Alisasis, Jan Zulueta, Jaem Martin, Mark Reginaldo, Odette Fausto and a few other OGs of the Tuguegarao Music Scene started has grown into a formidable music production in Cagayan. They are the premier music event production in Cagayan in terms of catering to alternative, underground bands.
I arrived at the venue at about 730pm.
I invited my nephew who is also starting to be interested with bands and music so he will be exposed to the local music scene. I thought this would be a great introduction for him and a teachable moment.
The venue was at the second floor of the parking lot. It was supposed to be at the rooftop but due to the threat of heavy rain like what happened in Cauayan, they had to bring it down according to Zulu or Jan Zulueta who was the first person I saw at the gates. Geo Fernando immediately assisted and advised that I was there as support for Kamada so my entrance would be at his charge. In exchange, I bought tickets for my nephew. This is his first gig so I had to make sure he enjoys it. I also saw Alvin Alisasis and a few of the old school Nayon crew. Most of the guys are already busy with their production work so I proceeded to the Knuckleheads table beside the stage where I met Celso Ventura. LaV Fernando(wife of Geo), Xyrus Lingan and Gelo Lingan.
The bands already started to perform when I arrived. However, since I have not seen the Knuckleheads Crew for quite a long time, I was not able to catch some of the early bands performing as I was busy talking to the crew about life and future projects. I only remember the band Berni Francisco of Angkulaw Productions/ Chunky Bites was supporting of which I didn’t catch the name as the venue was loud. The other bands I am quite sure has done great performances as the floor was shaking from all that moshing and running. Literally shaking the building.
Well back to the unnamed band, I was only able to free myself to watch them perform. This is a metal band that can fit well with any metal music festival. While I could not discern whether their songs were original or covers, what I can say is that they delivered a great performance just looking at how the crowd reacts to their show. These guys are awesome musicians and performers.
Scene Report
KAMADA (Rap/Nu Metal/Hardcore)
6th Band, Lilith Tour, Tuguegarao City organized by Nayon Tenor/Knuckleheads Crew May 18, 2024
My attendance at this event is threefold. To support the local music scene, Nayon Tenor and Knuckleheads, to support Kamada and to once again witness and literally document the local music scene.
When Geo Fernando found out that I am supporting the Cauayan leg of the Lilith tour, he immediately asked if I could support him as well with the Tuguegarao leg of the tour specifically requesting to use my guitar tube amps for KAMADAs performance. Of course I said yes, as this could be a chance for me to check the performance of the amps which are equipment I bought specifically for the free music studio in Lalauanan, Isabela and for Weapons of Mass Instruction. Both are advocacy projects which I personally funded to provide better music instruments in my community in the hopes of encouraging local residents to take up music as an outlet.
Anyway, apologies to the other bands if I am not able to provide a write up as I was engrossed in a long ass discussion with members of the Knuckleheads crew. Although, if anyone is willing to be included, I would gladly include your band in the gig review if you indulge me in answering a few questions. The other bands that played prior to Kamada were Bororeds, Gustmask, Return to Chaos, Blitzkrieg, Hiraya and Rio del Gramo. Considering the engagement of the rowdy crowds with all the bands, I can pretty much say that these bands can command an audience with their musicality. The second floor parking lot of SM Downtown literally shakes everytime the bands take the stage. Kudos to the organizers for a very orderly event. The fact that the OGs of Nayon Tenor are in attendance speaks volumes on the importance of this event for them. Congratulations. Solid show through and through.
Now with KAMADA.
KAMADA is the band that came out of the ashes of Geo Fernando’s former local projects. Geo Elloco as he is called, is a Cagayan migrant through marriage to Lav Lavadia. Hailing originally from the gutters of Krus na Ligas, Diliman, QC, he has cut his teeth with numerous bands before founding TSUNAMI, which during its heydays, are one of the critically acclaimed new young bands in the Manila scene. The band has been featured on “In The Raw by Francis Brew” getting good reviews and being proclaimed as a promising upstart. Due to marriage, he settled with his wife and kids in Tuguegarao, where he became dormant for a few years before founding the hardcore/metal act that existed for a few years.
I came to know Geo through mutual friends in the Manila scene. And when we finally got a chance to meet, we were able to discuss the local music scene and what we can contribute to make it better. Thus we came up with founding Knuckleheads because of our mutual love of motorcycles and counterculture. Together with Xyrus Lingan of Tattoogtugan and his brother Gelo from Jamcool, we started to organize music and motorcycle themed events in and around the Cagayan circuit. However, due to the pressure of law school, I had to beg off with organizing to focus on my studies. Thus, this event is a sort of reunion for the crew. Up to this day, I still co-manage the Knuckleheads page from time to time. But the congratulations belongs to the other members of the crew who persisted through years. Congrats!
