Music of Singapore
Encyclopedia
Singapore
has an urban musical scene, and is a center for rock
, punk
and other genres in the region. The 1960s produced bands like The Crecendos with hit songs like Mr Twister. The Quests, who had hits like "Shanty", "Don't Play That Song", "Jesamine" and "Mr Rainbow". "Naomi & The Boys" with a house hold hit song "Happy Happy Birthday Baby" as well as other pop-rock bands including The Thunderbirds, The Trailers, The Western Union Band, October Cherries
and The Silver Strings. Folk music
includes the ethnic Chinese
, Malay
and Tamil sounds.
The launch of the nation's arts centre, Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
, has served to focus the island's multi-genre music making. It is now the venue for the Singapore Symphony Orchestra
's subscription and gala concerts. In addition, the arts centre has ensured a representation of classical and traditional music from the four primary cultures in the land. In particular, the regular festivals of Hua Yi, Pesta Raya and Kalaa Utsavam ensure that interpreters of these different repertories are heard on a regular basis.
The Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
also presents 3 music festivals, of which Baybeats
grooms and grows the local music industry. The key objective of the festival is to grow the local music scene – both by discovering and grooming quality acts from Singapore; as well as developing a good audience base to not only support the festival but also build awareness of local talents. The festival provides opportunities for youths and the music community to participate and enjoy their own music at low cost – musicians, writers, photographers, designers as well as fans. In addition, to local home-grown music acts, Baybeats
also presents a good array of popular alternative bands from the region. The regional line-up allows the audience a taste of the scene outside Singapore, adds to the diversity and vibrancy of the festival. And it also expands the minds of Singaporean musicians and keeps them motivated to improve and deliver better performances.
Many ticketed as well as non-ticketed performances at Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
features local musicians from Singapore. Through regular series like Coffee Morning & Afternoon Tea, At The Concourse, On The Waterfront, Late Nite and Beautiful Sunday, the public can watch a range of performances by upcoming local indie musicians, veterans from the 60s - 80s, as well as community orchestras throughout the year.
folk music is noted for its fusion of English in Malay-inspired tunes, largely because the Peranakans themselves are often conversant in both languages. Contemporary tunes continue to be composed based on the Peranakan culture, such as "Bunga Sayang", a theme song from Dick Lee
's musical "Kampung Amber". The song became an often-sung staple of the National Day Parade
, and gained international exposure when it was performed for the opening ceremony of the 117th IOC Session
at the Esplanade
.
performed, and really launched after Cliff Richard & the Shadows arrived a year later, thus launching the beat boom. Like much of the world, the British Invasion
began in 1963, led by The Beatles
. Some bands remained instrumental, while others incorporated singers. Soon, British R&B became popular, and spawned a local Malay
variety. Pop stars of the 1960s included Naomi & the Boys, D'4 Ever, Antarctics, Mike Ibrahim & the Nite Walkers, Swallows, Ismail Haron & the Guys
and Les Kafila's.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s saw the rise of rock bands such as Sweet Charity
fronted by the charismatic vocalist Ramli Sarip. The band had such an influence in the Singapore and Malaysia music scene that it later led to a rock explosion in the mid 1980s.
The 1990s produced bands with alternative and indie influences such as Concave Scream, Humpback Oak
, The Padres, Oddfellows, Livionia, with the band KICK!, signed to the Pony Canyon label, making a strong wave in the POP scene with a slew of radio hits & a strong fan base.
scene of Singapore
. The establishment of LCHC dates back to the late 80s/early 90s. Pioneered and established by local hardcore group Stompin' Ground which soon after the release of their album "We Set The Pace" exposed much of hardcore punk
music both in Singapore
& South East Asia and soon spawned more local and regional hardcore bands. Much of the local hardcore scene in Singapore
were derived and influenced by the New York Hardcore
(NYHC) scene. The LCHC scene is still thriving with bands such as Overthrown, Sidekicks, Mouthful of Air, Suhaimi And The Union Of Equals, Straight Forward and etc. Bands from around the world have performed in Singapore, including the Canadian Comeback Kid
, American hardcore punk
bands Sick of It All
, youth crew
group Bold, Boston hardcore
band Bane
, Death Before Dishonour
& straight-edge group Have Heart
, Cruel Hand
, Terror
and First Blood
originating from Los Angeles
.
For the past few years, Singapore sees a rapid increase of Metal bands making Singapore a stop for them to perform.
Bands like Exodus
, Morbid Angel
, Slayer
, Dream Theater
and Helloween
have played in Singapore to receptive crowds, usually at an open field at Fort Canning Park.
Small to medium scale gigs are held almost weekly at locations such as BlackHole212 or Substation. Most recently, on 15th February, 2011, Iron Maiden
played to a crowd of 12,000 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
There have also been many notable local metal bands in the growing underground scene.
Special mention includes:
Metal bands in Singapore run the gamut and include bands from many varying subgenres. However it is not uncommon for bands from the more underground genres to view bands from more mainstream genres with disdain.
Unfortunately, there is little support for metal in Singapore's mainstream media.
