Age Of Sinfonia - Divine Vehemence

Singapore symphonic metal band Age Of Sinfonia performs at the Esplanade Waterfront as one of the acts for Noise Singapore 2011. The recently released EP Capriccio: An End And A Beginning is available in stores and you can visit the band at myspace.com/ageofsymphony

Singapura Uber Alles - X'Ho

The rebel with a cause is back with a new album and this time, X'Ho is ready to strike where it beats the most: The ears of the disenchanted locals who seek the winds of change. Singapura Uber Alles is locked and loaded with guest appearances from Alfian Sa'at, Zai Kuning and Dino Vomit plus tracks that will stir your emotions with unadulterated passion such as S*** More, Fascist Glo Stick, Voted Off The Island and many more weapons of vocal construction. Available at all record stores and you follow X'Ho on Twitter (@xhosux) and Myspace (myspace.com/xhosux)

Age Of Sinfonia - Capriccio: An End & A Beginning

The much awaited EP from Singapore symphonic metal band Age Of Sinfonia is finally here and with Capriccio: An End & A Beginning slated to launch on Feb 11 2011, I had the opportunity to receive a sneak peek on what to expect from the talented sextet that has been constantly performing and gaining recognition from their peers throughout 2010

For starters, the line up is comprised of Savvia Lenore (vocals), Rasen John (guitars) Andy Swift (bass), Elfie Corleone (drums), Dr Jackyll Hyde (keyboards) and JC (violin) and have been performing together as a band for a couple of years with Capriccio being produced by the folks from Snakeweed Studios and also in the form of Martin Pullan and Rupert Coffey of Edensounds. In a metal community where thrash and extreme music becomes the focal point for most listeners in Singapore, how does a symphonic metal fit into the scheme of things? In a very well orchestrated manner, to say the least. The opening track Fair- Weather Love has been played on a regular basis on their gigs and the album treatment of this familiar ode does not disappoint the ears as none of the atmospheric vibe and lush sounds are being compromised. Cradle Of Filth fans might find the introduction of Fair- Weather Love slightly similar to Nymphatemine and a little surprise midway through the song as Rasen John unleashes a solo that is brief yet complementing the music arrangement of the song with a touch of vintage warmth to the proceedings. The enthrallment does not end there as Unfrozen unleashes a blast from the past reminiscent of classic symphonic metal bands and providing the bridge for the epic finale: Forevermore. Combining metal, classical music and sprinkled with the element of folk, this track is undoubtedly the ace of spades for Age Of Sinfonia and cementing their position as one of the bands to look out for in 2011. The beastly appearance on Forevermore provides an unique facet with Savvia Lenore drawing out the contrast with relative ease

To sum it up, Capriccio: An End & A Beginning banishes the long held stereotypical mentality of what music must be like and introducing various elements to prove that experimentations to a core genre type can bring out the desired emotions if the heart is there to soldier on. Despite being an EP, Age Of Sinfonia has given listeners a glimpse of bigger things to come and could very well spearhead a new generation of music enthusiasts

Angels by Ruben Pang

Budding prodigious visionary Ruben Pang will be putting strokes into his craft from Jan 31 to Feb 18 at the Chan Hampe Galleries located at Tanjong Pagar with his very own installation Angels. A graduate from the La Salle College of the Arts, Ruben Pang has participated in numerous art exhibitions and also spearheaded musical and art initiatives for the local alternative community in Singapore at an age that skirts between youth and adulthood. But what is absolutely certain is the sense of awe that Angels will deliver, a series of picturesque creations without the enforcement of a set concept and to find out more, visit http://www.chanhampegalleries.com

Age Of Sinfonia album teaser

The wait is almost over: Age Of Sinfonia will be releasing the EP An End & A Beginning in early 2011 but for those who are eagerly anticipating the material of the Singapore based based, here is a teaser of what to expect from the band which can be found on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=473430038018&oid=116825681663879&comments.The year 2010 has been a busy year for Age Of Sinfonia with numerous appearances onstage and working hard behind the scenes to ensure perfection of An End & A Beginning but with 2011 just around the corner, expect to hear more from this hugely talented band

Chugga Ritual 2010

(Dalsix & Burhan Skullbanger, the man behind Chugga Ritual)

Held at J3 Studios and the brainchild of Burhan from the weekly RIA metal programme Vicious Volume, this edition of the annual Chugga Ritual show featured a well rounded lineup of BajoLoco, Musqkara, The Misfit Ramones, AGT and the headliner of the showcase, Chugga Ritual. Combing the various genres such as punk, metal rock and even hardcore, the 2 hour set was complemented by a supportive audience and even at one point, members of the crowd joined in the fun which gave the gig a cohesive feel and a testament to what music brings to the word unity. But it was the bands onstage that were the main talking point as AGT delivered their mystical blend of the Middle East meets Mastodon with the guitar being exploited for its worth, The Misfit Ramones stringing one infectious tunes after another and Chugga Ritual transporting the audience into the glorious days of metal along with their supporting guest performers. Who said that you have to wait until the 25th? Santa was there and delivered the present everyone needed this festive season: A mind blasting kick into the system!