PRIMITIVELY EASTERN WINDS PROMO TAPE'93

Review :
For those in the dark, As Sahar plays,as they call it,"Tahyulistic Orientismost Bomohymns Occultistry". Curious? Well to me, Bomoh Black Metal is much easier to digest. Well you can give As Sahar some credit of their own as they are a musical entity in their own right. Maybe it is not that obvious for this EP but judging from the 2 tracks from the Storm Of Nebiula compilation album,they deserved whatever jargons they bestowed upon themselves. For "Meditation" EP,it begins with "Stroll In Kafan" which is best described as "subtle archipelagic brutality". Production is commendable for the first song...ONLY,as the sound for the other songs are PATHETIC! The high-pitched vocals sounds far beyond the distance, drowned by the guitar and drums "attack". However that does not hinder me to revel in my favourite track of the EP, the instrumental "Tuju-Tuju Opus", which drew influences from the Javanese ethnomusicology. Surprise! Surprise! Finally we have got a Bawean fellow here paying tribute to the Javanese! In fact, the lyrics for "Santau Tuju Angin" is inspired by Javanese mystical culture and being a Javanese myself, somehow it gives a boost to my pride... or maybe even to my ego!!! From this EP alone, one can expect promising developments from these Bomoh trio in the future...

Each and every track in Phenomistik has it’s own values of Malay-ethical mysticism, sorcery and magic.
The soundscapes Nadayage I & II refers to the drainage of anchak at the waters of the Malay Archipelago-apost sorcery tradition. Offering to the spirits of the sea are made in form of small boats created out of leaves and these are called ‘Naday?
Depressive Monsoon is a praising hymn upon regional landscapic wonders, especially the three peaks ; Pami Jihan, Sumber and Ledang for meditational absorption of magickal prowess.
Silumanial Dansacration relay the fact of ceremonial dance toward is the highest achievement in Malay sorcerism-the state of Siluman (equivalent to that of were-tigers, were-wolves, etc...).
Tinggam is an art of cosmic usage in sorcery where the blackened ‘heart?lies in the egg yolk whose flight is in search for intended victim.
A more tribal approach as in Simfonie Jimbalang is a recognition to ‘Badi?- a force within living matters that influences almost all movements or the science of kinetic and storage energies.
Fandeyian Okultika Hymnology is solely a dedication to Bomoh Mona Fandey - the witch in Raub, Pahang who terrorized with her Siamese occult magic.
Meditasi Embun Pagi is a track on faith healing that is in Batara Guru’s mastery in psychic powers.
Folkrafty Melo-harvest is a symbolic song that of the Malay’s proud traditions in a rice harvest - a truthfully occultic relation to economics...Still a common practise in Northern-most region of peninsular Malaysia where padi (rice) cultivation ‘s is the culture of the people. Since the days of the malay-folk religion, a soul of rice is carried through the village, treated like a newborn, then further charmed for future harvest.
With all these happenings beyond mankind’s capabilities, it is essential that Phenomistik is chosen for this As Sahar album as we have a vision in the mystickal phenomenon of our Majestic East. As Saharian Epilogue.....

Review :
...And the Dukunnists return at last! This time around they came with a new line-up, as in recruiting a new drummer, Iblyss, a man who is proud to be a Boyanese. Certain tracks featured on the album are not unfamiliar to those who follow the band closely. 2 tracks, "Tinggam" and "Depressive Monsoon", which appear on the Storm Of Nebiula Compilation album also make their appearances here.Of course without any saying these 2 tracks are the outstanding ones in this album. Combining elements of depression, bouts of manic aggression and also not forgetting the elegant and subtle harmonies of muzika Nusantara, the 2 tracks really defined the atmosphere of the album and at the same time redefining the direction that As Sahar is going through. But one thing never changes...the fucking bad sound production. Black metal bomoh, Barchiel, claimed that the mixing was done as an experiment. No matter what you are saying Barchiel, there are some people out there who do not like to be ripped off, especially by Boyanese bomohs. But other "experiments" which are worth mentioning are the gamelan intro/outro of Nadayage. Soothing to the ears and also a perfect crescendo and descendo to the album. "Simfonie Jimbalang" incorporates the use of kompang, gamelan and to a certain extent, modern day synth. There is also a more depressing slow track (remind of the good old mat rock jiwa-jiwa ballads) entitled "Fandeyian Okultika Hymnology", which I believe a homage to the infamous witch, Mona Fandey, who was convicted of conspiring the murder of a Malaysian politician somewhere back in 1993. Being dedicated to the mystical powers of the bomoh themselves, As Sahar can proudly claim themselves as the flagbearer of Bomohymnistic Black Metal (whatever the hell it is) with "Phenomistik". An interesting note is that you can smell some Bawean pride in the "thank-you" list. Well, a bit of homage to your roots doesn't do any harm. (taken fr seametalf.)

