Interviews: Antologi

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Death Metal/Thrash Metal band, Antologi from Singapore. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

When the band was initially formed we didn’t have a name yet. We decided to name the band ANTOLOGI which was taken from a song titled “ Antologi Trajedi Dunia “ which was written by me. As you all may know it is actually from the word Anthology and ANTOLOGI is actually the spelling in Malay language, our official language here in Singapore. The name was chosen as it fits the musical influences of all members which vary from each member where we fused together in musical compositions to create the style and directions of ANTOLOGI.

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

Most of us grew up during the explosion of Thrash Metal bands such as EXODUS , SLAYER, TESTAMENT, DEATH ANGEL, METALLICA, DESTRUCTION, SEPULTURA, KREATOR and also the Death Metal bands such as OBITUARY, DEICIDE, SUFFOCATION, CANNIBAL CORPSE etc. All these bands that are mentioned inspired us to play this genre where Death & Thrash Metal are merged. It is an outlet for all the frustrations, rage, and angst that we have inside.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Me and Load Sham (guitarist) were from the same school. Suhaimi Hanafi (guitarist) and I serve the Army together. For Eddie Fendi we knew him since back in the mid 90s when we are all playing with different bands at that time. I was with ABATTOIR/ABATTORY and also did some session gig with IMPIETY, Load Sham was with a band called FATAL FATE, Suhaimi Hanafi was with DETHMUTE and Eddie Fendi was playing with CASTIGATE/BUNUH/BRUTAL FEAR. As for Afique Romie we met him in 2009 when he was fronting a Heavy Metal band called ROCKVIVAL at that time.

4. Each band member favourite band? 

We were all mostly into Thrash and Death Metal bands. Personally, for me I’m into TESTAMENT, SLAYER, old SEPULTURA, ONSLAUGHT, EXODUS. Eddie Fendi is into MORBID ANGEL , GOREFEST, DEICIDE, MESSHUGAH. Suhaimi Hanafi also into Melodic Death Metal bands like AT THE GATES, THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILLITY etc. For Load Sham and Afique Romie as their favorite bands are SLAYER, METALLICA , TESTAMENT, DEATH ANGEL they are also into RAMONES, RANCID, LIMP BIZKIT, GODSMACK.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

As we grew up listening to 80s & 90s Death & Thrash metal bands like SLAYER, TESTAMENT , EXODUS, DEICIDE, METALLICA etc. those bands in a way have been our main inspiration on how we write our materials. As years goes by, others bands such as IN FLAMES, FEAR FACTORY , MESHUGGAH, THE HAUNTED also inspire us. We are also inspired by our local heavy metal bands such RUSTY BLADE, ROCKERS, THRASHED, TZ etc. As for lyrical inspirations is more to what is happening in the world right now, problems that humans faces all the time like depressions, suicidal thoughts, being oppressed, war … etc.

6. Where was your last gig? 

The last gig we played was in Penang, Malaysia in March 2020. We performed for the 1 st time in Penang at “Northern Brothers Ov Metal“ Metal Fest with INFERNO ( Czech Republic ), a fellow Singapore’s Black Metal band MAJUSIAH & Black Thrash band called SYMPHONY JIMBALANG ( Penang ) and it turns out to be ANTOLOGI last performance before the World hit by the CoranaVirus and most countries went into lockdown. We had to cancel another gig in Penang which will be held in October and in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in November.

7. Where would you like to act? 

We have played in Indonesia and Malaysia and would like to play in Asia countries that we haven’t had a chance to perform yet like Japan, Taiwan, India, China. Eventually, we like to play in United States, Australia and Europe if we are given the chance.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We are content to be a feature with any bands in the world as I believe every band has their own unique sound and style but it will definitely be a bonus for ANTOLOGI if can share the same stage with all the bands that we mentioned above. That will 100% be a highlight for ANTOLOGI.

9. Whom not?

We can work or feature with any bands as I believe making friends with all other bands where can share knowledge about their kind of Metal that they bring to the table. Not every band has the same style or sound, every band is unique.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Fortunately, none of ANTOLOGI members suffer any stage fright before, hope it continues to be that way. When we are on stage the main reason is to entertain the crowds with our brand of metal. If the crowds enjoy the set that a sufficient for us. Our advice for beginners is just to be yourself, give your best during your set. They might be jeers or haters from the crowds but take it to stride as it just makes you want to improve. Make friends with other bands or crowds that came to the gig and don’t be afraid to mingle.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

As I’ve replied to the questions earlier, all the bands that we grew up with are our inspirations > Inspired us to create our own style of Death Thrash Metal. Some of The New Wave of Thrash Metal bands are also bringing inspirations to the scene, I personally enjoying listening to WARBRINGER, POWER TRIP, HAVOK, SUCIDAL ANGELS, EVILE .. etc.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

So far nothing weird has happened to us during our shows or any weird requests from the crowds. Hopefully, it stays that way

13. What do you think of your fans?

We always treat them as friends, not as fans. All of us are metalheads and the love of metal music bonds us together with other bands that we shared the stage with or with the crowds that come to support the gigs. We appreciate all friends that support us and if we can make new friends at the gig venues at whichever countries that we play at it will be great.

14. What do you think of our site?

We appreciate your site's effort to help bands spread their music. Lots of effort have been put into your site and you are doing awesome work with BREATHING THE CORE! Lots of bands to check out from your site …. Two thumbs up!

15. Something to add?

Salutations and thank you to you Jon for doing this interview with ANTOLOGI . Please do check out our album “ Chronicles Of Catastrophes “ when it is release on 30 th June 2021 . Would like to say thank you Andy and to our label VRYKOBLAST PRODUCTIONS for believing in us .