Meteoor: Meza Virs Performing At Metal For A Cause

Local metal juggernaut Meza Virs took the stage and unleashed their infernal apocalypse as one of the seven bands performing for Metal For A Cause, a benefit gig held at Blackhole with profits going to the Red Cross for victims of the Haiti disaster. Despite missing their guitarist who was away overseas, lead vocalist Cedric doubled up on guitar duties as the sextet performed a medley of their songs including a cover of Love Song by The Cure. Their set also included a guest performance by Sathish and Lyon from Stillborn on vocals with their band being part of the bill for the night as well and judging from the reaction of the crowd with their horns held up high in unison, it was indeed a cause worth rocking out for! Robin Li from Metal Horde tells more about Metal For A Cause and his take on goth metal, among others;

Q: So what is the story behind Metal Horde?

Robin: The idea of Metal Horde came to my mind when I first attended a gig in March
last year. The intention in creating the group was to update all metal related
stuff to the listeners of the genre in Singapore and to help young bands by giving an opportunity to be heard and updating upcoming gigs. Although there have been members who have come and go with their respective reasons, I chose to hang on to this passion out of my love for the genre and after some time, finally assembled a
team with people that I can trust. They are friends who supported Metal Horde and
are genuinely supporting the local bands.

Q: What inspired you to create Metal For A Cause?

Robin: Metal in Singapore does have a huge following and with companies bringing in bands
like Lamb of God, I believe they have found
out that the number of listeners of the genre isn't just a minor number or being
overlooked in Singapore.

Q: In your view, how has the gothic subculture influenced metal music?

Robin: Today, the misconception of goth metal that many have in mind are bands with a
female lead vocalist such as Lacuna Coil and Within Temptation . But this isn't the
case in the early 90s when you have pioneer bands such as like Paradise Lost or My
Dying Bride. Both still producing excellent music today and I strongly urge
fans of modern bands to check out these 2 bands

Q: Are there any goth influenced bands that you listen to?

Robin: While I am not a huge fan of the genre occasionally I'll listen to a few bands once in a while such as Paradise Lost and especially the In Requiem album which is one of my favourites

Q:Can goth metal acts make a similar impact like black metal or thrash metal in
Singapore?

Robin: We do have a notable bands in Singapore to look out for such as Meltgsnow, who have cited Paradise Lost as one of their
influences and I couldn't agree more after hearing their new single Empty
Sky. Meza Virs has risen to become one of Singapore's favourite, if not the best metal
band in Singapore. There is always a chemistry between the band and their
listeners and the combination of Cedric's and Jasmine's vocals blends in seamlessly with their songs and to me, that is perfect and not to forget Age of Sinfonia, an upcoming
gothic/symphonic metal band that performed at Metal for A Cause. They impressed the
crowd with their original song, "Forevermore" and cover songs by Nightwish, Epica and
Within Temptation.  I believe that as long as these bands keep on playing
good music live, be it black, death, thrash or gothic metal, all that matters is
that they connect with the crowd. And for these 3 bands, they've done extremely
well.

(Cedric Meza Virs on double duty)

(Sathish Stillborn commanding mic presence)

To find out more;

Meza Virs- http://www.myspace.com/mezavirs

Stillborn- http://www.myspace.com/stillbornsg

Metal Horde- http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=297764446515