Brain Dead (band)
Encyclopedia
Brain Dead a heavy metal band originated from Taiping, Perak, Malaysia, formed in 1988. Brain Dead consists of Ein, Malek, Hashim dan Lan "Bye".
Since its formation, Brain Dead has produced 2 demo, an album and a split album (with Silent Death). The band went in hiatus after the split-album since 1995. They have now re-activated their status since 2008.
and Kingdom of Rock which were able to record their own album in late '70's. At that time, there were no differences between Malaysian and Singaporean acts as both countries were neighbours and shared a lot of common things in term of culture and historical background. By the beginning of the '80's, rock music got bigger and has been accepted more than before. This resulted to the emergence of many rock/heavy metal groups. Bands like Search
, Lefthanded, Ella and The Boys, Rusty Blade, Bloodshed, D'Febian, Metallian, Burnmarks, Wings, Rockers, Crossfire and hundreds more marked their own way in local music industry. Sadly, none of them gained an international success as this is probably due to the lack of originalities where local bands were just imitating Iron Maiden
, Loudness
, Dio
...etc. and furthermore, their album was written in Malay language.
Apart from the rockin' and rollin' development which was considered as 'heavy and exotic' musics in our country for that time, the birth of the fastest and latest brutal musical sensation in America and Europe, known as speed/thrash metal has also landed in Malaysia. The earliest heavy and extreme band was Blackfire
from the north of Malaysia, formerly known as Metal Ghost playing hardrock/heavy metal in 1982 before morphing into Blackfire
in 1984 and their music direction turned to black metal! Starting from 1987 to the late eighties, a lot of thrash band popping out such Punisher
, Nemesis, Saxo, Picagari, Rator, Bacteria, Sil Khannaz, Brain Dead themselves and much more. They only doing cover songs from Venom
, Metallica
, Slayer
, Megadeth
, Metal Church
, Anthrax
, Destruction
, Sodom
, Kreator
and others thrash masters. Brain Dead was one of those surviving eighties bands which was so lucky because got the opportunity to record album and play so many shows at their hometown and the capital city, Kuala Lumpur.
Brain Dead originated in north of Malaysia, within the state of Perak, in the district of Taiping by 31 August 1988. The band was formed by Ein Possessor, the frontman on guitar/vocal and Malek Mutilation, the other guitarist. Later, they were joined by bassist, Hashim Pestilence and completed by Shahrin, the drummer. The band's name was taken from Exodus
' song title. During the early incarnation, they used to cover Metallica
’s first three albums. By the end of that year, they were introduced to the likes of Venom
, Slayer
, Sodom
, Destruction
, Possessed
, Sepultura
and later on worshipping more underground cults such Sarcofago, Slaughter, Morbid Angel...etc. Their first performance was at their hometown in early 1989 as a supporting act for a local hardrock/heavy metal band, M.A.Y., who has just release their second album. They played in front of 1,300 metal maniacs, gave them an unbelievable experience and got tremendous feedback too as they “killed 'em all” by doing all of Metallica
's tunes!
After their first show, Brain Dead started to play in underground gigs locally and also in the earliest ones at Kuala Lumpur, playing together with other thrash/death metal acts such Slap Death, Bacteria, Nemesis, Glottis
...etc. After playing in numerous shows, the quartet at the same time began to dig underground scene by writing to local and overseas band and fanzines. The following year, 1990, were spent by practicing and working on their own material under the new and heavy influence from Sepultura
(early years), Sarcofago
, Morbid Angel
...etc. Their early writings were 'Eternal War', 'Satanism' and 'On Your Grave' which completely baptized them as a brutal death metal group and make them as one of Malaysia’s premier extreme music outfit. Finally, the songs were recorded and released as their first demo entitled 'Eternal War' in 13 December 1990. The materials were one of the early demos from the Malaysian underground scene. Other local bands which issued demos at the same year were Suffocation
(later renamed to Suffercation) with 'Nightmare In Red', Silent Death
with 'Eternal Damnation', Sil Khannaz with 'Doctrine To Hell', Hijrah (later renamed to Pilgrims) with 'A Pilgrimage to Nowhere', Senseless Death with 'Terminal of Death' and prior to that in 1989, Rator ripping with 'Evil Symphony' and Cromok
tearing the scene off with 'Image Of Purity' demo tape.
