Review by Kayla Hamilton (@kaylazomboid)

ROCK ALARM- DAY TWO
Bangkok, Thailand
September 15th 2024

An overcast day with the looming threat of the return of those monsoon rains did nothing to dissuade the crowd for day two of the Rock Alarm festival. Especially for those who like to mosh- because the line-up was STACKED.

I started my day at the Machine Stage, where metalcore act NOPEN were ready and raring to go. This was a band that was high up on my must-check out list and they did not disappoint. Versatile vocals and heavy as hell instrumentation, not even the muggy heat inside the warehouse put off those determined to throw down. NOPEN showed an extremely high level of polished performance in their live act, with their frontman as engaging as he is talented. As it was still a bit early in the day, the numbers were not as much as they could’ve been, but it did not impact the energy in the room. This set the tone for the rest of live performances I was going to witness.

After NOPEN, I stayed around at the Machine Stage to check out Vietnamese hardcore band CÚT LỘN. With his glorious mullet in tow, lead singer VuiQa led the thrash infused four-piece into a high energy onslaught. Fast, furious and absolute bedlam- the band wasted no time in displaying what they are about. The Thai audience responded with love, with CÚT LỘN’s energy drawing those walking past in. Their set seemed to be over in a blink of an eye, but their intensity had the room fired up for what was to come.

The four pm slot this day gave me a difficult decision to make. Stay at the Machine Stage and indulge in more hardcore glory with Carry On, or do I go out to the Factory Stage to watch hyperpop-core metal act Defying Decay? Luckily for me, the Machine Stage was running early, so I was able to check out both. Boy oh boy, am I glad I got to witness Carry On. We recently reviewed their EP so being able to hear this hard-hitting release live was an absolute joy. There was nowhere safe to stand in the pit, as people let the music overcome and entice them to start spin kicking. In typical hardcore fashion, the bands squad joined them onstage which aided them in combatting navigating a sparse crowd in a big room with a super high stage. Two-stepping aplenty, their set was one of the highlights of my weekend.

I did sneak off towards the end though, so I could catch some of Defying Decay and man oh man, does band know how to party. The atmosphere could not have been any different, but I mean in the best possible way. Popping champagne onstage, frontman Jay Poom Euarchukiati was there for a good time. The pyros were going off, the crowd was dancing, and vibes were immaculate. Being able to hear ‘MEANiNGLESS!’ live is always a treat. From pranking the crowd with false breakdowns, to bass player Itthiphol Pleng Thongboonma launching his instrument into the crowd- it certainly was a wild ride.

Next up, it was the lads from The Creation of Adam. Their particular breed of sonic bedlam translated phenomenally on the stage. Dressed in all white, they didn’t come to mess around. The level of detail throughout their set showed a maturity in their approach to their live performance. Ripping through tracks that can be found on their latest release (check out our review here), the young guns put on a hell of a show. Once they were finished, I was itching for more- and that is when I found myself wondering outdoors to the big stage and came across the phenomenal G6PD.

Hard-hitting old school metalcore, seeped in a range of modern and traditional influences, G6PD deserved every single bit of love they got. Their stage presence was phenomenal, and it was certainly a set that turned me from a casual listener to a fan. As the sun started to set, the lighting and pyro amplified what was already a hyped performance. Playing tracks like ‘Outcasts’ and ‘All Eyes Under God’, it was simply just a good time had by all.

While I was catching my breath, I happened to be able to take a moment to see some of Ugoslabier’s set. This band has slipped under my radar on my Thai metal music discovery journey, up until recently. Not sure why as these guys bring an insane amount talent and energy to the stage. Kicking around since 2011 and hitting stage with the motto ‘WRECKED IT, TRASHED IT, FUCK SHIT UP’ blazed across the back, I was in awe. Their frontman flaunted some incredible vocal control, while the rest of the band ripped through an intense paced set that had real Converge vibes. Definitely a band to add to your list as they pick up their activities.

Heading back into the Machine Stage, it was time to watch the band that closed that area out and was Indonesian deathcore maestros Down For Life. After being blown away by their performance at the Wacken Metal Battle Philippines, I had been very eager to see this band again. Brutal, heavy and furious- they are the words I would use to describe this set. You could feel the sound bounce around the room, emanating a vibration that could cause rifts in time. Despite their heaviness, they also have great riffs. It’s not just a wall of sound enveloping you, it allows you to really focus on the melodies while the rhythms hit you in the core. A great representative of the talent coming out of the Indonesian scene, I’m sure I will be crossing paths with them again soon.

Now it is time for the coverage finale and oh boy, I couldn’t think of a better way to end this review. Whispers. This band has been gaining international traction across the UK and EU hardcore circuits and there is a reason why. The pyros were switched off. The gang took the stage and the band, holy hell, brought in a new level of energy to this crowd. There were times when I wanted to put down and join in on the carnage- but I wasn’t sure if my travel insurance would cover any injuries sustained. Hardcore is alive in well in the city of Bangkok and this band is setting a gold standard. Guitars shredding, the drum kit going so hard that it almost fell off the platform and the squad on the stage adding to the gang vocals- you barely noticed the barrier. Much like Carry On, they were able to keep that hardcore energy despite the stage set-up. Helmets were donned, the pit kept growing and for somebody who has never witnessed this band live before, I felt like it was a privilege to see this set go down.

After a big weekend of seeing the immense talent that not just Thailand has to offer, but neighbouring countries, I can honestly say that this festival was one of the highlights of my year. Well-run, with back up plans in place in case things go wrong. Great food. Amazing atmosphere and something for everybody- plus most of the stages running on time throughout the whole weekend (without any glaring sound issues)! I suggest marking this one on your calendars for next year- it is worth travelling for. Plus, who doesn’t want an excuse to visit Thailand? Thank you Rock Alarm! I can’t wait to see the 2025 edition.

I’ll be there.