Metal Manifest: Incarnation work hard to realise their metallic vision

On JunkOnline, we often receive various comments whenever we write about metal music. Some parties relate metal with satanic rituals while others simply say it’s all about the music. Malaysia’s Incarnation would like to offer a third viewpoint: it’s all about proving to the world that Malaysians can play metal as deadly as the Westerners.

“We just want to express ourselves through our music and lyrics,” says vocalist Yade. “We really want to show others that the Third World countries, including Malaysia, can produce metal music that has the same standard as Western bands.”

And done that, they have. The band comprising Yade (vocals), Udey (guitars), Najmi (guitars), Shah (bass) and Azim (drums) formed back in 2005, combining elements of metal, hardcore and thrash in the vein of Pantera, Unearth, Soilwork and As I Lay Dying while exploring themes of humanity, fantasy and personal experiences (nothing about Satan or his demon buddies).

Yet since releasing their debut full-length Stainless Perfect Murder last November, many doors have opened up. They have shared stages with big local acts like Butterfingers and Bittersweet, together with opening for the likes of America’s Misery Signals, Australia’s Parkway Drive and Sweden’s Soilwork. Recently, their track ‘Deranged Your Silence’ penetrated Japan through internet radio station Asian Rock Rising, while ‘Obligate’ was aired in one of Indonesia’s biggest radio stations Prambors FM. They have also landed distribution agreements with Warner Music in Malaysia and Fast Youth Records in Indonesia, and receive clothing sponsorship by Indonesia’s Crooz Fashion Distortion and a jeans line for Udey by PeterSaysDenim from Bandung.

2009 doesn’t look to move any slower for Incarnation. They plan to release three singles by the end of the year through MySpace and are also working on the next album, set for a 2010 release. Yet in the midst of proving their place in the metal world, there remains a simpler emphasis: pure entertainment, without having to tap into the forces of darkness. “We want to change old school metal,” says Najmi. “Not that there is anything wrong with it. But because of the deemed unethical perspective, we want to make metal music more acceptable in the society. We are not into those things like how people always think. The bottom line is we just want to play music and have fun with the crowd.”

WORDS ELLYN PHOTO INCARNATION
www.myspace.com/incarnationcrew

*Taken from Junk's May 2009 issue