Koil Launches Aku Lupa Aku Luka Video

Indonesian industrial rockers Koil have released a new video from their Blacklight Shines On album and it is poised to be a hit with viewers from the start of the first frame directed by Rizal Mantovani. The four piece stompers comprising of J.A.V (Vocals) Donnijantoro (Guitars) Leon Ray Legoh (Drums) and Adam Vladvamp (Bass) have 5 albums under their belt throughout their 17 year history and the Bandung based band are influenced by the likes of Pink Floyd, Tool, White Zombie and Rammstein just to name a few. If the name Vladvamp sounds familiar to the gothic subculture in Singapore, it is simply no mere coincidence as he dropped by to assume DJ duties as the main headliner for the Singapore Dark Alternative Movement's Halloween party held at Hyde Bar last year and word has it that he might return sometime soon but with Koil on tow. Updates will be posted here on Fortress Of Tears on any official news but meanwhile, enjoy their latest launch right here:



(To find out more about Koil, visit them on their myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/koilkarat and on facebook)

Proost!: Stillborn

(Click on the photo to visit their myspace page)

(Stillborn: Jia-Ting, Tharenii, Sathish, Vishnu and Lyon in the first incarnation)

Despite the popularity of mainstream music genres in Singapore and the emergence of hardcore music in recent times, it is heartening to note that metal has been able to weather the rising tide and maintain its relevance right here without the need to commercialise in order to get an audience. Its akin to a secret society of good music where only the best are accepted and if there is such a group in existence then Stillborn wouldn't need to fill up a single form. In fact, they can simply walk in any event and rise to the occasion with minimal fuss and a testament to their talent is evident with the 3 shows that are being lined up for them in June alone namely Mosh Party 5, Damaged and Now Suffer. Formed in 2007, the death metal quintet comprises of Sathish (vocals), Lyon (guitar), Tharenii (guitar), Jia-Ting (drums) and newest member Ashley (bass) replacing original member Vishnu in April this year. Bonded by their common love of extreme metal acts such as Behemoth, Cannibal Corpse and Meshuggah, Stillborn wears their influences on their sleeves while onstage and interestingly, they seek inspiration from regional acts such as Rudra creating a unique sound without compromising on quality. Like a bull in rage, lead singer Sathish barges thorough onstage with tremendous impact that belies his wiry frame while guitarists Lyon and Tharenii playing off each other's chords with a calm demeanour as Jia-Ting works out a sweat and abusing his drumkit without sparing a thought for sympathy but then again, this is a genre that spares no expense in the pursuit for quality. Despite the setback that they faced earlier this year and the impending conscription for Sathish in August, Stillborn refused to back down under pressure and the naysayers were given a kick in a face with Grindhouse 2010 proving to them that what seems to be their fatality only strengthens the band further and Ashley's debut on bass is an indicator of progression for Stillborn. Yet at the end of the day, these guys go off the stage together and take time to hang out with each other and knocking back with a couple of beers, a testament that music is not just a hobby, its the bond that brings friends together no matter what the circumstances are



(The new line up onstage for Grindhouse 2010)

(Bull on a rage: Sathish giving the microphone his blessings)

Like what you see? Support the band at their page on Facebook and receive updates on their upcoming gigs. Stillborn are slated to perform at Mosh Party 5 (05/06/10), Damaged (08/06/10) and Now Suffer (27/06/10)

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Day Of Atonement Slated To Perform At Trendy Bangsat Fest 18

It has been a packed month for the Surabaya goth metal outfit and for a good reason as well. Not only did they perform at Transsounds held in their country Indonesia, their single Dead Man Whisper received airplay on the Meshradio programme Taste Of Darkness in Singapore and preparations for their upcoming album have begun as well. While that is being put at the back of their mind for now, Day Of Atonement are gearing up for yet another gig organised by Indonesian metal promoters Panzerfaust Division along with 23 other bands from various parts of Indonesia with names such as Titik Koma, Bersimbah Darah and Boroxide just to name a few. The 18th edition of Trendy Bangsat Fest will be held on June 6 at Gedung Srimulat, Surabaya (Indonesia) and tickets cost 25,000 rupiah for pre-sale tickets and 30,000 at the door with merchandise going for 50,000 rupiah. For those living elsewhere and would like to go for a short holiday, this is the ideal getaway to spend your weekend or school vacation with a festival that is being throughout the entire day. Day Of Atonement will be the 19th band onstage and will start their 20 minute set at 4.20pm so get your gothic power metal fix at Trendy Bangsat Fest!

