Pahina – The Testimony EP

Pahina, a Metal Band from Manila formed last September 13, 2014. The band sounds were commonly influence by various local and foreign bands such as Flyleaf, Lamb of God, Slapshock, The Agonist. The band compositions were about reality, faith, and stories of commoners. This band became Redhorse Beer PambansangMuziklaban 2019 Finalistand First Repa's Choice Awardee

Pahina is composed of :

RoaneManalo- Vocals

ArvyAclado - Guitars

JheralMonterde - Guitars

Jommel Yongco - Bass

Kean Anonuevo– Drums

Their EP, The Testimony was released In September 29 2018.

Track Listing

Babylonian Politician

Bagabundo

Drowning in Love

Escape This Fate

Traitor

Ranking

1 . Bagabundo

There are two versions akong napakakinggan sa kanta na to

The first version i heard it way back 2019, sa balian ng leeg. Yung intro na may parang may nagpapatang maka bayan. And the remastered version that was released this year. On the first version, I love the melody ; very melodic and melancholic ang vibe ng kanta. The song is slower comparing on the remastered version. I love the progression ng kanta, the song started on melodic guitar plays combined with lovely voice of Roane, then mag ii scream si Roane followed with the aggressive and heavy riffs , para kang sinurpresa doon sa kanta. Nag all out sila sa bigat ng kanta nila. The song has a story flow din, mararamdaman mo ang bawat scene doon sa pag deliver nila sa kanta. The song has full of emotion na madadala ka sa kanta. Also, I praised the guitar riffs, nakaka eargasm sya. The dyanimcs in the song were executed very well.

On the remastered version, heavier ang approach nila dito. Mabigat ang atake in all aspects. Pang moshpitan ang tema ng kantan na to. But for me, it lessen the emotions at hindi ko maramdam ang flow ng story. Mas flat ang dating nya sakin.

Overall both songs are good. I love how the song packaged. I love the message of the song, i deals about the life struggles of the masses in our society. The separation between the rich and the poor. Let me share the some of the lyrics in song

Sinisigaw hustisya sa binging sangkatauhan

Handing mamaos para sa kaginhawaan

Ngunit kahit na isama ang kapatid sa paghihirap

Mananatili kang dilat sa sitwasyong kinasasadlakan

2. Drowning In Love and Babylonian Politician

The guitars are the highlights in the song. I love the thrashy riffs delivered. Labas yung kabigatan ng kanta, the blending on the drums and guitars works ARE very well.

I praise Roane on her screams, nakapa solid. Especially on the song, Babylonian Politician. You will feel her screams her emotions and tagos puso ito haha. On her clean vocals, malamig ang boses sya, para siyang humehele ng bata, it is nice and i love it. Magaling ang transition nya sa pagkanta!

3. Escape This Fate and Traitor

These two are just fine; I like the delivery on both songs. But i put these two tracks IN THE LEAST FAVE due to LACKING heaviness delivered on the other song. Medyo nabibitin ako doon sa bigat ng mga kanta . I love the riffs posed on the guitars on these songs, May pagka Hard Rock influenced especially doon sa Traitor.

This album is good to listen, Every song has display uniqueness and offered different variety of sounds to the listeners. Their talent is all out and they are displayed their 100% in their energy, effort and love in the EP.

Roane’s vocal style is good, i love how she singing on her screams and clean vocals. As i mentioned earlier, her screams is one of a kind. You will feel the emotion on her screams, she bringing her anger all out. While when she sing in clean vocals, you will feel her lovely voice. Parang humehele ng bata.

Arvy and Jheral’s guitar plays are my favourites, on every song they offered different musical style that would please every listeners, another thing they never fail to be consistent on their heaviness on their guitar plays.

Same as with Kean’s drums, i love the chugging of his drum plays. It is aggressive and heavy at the same time. It supports the heaviness on each song.

Lastly, the bass plays of Jommel, gives the soul and the heart of every song, he gives life on the songs with his excellent bass plays.

I could say that this band is one of the finest bands in the underground scene. No doubt that they made on the top on the Red Horse Muziklaban and became Repa’s choice. Their music offered is exceptional. You could see a lot of talents playing in the underground scene, please do support. Your support would keep them playing.

Rating 3.75 /5