However, Metal music of this generation are lucky to be featured occasionally on Brader Bo's show, Vicious Volume of RIA 89.7fm
.
Oshiego was also featured in Lime Magazine's 30 Hottest Local Acts, a compilation CD, with the song "Now Suffer" originally from the titular EP.
hI
The local Heavy Metal scene is Singapore is not daunted by the lack of support from the local mainstream media, and has established its own ways of disseminating information by utilizing popular internet based social mediums such as Facebook
, Twitter
and Blogger
. One notable organisation is Heavy Metal Tribune, which features many local metal acts as well as others from other parts of the world, mainly to allow each region to reach out to one another, while providing local metalheads to know what they are up against.
Heavy Metal Tribune also provides gig organisers with a platform to publicise their events, via their Facebook wall or its weekly 'newsletter'.
, The Padres, Oddfellows, and Livionia. In the Pop/Rock genres were "KICK!", Lizard's Convention & Radio Active.
Recently, alternative, metal, grindcore, punk rock
and rock acts from Singapore who may have gained some profile in countries other than the city-state of Singapore include John Klass
, Firebrands, Stompin' Ground, Ling Kai, Inch Chua
, Ronin
, Anna Judge April, Electrico
, Force Vomit, 4-Sides, Vermillion, West Grand Boulevard, Plainsunset, Etc
, Caracal, Popland, The Great Spy Experiment, Sky In Euphoria, Rancor, Saw Loser (formerly known as Pug Jelly), Malex (Power Metal
) , A Vacant Affair
(Post-hardcore
band), For Better Endings (Experimental Hardcore band) , Death Metal and Rudra
who are significant for creating the genre "Vedic Metal".
, conductor Darrell Ang, and singer-songwriter Dawn Xiana Moon.
which is held every year on August 9.
In 1984, Stand Up for Singapore, was initially created for the sole purpose of celebrating Singapore's achievements in 25 years of self-government. Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture and composed by Hugh Harrison, the song struck a chord with Singaporeans, especially when they heard it performed by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and so the first 'official' National Day Song was born. The government, realizing just how much the public enjoyed singing as a way of celebrating, commissioned a new song for 1986. As a result, Count on me Singapore, also composed by Hugh Harrison, arranged by Jeremy Monteiro and performed by Clement Chow, became the 2nd 'official' National Day Song. The trend continued the next year, 1987, with We are Singapore, again composed by Hugh Harrison and arranged by Jeremy Monteiro. Then, in 1990 with the addition of One People, One Nation, One Singapore composed by Jeremy Monteiro with lyrics by Jim Aitchison for the nation's Silver Jubilee - 25 years of independence, the list of 'official' National Day Songs topped out at four.
Since 1998, National Day Songs have become less 'grandiose' and more popular in nature being composed for and sung by selected local artists and sometimes even included in their albums to be marketed overseas.
Other community-building songs:
An ad-hoc offshoot of these National Day Songs are the songs specially composed for groundbreaking events. A prominent example was the song Moments of Magic
, written by Hype Records CEO Ken Lim
specially for Singapore's millennium celebrations towards the end of 1999. It was performed by three notable singers - Fann Wong
, Tanya Chua
and Elsa Lin
. The music video was directed by Singapore filmmaker Eric Khoo
.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
has an urban musical scene, and is a center for rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
, punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
and other genres in the region. The 1960s produced bands like The Crecendos with hit songs like Mr Twister. The Quests, who had hits like "Shanty", "Don't Play That Song", "Jesamine" and "Mr Rainbow". "Naomi & The Boys" with a house hold hit song "Happy Happy Birthday Baby" as well as other pop-rock bands including The Thunderbirds, The Trailers, The Western Union Band, October Cherries
October Cherries
The October Cherries were a late 1960s group from Singapore. The group was originally known as the Surfers, but changed their name to The October Cherries in 1968...
and The Silver Strings. Folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
includes the ethnic Chinese
Music of China
Chinese Music has been made since the dawn of Chinese civilization with documents and artifacts providing evidence of a well-developed musical culture as early as the Zhou Dynasty...
, Malay
Music of Malaysia
Music of Malaysia is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres in Malaysia. A great variety of genres in Malaysian music reflect the specific ethnic groups of multiracial Malaysian society consisting of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Dayak, Kadazandusun, Eurasians and other...
and Tamil sounds.
The launch of the nation's arts centre, Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is a waterside building located on six hectares of waterfront land alongside Marina Bay near the mouth of the Singapore River, purpose-built to be the centre for performing arts for the island nation of Singapore...
, has served to focus the island's multi-genre music making. It is now the venue for the Singapore Symphony Orchestra
Singapore Symphony Orchestra
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra is a 96 members professional symphony orchestra. Its main performing venue is the Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore although it has also toured widely in Asia, Europe and the United States...
's subscription and gala concerts. In addition, the arts centre has ensured a representation of classical and traditional music from the four primary cultures in the land. In particular, the regular festivals of Hua Yi, Pesta Raya and Kalaa Utsavam ensure that interpreters of these different repertories are heard on a regular basis.
The Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is a waterside building located on six hectares of waterfront land alongside Marina Bay near the mouth of the Singapore River, purpose-built to be the centre for performing arts for the island nation of Singapore...
also presents 3 music festivals, of which Baybeats
Baybeats
Baybeats is an annual 3-day alternative music festival organized by Esplanade, held in Singapore. It showcases various local acts as well as regional and international artistes...
grooms and grows the local music industry. The key objective of the festival is to grow the local music scene – both by discovering and grooming quality acts from Singapore; as well as developing a good audience base to not only support the festival but also build awareness of local talents. The festival provides opportunities for youths and the music community to participate and enjoy their own music at low cost – musicians, writers, photographers, designers as well as fans. In addition, to local home-grown music acts, Baybeats
Baybeats
Baybeats is an annual 3-day alternative music festival organized by Esplanade, held in Singapore. It showcases various local acts as well as regional and international artistes...
also presents a good array of popular alternative bands from the region. The regional line-up allows the audience a taste of the scene outside Singapore, adds to the diversity and vibrancy of the festival. And it also expands the minds of Singaporean musicians and keeps them motivated to improve and deliver better performances.
Many ticketed as well as non-ticketed performances at Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is a waterside building located on six hectares of waterfront land alongside Marina Bay near the mouth of the Singapore River, purpose-built to be the centre for performing arts for the island nation of Singapore...
features local musicians from Singapore. Through regular series like Coffee Morning & Afternoon Tea, At The Concourse, On The Waterfront, Late Nite and Beautiful Sunday, the public can watch a range of performances by upcoming local indie musicians, veterans from the 60s - 80s, as well as community orchestras throughout the year.
Peranakan
PeranakanPeranakan
Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian archipelago of Nusantara during the Colonial era....
folk music is noted for its fusion of English in Malay-inspired tunes, largely because the Peranakans themselves are often conversant in both languages. Contemporary tunes continue to be composed based on the Peranakan culture, such as "Bunga Sayang", a theme song from Dick Lee
Dick Lee
Richard "Dick" Lee Peng Boon is a Singaporean pop singer, composer, songwriter, and playwright. He is best known as a Singapore Idol judge, but often too as spokesperson for the New Asian generation....
's musical "Kampung Amber". The song became an often-sung staple of the National Day Parade
National Day Parade
The Singapore National Day Parade is a national ceremony in Singapore that, as its name implies, includes a parade on Singapore's National Day on August 9, in commemoration of Singapore's independence that is usually held at the Padang , the National Stadium, various decentalized venues all over...
, and gained international exposure when it was performed for the opening ceremony of the 117th IOC Session
117th IOC Session
The 117th International Olympic Committee Session was held for the first time in Singapore from 2 July to 9 July 2005. The meeting was particularly significant as two important decisions were made through voting during the session - namely the selection of the hosting city for the 2012 Summer...
at the Esplanade
Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is a waterside building located on six hectares of waterfront land alongside Marina Bay near the mouth of the Singapore River, purpose-built to be the centre for performing arts for the island nation of Singapore...
.
Pop and rock music
Singapore's pop scene began in 1960, when the Blue DiamondsBlue Diamonds
The Blue Diamonds were a Dutch 1960s doo-wop duo, best known for their million-selling chart-topping single, "Ramona". Indo brothers Ruud de Wolff and Riem de Wolff founded the group shortly after immigrating to the Netherlands in 1949...
performed, and really launched after Cliff Richard & the Shadows arrived a year later, thus launching the beat boom. Like much of the world, the British Invasion
British Invasion
The British Invasion is a term used to describe the large number of rock and roll, beat, rock, and pop performers from the United Kingdom who became popular in the United States during the time period from 1964 through 1966.- Background :...
began in 1963, led by The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
. Some bands remained instrumental, while others incorporated singers. Soon, British R&B became popular, and spawned a local Malay
Malay people
Malays are an ethnic group of Austronesian people predominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula, including the southernmost parts of Thailand, the east coast of Sumatra, the coast of Borneo, and the smaller islands which lie between these locations...
variety. Pop stars of the 1960s included Naomi & the Boys, D'4 Ever, Antarctics, Mike Ibrahim & the Nite Walkers, Swallows, Ismail Haron & the Guys
Ismail Haron & the Guys
Ismail Haron is a Singaporean singer.-Biography:Haron is from a big family of 8 boys and 4 girls. He became interested in pop music like everyone else and began to harbour intentions of singing. He said that he had been singing in front of schoolboys since he was 7 or 8, at assembly periods...
and Les Kafila's.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s saw the rise of rock bands such as Sweet Charity
Sweet 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...
fronted by the charismatic vocalist Ramli Sarip. The band had such an influence in the Singapore and Malaysia music scene that it later led to a rock explosion in the mid 1980s.
The 1990s produced bands with alternative and indie influences such as Concave Scream, Humpback Oak
Humpback Oak
Humpback Oak was a Singaporean band formed in 1990-1991 and achieved popularity in 1994 with the release of their debut album Pain-Stained Morning...
, The Padres, Oddfellows, Livionia, with the band KICK!, signed to the Pony Canyon label, making a strong wave in the POP scene with a slew of radio hits & a strong fan base.
