Normally on Five Fresh For Your Fridays, we hunt down five brand metalcore/hardcore tracks from the Asia Pacific region to treat you too. This week is special for us as we are in Manila covering the Philippines Wacken Metal Battle. Bands from across Asia are flying over to Manila to put on a show as the this years Philippines Wacken Metal Battle champion is crowned.

Stay tuned for more information on that event but while you wait, let us introduce you to five bands you may not have come across before. As always, in no particular order:

5. Redeemed By The Blood (Philippines)
Who said there were no more Christian metal bands? This progressive metalcore band has been cutting their teeth in their countries scene since 2010. With solid riffs and a positive message, they have earned their reputation as a band that is looking to uplift their community from the underground scene to the world. If you like riffs and solos alongside your breakdowns, then this is a band for you.

4. Restraint (Malaysia)
Now if you are more inclined to two-step, karate in the pit and stage dive- then Restraint may be more up your alley. These South East Asian hardcore titans are exactly what early 00’s loving heavy hardcore have been craving. With an energetic live show and those oh so tasty brutal open riffs that make you want to spin kick your way across the pit- this band is carrying the torch for Malaysian hardcore.

3. An Empty City (China)
Helping foster in the growing Chinese metalcore scene, An Empty City really have embraced the current nu-metal influenced sound of modern metalcore. Samples, DJent-influenced open riffs and extremely dropped tuning- this band truly captures the essence of the metalcore sound evolution. Giving us some snarling vocals and of course, some nice bleughs- it is great to see that it is all happening in the Chinese scene.

2. 麥琪麥琪 MakeMake (Taiwan)
This all-woman metalcore band from Taiwan is a force to be reckoned. Packing a powerful punch the basis of their sound is that classic early 2000’s metalcore sound, with a slight nod to symphonic metal. The juxtaposition between the snarling growls and heavenly vocals never gets old, so keep an eye on these Taiwanese metalcore queens.

1. Arcadia (Philippines)
Give us a seamless blend of old school and new school hardcore, there is a reason Arcadia have been a mainstay in the Manila scene for quite some time. Forming in 2007, they have weathered the storm and continue to evolve. Known for their intense live shows, raw lyricism, heavy breakdowns and technical riffs, this band truly is a hidden gem of the Asia-Pacific metalcore scene.

All five of these acts will be playing the Philippines Wacken Metal Battle this Sunday, so stay tuned for more coverage across our socials.

There are tickets still available here, but hurry as they are almost sold out and there will be no tickets on the door.

We will be back next week with a regular Five Fresh For Your Fridays, so make sure you let us know if your band or a band you love is dropping new music this coming week.