Review by Kayla Hamilton (@kaylazomboid)
Photo credit Eakaratch Kaewsomdej (@eakanln)

SUMMER BLAST FEST
Mr. Fox Livehouse, Bangkok, Thailand
March 30th 2025

It is hard to focus on what the draw of this festival was. The interception and the beginning of tours from three international acts, the inclusion of some local and upcoming names in Thai and Asia scene, tied up with the location and promotor. All of these factors was almost a guarantee of a good time- a sentiment felt around the region as punters from across the Asia Pacific made their way to Mr. Fox Live House in Bangkok Thailand to attend SUMMER BLAST FEST on the weekend. 

If metalcore you were there for, then the show openers The Last Shot were the perfect act to satiate your appetite with. Riff-laden, original style metalcore- it was the right amount of heavy to pique the attendees interest, especially amongst those who may be new to the band. Essentially showcasing their EP Parting, which came out in January this year- there was a brutal display of breakdowns, monster vocals and good ole pinch harmonics.

Even though I knew there was an idol band up next, when the musicians took the stage it took me by surprise. The intro track was thunderously heavy and if they had not been wearing AKIRA KURO shirts, I may have thought another band had slid in. Soon enough, they were joined by the metal idols. With some of the best costumes in the idol core business, the vibe went from hard hitting seriousness to energetic chaos. The choreography was not over complex, but straight away you could tell these idols knew how to work the crowd. With a good variety of harsh vocals, from lows to raspy black metal shrieks- it maybe one of my favourite idol performances yet. 2-stepping was plenty and when the majority of the band ended up in the pit- you could tell that these women knew how to throw down. 

Just in case whiplash of the last two performances was not enough, then the next Thai act Teresa would have surely satisfied your need for brutality. An up-and-coming deathcore act, this band is one to keep your eye on. Keeping the community with some guest features, in particular Mike from Whispers performing his feature on their latest single ‘Bliss’ the young guns had the pit throwing down. There is just something about this band that pulls you in and hits you in the face. Vocalist Noom is ferocious, and the rest of the band follows suit. Crushingly heavy, if you are even slightly into deathcore- than Teresa should be on your must listen list.

The first international band to hit the stage was Hanoi new guys on the scene, Gai. Fusing metalcore, nu metal and other varieties of heavy music with finesse- there is a reason this band has gotten so much attention early in their career. Opening their set with a nod to the NZ style drill rap by Kiwi frontman Liam, he wasted no time engaging the audience. It took a little for the Thai crowd to warm-up, which is not rare for acts not as known to them- but they won them over in the end. An intense performance, the Vietnamese band walked away with new fans.

Given a heroes welcome Pathological Sadism, the band of Slamman Booking head Somprasong ‘Jino’ Makkasakul, brought a disgustingly heavy set to Summer Blast. Cheered on by both bands and fans, the love for the band was evident. A slam groove coated with some horrendously (in the best way) nasty vocals, this band smashes together of death metal, grind core and goregrind genres expertly, leaving no doubt they were the heaviest inclusion on the bill. 

We talked about a whiplash before, but going from Pathological Sadism to the pop-metal sounds of Defying Decay was on another level. The band with the most elaborate set-up, straight away they brought a party vibe. This is a band whose show is hard to describe to those yet to witness, but the words the description is a chaotic display of expert songwriting by a group that wants to have the most fun onstage. We got circle pits, dancing and champagne. We got deathcore and alternative indie rock. We got a few technical difficulties but it did not dampen the vibe. If there is one thing Defying Decay promise, it is a memorable set and that they did. 

After the wildness of the bands that had already played, it was time for the first of the three headlining acts. Distant from The Netherlands thundered onto the stage, demanding ‘every single motherfucker’ to move- and that they did. The Distant fans led the charge, with those new to them following suit. It was vicious. It was ferocious. Sonic violence in its most pure form. ‘Loveless Suffering’ washed over the crowd, taking over the room. Circle pits, two walls of death and intense movement- as vocalist Alan Grnja told the Bangkok audience that he wished to see them on their “worst behaviour”. They commanded the crowd like generals leading this rowdy bunch into war, eventually demanding they show the band “what hell looks life” while providing the soundtrack of ‘Hellmouth’. An absolute showcase of brutality from start to finish- you cannot let them pass through your city without going to see them.

While you are checking out Distant on their current Asia Pacific run, you may also be lucky enough to catch Within Destruction– because I sure was. Giving us a display of nu-metal infused deathcore and metalcore, fused with a nod to the djent style and almost pop-metal stylings- they are a band that have a little something for everybody. An ever present groove, with stunning visuals- they are just so super tight. They really encompassed the eclecticness of this festival line-up all in one set. Bangkok really turned it up for this band and an unrelenting energy was exchanged between the band and the crowd. Tapping into some vampy numetal vibes at times, something straight out of an early 2000’s vampire or slasher film and at other times displaying just some master musicianship.  Clearly a popular draw across Asia, as many people travelled from across the region to attend this show, and all in all, this set made it worth it. 

To finish off the a day like this, it is always a risk for any band to take as while the live house air-conditioning was working over time- there was no ignoring the heat and the many hours already being spent. Australia’s Alpha Wolf were up to the task- making their triumphant return to ecstatic Bangkok audience.

As somebody who has seen Alpha Wolf a few times, there is no denying that was one of the most fun sets I’ve ever had to pleasure to bear witness too. If the crowd was hyped before, they began to go feral. No frills, no bullshit- the bands Terrible Days Across Asia Tour kicked off with a bang. The most chaotic pits of the day, all remaining energy and then some was given to the Aussie metalcore mainstays. Giving us a setlist that tapped into a broad range of their discography, the punters in the pit were deeply satisfied. Newer tracks like ‘Mangekyo’, ‘Pretty Boy’, ‘Sucks 2 Suck’ and ‘Half-Living Things’ went off just as much as songs from A Quite Place To Die. Where it really ramped up was when they went into ‘Sub Zero’. Before the wall of death opened up, guitarist Sabian handed out Pokemon cards and as the crowd split, many of the men in the audience decided it was time for shirts off- leading to the sweatiest wall of death of the day.

Circle pits were demanded, with frontman Lochie urging those in the centre to move with the violently Australian command to “Giddy Up Cunts” and they were more than happy to oblige. Finishing off the set with of course, the infamous ‘Akudama’– once again the Thai fans were treated to a stellar performance from Alpha Wolf.

As the show wrapped up, some left but those who decided to stick around were treated to an afterparty and a performance from a collaboration of some of Thai metal’s finest. The emo band ‘Myspace Password Forgotten’; the nostalgia act held credence as most of the band was 32+, and delivering a cover set that included hits from Funeral For A Friend, The Used and Underoath- it was the most fun you could have without taking off your clothes. Drinks were flowing, the mic was up for grabs and it was a party in a way that only the Thai scene could deliver- it was the perfect end to what was one of the most fun shows this reviewer has ever attended.

A huge shout out to Slamman Booking for putting on this great event. It is never easy, especially when bands pull out and even natural disasters come into play- but it once again proves that Bangkok is a destination when it comes to metal festivals and shows.