Lion City Hardcore
Lion City Hardcore(LCHC) is the hardcore punkHardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
scene of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. The establishment of LCHC dates back to the late 80s/early 90s. Pioneered and established by local hardcore group Stompin' Ground which soon after the release of their album "We Set The Pace" exposed much of hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
music both in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
& South East Asia and soon spawned more local and regional hardcore bands. Much of the local hardcore scene in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
were derived and influenced by the New York Hardcore
New York hardcore
New York hardcore refers to hardcore punk and metalcore music created in New York City and to the subculture associated with that music. New York hardcore grew out of the hardcore scene established in Washington, D.C., by bands such as Bad Brains and Minor Threat. Hardcore '81 is an album by the...
(NYHC) scene. The LCHC scene is still thriving with bands such as Overthrown, Sidekicks, Mouthful of Air, Suhaimi And The Union Of Equals, Straight Forward and etc. Bands from around the world have performed in Singapore, including the Canadian Comeback Kid
Comeback Kid
Comeback Kid is a Canadian hardcore band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Formed in 2002, the band is currently signed to Facedown Records. Their name comes from a headline in a newspaper about hockey player, Mario Lemieux coming back to the NHL. The band was formed in 2002 by Andrew Neufeld and Jeremy...
, American hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
bands Sick of It All
Sick of It All
Sick of It All is an American hardcore punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 1986, the band consisted of brothers Lou Koller on vocals and Pete Koller on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass, and Armand Majidi on drums. There have been only two member changes since their inception, with Max...
, youth crew
Youth crew
Youth crew is a music subgenre of hardcore punk attributed to the band Youth of Today who were primarily active during the early to mid-1980s particularly during the New York hardcore scene of 1988...
group Bold, Boston hardcore
Boston hardcore
Boston hardcore is the hardcore punk scene of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston hardcore is the hardcore punk scene of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston hardcore is the hardcore punk scene of Boston, Massachusetts. (Not to be confused with Boston metalcore (also known as metallic hardcore; itself an...
band Bane
Bane (band)
Bane, a hardcore punk band, began as a side project between Aaron Dalbec and Damon Bellardo. Aaron approached Matt Firestone to sing and they played under the moniker of Gateway for a few shows, before Firestone departed ways to focus on other projects...
, Death Before Dishonour
Death Before Dishonour
Death Before Dishonour is the fifth studio album by the Scottish punk rock band The Exploited. It was released on April 15, 1987 through Rough Justice Records. With this release, The Exploited moved to a more crossover thrash direction...
& straight-edge group Have Heart
Have Heart
Have Heart was a straight-edge hardcore band, formed in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 2002. The band recorded a demo that was released in 2003. In 2004, they released the What Counts EP , with their debut full-length, The Things We Carry arriving in 2006...
, Cruel Hand
Cruel Hand
Cruel Hand is an American hardcore punk band from Portland, Maine, formed in 2006. As of 2011, Cruel Hand has released three full-length albums, Without a Pulse on 6131 Records and Prying Eyes and Lock & Key, both on Bridge 9, and two EP's, Life in Shambles and Cruel Hand, also both on Bridge 9...
, Terror
Terror
Terror may refer to:*Fear, an emotional response to threats and danger*Terror, a political strategy of the asymmetrical use of threats and violence against enemies using means that fall outside the routine forms of political struggle operating within some current regime*Terrorism, the fact of...
and First Blood
First Blood
First Blood is a 1982 action thriller film directed by Ted Kotcheff. The film stars Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, a troubled and misunderstood Vietnam War veteran, with Sheriff Will Teasle as his nemesis and Colonel Samuel Trautman as his former commander and only ally...
originating from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
Heavy metal
Heavy metal has a small but not insignificant presence in Singapore's music scene.For the past few years, Singapore sees a rapid increase of Metal bands making Singapore a stop for them to perform.
Bands like 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,...
, 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...
, 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...
, Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
and Helloween
Helloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
have played in Singapore to receptive crowds, usually at an open field at Fort Canning Park.
Small to medium scale gigs are held almost weekly at locations such as BlackHole212 or Substation. Most recently, on 15th February, 2011, 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...
played to a crowd of 12,000 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
There have also been many notable local metal bands in the growing underground scene.
Special mention includes:
- Black metalBlack metalBlack metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
stalwarts ImpietyImpietyImpiety is classically a lack of proper concern for the obligations owed to public religious observation or cult. Impiety was a main Pagan objection to Christianity, for unlike other initiates into mystery religions, early Christians refused to cast a pinch of incense before the images of the gods,...
whose name has traveled way past our humble shores, - Extreme Metal veterans RudraRudra (band)Rudra is a Singaporean band which was formed in 1992, and plays a style of black metal-influenced death metal with interpolations and extended passages of traditional Carnatic music. Additionally, the lyrical content is derived from Sanskrit Vedic literature and philosophy with some songs...
who created a new metal genre called Vedic Metal and a cult following worldwide. The band has also attracted the attention of Musicologists. Several papers have been published about Vedic Metal and the band, - Local Death metalDeath metalDeath metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
band Absence of the Sacred had the honour of Kevin TalleyKevin TalleyKevin Talley is an American death metal drummer. He has performed with Dying Fetus, Misery Index and Chimaira, and he is currently the drummer for the bands Dååth, Six Feet Under and Nothnegal.- History :...