In 2022, itching to play again, Geo formed Kamada with former Laguna Hardcore band Palmera guitarist Cary Cary. With Geo on vocals, Cary Cary, Marc and Bryan Florido on guitars, Franco on drums and Hudas on bass.
Kamada describes their sound as a blend of the best of 2000 era metal and hardcore combining intricate vocal harmonies, blistering guitars and an electrifying stage presence courtesy of the stage antics of Geo Elloco. People could attest to the electrifying performance as when Geo takes the state, he immediately exudes a confident commanding presence which he sometimes takes too much. As a result, during a recent performance he has injured his ACL, MCL and a whole lot of broken leg bones just to bring the crowd up. Not the p_ssy, and despite these injuries, he still takes up the stage as if it is his own personal playground.
As for Cary, his guitar chops could be considered as one of the heaviest and more technical among the current crop of local hardcore guitarists. The other band members compliment and completes the heavy, gargantuan and brutal sound of KAMADA.
The band is heavily influenced by bands such as Sevendust and Deftones, hip hop, hardcore and metal acts. Not one to copy and be a cover band, the band just released their single “Schizoprenic” which talks about their life struggles, pain, powertrippers, freedom and equality. Two weeks into the release, the single has gained popularity locally. This is evident when the band performed the song, as most of the attendees knew the lyrics from start to finish and couldn’t help but join in the call and response part of the song. Unfortunately, for this event, Cary is not in attendance as he is with family. Nonetheless, Geo and the rest of Kamada showed why they are the band to watch out for in the Tuguegarao scene by banging out hardcore and metal anthems to the delight of the kids on the moshpit. Next time ayusin mo tech rider mo, guitar amps pinadala mo, bass amp pala kailangan mo hayp ka. Hahahaha.
LILITH (Cagayan de Oro Metal)
To be frank, although I have seen their names on many music fest lineups, I have not heard nor seen the band. So I had to look them up to check whats up. However, their original page, LILITH (https://www.facebook.com/lilithofficialph/about) and their new page LILITH PH (https://www.facebook.com/lilithofficialcgy/about) did not yield much information aside from the fact that they are a Cagayan de Oro based female fronted metalcore band founded in 2013 (yep their bio could be summed in one mouthful of a sentence). Aside from links of their social media pages, photos and videos, not much literature is written about them in terms of history and current events. This is not limited to LILITH though, almost every band nowadays prefer quick hashtags together with pictures and videos for their social media postings. Not anyone’a fault, its just the name of the game in this generation of music promotion. I think the scene needs more writers and zines along with documentors like photographers and videographers to full capture the essence of every gig/concert/event/band/artist.
Don’t get me wrong, I like to see pictures and videos of the bands, those are awesome material to watch and see especially if you are a fan. But I still think its awesome to learn about a band coming from things that are written about them. That goes for printed lyrics, liner notes and physical copies of albums, Eps and singles. Call me old school, but back in the day when I use to but my tapes at Nizzle Dazzle or Radiation Area in Recto, I would zealously read the liner notes and s**t which are included in the tapes. Anyway, no ones fault.
This is also the reason why I write gig/scene reviews, album reviews and stuff. For while a picture paints a thousand words, a picture can only capture the moment, it cant describe the vibe, the details and the dynamics of a gig/band by the narrative an old school write up can give.
Good thing we have Google.
Sunstar.com. ph wrote an article about Lilith being hailed as Champion for the Lakas Category of the nationwide battle of the bands “Muziklaban” in February 2013 at Malolos, Bulacan.
The five-member band that won that contest includes Nicole Pestolante (vocals), Michael Cosare (Guitars), Mark Glazier Niderost (Guitars), Hubito Pestolante (Bass) and Sol Vncynt Santos (Drums).
The current lineup now consists of Nicole on vocals, Hubito on bass, Yongski on lead guitars, and Allen on drums.
Interestingly, one of the co- finalists for that event was Cavite based Sucketseven whose frontman Berto Bartolome hails from Gattaran, Cagayan.
A Pulp.ph article wrote on 2021 that the band released two singles on Christmas day and New Years eve. The single “Voices” described as a groove laden track with bouncy rhythms, hardcore breakdowns, relentless drum work and gothic melodism” (edited quote). “Grave of your own misery” on the other hand, was compared to early Killswitch Engage releases.
