Review by Kayla Hamilton (@kaylazomboid)
Photo credit Mateu Perpinya (@lambda.tv.official | @pathraiser.photo)

ROCK ALARM: UNDYING SPIRIT 2025
Warehouse Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
May 22nd 2025

After hitting last years Rock Alarm, there was no way we would be missing the next one. That is why as soon as Rock Alarm: Undying Spirit 2025 was announced- plans were in motion.

This year, having pretty much an  exclusively Thai lineup was a very interesting choice but it definitely felt like it was neccesary, given some of the issues that had been going on. In what felt like a coming together of the entire alternative and heavy music scene, there was sense of community that could be felt the second you walked into the Warehouse Stadium.

But let’s talk about the music.

We are no strangers to The Creation of Adam, so they were the first cab off the rank for us to cover in what was a four-band block for us over at the Spirit Stage. Giving a blazing 20-minute set, the chaos of this band thrived in the condensed time limit. While the heat and the earliness did make the audience a little reluctant to throw down at the start, soon the pit started moving. Without missing a beat, the hybrid experimental deathcore act put on a hell of a show, and even had a sneaky feature from the frontman of the following act- Noom from Teresa.

In a quick changeover and following that little sample, it was time for one of Thailand’s most promising up-and-coming acts to hit the stage. Teresa did not let the short set stop them from doing what they had to do, hitting us with a bit of anime-inspired deathcore moments before smashing through some of their latest singles. Tight, brutal and heavy as hell- this band has such a strong future.

Making the switch to more nu-school deathcore fusion, to straight up hardcore, it was Not Proven’s return to performing that got the pit fired up. For those playing at home, Not Proven was formerly known as Carry On– so we have covered these guys before. In what was one of the most slept on sets of last year’s Rock Alarm Festival, the local lads showed just why the Thai hardcore scene is one of the fastest rising in the region. After an injury, the band had to take a bit of time off, but that tension of not performing was released in an explosive, spin-kicking extravaganza. 

Finishing off our first block of coverage was Fordecision. Taking the hardcore feels that Not Proven had thrown down and pushing it into the stratosphere, the combo of coffee and breakdowns must’ve started infiltrating the psyche of the attendees, because bodies were MOVING. It’s hard not to for this band (even this reviewer succumbed to the temptation of throwing down for a few tracks). In what felt like the blink of an eye, their set was done and dusted- but it left a lasting statement that hardcore is thriving in this country. 

Taking a moment to wander around the event grounds, it was a little differently set up from last year, but the vibes were immaculate. Two stages running, a bit of good food going around, some great coffee and of course- an artist market with the bands selling their merch, plus a few other retailers- it felt like a real community affair. Of course, beer was flowing and even though the heat was starting to get to most of those in attendance, people seemed to be handling it well.

Once I got my breath back, it was time to head to the Chamber Stage to check out nu-metalcore band Puppets. This band, while I knew they were talented, was a pleasant surprise. Originally lamenting that this was the only clash of the day for us, as NOPEN were also on over at the Machine Stage- but as we covered them last year, we wanted to highlight another great act out of Bangkok. Puppets grabbed the vibe that was lingering in the air and ran with it. Taking the tight space and channelling that small show feel that let’s be honest, we all prefer. Again, such a tight set, and while they probably deserved longer moments, they handled the time well. Never wasting any of it, and coming out with such gusto, it was hard not to feel every moment.

We quickly dipped at the end of the set, to catch the last few songs of NOPEN, and it had even our photographer in a spin. Their techy style combined with their melodic metalcore moments meant that while we can’t really put together a long enough paragraph about their set, we just thought they deserved an honourable mention. Hopefully, it won’t be too long between dances for this band, as they may just be one of the most slept-on acts in the country. 

Another band that deserves a lot of attention is Silence Of Genocide. Hooking my attention last year at Rock Alarm and then truly winning me over a few weeks ago at Thy Art Is Murder– they are firmly on the NOISE ‘N’ VISUALS radar. Returning to the nostalgic deathcore era without feeling dated, they are so brutal. Attention-grabbing enough, even kids riding past the venue on their bikes stopped to take in the ferociousness emanating off the stage. This sweaty, brutal affair had those who dared throw down in the pit and defying the weather to keep the floor moving. If you are a fan of deathcore and have not yet experienced Silence Of Genocide– make sure that they become part of your regular rotation.

Soon it was a trip to the main stage, the Factory Stage, to check out some of the heavyweights of the Thai heavy music scene. Briefly catching Bomb At Track and being impressed by their Rage Against The Machinesque style and energetic live show, it was then time for legends Sweet Mullet. For those who aren’t familiar, Sweet Mullet are kind of like Thailand’s answer to Pierce The Veil. Making a name for themselves back in the real emo/screamo era of hard rock/metal- they have solidified a place in the scene as a mainstay act. Their set at Rock Alarm showing every bit of their experienced tenure. 