, current drummer for DååthDååthDååth is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Their music incorporates styles such as thrash metal, death metal, industrial metal, grunge and some traces of gypsy jazz.-History:...
and ex-Dying FetusDying FetusDying Fetus is an American death metal band from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Formed in 1991, the group is known for their outspoken political views, and for being one of the few death metal bands who follow a political nature. Earlier lyrics showcased the common death metal trait of explicit violence...
drummer, to session for them. - WormrotWormrotWormrot is a Singaporean grindcore band formed in 2007, immediately after the founding members completed their mandatory two years of National Service....
has recently been signed by UK record label, Earache RecordsEarache RecordsEarache Records is a heavy metal-oriented record label based in Nottingham, UK and New York, USA. It helped to pioneer extreme metal by releasing many of the earliest grindcore and death metal records in the period 1988-1994.-History:...
.
Metal bands in Singapore run the gamut and include bands from many varying subgenres. However it is not uncommon for bands from the more underground genres to view bands from more mainstream genres with disdain.
Unfortunately, there is little support for metal in Singapore's mainstream media.
However, Metal music of this generation are lucky to be featured occasionally on Brader Bo's show, Vicious Volume of RIA 89.7fm
Ria 89.7FM
Ria 89.7FM is a contemporary music radio station of MediaCorp playing a unique blend of Malay, English and international pop hits from Arab and French. - Staff : -Weekends Stand-ins: * Khairudin Shaharom * Ian Farrah Mohd * Dalina Jaafar...
.
Oshiego was also featured in Lime Magazine's 30 Hottest Local Acts, a compilation CD, with the song "Now Suffer" originally from the titular EP.
hI
The local Heavy Metal scene is Singapore is not daunted by the lack of support from the local mainstream media, and has established its own ways of disseminating information by utilizing popular internet based social mediums such as Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
and Blogger
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
. One notable organisation is Heavy Metal Tribune, which features many local metal acts as well as others from other parts of the world, mainly to allow each region to reach out to one another, while providing local metalheads to know what they are up against.
Heavy Metal Tribune also provides gig organisers with a platform to publicise their events, via their Facebook wall or its weekly 'newsletter'.
List of Singapore Metal Bands (Previous and Current)
- Abhorer (Black/Death/Thrash)
- Absence of the Sacred (Death Metal)
- Aeondrift (Avant-Garde Progressive Electro-Metal, Nintendo Core, Djent)
- Age of Sinfonia (Symphonic Metal)
- Analdicktion (Brutal Death Metal/Grind)
- Azra-el (Melodic Death Metal)
- Bhelliom (Death-Thrash Metal)
- Cardiac Necropsy (Death Metal)
- Chaos Aftermath (Futuristic Metal, Melodic Death-Thrash Metal)
- CrucifixionCrucifixionCrucifixion is an ancient method of painful execution in which the condemned person is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross and left to hang until dead...
- The CorruptorThe CorruptorThe Corruptor is a 1999 American action thriller film directed by James Foley, and starring Chow Yun-fat and Mark Wahlberg.-Plot:NYPD Lieutenant Nick Chen is one of New York City's police officers and is head of the Asian Gang Unit...
(Death N Roll) - Dante's Theory (Djent, Technical Death Metal)
- Dyeth (Death Metal/Grindcore)
- Deus Ex MachinaDeus Ex Machina (heavy metal band)Deus Ex Machina is a Singaporean death metal/thrash metal band, and is one of the few extreme metal acts from Southeast Asia that has gained a following in Europe and the United States...
(Death-Thrash Metal) - Doxomedon (Brutal-Technical Metal)
- Draconis Infernum (Black Metal)
- Dystopian (Black/Thrash Metal)
- Eibon (Melodic Black Metal)
- Exuberance (Melodic Black Metal)
- Fall of Mirra (Experimental/Hard-Core Metal)
- Harvester (Melodic Black Metal)
- Hella Morrigan (Black/Doom Metal)
- Helvette (Black Metal)
- ImpietyImpietyImpiety is classically a lack of proper concern for the obligations owed to public religious observation or cult. Impiety was a main Pagan objection to Christianity, for unlike other initiates into mystery religions, early Christians refused to cast a pinch of incense before the images of the gods,...
(Black/Thrash Metal) - Incarnation Ov Seth (Melodic Death/Black Metal)
- IronFist (Sex Metal)
- ITNOS (Brutal-Technical Metal)
- Kaliyuga (Melodic Death Metal)
- Kalodin (Melodic Black/Death Metal)
- La'Dies 靈骸 (Industrial Punk Metal)
- Luna Azure ( Expressionistic Ambient Black metal)
- MetalGunz (Heavy Metal/Rock & Roll)
- MeltgSnow (Heavy Metal)
- Meza Virs (Gothic/Black/Death Metal)
- NoRestForTheWeary (Deathcore/Djent)
- Oshiego (Death-Thrash Metal)
- Pycho (Old-School Death Metal)
- RudraRudra' is a Rigvedic God, associated with wind or storm, and the hunt. The name has been translated as "The Roarer", or "The Howler"....