Name: Trendy Bangsat Fest 18

Date & Time: 6th June 2010, 10.00am - 9.00pm
Place: Gedung Srimulat, Surabaya, Indonesia
Price: Rp 25,000 (pre-sale) Rp 30,000 (at the door)
Acts:
01. 11.00 - 11.15 CRUEL ANGEL - Surabaya Death Metal
02. 11.15 - 11.30 EVELYN VIOLETA - Surabaya Metal Core
03. 11.30 - 11.45 KORAK - Sidoarjo Hard Core
04. 11.45 - 12.00 ZORV - Surabaya Grunge
05. 12.00 - 12.15 PAK TUA - Surabaya Metal Core
06. 12.15 - 12.30 DEAD CRIMINAL - Surabaya Death Thrash Metal
07. 12.30 - 12.45 NEGARA BONEKA - Sidoarjo Metal Core
08. 12.45 - 13.00 BORN AFTER DYING - Surabaya Hard Core
09. 13.00 - 13.15 FREEDOM FIGHTER - Surabaya Heavy Metal
10. 13.15 - 13.30 DARK AGE - Jogja Death Metal
11. 13.40 - 14.00 AMERTA - Surabaya Gothic Metal
12. 14.00 - 14.20 CLIMAXETH - Surabaya Technical Death Metal
13. 14.20 - 14.40 VENDUZOR - Surabaya Death Metal
14. 14.40 - 15.00 THIRSTY BLOOD - Sidoarjo Black Metal
15. 15.00 - 15.20 VIOLENCE - Surabaya Symphonic Gothic Metal
16. 15.20 - 15.40 FEAR INSIDE - Surabaya Death Metal
17. 15.40 - 16.00 TITIK KOMA - Surabaya Death Metal
18. 16.00 - 16.20 DRY - Surabaya Blackened Death Metal
19. 16.20 - 16.40 DAY OF ATONEMENT - Surabaya Power Gothic Metal
20. 16.40 - 17.00 UNDER MY THROAT - Surabaya Death Metal
21. 17.00 - 17.20 JAGAL - Surabaya Brutal Death Metal
22. 17.20 - 17.40 BOROXIDES - Surabaya Ethnic Hard Core
23. 18.00 - 18.45 BERSIMBAH DARAH - Bali Death Grinder
24. 19.00 - 20.00 BESIDE - Bandung Melodic Death Metal

(For more information, contact Morgan at 0856.3180.485 or visit http://www.facebook.com/trendybangsat)

Proost!: Day Of Atonement (Indonesia)

(Click on logo to visit their website)


Starting from May, a monthly column will be dedicated specially for artistes that I believe have the potential to go all the way and once their big break comes, I hope I will be able to say Proost! to their success

Kicking off things this month are a band that is reminiscent of early Nightwish and Leaves Eyes with their dual vocalists blending in seamlessly with music that gives off feelings of pomp and grandeur but Tarja Turunen it ain't for this 7 piece band are as cohesive both onstage and off it. Hailing from the passionate country of Indonesia, the gothic metal outfit from Surabaya consists of Istie Flow (vocals), Zain (vocals), Ferry (guitar), Y-Sin (guitar), Yudha (keyboards), Ryo (symphony) and Cholix (drums) with inspiration coming from the likes of Epica which helped to sculpt the structure of their music and the result? A band that leaves you feeling enthralled the moment you press play and Day Of Atonement are no slouches either, taking time and effort to perform in various gigs throughout Indonesia and their upcoming performance sees them holding their own against their fellow compatriots at Transounds 2010 which will be held on May 2nd. Currently working on a 2nd album, one of the tracks that has been made available for listening is the epic 9 minute masterpiece Dead Man Whisper as we wait with bated breath on the full fledged assault that Day Of Atonement has set their sights on


(Day Of Atonement performing live)


(To listen to their track Dead Man Whisper, click on the Soundcloud link located on the right)

Day Of Atonement performing at Transound Darkness-Blitar 2010

(Click on poster for enlarged view)



The 7-piece Surabaya goth metal band are going places as of late and if you happen to be in Indonesia or have some cash to spare and would like to travel overseas for good music, this is the place to be this weekend! Day Of Atonement will be performing at the Transound Darkness-Blitar 2010 gig which is held at Graha Kendalrejo. Presented by Nametiga, along them onstage will be the likes of The Lord, Otopsi, Tyranty and Funeral Of God among the many bands featured onstage. Tickets are at 50,000 rupiah, be prepared to mosh it out in the passionate country of Indonesia this weekend! Look out for more features about Day Of Atonement here and get to hear a sample of their sound

Place: Graha Kendalrejo (Jl. Manggar No.1 Kendalrejo Talun-Blitar- East Java, Indonesia)
Time: 2100hrs onwards
Date: 2nd May 2010
Price: 50,000 rupiah
Acts: Various artists

Grindhouse 2010 (30th April 2010 at Blackhole)

(Click on poster to view event)



Just before Labour Day comes a gig that will gather a rally of epic proportions and no, it will not be held at some stuffy strait laced building and filled with scripted politicians promising you an upgrade that is as useful as a person on a diet going to a fast food outlet. Instead, all suits are thrown out of window as Blackhole plays host to a stellar line up comprising of local bands Stillborn & Truth be Known, Grindbuto from Indonesia, Lacerate from Thailand and the Japanese double act of Defiled & GxSxD to complete the firing squad. But no bullets involved, just explosive riffs, infernal growls and blast beats of headbanging proportions. Event starts at 6.30pm with Stillborn being the first band to open the floodgates of fury so do come early and rock the horns on the 30th, because metal preaches better politics than anyone else!

