Marijannah - Music From And Inspired By Giantlands (Album Review)

Release Date: March 25th 2022. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Music From And Inspired By Giantlands - Tracklisting

Kingdom

Spiritkeeper

Comets

Gaea

Members

Muhammad Azri Aman - Bass

Rasyid Juraimi - Guitars

Nicholas "Skinny" Ng - Guitar

Nicholas Wong - Drums, Vocals

Review

Singaporean Doom/Stoner Metallers Marijannah make a welcome return with their new album Music From And Inspired By Giantlands. An official soundtrack of sorts to the table-top role playing game Giantlands. I'm not familiar with the game but I'm familiar with Marijannah's Stoner based musical output. This album sees the band return to the sound heard on their debut self titled release than their last album Bloodsucker. As Bloodsucker was more of an exercise in Occult Doom Metal than full on standard modern day Doom/Stoner Metal.

The album sees Marijannah write fantasy driven lyrics with Black Sabbath and SLEEP inspired Doom/Stoner Metal. If you're not interested by the overall lyrical content then Marijannah still provides a thrilling release propelled by huge sounding Psychedelic riffs. 

Opening song Kingdom lasts under two minutes but allows Marijannah lay down the creative and musical framework for this release. Heavy FUZZY and SEEDY grooves with that classic SABBATH Amplifier based feeling with a sense of gloomy dread creeping in. This is purely instrumental but it's a killer track to open the album with.

Second song Spiritkeeper lands you right in the middle of Giantlands fantastical world but I'm more focused  on the music than the actual meaning of the lyrics. Though, the lyrics are splendid and the fantastical element allows lead vocalist Nicholas to flirt between different styles Classic Doom Metal and Modern Day Stoner Metal. The music is heavy with fuzz based elements being quite powerful when the heavier moments appear.

Third song Comets is another epic song soaring past the ten minutes mark and maybe the best track on the album. This is MARIJANNAH being MARIJANNAH with down-tuned fuzzy guitars slowly building up a steady and heavy rhythm. The distorted grooves are quite slow-paced at first with the band adopting a gloomy outlook on this track. The vocals are more gloomy and subdued but the band play many different styles of Stoner Metal on this track but with some Proggy vibes added as well. The atmosphere is quite abstract and solitary in places but everything works as it should with Marijannah adding more fantastical lyrics to the overall feel and flow of the song.

Fourth song Gaea is the most "WEEDIAN '' sounding track on this release with the songs talking about dragons and other wonderful mystical creatures that Giantlands (the game) may offer. The music has that SLEEP based quality to it with heavy distorted psychedelic sounds being the main order of business. The music captures the "LOW & SLOW" atmosphere superbly well with more interesting vocal choices from Nicholas being one of the standout parts of the entire release.

Music From And Inspired By Giantlands is an album that will appeal to both fans and non-fans of the game. As it's primarily a kick-ass Doom/Stoner Metal album first and that's where Marijannah excel. This is a much better release than their last album. The production is better but with a more surreal edge to it. Marijannah are more rebellious on this album and that's made me a fan of the band in the first place.

Overall, this is another quality release from the band and should keep their established fanbase entertained and supremely happy. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

An Interview With MARIJANNAH

MARIJANNAH burst onto the scene back in 2018 when the band released their acclaimed debut album Till Marijannah and built up a well deserved fan-base within the scene. This band who come from Singapore knew how to write damn mean riff that paid homage to bands such as SLEEP and BLACK SABBATH.

The band released their even better follow-up - ISTANAH - back in December 2019 via Cursed Tongue Records. Before COVID-19 hit, the band were ready to make future touring plans. With that mind, MARIJANNAH will be releasing new live album - Istanah Live At The Projector on November 13th. Which will see the band performing their latest live album in full.

I caught up with MARIJANNAH where we discuss the evolution of the band and their upcoming new Live Album.

Hi Guys. Thanks for doing this interview. How are things with you today.

Thank you for having us. We’re doing alright.

For people not in the know. Can you give a brief history of how the band came together and where it is today.

We’re a stoner/doom band from Singapore. We write songs about horror movies and have released 2 full length albums.

Nicholas and Rasyid, some folks may know you guys from your work with The Caulfield Cult and WORMROT respectively. Marijannah is quite a departure form those two fantastic bands. How did you guys come up wit the idea of starting a Doom/Stoner Metal band.