(Black/Death Metal, Vedic Metal) - Sanity ObscureSanity ObscureSanity Obscure is the second album by the Christian thrash metal band Believer, published in 1990 by R.E.X. Records and a year later by Roadrunner Records. Several mainstream magazines praised the album.-Recording history:...
(Progressive Death Metal) - Scaphoids (Progressive Thrash Metal)
- Soul Devour (Death Metal)
- StillbornStillborn (band)Stillborn is a Polish black death metal band.-Band Members:* Killer - guitars, vocals * ataman Tolovy - bass guitar, vocals * August - drums * Rzulty - guitars -Discography:...
- Suicide SolutionSuicide Solution"Suicide Solution" is a song by Ozzy Osbourne. It is track five on the album Blizzard of Ozz released in 1980. Guitarist Randy Rhoads wrote the riff to the song , and Bob Daisley helped co-write the lyrics...
(Heavy Metal) - Thy Fallen Kingdom (Thrash Metal)
- Tormentress (Thrash Metal)
- Truth Be Known (Death-Thrash Metal)
- Vrykolakas (Death Metal)
- Vulgate Dogmas (Deathcore/Death Metal)
- WormrotWormrotWormrot is a Singaporean grindcore band formed in 2007, immediately after the founding members completed their mandatory two years of National Service....
(GrindCore) - Xanadoo (Thrash Metal)
- Zushakon
Bands and Soloists
Alternative and indie rock music influenced bands in the 1990s such as Concave Scream, Humpback OakHumpback Oak
Humpback Oak was a Singaporean band formed in 1990-1991 and achieved popularity in 1994 with the release of their debut album Pain-Stained Morning...
, The Padres, Oddfellows, and Livionia. In the Pop/Rock genres were "KICK!", Lizard's Convention & Radio Active.
Recently, alternative, metal, grindcore, punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
and rock acts from Singapore who may have gained some profile in countries other than the city-state of Singapore include John Klass
John Klass
John Klass is a Triple-platinum award-winning singer/producer/songwriter/radio presenter.- Biography :John Klass has been in the entertainment scene from 1991 to present....
, Firebrands, Stompin' Ground, Ling Kai, Inch Chua
Inch chua
Inch Chua Yun Juan is a Singaporean singer-songwriter, musician, composer and multi-instrumentalist. She gained national recognition after being the first Singapore solo artist to be invited to the prestigious South by Southwest Music Festival. She has since gained visibility with the release of...
, Ronin
Ronin (band)
Ronin is a rock band based in Singapore. They are infamous for their live performances and being one of the few high profile rock bands around. Before their entry to the mainstream market, the band launched a self-released EP which included 5 songs, and later released an LP which was hugely...
, Anna Judge April, Electrico
Electrico
Electrico is a pop rock and indie Singaporean band originally formed in Singapore in 1996, which went by the name Electric Company in 1996. This band is still active with the present line-up which includes David Tan, Desmond Goh, William Lim Jr.- Electric Company: 1996-1997 :Electric Company was...
, Force Vomit, 4-Sides, Vermillion, West Grand Boulevard, Plainsunset, Etc
Etc (band)
Etc is an indie rock and post-punk band associated with Singapore where it has been based the longest, playing and recording with a revolving line-up of musicians that evolved into a duo consisting of songwriter Ben Harrison and Harvey Chamberlain...
, Caracal, Popland, The Great Spy Experiment, Sky In Euphoria, Rancor, Saw Loser (formerly known as Pug Jelly), Malex (Power Metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
) , A Vacant Affair
A Vacant Affair
A Vacant Affair is a 5-piece Singaporean Post-hardcore band that was formed in 2004. The band is one of the first few groups to bring heavier music to the mainstream audience and reach the local charts in Singapore....
(Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band), For Better Endings (Experimental Hardcore band) , Death Metal and Rudra
Rudra (band)
Rudra is a Singaporean band which was formed in 1992, and plays a style of black metal-influenced death metal with interpolations and extended passages of traditional Carnatic music. Additionally, the lyrical content is derived from Sanskrit Vedic literature and philosophy with some songs...
who are significant for creating the genre "Vedic Metal".
Singaporean Ex-Pat Musicians
As Singapore is a small country without a large music scene, many Singaporeans have left the country in order to pursue their artistic interests or were moved by their parents at an early age. Notable examples include violinist Vanessa-MaeVanessa-Mae
Vanessa-Mae Vanakorn Nicholson , known professionally as Vanessa-Mae , is an internationally known British violinist. Her music style is self-described as "violin techno-acoustic fusion", as several of her albums prominently feature the techno style...
, conductor Darrell Ang, and singer-songwriter Dawn Xiana Moon.