international underground scene thru zine and compilation tapes. The tape didn't get much attention outside of the country, perhaps due to the bad sound and poor promotion. It's been a busy year for them, as they were playing gigs around with other extreme band from the same genre while meantime, the so-called 'heavy or brutal music' was getting bigger in the country. While playing at a local show called 'Super Thailand Festival' in 4 October 1991, these four death metallers took the opportunity to record the show, then by Disember 1991, two new songs, 'Repulse To Destruct' and 'Devourment Of Gore' were recorded in studio. At the same time, they were also offered by a local rock record label, Noize Records, to participate in a death metal compilation together with Sil Khannaz, Suffercation, Silent Death
and Picagari but the project never saw the light of day. Soon after the project failed, they decided to release a second demo with three live tracks taken from 'Super Thailand Festival' and the two new studio tracks. They simply named the demo 'Live Demo 1992' and it got more recognition and became of the most promising death metal splatter from Malaysia.
Brain Dead was planning to record the album in early 1993 but their record label suggests them to record the album for that year (1992). This led the band in a rush to start recording their first (and only) album. Then, the band faced something unexpected; Shahrin made a departure from the band due to personal commitments and obligations. With the remaining three piece line-up, the band continued with the recording plan. There's a minor changes in line up position however; Ein switched from guitars/vocals to bass/vocals, Malik retained his guitar duties while Hashim took over the drumming duty totally. With deadlines to meet, they familiarized their new roles the best as they can. They entered Digitron Studio in late 1992 to record an eight tracks album, showing their unique brand of occult, black and dark death metal which was actually a combination of their old and new influences such Venom
, Mercyful Fate
, Celtic Frost
(early years), Sarcofago
, Samael
, Roots...etc. Finally, the curse of Brain Dead was unleashed upon mankind, namely 'From The Ectasy' in December 1992, earlier than their previous plan.
Regarding to their first album, according to Ein, initially Brain Dead was planning to add some keyboards, effects and intro/outro for the album for a more atmospherically touch of pure darkness! But the saddest thing was, they were never allowed to do that because Dark Journey Records wanted to cut costs. They were the third death metal band to record an album after Suffercation’s 'Day Of Darkness' and Silent Death
’s 'Before The Sunrise' were recorded in the very same year. They aggressively promoted the album by annihilating as many stage shows as they could and by doing interviews for both local and international zines. In early 1993, they participated in compilation album called 'Dark Live Collection' together with Silent Death
, Nemesis
, Catarrh
, Nebiras and Tormentor
. Two new hellish tracks were recorded, 'The 7th Winds' and 'Spirit Of Heloisa' where it's still in the dark vein of 'From The Ecstasy'. These two songs were also released in form of a promo tape and has been spread mostly for overseas.
This time, Ein get back to his position as guitar/vocal and for Malik or Hashim, still playing their weapons but for bass player, Adik, bassist/vocalist from Necrotic Chaos (ex-Glottis
) was invited to filled the pie as sessionist. At the meantime, Ein also fronting his other black/death metal band project, Narraka (Hell) with three other mayhemic legions since 1990. Undeniably, he's one of the mainman for Narraka but the band was unactive because of Ein's involvement in Brain Dead. Narraka try so many times to record their mercyless anthems but never saw the light of the metallic day! In 1994, Dark Journey Records without permission, rereleasing half of the album in form of split tape with Silent Death
entitled 'Dead and Death' and it's not a bootleg but clearly a rip offs! This bring the band in conflict with their label and they decide to leave Dark Journey for an uncertain future.
, Slayer
, Metallica
and
Celtic Frost
, Brain Dead joined one of the shows somewhere in 1997. This is just to pay tribute and honour to bands that inspired them during the formative years. In the early year of 2000, Orgamastron Productions, a Malaysian label, release a tribute album for them titled 'In Remembrance For Brain Dead' with limited edition. A unique combination of Malaysian and Singaporean metal/hardcore bands tooks part and the label exclusively launched the album by doing a special reunion gigs for them, together with bands featured. Then Brain Dead and Heloisa dwells in a silent moment but still receiving offers to do a renion gigs but the band always being rejective because unable to give a full commitment.
After Brain Dead breaking up, Hashim continues playing bass for many bands and as for Shahrin, giving his energy to various metal dan punk acts while Ein, joining a new band from their hometown, Hatred
. He's actually just a session member for this speed/thrash cover bands by having fun with Sodom
, Slayer
or Exodus tunes. This was around 2005 and besides Ein, there's also other session and original member from Heloisa and Maze Torment playing for Hatred
but when the band went into the studio to record debut demo, Ein and a few other leave the band. After leaving Hatred
, Ein tries to reform Brain Dead but due to their circumstances, his babaric intent wasn't going nowhere until early 2008.