Review :
Local most talked about album ! Everyone seems to condemn this release maybe considering the fact that they are the most cult black metal band in the local scene. Pioneer of malay mysticism in black metal which lead to many local band follow their demonic path. "Baku Karama" definitely out of this topic ! 10 hard rock songs with clear vocals making most of their loyal fans puke on first spin. I am open-minded when reviewing this release, leaving the past music historical fact behind. I will only talk about their new music-style. Frankly I was optimistic to listen to this album since the 'preview' in Storm Of Nebiula Compilation 2 (1998). The song "Senandung Suralaya" is actually a good song, even with drum machine and One normal vocal (the screaming on the last moment of the track is awesome). The sound of the song is quite dirty for that kind of music and the same problem also happen here. The drumming is played by Fauzi from HAIL as guest drummer. There are few melodies and solos which I like to hear repeatedly and even on some tracks it driven me to 'sing a long the song'. Red-One (or One Barchiel) vocals sucks a bit and the guitar doesn't sound good enough. "Baku Karama" is definitely not 'Bakul Sampah' Karama as some might say because I can swallow the music. Those who are still caught to their proud black metal day may said otherwise. Just don't kill me for this positive review, okay. Infact there is a good news for you black metaller. Red-One is out and Hanael will bring back the glory of the old days. So cheer up...(taken fr. seametalf.)

Review :
The re-release of their debut demo 1993. This is the second time Nebiula release this demo. The last time was in 1997 as cassette LP together with “Meditation Embun Pagi?cassette EP (excluding 1 instrumental song from this EP). I am not exactly sure AS~SAHAR discography before they release “Santau? According to their bio 1999, they release a 2 track tape in 1993 and then “Santau? Nothing is said about “Casus Luciferi? Anyway this tape contains 7 tracks including an intro. The style is fast and raw black/thrash with an ugly sound. The songs just turn me on! An essential release for your AS~SAHAR collection. (taken fr. seametalf.)

Review :
Another re-release material from Nebiula. “Bomohymns Okultika?contains 8 songs. The songs on side ‘Bomohymns?are live songs never release before officially and this is our bonus. Side ‘Okultika?features the songs from “Beyond Firmament? the split album with HAYAGRIVA (Malaysian black metal) released by MEMORIES RECORDS 1999. The split album supposed to be released as CD, beside the usual cassette format but I guess the label only able to make flyers and spread the news of the CD but never really release it. The live songs are recorded from their gig in Penang. Contain 1 song from their cassette EP 1995, 2 songs from cassette LP 1996 and a Hades cover. About the ‘okultika?songs, that is their latest black metal recording before they change their music style. It includes the re-recorded “My Hymns, In The East?(from EP 1995), 1 ambient/instrumental song and 2 AS~SAHARian black metal songs. Dark and melodic black metal as great as the songs in EP 1995! Another essential release for your AS~SAHAR collection.(taken fr seametalf.)

Review :
Local’s most controversial band is now back with a new 8 track CD. Again, like “Baku Karama? this CD comes with couple of surprises. The artwork are at the back of the CD (the track title is at the front), some line-up changes and the most important is the music is not rock/heavy metal like “Baku Karama? This album recorded without long-time and forming member Hanael but One Barchiel is not doing this album alone. Jadam (MESMERISED, GORB, PROFANE CREATION, NECROTIC CHAOS, and the list goes on...) did all drum programming and Dark-E (VOCIFERATION ETERNITY, SIL KHANNAZ, and the list goes on too...) contribute some guitar solos. AS SAHAR is back in death/black direction musically but in lyrical aspect they (or he?) abandoning the local Malay mysticism/occultism that make them the cultest band in the scene even tough it is written in Malay. Doesn’t matter how good the drum programming is, it still sucks. Dark-E solos are great. There are few songs with keyboard and some acoustic guitar. Well, to sum it up, this is a step lower than “Meditation Embun Pagi? There are not much of fave tracks available for me in this CD. Only “Fantasia Temanku Fantasia?stands up among the rest although this song is quite slow compare with the rest. The band new concept is quite original I guess (at least in the local scene) where the lyrics are too ‘white?for this kind of music but I don’t think the kids here will follow that like ‘Malay occultism? which AS SAHAR introduced years ago. (taken fr seametalf.)

Dengan band ini kembali kepada black metal dan Hanael kembali ke dalam band serta Najasakhtee dari HAYAGRIVA sebagai drummer, ini merupakan berita baik kepada peminat As-Sahar. One Barchiel kembali bermain black metal. Untuk berapa lama? Selepas ni apa pula? Beliau menyatakan dalam interview (Steel Madness #2), As-Sahar adalah sebuah muzik band dan rasanya tiada siapa dapat mengagak stail apa yang akan beliau mainkan untuk keluaran seterusnya. Seperti yang yang telah beliau katakan, beliau mendengar kembali lagu?lama As-Sahar dan band Sweden Naglfar di mana mereka memberikan ilham kepadanya untuk merakamkan "Al-Rischa" jadi secara umumnya itulah yang akan anda dengar dalam Ep 5 lagu ini. Lagu²nya seolah?gubahan semula lagu?lama mereka yang telah digabungkan black metal melodik Sweden. Jika sudah biasa dengan lagu?lama mereka dan juga Naglfar, anda akan dapati persamaan tersebut. Selain 3 lagu 'baru', mereka merakamkan semula sebuah lagu dari demo mereka yang telah ditambah dengan keyboard serta sound yang lebih bagus tetapi saya masih suka versi 'raw' atau versi asal lagu tersebut. Dan Jadam juga membuat sebuah tekno remix untuk lagu "Temanku Fantasia" (from "Intifada"). Remix kali ini lebih baik daripada apa yang beliau buat untuk Sil Khannaz. Ya, "Al-Rischa" adalah lebih baik daripada 2 keluaran terakhir band ini ("Baku Karama" dan "Intifada" tidak begitu teruk sebenarnya dan kedua?album ini adalah unik) tetapi ia masih jauh ketinggalan jika hendak dibandingkan dengan "Meditation?#034; or "Phenomistik". (diambil dr metalterus)