Formed in May 2022, they deliver high-tempo, emotionally charged hardcore—firmly rooted in the spirit of bands like Casey Jones, Champion, Comeback Kid, Stick to Your Guns, Down to Nothing, and With Honor. The lineup: Ipan Boston (vocals), Moorel Diaz and Ajon (guitars), Ezafallen (bass), and Dewa (drums). A tight five who play like they’ve got something to prove—and maybe they do.
Their debut single “Bring Me Back” set the tone: raw, urgent, built for the pit. Their follow-up, “Break the Hate,” lands with just as much conviction. Both tracks will feature on their upcoming EP—seven cuts including a re-recorded “Bring Me Back” and a tribute to a legendary Pontianak hardcore band. They’re young, direct, and deadly sincere.
Formed in 2007 and still refusing to settle. Caracal has taken themselves apart and put it all back together more than once each time rougher, clearer, louder.
Their new LP Effigies is eight tracks built on unrest. The band calls it “a slow-burning riot”, full of “dissonance, grief, and fight.”
Produced by Leonard Soosay (Wormrot, Marijannah), mastered by Magnus Lindberg (Cult of Luna, Converge, Russian Circles). Solid hands on the boards, heavier sounds in the mix. Caracal is Rachel Lu on vocals, Michelle Quek and Field Teo on guitars, Martin Kong on drums, and Trent Davis on bass and vocals.
Forged in the hardcore crucible of neighbouring city of Pontianak, MAIR straddles the line between furious punk and socially conscious hardcore. Their 2023 single “Riuh Amarah,” featuring Baruz of Godless Symptoms, erupts as a claustrophobic anthem of resistance raw vocals, rattling riffs, and lyrical urgency calling for collective awakening.
The five-piece outfit forged from members of various bands Rendy (vocals), Bow & Hendra (guitars), Ezafallen (bass), and Ozy (drums) built their foundation on the 2022 EP Rebellious and earlier demos like MMXIX and Bertahan, creating a catalog steeped in disillusionment and defiance. Tracks like “Break the Chain” and “Pontianak Punk” mix powerful guest vocals and communal choruses, laying bare the failings of power and offering a fist raised for collective action.
MAIR isn’t just playing hardcore they’re translating local frustration into an inclusive call to arms.
Formed in 2017, Ogoshi Rebels blends hardcore, punk, and metal into a sound that’s raw, heavy, and unapologetic. Originally a side project by guitarist Paul, the band evolved into a serious force with Sara (vocals), Mukhriz (guitar), David (bass), and Hazreq (drums) completing the lineup.
Their name, Ogoshi a judo hip-throw reflects their roots in martial arts and their ethos: discipline, impact, and precision. Musically, Ogoshi Rebels draw influence from a wide spectrum of aggressive styles, blending the speed and grit of hardcore punk with the heaviness of metal.
In 2024, the band released a self-titled EP featuring five tracks that showcase their sound and identity. The EP is currently available for streaming on Bandcamp and for purchase through direct message or at their live shows.
Hailing from Kuching, Sarawak, The Rollers deliver a vibrant mix of indie, pop, and rock, all sung in Bahasa Melayu. Formed in early 2023, the band draws strong influence from UK britpop and alternative rock of the ’90s and early 2000s, blending nostalgia with fresh energy.
Their latest EP, “Nada Kehidupan”, captures the band’s evolving sound and message, following the momentum of previous singles Apapun and Hey You! If you’ve seen them live at Keep It Real, Local Sound Fest, Pancaindera Live Lounge or Canroll, you already know their set is packed with energy and emotion.
The band features Wandy on vocals, Aone on first guitar, Sham on second guitar, Lahouk on bass, Zezeb on drums, and Bedy on keyboard/synth.
Emerging from the dense sonic fog of Selangor, Tripping Haze Ceremony (THC) delivers a potent blend of stoner doom that resonates with the weight of the genre’s pioneers. Formed in 2017, this trio has been steadily crafting a sound that pays homage to the likes of Black Sabbath, Sleep, and Electric Wizard, while infusing their own unique Malaysian essence.
The band’s lineup features Epulyard on guitar and vocals, whose riffs and haunting melodies anchor their sound; Sara on bass, providing deep, groove-laden undertones; and Lem on drums, driving the rhythm with deliberate, thunderous beats.
Their 2024 full-length album, Indicat, showcases their evolution, offering tracks that delve into psychedelic realms and heavy, fuzz-infused landscapes. Recorded live at Ruang Irama and mastered by Rotten Garage, the album captures the raw energy and atmospheric depth that define THC’s music.
With a discography that includes their self-titled debut and the Night Of The Damned live rehearsal, Tripping Haze Ceremony continues to solidify their place in the stoner doom scene. Their music is not just an auditory experience but a journey through the darker, more introspective corridors of the genre.
Channeling despair into discipline, MIRTHLESS is a politically active post-black metal outfit that blurs the edge between catharsis and confrontation. Hailing from Kuala Lumpur, they weave haunting melodies and thunderous riffs into soundscapes built for introspection—and disruption.
Their 2024 single Scorn (Spotify) and Solitary Confinement Tapes demo (Bandcamp) trace themes of isolation, systemic decay, and inner collapse—pushing the sonic territory between atmospheric black metal, experimental drone, and emotional violence. Think Have A Nice Life, Oathbreaker, Der Weg Einer Freiheit—but rooted in the socio-political anxieties of Southeast Asia.