Demo
Compilation album
Split album
Past Members
Since its formation, Brain Dead has produced 2 demo, an album and a split album (with Silent Death). The band went in hiatus after the split-album since 1995. They have now re-activated their status since 2008.
1988/1989
Not many metal fans knew that Malaysia has their own rock and roll movement and has given birth to so many bands during the mid to the late '70's. The most prominent were Singaporean rock pioneers, Sweet CharitySweet Charity
Sweet Charity is a musical with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields and book by Neil Simon. It was directed and choreographed for Broadway by Bob Fosse starring his wife and muse Gwen Verdon. It is based on Federico Fellini's screenplay for Nights of Cabiria...
and Kingdom of Rock which were able to record their own album in late '70's. At that time, there were no differences between Malaysian and Singaporean acts as both countries were neighbours and shared a lot of common things in term of culture and historical background. By the beginning of the '80's, rock music got bigger and has been accepted more than before. This resulted to the emergence of many rock/heavy metal groups. Bands like Search
Search (band)
Search is a rock band in Malaysia.It was founded in 1981 by Yazit , Hillary Ang , Nasir , and Zainal . The group went through many line-up changes in its career, but the songs and music remained strong and unique among Malaysian and Singaporean fans...
, Lefthanded, Ella and The Boys, Rusty Blade, Bloodshed, D'Febian, Metallian, Burnmarks, Wings, Rockers, Crossfire and hundreds more marked their own way in local music industry. Sadly, none of them gained an international success as this is probably due to the lack of originalities where local bands were just imitating Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
, Loudness
Loudness (band)
is a Japan-based heavy metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Akira Takasaki and drummer Munetaka Higuchi. They were the first Japanese heavy metal act signed to a major label in the United States, releasing twenty-three studio albums...
, Dio
Dio (band)
Dio was an American heavy metal band from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio, after he left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath member, drummer Vinny Appice. Naming the band Dio made sense from a commercial...
...etc. and furthermore, their album was written in Malay language.
Apart from the rockin' and rollin' development which was considered as 'heavy and exotic' musics in our country for that time, the birth of the fastest and latest brutal musical sensation in America and Europe, known as speed/thrash metal has also landed in Malaysia. The earliest heavy and extreme band was Blackfire
Blackfire
Blackfire is a supervillain that appears in the fictional DC Universe. She is the older sister of the Titans member Starfire and Omega Men member Ryand'r. The character first appears in New Teen Titans #22, and was created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez.-Fictional character biography:Komand'r...
from the north of Malaysia, formerly known as Metal Ghost playing hardrock/heavy metal in 1982 before morphing into Blackfire
Blackfire
Blackfire is a supervillain that appears in the fictional DC Universe. She is the older sister of the Titans member Starfire and Omega Men member Ryand'r. The character first appears in New Teen Titans #22, and was created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez.-Fictional character biography:Komand'r...
in 1984 and their music direction turned to black metal! Starting from 1987 to the late eighties, a lot of thrash band popping out such Punisher
Punisher
The Punisher is a fictional character, an anti-hero appearing in comic books based in the . Created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita, Sr., and Ross Andru, the character made its first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 .The Punisher is a vigilante who employs murder,...
, Nemesis, Saxo, Picagari, Rator, Bacteria, Sil Khannaz, Brain Dead themselves and much more. They only doing cover songs from Venom
Venom (band)
Venom are an English heavy metal band that formed in 1979 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Coming to prominence towards the end of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Venom's first two albums—Welcome to Hell and Black Metal —are considered a major influence on thrash metal and extreme metal in general...
, Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
, Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, Metal Church
Metal Church
Metal Church was an American heavy metal band. They originally formed in Seattle, Washington as Shrapnel in 1980. Their first album was released in 1984, and the band's most recent work, This Present Wasteland, was released in 2008....
, Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
, Destruction
Destruction (band)
Destruction is a German thrash metal band. They are considered one of the "three kings" of the Teutonic thrash metal scene, the others being Kreator and Sodom...
, Sodom
Sodom (band)
Sodom is a German Thrash metal trio from Gelsenkirchen, formed in 1981.Along with the bands Kreator and Destruction, Sodom is considered one of the "big three" of Teutonic thrash metal...