National Day songs
Of particular note to the Singaporean music scene is what are often collectively known as National Day Songs (国庆主题歌). Written as part of Singapore's nation-building efforts, they either incorporate local folk songs (such as "Chan Mali Chan"), contemporary songs ("The Magic Is You"), or are specifically composed around a particular theme for the National Day ParadeNational Day Parade
The Singapore National Day Parade is a national ceremony in Singapore that, as its name implies, includes a parade on Singapore's National Day on August 9, in commemoration of Singapore's independence that is usually held at the Padang , the National Stadium, various decentalized venues all over...
which is held every year on August 9.
In 1984, Stand Up for Singapore, was initially created for the sole purpose of celebrating Singapore's achievements in 25 years of self-government. Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture and composed by Hugh Harrison, the song struck a chord with Singaporeans, especially when they heard it performed by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and so the first 'official' National Day Song was born. The government, realizing just how much the public enjoyed singing as a way of celebrating, commissioned a new song for 1986. As a result, Count on me Singapore, also composed by Hugh Harrison, arranged by Jeremy Monteiro and performed by Clement Chow, became the 2nd 'official' National Day Song. The trend continued the next year, 1987, with We are Singapore, again composed by Hugh Harrison and arranged by Jeremy Monteiro. Then, in 1990 with the addition of One People, One Nation, One Singapore composed by Jeremy Monteiro with lyrics by Jim Aitchison for the nation's Silver Jubilee - 25 years of independence, the list of 'official' National Day Songs topped out at four.
Since 1998, National Day Songs have become less 'grandiose' and more popular in nature being composed for and sung by selected local artists and sometimes even included in their albums to be marketed overseas.
- 1998: "HomeHome (1998 song)Home , sung by Kit Chan, was composed by Dick Lee in 1998 as the first in a series of yearly songs commissioned for Singapore's National Day celebrations. It has English and Chinese versions, both sung by Kit. In 2004, it was remixed for three child soloists, one of whom was young actress and...
" (家), by Kit ChanKit ChanKit Chan is a Singaporean singer.-Music:She was a member of the pioneer generation of Singaporean singers to successfully break into the international market, marked in particular by her breakthrough into the competitive and highly critical Taiwanese market with her hit Mandarin album Heartache ... - 1999: "Together" (心连心), by Evelyn Tan and Dreamz FM (Evelyn Tan only for Chinese version)
- 2000: "Shine on Me" (星月), by Jai (English version) and Mavis HeeMavis HeeMavis Hee is a Singaporean singer.She was the second runner-up and also Miss Photogenic and Miss Amity for Singapore's Miss Chinatown Pageant 1992.-Her work:...
(Mandarin version) - 2001: "Where I Belong" (属于), by Tanya ChuaTanya ChuaTanya Chua is a Golden Melody Award-winning Singaporean singer and songwriter.-Music career:A former business administration student at Singapore Polytechnic, Chua started out singing in English, releasing her first English album, Bored, in 1997...
- 2002: "We Will Get There" (一起走到), by Stefanie SunStefanie SunStefanie Sun was born Sng Ee Tze on 23 July 1978, and known to fans as 13姐 , is a Singaporean singer-songwriter. She has sold over 30 million copies of her albums during the span of her career thus far. She does the majority of her recording, and conducts most of her publicity events, in Taiwan,...
- 2003: "One United People" (全心全意), by Stefanie SunStefanie SunStefanie Sun was born Sng Ee Tze on 23 July 1978, and known to fans as 13姐 , is a Singaporean singer-songwriter. She has sold over 30 million copies of her albums during the span of her career thus far. She does the majority of her recording, and conducts most of her publicity events, in Taiwan,...
- 2004: "Home" (家), remixed version by Lin Junjie, Kit ChanKit ChanKit Chan is a Singaporean singer.-Music:She was a member of the pioneer generation of Singaporean singers to successfully break into the international market, marked in particular by her breakthrough into the competitive and highly critical Taiwanese market with her hit Mandarin album Heartache ...
- 2005: "Reach Out For The Skies" (勇敢向前飞), a duet by Taufik BatisahTaufik BatisahMuhammad Taufik Bin Batisah, is the winner of the first season of the reality TV series Singapore Idol...
and Rui EnRui EnRui En is a Chinese Singaporean singer-actress based in Singapore currently.Rui En was talent-spotted while appearing in SingTel's popular SingTel hi!Card commercial as the iconic "running girl" in 2001. She was offered a general management contract by Artiste Networks, a section of Hype Records...
, composed by Elaine Chan. (The Chinese version is sung by Rui En only). - 2006: "My Island Home" (幸福的图形), by Kaira GongKaira GongKaira Gong , is a Singaporean singer whose family is of Shanghai, China descent. She is signed with Taiwanese HIM International Music, and is best known as the protégé of Taiwanese musician David Tao, as well as the label-mate of pop group S.H.E....
- 2007: "There's No Place I'd Rather Be", by Kit ChanKit ChanKit Chan is a Singaporean singer.-Music:She was a member of the pioneer generation of Singaporean singers to successfully break into the international market, marked in particular by her breakthrough into the competitive and highly critical Taiwanese market with her hit Mandarin album Heartache ...