LICETOKIL (Kuching, Malaysia) joins the #NNB2025 lineup this August 2nd. Raw, loud, and unfiltered—this hardcore punk unit from Kuching formed in October 2023 and wastes no time getting under your skin. With a sound carved from Japanese hardcore intensity and the chaos of UK82, LICETOKIL is urgent, political, and defiantly human.
Their 2024 EP AGRESSOR rips through themes of environmental destruction and anti-war resistance—messages that land like a punch but linger like a bruise. Expect blistering riffs, relentless rhythms, and impassioned vocals that confront the mess of modern life and the need to find meaning in its noise.
Lineup: Bengbeng on vocals, Jon on guitar, Wimi on bass, and Ehan behind the drums.
This is punk without pretense—a space to thrash, feel, and connect.
Formed in late 2023 by Frank and Pigo, ex-members of the long-running street hardcore punk band Anarkidx, KORXIC signals a new era of sonic warfare. With nearly a decade in the punk trenches, the duo joined forces with Calvin and Rais of Velvet Youth (Fuzz Punk/Garage Rock) to create a raw, high-octane fusion of metal and punk. Delivering fast, motorcharged riffs with the relentless energy of hardcore punk, KORXIC stands as one of the few metal bands in Kuching proudly rooted in punk. Expect chaos, speed, and no-frills aggression served loud.
Influenced by: Venom, Toxic Holocaust, Whipstriker, and more.
Line-up: Frank (Guitar & Vocals), Calvin (Lead Guitar), Rais (Bass), and Pigo (Drums).
Formed in late 2007, Roses Are Black is a Pop Punk-influenced band from Kuching, Sarawak, known for songs that reflect modern life with a personal edge.
Starting out by joining local Battle of the Bands competitions, their first breakthrough came with a live gig in Kuching, performing several original, unreleased tracks. That moment sparked local recognition and opened doors to gigs both in and outside the city.
Now gaining steady momentum, Roses Are Black continues to grow as a band to watch in the scene blending heartfelt lyrics with catchy, energetic melodies. The lineup features Bryan(Drum), Stephen(Guitar/2nd Vocal), Arthur(Vocal/Guitar) and Joshua(Bass).
No Kontrol delivers a blistering mix of garage punk rage and raw DIY urgency. Known for chaotic live sets and a sound that’s fast, filthy, and furious, this trio has made serious noise in the Borneo punk scene and they’re not slowing down.
Formed in the heart of KK, the current lineup features Bahri (vocals/guitar), Firzan (drums), and Ian (bass) a crew carrying the torch for Sabah punk while tearing up every stage they hit. Their songs go hard, and their message goes harder.
Emerging from Kuala Lumpur’s underground, DOGFIGHTT delivers a high-octane blend of punk rock and rock ‘n’ roll, infused with the raw energy of UK82 and the swagger of Motörhead. Formed by members of Benzoate, Pruinosus, Nightwolf, and DeritaXterus, this quartet channels a sound that’s both nostalgic and fiercely contemporary.
Drawing inspiration from bands like Inepsy and Midnight, DOGFIGHTT crafts a sound that’s both gritty and electrifying, capturing the essence of raw punk energy. The lineup features Faes on guitar and vocals, bringing gritty melodies and commanding presence; Azfar on guitar, delivering sharp, driving riffs; Ayed on bass, laying down robust, rhythmic foundations; and Meyour on drums, providing relentless, pounding beats.
Their 2023 Demo EP, released via Bollocks Records, showcases their raw sound and unfiltered energy. In 2024, they collaborated with Sabah’s POGOWOLVES on a split EP, further cementing their place in Malaysia’s punk scene. These releases capture DOGFIGHTT’s commitment to authentic, no-frills punk rock.
Emerging from Kuantan’s underground in the shadow of 2020, CROW NOISE has carved a niche in Southeast Asia’s crust punk scene with their raw intensity and sonic ferocity. Their 2025 lineup features Scarecrow’s caustic vocals, Dӧx’s guttural bass rumbles, Chex Kaaos on guitar, and Wolfskin’s return to the drums. Their debut EP, Flowers of Genocide, released in 2024 via Archaic Records (USA), is a filthy fusion of ‘90s crust, doom, and metallic hardcore. Drawing heavy influence from bands like DEVIATED INSTINCT, ANTISECT, and NAUSEA, the EP channels dual vocal assaults and d-beat-driven chaos steeped in the grime of HIATUS and CHAOS UK.
Tracks like “Crowman Screaming” and the title track “Flowers of Genocide” confront themes of human suffering, hypocrisy, and environmental decay, with the latter directly referencing the ongoing horrors in Gaza. Since 2020, their mantra has been clear: DUST • NOISE • CRUST.
Since 2008, Malaysian indie outfit Heroine has maintained a low profile, quietly releasing tracks and demos with minimal promotion. Despite their silence, their work resonates deeply within the underground scene, marked by honest songwriting and a distinct rawness.
While the city’s music landscape continues to shift and evolve, Heroine has remained true to its roots. Their music isn’t designed to go viral. It’s not dressed up to impress. It’s raw, reflective, and entirely honest built from late night jam sessions, quiet frustrations, unspoken emotions, and the collective heartbeat of a city often overlooked by the wider scene.
The current lineup features Adif Salleh on vocals, Akmal as a backup singar, Coki, Noren, and Man on guitars,El on bass, and Fadzrin on drums, with session Arel(Drum) & Ezah (bass).