, Kreator
Kreator
Kreator is a thrash metal band from Essen, Germany, formed in 1978, but formalized in 1982 under the name Tormentor. They originally performed a speed metal style with Venom influences. Their style of music is similar to their compatriots Destruction and Sodom, the other two big German thrash metal...
and others thrash masters. Brain Dead was one of those surviving eighties bands which was so lucky because got the opportunity to record album and play so many shows at their hometown and the capital city, Kuala Lumpur.
Brain Dead originated in north of Malaysia, within the state of Perak, in the district of Taiping by 31 August 1988. The band was formed by Ein Possessor, the frontman on guitar/vocal and Malek Mutilation, the other guitarist. Later, they were joined by bassist, Hashim Pestilence and completed by Shahrin, the drummer. The band's name was taken from Exodus
Exodus (band)
Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1980 in Richmond, California. Spanning a career of over 30 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members. Guitarist Gary Holt remains the only constant member of the band,...
' song title. During the early incarnation, they used to cover Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
’s first three albums. By the end of that year, they were introduced to the likes of Venom
Venom (band)
Venom are an English heavy metal band that formed in 1979 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Coming to prominence towards the end of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Venom's first two albums—Welcome to Hell and Black Metal —are considered a major influence on thrash metal and extreme metal in general...
, Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
, Sodom
Sodom (band)
Sodom is a German Thrash metal trio from Gelsenkirchen, formed in 1981.Along with the bands Kreator and Destruction, Sodom is considered one of the "big three" of Teutonic thrash metal...
, Destruction
Destruction (band)
Destruction is a German thrash metal band. They are considered one of the "three kings" of the Teutonic thrash metal scene, the others being Kreator and Sodom...
, Possessed
Possessed (band)
Possessed is an American death metal band, originally formed in 1983. Noted for their fast style of playing and Jeff Becerra's guttural vocals, they are routinely called the first band in the death metal genre...
, Sepultura
Sepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
and later on worshipping more underground cults such Sarcofago, Slaughter, Morbid Angel...etc. Their first performance was at their hometown in early 1989 as a supporting act for a local hardrock/heavy metal band, M.A.Y., who has just release their second album. They played in front of 1,300 metal maniacs, gave them an unbelievable experience and got tremendous feedback too as they “killed 'em all” by doing all of Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
's tunes!
After their first show, Brain Dead started to play in underground gigs locally and also in the earliest ones at Kuala Lumpur, playing together with other thrash/death metal acts such Slap Death, Bacteria, Nemesis, Glottis
Glottis
The glottis is defined as the combination of the vocal folds and the space in between the folds .-Function:...
...etc. After playing in numerous shows, the quartet at the same time began to dig underground scene by writing to local and overseas band and fanzines. The following year, 1990, were spent by practicing and working on their own material under the new and heavy influence from Sepultura
Sepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
(early years), Sarcofago
Sarcófago
Sarcófago was an influential Brazilian extreme metal band. They were fronted by Sepultura's original singer, Wagner Lamounier, and Geraldo Minelli. They have been described as Brazil's most controversial metal band....
, Morbid Angel
Morbid Angel
Morbid Angel is an American death metal band based in Tampa, Florida. UK music magazine Terrorizer ranked one Morbid Angel album in its “Top 40 greatest death metal albums”, with their 1989 debut Altars of Madness appearing at number 1...
...etc. Their early writings were 'Eternal War', 'Satanism' and 'On Your Grave' which completely baptized them as a brutal death metal group and make them as one of Malaysia’s premier extreme music outfit. Finally, the songs were recorded and released as their first demo entitled 'Eternal War' in 13 December 1990. The materials were one of the early demos from the Malaysian underground scene. Other local bands which issued demos at the same year were Suffocation
Suffocation
Suffocation is the process of Asphyxia.Suffocation may also refer to:* Suffocation , an American death metal band* "Suffocation", a song on Morbid Angel's debut album, Altars of Madness...