Date: Friday, 30 April 2010
Time: 18:30 - 22:30
Location: Black Hole 212, Syed Alwi Road
Cover: $15
Acts: Stillborn & Truth Be Known (Sin), Grindbuto (Ind), Lacerate (TH), Defiled & gxSxD (JPN)

Chapter 66: Too Fast For The Black Widow

Despite the love hate relationship that I have with my brother, there is at least one thing that I can never thank him enough for: Carelessly leaving his cassettes around while I stayed in his room. He might not look the part but when it came to music, that boy sure knew how to rock with bands such as Scorpions, Bon Jovi and Motley Crue being blared out of his stereo and singing You Give Love A Bad Name like a debonair rockstar (he still does at the ripe old age of 37 and with 2 kids. In the car with the latter two thinking that its my fault) It was from the daily visits in his room that first introduced me to music and even though the first song that I listened to was Scorpions' Wind Of Change, it was Motley Crue that became my favourite band and before you had Tokio Hotel and the other pretty boys putting on make up, Vince Neil and the gang were already donning cosmetics in the hair metal era known as the 80's while singing about their good buddy (Dr Feelgood) bad habits (Smoking In The Boys Room) and their thoughts of being in love (Too Fast For Love). But it was Marilyn Manson that changed my life completely instead at the age of 14 and the rest they say, was painted in black with Holywood at the back. Admittedly, there was a gap period where I thought that Dr Dre & Snoop Dogg was the shizznit and Mandy Moore was amazing but Mr Brian Warner salvaged me from Loserville and into a mean lean machine who did not care if society was ostracising him, music alone was an escapism and an education to their ills that were being masked by Stepford smiles. But it did not end there but rather the beginning of a musical voyage that made me want to listen to various kinds of music from the fast emerging (HIM), legendary (The Misfits) and obscure (Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13). Black metal was another influential force for me with Cradle Of Filth ripping up a vicious vortex for me to enter and discover the grim reality of life but I didn't have to be a Satanist in order to enjoy the genre as Immortal have proved and with great success (except the Call Of The Wintermoon video)and did help matters that I was into Norse mythology so the bond between me and the genre was quickly fostered. If being a goth was about the macabre and realism, then black metal was all about strength and viciousness (Note: I am not a Satanist and respect all forms of religion, everyone has a right to believe what they preach in irregardless of orthodoxy). Fast forward to modern times and 22 years on since childbirth, I am still listening to music and looking out for new bands to listen to irregardless of genre since what matters most is the quality and intensity of the music so do not be surprised if I start listening to Goatwhore at one moment and PMMP (Finnish pop duo) the next, it is the passion that counts and this is the one thing that no one can ever take away from you


So what inspired me to start an online page to talk about my innermost thoughts? It all started off with my regular gig as a writer for the Singapore Dark Alternative Movement and with the 3 columns that I contribute regularly (Absinthe Heart, Meteoor & Chronicles Of Reverence)it made ponder one day that while I am enjoying myself by pursuing my passion of writing for my subculture, I am only able to present it in the angle of being a goth and after looking at various online pages such as Murderfreak and The Fashionate Traveller, I became motivated to start a page of my own and write about the things I love while at the same time promote bands and events through my site. As you can see on my navigational links under Associated Arsonists, these are the fruits of labour that my friends have started and working hard towards their dream which goes to show that no matter how many obstacles you have to face, it takes dogged determination to get to where you are and for that, I salute to each and every one of you who taught me subliminally that its possible to achieve what you aim for. Hopefully with my posts here, someone out there will notice these efforts and take time to click the links to find out more about their endeavour and for those who would like me to put it on my site, feel free to drop me an email or via my personal networking sites (located at the links bar) or even to promote your events, I am more than happy to spread the word for you. As for myself, this is just another step to educate and motivate me in writing articles while pursuing my degree in English Literature at the same time. I might need to suit up and look "normal" should I end up becoming a teacher (aka secondary dream) instead of being the next Lord Byron (aka hedonistic poet/Romanticist rockstar with a quill) so for now, I just wanna rock!

(ps. For those who think that being a journalist/writer/poet is boring and decidedly "square", you might want to read up on the life of one Nick Kent. Not only did he play guitar for The Sex Pistols before they ditched him for one Sid Vicious, he bagged the hot Chrissie Hynde)