In the interview Nicole stated the difference between the songs:
“Voices is a song about frustration, guilt, remorse and other messed up feelings people have a hard time addressing, the aim of the song is to help exercise those demons. Grave is an angier tune about an old friend who refuse to give up his vices mainly due to ego and stubbornness”. (edited)
On October 2023, the band released the single “14” under Deadstring Records.
Lilith cites Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red, Trivium, Jinjer as their influences describing their music as Experimental and Inspirational Melodic Metalcore. They will be coming up with 2 more future singles, a video and a full-length album. The band is currently in partnership with Macbeth for their tour.
The DSR X Mcbeth Invasion 2.0 has is a nationwide tour that has already completed installments in various parts of the Philippines. The Northern tour was brought together by Jordan Geyms of STILT Clothing with Sa Lilim x Weapons of Mass Instruction organizing for Cauayan, Isabela and Nayon Tenor x Knuckleheads organizing for Tuguegarao, Cagayan.
As I have attended both events, I will just narrate both performances into one gig review.
The set list for both events are basically the same:
In Oblivion- Lilith original
Hate=Hope-Lilith
14- Lilith
Scarred=Lilith
End of Heartache- Killswitch Engage
My Curse- Killswitch Engage
Rose of Sharyn- Killswitch Engage
Voices- Lilith
Geo Fernando was asked to sing with Nicole on the Killswitch Engage songs, which added to the delight of the pumped up crowd. Maki Valdez of Virkus, provided an added aural assault on guitars on the same songs.
Lilith executed their songs with utmost perfection and ferocity. This is a well polished metal act that could easily draw crowds especially since their singer Nicole, is easy on the eyes. Talk about being able to promote a band not only because of their front woman having good genes but also because they have the musical chops to back it up. Perfect.
Nicole Pestolante balancing the delicate melodic parts and her ferociously unhinged vocal stylings is a perfect match to the grinding, pulsing and relentless rhythm by the band. One moment you are singing along to her melodic parts, the next you are shouting to her menacing guttural voice stylings. The band was able to bring both the Cauayan and Tuguegarao crowd to their feet. On both instances, chaos ensued as the audience gamefully moshed, 2 stepped and headbanged on the moshpit for what I can just describe as both angsty release of anger and pain and cathartic feeling of release. Needless to say, every song feels like a cardio exercise when they start pummeling their way through their songs. As previously described, it was like a Crossfit WOD for every song. The crowd gamely crowdsurf, stage dived and generally had a good time with Lilith set. In Cauayan, we were even joined by a middle aged woman on the moshpit. She even tried to hand over tip money to the band, prolly as a sign of appreciation. In Tuguegarao, the audience was mostly young males who had the best time of their lives as they tried to shake the foundations off the venue. As soon as Lilith got into their last song, the crowd was already peaking with excitement and gave back the energy that the band was giving them all night. After their set in Tugue, I bid fareware to Maki, Jordan and the rest of the band for a tour well done. I also did the same for the OGs of Nayon Tenor, Alvin, Zulu and Jaem. I was not able to get a hold of the Knuckleheads crew so me and my nephew went home.
All in all, both Cauayan(despite the rain and brownout) and Tuguegarao leg was successful.
There are a couple of takeaways.
1. The Cagayan/Isabela circuit is ripe for a real music festival or to hold a foreign band. All we need is to collaborate and network.
2. Equipment is no longer an issue. Both events displayed better equipment as opposed to previous years.
3. The scene could be better documented by bringing in other writers, volunteer photographers and videographers to document the scene.
4. Release records.
5. Lastly, support your local music production.
Attend shows even if you wont be playing. Bands are better watched live than on facebook or youtube. Buy tshirts of bands. Pay for their records. These productions are sacrificing time, money and precious resources to produce events. The least you could do is thank them for their effort and pay the gates.
Events/gigs in the North are few and far in between, but we could do better. We could promote each other. We could buy merch from each other. Buy and attend tickets for each and every show. Show support by sharing, liking and commenting on the posts of each artist/prod. We could take care of each others equipment.
The scene is only as strong as each members. We are the counterculture, we are not the mainstream. As little as our music community is, we can actually make this community better, bigger and accessible to everyone.
Lastly, lets keep promoting/organizing shows like these. Mabuhay lahat ng sumusuporta sa local music scene. Thank you sa Mcbeth, Deadstring Records, Sa Lilim Restaurant, Nayon Tenor, Knuckleheads Crew, Lilith, R.O.G., RAS P.A., NecroAntagonist, NeuroPrison, Virkus, Gustmask, Kamada, Bororeds, Return to Chaos, Blitzkrieg, Hiraya, rio del Gramo. Promote ko na din Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Music Studio. See you at the next pit!
