Warg has been active in the Philippine hardcore scene since 2018, but the band that exists today looks considerably different from the one that started the project. “The band was the brainchild of Aries Lalata and Laurence Realin, our former vocalist. The lineup was very different back then, with Aries being the only remaining member from the lineup that recorded our Outrage EP,” guitarist Irvin Chua tells No Echo. “Aries and I had already been kicking it together for a while, as Laurence was a close friend of mine. I also did a vocal feature on ‘Rot’ from our split release with Past Forward before officially joining the band.”
After Laurence relocated to Australia, Re Velasco took over on vocals. Chua joined on guitar alongside Lalata, followed by bassist Janjan Alcantara and drummer Jaybee Victor Martin, completing Warg's current lineup. The changes eventually helped shape a sound Chua describes simply as “ruthless and brutal.” While Warg wanted its latest material to have an identity of its own, the band also wanted it to represent the Southeast Asian hardcore scene they're proud to call home.
“NYDM and the late ’90s Japanese hardcore scene were huge influences on us, with bands such as Straight Savage Style, Dyingrace, Dead Reforce, etc. Personally, I was heavily influenced by early Merauder and Earth Crisis records,” Chua says. “Collectively, we all have slightly different tastes and influences, but we all fucked with bands like Dying Fetus, Kraanium, Devourment, and Skinless.”
That combination of hardcore and death metal influences feeds directly into Warg's recently released self-titled EP release, which was largely a DIY undertaking. “The whole record was mixed and mastered by our guitarist, Aries. We wanted it to sound as raw as possible while keeping it honest, but still sound like something you can blast in your car,” Chua tells No Echo. “Most of the tracks were recorded at Aries' house, while the vocals were recorded by Re at his. The drums were recorded at This Is Where I Make Music in Greenhills.”
Chua describes the Philippine hardcore scene as thriving, something recently demonstrated by a recent event there which brought together bands from across the country alongside Southeast Asian acts Whispers, Kenya, and Keep It Real. “We just wrapped up Pilipinas Hardcore Fest, where hardcore bands from all over the Philippines, plus some of our SEA hardcore friends, all came together for a full day of chaos,” Chua says.
For anyone looking to dig deeper into what's happening in the Philippines, Warg recommends No Remorse, Shockpoint, Take Pain, Exit Wound, and Armas Ready, along with the roster of Brigad3 Records.
“We're currently working on another EP that we plan to release this year,” Chua tells No Echo when asked about the immediate future plans. “We're also planning a tour around Southeast Asia pretty soon, so stay tuned.”
Before wrapping up, Chua also gives shout-outs to Glassroom Studio, Futura Records, Still Ill Records, and Brigad3 Records.
Warg on social media: Instagram
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