(陈洁仪) and Will You - Various Local Artiste - 2008: "Shine for SingaporeShine for SingaporeShine for Singapore is a song commissioned for Singapore's National Day Parade, 2008. It is sung by Hady Mirza in English, while it is sung by Joi Chua in Mandarin.- External links :***...
" (晴空万里), by Hady MirzaHady MirzaHady Mirza is a Singaporean singer of Bugis descent, with his grandparents hailing from Sulawesi. He is the winner of the second season of the reality TV show Singapore Idol...
(English version) and Joi ChuaJoi ChuaJoi Chua or Joi Tsai is a Singaporean female singer signed under Play Music.Joi was educated at Raffles Girls' Primary School, Clementi Town Secondary School, and Singapore Polytechnic in Optometry....
(Mandarin version) - 2009: "What Do You See" (就在这里), by ElectricoElectricoElectrico is a pop rock and indie Singaporean band originally formed in Singapore in 1996, which went by the name Electric Company in 1996. This band is still active with the present line-up which includes David Tan, Desmond Goh, William Lim Jr.- Electric Company: 1996-1997 :Electric Company was...
(English version) and Kelvin Tan (Mandarin version) - 2010: "Song For Singapore", by Corrinne MayCorrinne MayCorrinne May is a Singaporean singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles.Corrinne composed and performed the theme song for Singapore's National Day 2010, titled "Song for Singapore"...
Other community-building songs:
- 2005: "Sing Our Wishes" - Also used as official song for Ministry of Education schools for Racial Harmony DayRacial Harmony DayRacial Harmony Day is celebrated annually on 21 July in Singapore. The event is to commemorate the 1964 Race Riots, which took place on 21 July 1964....
2005 - 2005: "We CanWe CanWe Can is the twenty-fourth single by American country pop singer LeAnn Rimes, released on October 28, 2003 by Curb Records from the Legally Blonde 2: Motion Picture Soundtrack and was included on Rimes' Greatest Hits album....
"
An ad-hoc offshoot of these National Day Songs are the songs specially composed for groundbreaking events. A prominent example was the song Moments of Magic
Moments of Magic
Moments of Magic is Singapore's official millennium song.Performed by a pop trio comprising Singapore's Fann Wong, Tanya Chua and Elsa Lin, the catchy song was released on an AVCD format in Singapore....
, written by Hype Records CEO Ken Lim
Ken Lim
Ken Lim is an album producer, composer, publisher, artist manager and concert promoter from Singapore who came under the spotlight in 2004 as a chief judge of the Singapore Idol series...
specially for Singapore's millennium celebrations towards the end of 1999. It was performed by three notable singers - Fann Wong
Fann Wong
Fann Woon Fong , better known by her stage name Fann Wong, is a Singaporean actress, singer and model.At Singapore's Star Awards 1995, Fann became the first actress to win both the Best Actress and Best Newcomer awards in the same year...
, Tanya Chua
Tanya Chua
Tanya Chua is a Golden Melody Award-winning Singaporean singer and songwriter.-Music career:A former business administration student at Singapore Polytechnic, Chua started out singing in English, releasing her first English album, Bored, in 1997...
and Elsa Lin
Elsa Lin
Elsa Lin is a Singaporean singer. She performed Singapore's official millennium song Moments of Magic. Performing in a pop trio comprising Singapore's Fann Wong, Tanya Chua and herself, the millennium song was released as a CD in Singapore....
. The music video was directed by Singapore filmmaker Eric Khoo
Eric Khoo
Eric Khoo is a film director from Singapore. He was introduced to the world of cinema at a very early age. He was educated at United World College of South East Asia before attending City Art Institute in Sydney, Australia where he pursued cinematography...
.
- 1999: "Moments of MagicMoments of MagicMoments of Magic is Singapore's official millennium song.Performed by a pop trio comprising Singapore's Fann Wong, Tanya Chua and Elsa Lin, the catchy song was released on an AVCD format in Singapore....
", by Fann WongFann WongFann Woon Fong , better known by her stage name Fann Wong, is a Singaporean actress, singer and model.At Singapore's Star Awards 1995, Fann became the first actress to win both the Best Actress and Best Newcomer awards in the same year...
, Tanya ChuaTanya ChuaTanya Chua is a Golden Melody Award-winning Singaporean singer and songwriter.-Music career:A former business administration student at Singapore Polytechnic, Chua started out singing in English, releasing her first English album, Bored, in 1997...
and Elsa LinElsa LinElsa Lin is a Singaporean singer. She performed Singapore's official millennium song Moments of Magic. Performing in a pop trio comprising Singapore's Fann Wong, Tanya Chua and herself, the millennium song was released as a CD in Singapore....
External links
- SOFT - It's Music in Singapore
- National Day Parade website
- Aging Youth
- Audioreload
- Rampage On The Airwaves - Singapore Independent Music Podcast
- Official Sing Singapore website by National Arts Council
- Official website of Inch Chua
- Official website of Ling Kai
- Heavy Metal Tribune - Singapore Metal Music Organizer