We both listen to quite a wide spectrum of music and have multiple projects that sound nothing alike one another so it was pretty natural for us to explore new sounds and collaborate with different musicians. This was just one that clicked and took off.

Have you guys always been big fans of the Doom/Stoner Metal scene. Which bands first got you interested in this style of music.

I can’t say that I am. I grew up with hardcore punk, the rest of the guys have more metal beginnings than I do. Uncle acid & the deadbeats and Sleep got me infatuated with doom.

You released your first album Till Marijannah back in Feb 2018. And the album was acclaimed by fans and critics alike. Did that reaction surprise you in anyway. It surprised me when I first heard it. Loads of fantastic and heavy based Stoner riffs.

It definitely did. The band is just the 4 of us, we have no management of PR and we sent out 0 press to the media when the album came out. So it was pretty surprising to see it being covered rather heavily. Having a member of Wormrot in the band helped, I'm not gonna lie.

What was the reaction like to the album in Singapore. As I know the album was admired hugely within the global Doom/Stoner Metal community.

It was really good. We put on our first show ourselves with a mixed genre lineup and it was packed to the brim. Even though it was only a small 120 cap room, we certainly didn’t expect that as there aren’t any other similar active bands here in Singapore and this is such a niche style of music outside the metal community.

You released your 2nd album ISTANAH back in December 2019 and it was quite a different affair to your debut album. It was more doomier and less Stoner based than your debut album. Was that the original intent to release something different.

We definitely didn’t set out to purposefully do anything different. Our writing process is quite organic.

Cursed Tongue Records released the album which is owned by my good pal Niels. How did you hook up with Niels. And will you be working with CTR in the future.

We had an unfortunate falling out with the label who released our first album so we were sort of on the lookout to work with someone new. We noticed Cursed Tongue Records sharing our album on their social media a few times and decided to reach out. It was a very pleasant and fuss-free experience. Our contract was only tied to that 1 album so who knows what the future holds, we’re definitely not opposed to working together again.

You’re releasing a new live album Istanah Live At The Projector on November 13th. Which will see you performing your latest album in full with no crowd present. Mainly due to COVID-19 happening. How did this idea come about to do a performance such as this.

Our record release show for ‘Istanah’ actually happened on the very same day Singapore banned live performances because of COVID-19. So there’s been close to no live promotion for the album since its release. I actually quite enjoyed the ‘break’ to be honest. We regrouped 4 months later and discussed what are the things we could do. The director and I have been speaking for years about working together so this was an obvious decision. Also, our songs are written about music so this was a natural pairing.

Was it daunting performing in front of an empty venue. And did you record everything in one-take or did it take a few attempts.

It felt like practice with cameras on. We recorded 3 takes and picked the best one. I didn’t record with a metronome so no editing could be done. Be prepared to hear some missed notes and off-key singing.

Ryan Chang (known for his work with GHOST) directed the set. How did you get Ryan involved with this. And what was the overall experience like working with Ryan.

Ryan is an old friend of mine. He’s worked with and toured with 2 of my other bands years ago. He moved to the UK 7 years ago and has been working with big bands on big tours, including a 2-month-long stadium tour in Europe last year with Metallica and Ghost, and Knotfest in Mexico. He had to come back to Singapore due to COVID-19 so thought it was a good opportunity to finally work together again. 

I’m a big fan of Ryan, his work rate and passion are second to none. We click well when trying to create something and I trust his vision and craft completely. The only problem is that we support rival football teams. He’s an arsenal fan and I’m a spurs fan. You know what, forget everything I said, I hate him.

Will this album be receiving a physical release in the future. Or just a Digital Release at the moment.

There will be a physical release.

COVID-19 has pretty much put a stop to all life as we know it for the time being. How big of an impact has it affected the band. And how are you surviving in this stressful time.

Obviously it was quite shit to not be able to tour or perform the album that we spent time and effort in but there were more important issues in the world. We’re just adapting our lives to being responsible and safe for ourselves and the ones around us. We’ll go back to gigging when it makes sense to.

After everything is back to some sort of normality. What does the future hold for Marjiannah. Will you be touring the record in Asia or perhaps in the USA or Europe.

USA and Europe are definitely long overdue for us. We’ll play anywhere as long as there are people who’d want to watch us. Don’t think anything will happen in the next 6-12 months at least though so I’d like to keep writing material.