(later renamed to Suffercation) with 'Nightmare In Red', Silent Death
Silent Death
Silent Death is a miniatures space battle game by Iron Crown Enterprises , based on the Star Strike sourcebook to the Spacemaster role-playing game, but with vastly simplified mechanics. In particular, combat is fast and lethal, and so chances of crewman death or ship destruction are frighteningly...
with 'Eternal Damnation', Sil Khannaz with 'Doctrine To Hell', Hijrah (later renamed to Pilgrims) with 'A Pilgrimage to Nowhere', Senseless Death with 'Terminal of Death' and prior to that in 1989, Rator ripping with 'Evil Symphony' and Cromok
Cromok
Cromok is a thrash metal band from Malaysia. They are known to be an otai band of thrash metal music....
tearing the scene off with 'Image Of Purity' demo tape.
1990/1991
Starting from the blasphemous demo, Brain Dead spread their name to local andinternational underground scene thru zine and compilation tapes. The tape didn't get much attention outside of the country, perhaps due to the bad sound and poor promotion. It's been a busy year for them, as they were playing gigs around with other extreme band from the same genre while meantime, the so-called 'heavy or brutal music' was getting bigger in the country. While playing at a local show called 'Super Thailand Festival' in 4 October 1991, these four death metallers took the opportunity to record the show, then by Disember 1991, two new songs, 'Repulse To Destruct' and 'Devourment Of Gore' were recorded in studio. At the same time, they were also offered by a local rock record label, Noize Records, to participate in a death metal compilation together with Sil Khannaz, Suffercation, Silent Death
Silent Death
Silent Death is a miniatures space battle game by Iron Crown Enterprises , based on the Star Strike sourcebook to the Spacemaster role-playing game, but with vastly simplified mechanics. In particular, combat is fast and lethal, and so chances of crewman death or ship destruction are frighteningly...
and Picagari but the project never saw the light of day. Soon after the project failed, they decided to release a second demo with three live tracks taken from 'Super Thailand Festival' and the two new studio tracks. They simply named the demo 'Live Demo 1992' and it got more recognition and became of the most promising death metal splatter from Malaysia.
1992 to 1994
The year 1992 saw the unexpected decision taken by Brain Dead because they started to get bored with the current death metal boom which became so trendy and commercialized. After the mid of 1992, they began to seek something more original that could separate them from the typical death metal crap. The result is, they found a new path for their music and this new direction was still death metal but darker and blacker with a touch of doom and black metal. Labelling themselves as “dark occult metal horde” and this newly style began to cause minor differences within the band. Surprisingly, after the mid 1992, Nick Sia from a local extreme metal label, Dark Journey Records, offered them to record an album after being mesmerized by their demo. After a few meetings and infernal discussions, they agreed to sign with Dark Journey Records.Brain Dead was planning to record the album in early 1993 but their record label suggests them to record the album for that year (1992). This led the band in a rush to start recording their first (and only) album. Then, the band faced something unexpected; Shahrin made a departure from the band due to personal commitments and obligations. With the remaining three piece line-up, the band continued with the recording plan. There's a minor changes in line up position however; Ein switched from guitars/vocals to bass/vocals, Malik retained his guitar duties while Hashim took over the drumming duty totally. With deadlines to meet, they familiarized their new roles the best as they can. They entered Digitron Studio in late 1992 to record an eight tracks album, showing their unique brand of occult, black and dark death metal which was actually a combination of their old and new influences such Venom
Venom (band)
Venom are an English heavy metal band that formed in 1979 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Coming to prominence towards the end of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Venom's first two albums—Welcome to Hell and Black Metal —are considered a major influence on thrash metal and extreme metal in general...
, Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate was a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen. Initially active from 1981 to 1985, they reunited in 1992. The band went on hiatus again in 2000, when frontman King Diamond decided to continue his solo career...
, Celtic Frost
Celtic Frost
Celtic Frost was a metal band from Zürich, Switzerland. They are known for their heavy influence on the extreme metal genres. The group was first active from 1984 to 1993, and re-formed in 2001. Following Tom Gabriel Fischer's departure in 2008, Celtic Frost decided to break up again...
(early years), Sarcofago
Sarcófago
Sarcófago was an influential Brazilian extreme metal band. They were fronted by Sepultura's original singer, Wagner Lamounier, and Geraldo Minelli. They have been described as Brazil's most controversial metal band....
, Samael
Samael (band)
Samael is a industrial black metal band formed in 1987 in Sion, Switzerland.-Biography:Although much of their music from the mid-1990s onwards has incorporated electronic sounds which would best define their genre as industrial metal, they are an early 2nd Wave black metal band and an innovator for...
, Roots...etc. Finally, the curse of Brain Dead was unleashed upon mankind, namely 'From The Ectasy' in December 1992, earlier than their previous plan.
