Philia – Self Titled album

Philia, a 5-piece metal-core band is composed of Mona also famously known as Arci Muñoz on lead vocals, Kristian "X" Uy, on lead guitars, Jl Discard, on bass, Paulo Papuan on guitar and samplers, Ash Heywood on drums.

The band played numerous festivals such as Pulp Summer Slam in 2013, Rakrakan Festival, Earthday Jam and a lot more. Mona became one of the “Tres Marias” the queens of rock in pinoy rock scene along with Saydie and Even. Their self-titled album was released in 2013.

Track Listing

Top Faves

Killers – This is the song that i got into the band, the balance of the melody and aggressiveness works well and its ear satisfying. The riffs on the intro brings out the angas factor and heaviness. Mona’s singing is good, her voice is like an angel on the verses then on growls she like a demon possessed and bringing up her fierceness. It’s like an angel in appearance but has a demon inside on it.

Her growl is good but there are some concerning parts on it, it has distortion effects. I noticed it when they play live. For me its kinda, concerning since her growls on the live is not good as the studio version. I don’t know if there is like daya on it.

Sabotage – At first when i heard this song, i thought the singer was male. Especially on the chorus parts. The first time i heard this it was playing in balian ng leeg in jam 88.3 and it caught my attention. I got surprised this song is from Philia

At the same time i thought this is a foreign song, malakas ang dating ng kanta, may foreign appeal and it makes the song great. The melody is aggressive on the verse, the chugging of the drums and the heavy guitar riffs is nice. On the chorus part, it’s light and anthemic, you will love to sing along with Mona on the chorus.

520 – The guitar plays were the assets of this song. The riffs and shreds were ear satisfying. It builds a catchy sound that you will love to listen again and again. Accompanied with the bass parts it makes a perfect blending. My favorite part on the guitar play is the guitar solos on the bridge part. The guitarist brings in his talent all out and i praise it so much!

Honorable Mentions

Harlot – One of the heaviest tracks in the album. Intro pala lang all out na ang bigat! The guitar and drum plays and Mona’s growl are excellent, when you listen this you cannot stop to headbang on the entire song. The drum play is like a relentless machine gun playing on your ears. It’s like an ear rape and its very satisfying.

The lyrical content tells about “third party relationship and the guy chooses the harlot rather than his girlfriend” I feel the emotion on the song through is aggressive melodies. You will feel the subject has hatred for her boyfriend and the harlot. Let me share some of the lyrics

I can`t blame you it`s not easy

I know to refuse her

Tempting you to give your soul for

Empty hopes tainted love

Condemned – The guitar plays on the song is outstanding, the riffs makes me an eargasm and aggressiveness is just right. I like on the bridge part, the guitarist brings out his skills and pull out the heaviness in the song. Everytime i listen on that part; i do the air guitar solos and imitate the guitarist. Overall its very satisfying.

Aftermath – The instrumental part on the album. What i like in this song is the transition, in the beginging it offers lightness then to the heavy parts on the midparts. The sound has jazz sound alike and i enjoying it so much. I try to visualize this song is just like you sipping a cup of coffee and the adrenaline gives you an energy and makes you crazy and aggressive then makes you calm again on the last parts of the song.

Least Faves

Estella – This is song that i am not a fan of. This melody is kinda boring and every time i listen this it makes me fall asleep. It’s just like a filler track. I want more on the heavy side of the band. The metal riffs, growls and the aggressive drum play

I know they put this song on the album to have a least a variety on their album, its not just more on the heaviness and expand their audience as well.

Rating 3.75/5

Their debut album is fun to listen. There are a lot of songs you would enjoy much. I could say the guitarist is the star in the album. His guitar plays were exceptional and bring out his talent and skills. The riffs and shreds gives out the metal sound on each song and offers a catchy sound that you won’t hesitate to listen again and again. The drum play is my next praise, the relentless attacks from the drums brings out the heaviness. The hitting is like a machine gun or a mini gun firing at your ears. It amplifies the heavy guitar plays. Mona’s singing is just right, just i said earlier, she’s like an angel when singing but has a possessed demon when she growls. Her growls are just right. Her growls in the song are good in the studio quality but on live performance there are some problems. Her growls on live depends on the electronic effects which tarnish the quality of the song. I don’t know but i felt a disappointment on their live performance. I hope she could improve on their live performance she’ll not depend on the electronic effects. I know she could growl well and she could develop on it. The bassist is also good the bass plays give life on each song.

Production wise, the album has decent job on it, from song writing, mixing and mastering everyone did a good job on it. The album has a international appeal and this album reminds me of Flyleaf.

I hope Philia can make more records despite Mona is busy on her acting roles. Back then, when she was in starstruck i’m not a fan of her but when i found out this band, i gained my admiration on her and respect her as a singer. I am looking forward on their future release.