What have been your favourite records that you’ve heard this year. Regardless of genre.

Choir Boy’s ‘Toxic Eye’ and Fearing’s ‘Shadow’.

Thanks for doing this interview. Before you go, do you have any words of wisdom that you want to say to your fans.

Stay safe and listen to Doldrey.

Words by Steve Howe and MARIJANNAH

Thanks to Nicholas for arranging this interview and for MARIJANNAH for taking the time out to talking to us.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

MARIJANNAH to release new video from Upcoming Live Album

Singapore Doom/Stoner Metal band MARIJANNAH released their second full length album ‘Istanah’ on 6 December 2019 via Cursed Tongue Records. As COVID-19 cancelled all touring plans for the album in 2020, the band recorded a live playthrough of ‘Istanah’ in its entirety at The Projector, an independent movie theater in Singapore, with no crowd present.

‘Full Moon / Shapeless’, the first video and single off of ‘Istanah Live At The Projector’ will be released on 30 October 2020 on all digital streaming platforms. The full set video and album, directed by Ryan Chang (touring photographer & videographer of Grammy-winning band Ghost) and recorded by Snakeweed Studios, will be released on 13 November 2020 in its entirety.

The quartet consists of Rasyid Juraimi of Wormrot and Nicholas Wong, formerly of The Caulfield Cult. 

Marijannah released their debut record ‘Till Marijannah’ in 2018 to rave reviews. Pitchfork included it as one of their “5 Stoner Metal Highlights of 2018”, as well as a mention on their mid-year “Best Metal Albums of 2018 So Far”. The band has also been featured on multiple international sites such as Revolver, MetalSucks, Metal Injection, Noisey, BrooklynVegan, Invisible Oranges and Unite Asia. Both their full length albums have also made the annual “Best of” lists on TimeOut, Bandwagon and CVLTNation.

Marijannah is Nicholas Wong (Drums, Vocals), Rasyid Juraimi (Guitar, Vocals), “Skinny” Nicholas Ng (Guitar, Vocals) and Muhammad Azri (Bass).

Track Listing:

Bloodsucker
1966
Full Moon
Shapeless
Spiderwalk With Me
Pluto

Credits:

Nicholas Wong - Vocals, Drums
Rasyid Juraimi - Vocals, Guitar
Nicholas Ng - Guitar
Muhammad Azri - Bass

Video directed by Ryan Chang (@ryancphoto)
Recorded and mixed by Martin James Kong, Snakeweed Studios
Mastered by Dan Randall, Mammoth Sound Mastering
Single Artwork by Amos Basilo (@amos_basilo)

Marijannah - Istanah (Album Review)

Release date: December 06^th 2019 (Digital) / January 31^st 2020 (Vinyl). Label: Cursed Tongue Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Istanah – Tracklisting

1. Bloodsucker

2. 1966

3. Full Moon

4. Shapeless

5. Spider Walk With Me

6. Pluto

Members

Muhd Azri – bass guitar

Nicholas Wong – drums and vocals

Rasyid Juraimi – guitar and vocals

Nicholas Ng – guitar and vocals

Review

My favourite Singaporean hoodlums, Marijannah, are back with the follow-up to their excellent debut, ‘Till Marijannah’. The new wax, entitled ‘Istanah’, is equally great in all aspects as its predecessor, any way you look at it. Even better, Marijannah are not playing it safe. It still sounds like them but a really nice strong twist, akin to Mars Red Sky, has been added and this turned out perfect. They have also gotten heavier and trippier on top of this, so naturally, ‘Istanah’ is absolutely brilliant!

Opener ‘Bloodsucker’, also the first single off of ‘Istanah’, epitomises the entire album and the change Marijannah has gone through. It explodes out of the gates being almost Death Metal…for about 75 seconds. Then the band settle in with the Mars Red Sky vibes which flows so eloquently through the songs from then on, you know what I’m talking about. Stoner rock and trippiness. Although ‘Bloodsucker’ retain more of the new-found heaviness, just listen to those riffs and the solos, man. And that earth-shattering middle section. Fantastic! ‘1966’, the second single of the album follows keeping the pace a touch slower with elegant hints towards the old Palm Springs scene. All while hypnotising and mesmerising the listener. The music envelops you immediately and doesn’t let go until you are cleansed and reinvigorated. Beautiful, indeed. ‘Full Moon’ is by and far the shortest song Marijannah has ever released. At 1.38 with only a minimalistic yet disturbing music background, this brief composition hits all the emotions there is.