Regarding to their first album, according to Ein, initially Brain Dead was planning to add some keyboards, effects and intro/outro for the album for a more atmospherically touch of pure darkness! But the saddest thing was, they were never allowed to do that because Dark Journey Records wanted to cut costs. They were the third death metal band to record an album after Suffercation’s 'Day Of Darkness' and Silent Death
Silent Death
Silent Death is a miniatures space battle game by Iron Crown Enterprises , based on the Star Strike sourcebook to the Spacemaster role-playing game, but with vastly simplified mechanics. In particular, combat is fast and lethal, and so chances of crewman death or ship destruction are frighteningly...
’s 'Before The Sunrise' were recorded in the very same year. They aggressively promoted the album by annihilating as many stage shows as they could and by doing interviews for both local and international zines. In early 1993, they participated in compilation album called 'Dark Live Collection' together with Silent Death
Silent Death
Silent Death is a miniatures space battle game by Iron Crown Enterprises , based on the Star Strike sourcebook to the Spacemaster role-playing game, but with vastly simplified mechanics. In particular, combat is fast and lethal, and so chances of crewman death or ship destruction are frighteningly...
, Nemesis
Nemesis (band)
Nemesis is a South Korean rock band formed in 2001. Its music can be categorised as post-modern rock. The band consists of Noh Seungho , Ha Sebin , Jeon Gwiseung , Choi Sungwoo , Jung Euyseok .- External links :* * *...
, Catarrh
Catarrh
Catarrh is a disorder of inflammation of the mucous membranes in one of the airways or cavities of the body. It can result in a thick exudate of mucus and white blood cells caused by the swelling of the mucous membranes in the head in response to an infection...
, Nebiras and Tormentor
Tormentor
Tormentor is a black metal band formed in 1986 in Budapest, Hungary. Tormentor was one of the first black metal bands using synthesisers to create a more atmospheric sound. They recorded their first album, Anno Domini, in 1988, but were unable to release it until the end of communism. The album...
. Two new hellish tracks were recorded, 'The 7th Winds' and 'Spirit Of Heloisa' where it's still in the dark vein of 'From The Ecstasy'. These two songs were also released in form of a promo tape and has been spread mostly for overseas.
This time, Ein get back to his position as guitar/vocal and for Malik or Hashim, still playing their weapons but for bass player, Adik, bassist/vocalist from Necrotic Chaos (ex-Glottis
Glottis
The glottis is defined as the combination of the vocal folds and the space in between the folds .-Function:...
) was invited to filled the pie as sessionist. At the meantime, Ein also fronting his other black/death metal band project, Narraka (Hell) with three other mayhemic legions since 1990. Undeniably, he's one of the mainman for Narraka but the band was unactive because of Ein's involvement in Brain Dead. Narraka try so many times to record their mercyless anthems but never saw the light of the metallic day! In 1994, Dark Journey Records without permission, rereleasing half of the album in form of split tape with Silent Death
Silent Death
Silent Death is a miniatures space battle game by Iron Crown Enterprises , based on the Star Strike sourcebook to the Spacemaster role-playing game, but with vastly simplified mechanics. In particular, combat is fast and lethal, and so chances of crewman death or ship destruction are frighteningly...
entitled 'Dead and Death' and it's not a bootleg but clearly a rip offs! This bring the band in conflict with their label and they decide to leave Dark Journey for an uncertain future.
1995/1996
In 1995 the band facing up the most difficult situation as Malik moved to other state, Mallaca, Hashim residing at Kuala Lumpur and Adik decided to fully concentrated on Necrotic Chaos for their upcoming devastation demos and such. This make the band in the limbonic black years and Ein took this opportunity to reactivate Narraka under a new moniker, Heloisa! Brain Dead however, played their last gig ever in Pulau Pinang in 1995 with original line-up as an honour or 'farewell show' to their loyal fans. After the demise of Brain Dead, Hashim joined Sil Khannaz as bassist, Malik hang off his guitar, while Ein giving his full demonic force to Heloisa, start to play local gigs and soon in late 1996, Nebiula Productions, another Malaysian extreme metal label, offered them for an album and the result is their debut full length, 'Mirror Of Trinity' in 1997.1997 to 2005
When local organizers doing tribute gigs to metal gods as VenomVenom (band)
Venom are an English heavy metal band that formed in 1979 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Coming to prominence towards the end of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Venom's first two albums—Welcome to Hell and Black Metal —are considered a major influence on thrash metal and extreme metal in general...
, Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
, Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
and
Celtic Frost
Celtic Frost
Celtic Frost was a metal band from Zürich, Switzerland. They are known for their heavy influence on the extreme metal genres. The group was first active from 1984 to 1993, and re-formed in 2001. Following Tom Gabriel Fischer's departure in 2008, Celtic Frost decided to break up again...
, Brain Dead joined one of the shows somewhere in 1997. This is just to pay tribute and honour to bands that inspired them during the formative years. In the early year of 2000, Orgamastron Productions, a Malaysian label, release a tribute album for them titled 'In Remembrance For Brain Dead' with limited edition. A unique combination of Malaysian and Singaporean metal/hardcore bands tooks part and the label exclusively launched the album by doing a special reunion gigs for them, together with bands featured. Then Brain Dead and Heloisa dwells in a silent moment but still receiving offers to do a renion gigs but the band always being rejective because unable to give a full commitment.
After Brain Dead breaking up, Hashim continues playing bass for many bands and as for Shahrin, giving his energy to various metal dan punk acts while Ein, joining a new band from their hometown, Hatred
Hatred
Hatred is a deep and emotional extreme dislike, directed against a certain object or class of objects. The objects of such hatred can vary widely, from inanimate objects to animals, oneself or other people, entire groups of people, people in general, existence, or the whole world...
. He's actually just a session member for this speed/thrash cover bands by having fun with Sodom
Sodom (band)
Sodom is a German Thrash metal trio from Gelsenkirchen, formed in 1981.Along with the bands Kreator and Destruction, Sodom is considered one of the "big three" of Teutonic thrash metal...
, Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
or Exodus tunes. This was around 2005 and besides Ein, there's also other session and original member from Heloisa and Maze Torment playing for Hatred
Hatred
Hatred is a deep and emotional extreme dislike, directed against a certain object or class of objects. The objects of such hatred can vary widely, from inanimate objects to animals, oneself or other people, entire groups of people, people in general, existence, or the whole world...
but when the band went into the studio to record debut demo, Ein and a few other leave the band. After leaving Hatred
Hatred
Hatred is a deep and emotional extreme dislike, directed against a certain object or class of objects. The objects of such hatred can vary widely, from inanimate objects to animals, oneself or other people, entire groups of people, people in general, existence, or the whole world...
, Ein tries to reform Brain Dead but due to their circumstances, his babaric intent wasn't going nowhere until early 2008.
2008 to present
Brain Dead reunited with original line-up and only added one new member which is their old time friends, Lan "Bye" (ex-Infectious Maggots/Sil Khannaz), played two gigs in March and November 2008. At the moment, the band is busy touring in gigs also rehearsing and beating news tracks of crushing brutality in the vein of their early style - brutal old school death metal at its finest! So to any label interested to hear or sign them, should get in touch. They're back from the horrifying ectasy and ready to crush the scene with their unrelenting old style of death metal!!!Discography
Studio albums- From The EcstasyFrom The EcstasyFrom the Ecstasy is the full-length debut album from Brain Dead. Released only on cassette tape by Dark Journey Records in 1992. It was reissued in 2010 on CD and vinyl.-Track listing:All music and lyrics by Brain Dead.#"Unholy Sins" - 5:03...
(1992)
Demo
- Eternal War (1990)
- Live (1992)
- Promo (1993)
Compilation album
- In Remembrance to Brain Dead (1999)
Split album
- Death and Dead (1994)
Band members
Current Members- Ein Possessor – vocals & guitar (1988 to present) (Heloisa)
- Malek – guitar (1988 to present)
- Hashim Pestilence – bass (1988 to present) (Sil Khannaz, The Pilgrims, F.T.GFTG (band)FTG is a thrash metal band from Malaysia. They are among the earliest to appear at the end of the era of the first generation of underground music Malaysia such as Nemesis, Punisher and others.-History:...
) - Lan "Bye" – drum (2008 to present)
Past Members
- Shahrin – drum (1988–2008) (Nemesis)
- Adik - bass (1992) (Necrotic Chaos)
External links
- http://www.myspace.com/fromtheecstasy
- http://www.muzikrock.com/brain_dead_01.html
- http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=27871
- http://www.thegauntlet.com/bio/1896/Brain-Dead-%28Mys%29.html
- http://mentharas.ods.org/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=226
- http://mentharas.ods.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=24