Holding a packed crowd in their fingers, Sweet Mullet showed off their veteran status and popular discography in a performance that could have taken home set of the day. As a new fan, I felt myself caught up in the hype and wishing I had taken more time to become familiar with their music. In the end, though, it didn’t matter. I found myself feeling quite emotional. Looking around the crowd towards the end, where people were lifted on shoulders and singing along, it was a moment that hit me like a tonne of bricks. This is what it is all about. Coming together and celebrating music. It doesn’t matter if I didn’t understand the language or was far away from home. We all can feel the power of music and that made me appreciate being able to experience the Thai scene in this capacity.

The reason I was standing for Sweet Mullet though was because I wanted to get front and centre for Ugoslabier. This band has been on heavy rotation for me lately, especially with some of their latest music and their energetic live show grabbed my attention from across the venue the previous year. Frontman Orr is one of the most explosive singers I’ve ever witnessed. His powerful and raw vocals immediately demanding attention, with the rest of the band playing equally as strong. One of the highlights was Tao from Sweet Mullet quickly returning to the stage for the band to play their latest single ‘Hallucination’ and I won’t lie, it was something I had been looking forward to in the lead up. I was not disappointed AT ALL.

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If we were dividing the day into sections, the next big bracket was when the darkness fell and another band that has brought me back into deathcore hit the stage. This band of course is the one and only Tragedy Of Murder. Obsessed after seeing them play with Thy Art Is Murder a few weeks prior, I knew what to expect this time, but it was just as impressive. Singer Jeddy mentioned he treats a show like a ‘cardio session’ and honestly, I may look to hire him as my coach. Commanding the pit like a general in war, the obligation to follow instructions was further emphasised by a soundtrack of brutality. Jeddy spending a good amount of time in the pit, as the crowd carried him across like the royalty he is- there was a rabid but still seemingly refined energy in the audience. It’s never a dull moment with Tragedy Of Murder, and they are fast becoming one of my favourite Thai acts.

Speaking of bands that never have a dull moment, though, hyper pop metal band Defying Decay was next to play. Frontman Jay started the set by thanking those who were there to see them, as they happened to be playing at the same time as the super popular act Paper Planes. It became quickly apparent that those who were there wouldn’t even have thought twice about this clash. As somebody who has seen Defying Decay a few times, I wouldn’t say this was their best set, but one thing about this band is when things don’t go quite so right, they are very good at adapting and ensuring that everybody is having a good tim,e regardless- the band included. Starting the set with a ballad, ‘Hide & Seek’, it was a bold choice, but it worked as a good reset for the audience.

Then the chaos ensued. From cigars to climbing up the side of the stage, Jay was determined to lead his band into a hell of a show. Even if there were a few technical issues- Defying Decay have now gotten to a point where they have a true identity. It may seem like there is so much going on, but the party and fun atmosphere is undeniable. Going from pop to heavy, ballads to breakdowns, it’s always a great time during Defying Decay. 

After a little refresh and a breather, it was then time for Chiang Mai’s metalcore darlings, g6pd. Again, another act I had been introduced to at the 2024 Rock Alarm and have fallen in love with. They combine old school metalcore stylings with an insatiable groove, making you fluctuate from dancing to headbanging in an instant. With some of the nicest visuals of the day, their set was a quintessential festival must-see as they just have such a fun, polished and tight performance. While the sun going down didn’t do too much to cool the weather, it did feel a little nicer to have a little dance and sing-a-long with who, in my opinion, is one of the best representatives of the hidden gems in Thailand’s metalcore scene.

Finally, after almost 13 hours of heat and heavy music, it was time to check out our headliners, ANNALYNN. Friends of the publication of course, but one of the tales of the festival, the triumphant return of the scenes most beloved band, earned them that top spot. With the first sign of real trouble last year being the band’s withdrawal from Rock Alarm, it was a full-circle moment. 

Frontman duties were taken on by NOPEN’s Aieb, with a little help from Jeddy from Tragedy of Murder and Orr from Ugoslabier– it was a bit of a test for the band to see how they could take on a festival stage again. High pressure in some ways, but with the support of an entire scene behind them, you could feel the love in the audience. Tears were shed. Lungs were filled. And as the crowd used their last remaining energy to welcome the lads back, they rang out their anthems into the night.

As the clock struck midnight, and we gathered around the stage to take a photo with the band- it felt like a new chapter for not just ANNALYNN– but for the scene itself, was being written.

This year felt bigger. It felt more populated. It was a celebration pretty much purely Thai musicians and not many festivals of this size in the world pull off a feat. like this.

I said last year this festival has the potential to be one of the best heavy music festivals in the Asia Pacific Region and as I stumbled out covered in more sweat than I ever believed possibly- I 100% back this statement and there is no doubt, I will be at the next one. 

Huge shoutout to Lambda TV for the visual side of this coverage, couldn’t have done it without you.

LambdaTV is a YouTube channel that pushes great music videos and live videos, many from Vietnam. Find us on YouTube and check out some awesome live videos we made with Knosis, Alpha wolf, Nocturnal Bloodlust and more! Check them out here.

Also a big shout out to ASIA BLEAGH for helping us out too. Keep an eye out for their coverage too over at their Facebook and Instagram. For