‘Shapeless’ really brings the stoner metal mixed with doom. Slow, menacing, heavy and trippy it simply crushes anything in its way. It is one of those amazing songs where you can lose yourself, as long as you want to and you should, trust me! ‘Spider Walk With Me’ opens up in full punk mode before switching to something akin to Voivod playing stoner. This weaves back and forth until they drop in tempo and goes into a spaced out trippy mode. Kind of claustrophobic and disturbing but in the best possible way because music shouldn’t always be easy. It should be challenging at times and keep you, the listener, on your toes. And that’s what ‘Spider Walk With Me’ does. ‘Pluto’ is the last song out and it starts out kind of like its predecessor. Full of slow, lurking doom and stoner rock which turns into a space journey through exploding super novas during the solos. Marijannah definitely takes you somewhere new and uncharted and I am absorbing and loving every little bit of it!

Marijannah blew me away with their debut especially because the music was great but also since I knew nothing of them back in 2018. And I love it when unknown bands through me of my foundations. Again, they kind of surprised me because I didn’t know the sophomore record was in the making. As with the debut, the new wax, ‘Istanah’ simply clears the playing field letting Marijannah dominate and take control. And that’s how it should be. These guys are fantastic and deserve so much recognition, so don’t miss out people. Watch out for the Singaporean juggernaut!

Words by Håkan Nyman

Thanks to Niels at Cursed Tongue Records for the promo.

Istanah is available to buy digitally now. The vinyl will be available to buy from January 31st 2019 via Cursed Tongue Records.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Marijannah - Till Marijannah (Album Review)

Release date: March 15th 2018. Label: Pink Tank Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Till Marijannah – Tracklisting

1. 1974

2. Bride Of Mine

3. Snakecharmer

4. All Hallows Eve

Members

Azri

Nick

Rasyid

Skinny

Review

Marijannah are a fairly new band from Singapore but consists of seasoned veterans from Wormrot and The Caulfield Cult. So there's plenty of experiences on hand which shows so well in the four tracks on 'Till Marijannah'. What's on offer is super-fuzzed out heavy psych/stoner rock with enough sharp riffs to take down Mount Everest, and played in a way you've never heard before. It’s perhaps nothing new per se, but what makes this album stand out and sound different, in better words, is the approach to the music and the sheer talent on hand.

There are “only” 4 tracks on this debut, which clocks in at just over 29 minutes. Some might complain about a shortage of songs but I say the opposite. The way ‘Till Marijannah’ pans out over this time and track span works fantastically well. Opener ‘1974’ is a steamrolling riff-fest that grinds you down to dust while simultaneously catapulting you out into a claustrophobic, nightmarish state of being. Marijannah keeps pummeling you until no resistance is left and all you can do is give in and let this sonic juggernaut carry you away. ‘Bride Of Mine’ slows down the pace somewhat – not much - yet the band is still relentless and punishing. While one guitar unleashes riff after hard-driving riff, the other play soaring, trippy leads on top of it while the bass guitar and drums keeps it all together. Spaced out and brutal at the same time, can’t get much better than that.

‘Snakecharmer’ picks it up slightly sending out High On Fire/Sleep et al vibes. Hypnotic, mesmerizing and pulverizing, there’s a lurking evil in the shadows waiting to pounce once the time is right. The soloing is blinding and free-flowing offering some respite before the clutches of darkness gets its grasp on you. Closer ‘All Hallows Eve’ is, just like the other songs, punishing in it’s mid-tempo pace. But it is more atmospheric in the sense that the band has added choir-like background vocals in many parts. This elevates the song to something else especially since Marijannah has opted for clean, dreamy and hypnotic vocals throughout, instead of harsher vocals. A great ending to a great debut!

What sets this Singaporean band apart is, like I stated earlier in their approach and know-how within the ranks. But other factors are how deftly they blend riffs, vocal-style, tempos and feelings in a way I haven’t come across within this musical sphere before. Don’t know how they conjured this and I don’t care because Marijannah has created a beast of a debut!

Words by Håkan Nyman

Thanks to Pink Tank Records for the promo. Till Marijannah will be released on CD/DD/Vinyl via Pink Tank Records from March 15^th 2018.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp