Underplayed Tunes of Singapore’s Music Scene - Metalcore Bands

Photo by Baybeats budding photographer Jing Zhe

Metalcore Music in Singapore

The music scene in Singapore has always been a topic of discussion when it comes to the kind of value it brings forth to musicians, as well as the messages it sends listeners.

While our music industry is populated with a variety of genres, there are many local bands that have yet to be discovered by people beyond their respective communities built based on the music genre their songs stem from.

Metalcore is one such growing genre in Singapore. Although not popularised by local media, there have been multiple metalcore bands in the music scene in Singapore just waiting to be discovered by more locals and concert goers in our community.

Reserate is an example of a band in the genre of metalcore. Formed in 2017, the band comprises five seasoned musicians, who are all passionate about reaching out to the crowds through their music - Kevyn, Linus, Ridwan, Jian Liang and Imran.

Members of Reserate

Despite having officially formed in 2017, the members of Reserate are no strangers to music and playing with metalcore bands. The band’s drummer Ridwan played for past bands such as MRTNS and Aquila Vasica - a band from Baybeats 2015. Currently, he is also drumming for the Chinese-Indie band called ‘Goose’.

Reserate’s Lead vocalist Linus also doubles as a vocalist of another Metalcore band called ‘Tariot’. Interestingly, this band is currently signed to the German Music Label called Out of Lines Music. Prior to Reserate, Linus has also served as a vocalist of two other metalcore bands - ‘A Town In Fear’ and ‘For Better Endings’, both of which being part of past years’ music lineup for Baybeats.

Beyond his work as a vocalist in multiple bands, Linus has also embarked on his own solo project on Spotify and YouTube, where he does mainly vocal covers under the moniker 666Linus666.

Reserate’s very own music producer, Jian Liang, who also doubles as the band’s guitarist and vocalist, also plays in other bands such as ‘AARCADE’ and ‘God Code’.

Music by Reserate

In their early days, Reserate’s music comprises tracks that are made up purely of metalcore elements such as distorted vocals and heavy guitar riffs. However, as some time went by, the band took to collaborating with various other artistes in order to give their subsequent songs more variation in flavours and slightly different feels to give off while maintaining their trademark metalcore tones of the band.

In their EP ‘Infinte Entity’ released in 2020, Reserate collaborated with Charles ENERO on their song ‘Ethreal’. The track started off with a light music box opening and led into their metalcore vocals with hint of rap brought in by ENERO.

In their similar track ‘Cynic’, a single Reserate released in 2021, the band took on the same approach by collaborating with another artist to give the song a similar sound and feel.

”We wanted to make a song that has more of a rap and trap feel, since our other song ‘Ethreal’ also had some rap parts to it.’ Kevyn commented when asked about ‘Cynic’. “Then I worked at a club called Fleek and met JJDROY.”

The band felt that it was a good idea to get the local rapper JJDROY on board to spice things up and add some new rap elements to this specific track.

Reserate’s Journey as a Band

This band seen several milestones throughout its journey – some notable examples include their live debut at ITE’s Rock Central in 2019 and the release of their first Spotify single ‘Subversion’ in 2018. However, they’ve also weathered several challenges over the years as a band.

It started from the beginning. Reserate’s drummer, Ridwan, recalled how he found himself scrambling to prepare for a huge gig, which was scheduled a mere few days after being confirmed as a member.

“I had a short span of time to learn the challenging songs,” recounted Ridwan. “I remember the stress I felt because I take my craft very seriously, and I wouldn’t want to let down the guys.”

Prior to the birth of Reserate, all members of the band found their love for music through their life experiences as well the tunes they were exposed to and grew to love. While they progressively made steps to begin their journey as a metalcore band, they were met with concerns voiced out by their families.

“I remember my parents telling me to place greater focus on my career instead of pursuing music on the side,” the band’s vocalist, Linus recounted.

Beyond the pursuit of music, Linus holds down a career in the healthcare sector. “Beyond simply just focusing on my day job, I think music is truly a way to express my thoughts and emotions as well. Sometimes, when we’re growing up, we may find it difficult to share our emotions with people of different age groups and values. Music is definitely an outlet for me to express it all out.”

Final words from Reserate to aspiring musicians

As stereotypes generated by mass media and our conservative culture may dictate the narrative of how metalcore music could be like, and that it was the genre of the goths and horror fanatics, Reserate offers a different perspective on the impact they strive to give to all their listeners through their music. To Reserate, metalcore music does not necessarily have to be the music of the dark-minded just because of its heavy tunes and intense vocals. Metalcore music, just like any other genre of music, could definitely be related to by anyone at any time, and the stereotypes that surround the perceived aesthetics around the kind of music they produce do not worry them.

Through the work they produce and the songs they perform, they collectively aim to inspire listeners and aspiring musicians to go ahead and pursue their dreams regardless of what people may think, especially when they truly feel passionate about it.

“Even if you’re afraid to pursue music, just try.” Linus added. “If you don’t take the first step to try, you’ll never know how far you’d go with your passion.”