Artist description The vrykolakas is one of several non-human beings which people the lives of Greek peasants and bring them fear. The vrykolakas is the animated corpse which can leave its grave every day except Saturday. Vrykolakas play Brutal,Dark,Death,Blast Metal. Their lyrics are about the darker side of Arabic Mythology.

Music Style Brutal &Dark Death Blast Metal

Musical Influences Nile,Incantation,Suffocation

Similar Artists Nile,Incantation,Suffocation,Insatanity

Artist History July 1991 - November 2000 : It all began when Khairil was getting really frustrated with the stagnant progress of BESTIAL COLONY.Being the drumer, and having no say in the songwriting of the band, Khairil decided to form a side project band where he would be one of the contributing songwriters. BESTIAL COLONY was formed in 1990 with the initial aim to play brutal music, but unfortunately for Khairil and the band, it didn't turn out that way. In July 1991, Khairil met Shafiee, who brought along Herman, both from the much hated band DEMONIAC, and discussed about forming a band into brutal death metal. Khairil and Shafiee were really into brutal American and European bands, but at the same time were into brutal and fast black metal bands, such as BLASPHEMY and IMPALED NAZARENE, as well. Being instrumentally unproficient, they headed towards a draggy style of black metal. At that time, the band used the name TUMULUS. During the preparation of the demo, Khairil helped out in DOWNFALL, a band initiated by BESTIAL COLONY's vocalist, Doomcaster. Just like BESTIAL COLONY, DOWNFALL has no aim, no vision and no passion enough to last. After one rehearsal session, DOWNFALL ceased its activities. Although TUMULUS was chosen as the band's name, it was decided that a better name must be found. Khairil came across this name which has a unique sound and it has a very obscure aura. VRYKOLAKAS is a demon of death. It didn't take long for the band to choose this name. VRYKOLAKAS it shall be. A 3 songs self-titled demo was released in 1992 and it created an impact to the Singapore metal scene. Many were sceptic about the capabilities of the band, especially since the band members were former members of the publicly hated DEMONIAC and the publicly mocked BESTIAL COLONY. EVERYBODY mocked and laughed and they had a great laugh. Some of the self-proclaimed "true" black metal warriors labeled the band as posers and young wannabes, and some of the delusional self-proclaimed "true pioneers, and thus automatically being the only deserving circle of demons deserving to listen to, play and live black metal music, awaited the demise of the band. Strangely though, while the local "true metal demons" mocked and laughed, the international scene were more forgiving. The international scene were more supportive. The international scene were more enthusiastic in helping the band out. The responses were positive and VRYKOLAKAS appeared in magazines, being reviewed and interviewed. VRYKOLAKAS was known for giving really dark and demonic responses to interview questions, which again the self-proclaimed "true" local warriors find it amusing. A great joke. And some celestial entity must have answered these "true" demons' prayers because VRYKOLAKAS split-up in 1993. It was due to the lazy and complacent attitude of Shafiee that led to the demise.As Khairil became a major contributor in songwriting, he felt the need to play a string instrument and get a more proficient drummer to give a stronger drive to the new songs. The band had earlier tried out the late MORBIFIC drummer, Kamal, but he wasn't keen on playing such music. VRYKOLAKAS then got the help of AFFENDI , who was really keen and shared the vision of the band, but Shafiee's attitude pissed him off and he left the band without saying a word. Shafiee did ask about the future of the band, and as Khairil was helping out for PROFANATION, Khairil announced the demise of VRYKOLAKAS. He then sought the help of Sham, then the drummer of AS SAHAR, to play drums for VRYKOLAKAS, but the local circle of the self-proclaimed "true" black gods forbade him to, because VRYKOLAKAS, in their eyes, were not true unlike them. And being a filial minion, Sham obeyed. Khairil went to the polytechnic to pursue a diploma. That's when he got himself involved in a thrashy metal band named GROUND TRUTH, playing covers of METALLICA, SLAYER and SEPULTURA. Khairil kept on writing songs, changing to a much brutal style of songwriting. The new songs appeared heavier and more influenced by American and European bands. He discovered that his cousin, Iman, was also into metal, a guitarist and playing in a band. Khairil got Iman to play guitars while he himself played drums for the time being until a drummer is found. In the meantime, Khairil helped out in a band which was supposed to play in a gig. Unfortunately, due to the National Service, he couldn't make it for the gig. Iman stood in for him. The band was given the name GOATZIED. GOATZIED eventually became NEUROTIC VILE. During VRYKOLAKAS' hiatus, Iman continued with NEUROTIC VILE. Khairil sought the help of Iman's drummer, Chris. It was a promising start when tried Chris tried out the new songs. Unfortunately, Chris wasn't too keen in VRYKOLAKAS' music because, according to him, VRYKOLAKAS' songs were not original enough. The search for a drummer continues. Iman managed to get the help of Zainal, the drummer of NECREOUS, a band which helped a tremendous deal in VRYKOLAKAS' return. Zainal can be said as being the main cause behind VRYKOLAKAS' revival. But it was agreed that Zainal shall only be a sessionist, a fact that Khairil has grown quite comfortable with that fact nowadays, because time is really a crucial factor. Not many drummers can be a sessionist forever. Andi, NEUROTIC VILE's vocalist, was also asked to help out on vocals. "Awaiting the rebirth on 19 February of 1999", those were the very words of KATAKLYSM's Sylvain Houde in their song "The Awakener". It may be coincidental, it may also be a prophecy. On 19 February 1999, VRYKOLAKAS was reformed, having its first reherasal session, practicing the song "Nuthfah". The promotrack, "Nuthfah", was recorded and sent to magazines to inform the world that VRYKOLAKAS has returned. Responses to the new musical direction has been very positive and encouraging, and after an appearance in Supremefest'99, VRYKOLAKAS was deservingly labeled as one of Singapore's most brutal band. Andi and Iman has since been a permanent feature in VRYKOLAKAS, eversince the untimely demise of NEUROTIC VILE, due to some internal problems. Zainal helped throughout the recording of 4 more songs and also helped out on the drums stool in Halloween'99. Khairil had begun looking for other drummers to help out in future such as Edi, who is currently playing for HOMICIDE, CASTIGATE, SADISTORY, and SPHERE, Azli, who is currently playing for DOXOMEDON and DEEZER, Fauzi, who is currently playing for HAIL, KIBOSH SYBIL KYSMET and DECIUS and even ADJHEEZ, former drummer of the Malaysian occult metal band, LANGSUYR. The early part of 2000 was spent on trying to get a good mixing down result for the 4 songs. Due to some problems with the management of New Turn Productions studio, the mixing down process faced some delays. Unfortunately, when the mixing down was finally done, the result was unsatisfactory and VRYKOLAKAS was really hesitant to release the 4 songs, which had been agreed upon to be released under the Malaysian label, Muzik Box Productions. But VRYKOLAKAS found hope when they discovered Aleeve Enterprise, whose engineer did a really outstanding job in alchemy. VRYKOLAKAS appeared in Panzer Holocaust 2000 and this time the support had grown bigger. Edi was called to fill in the vacant drummer position in this gig and his relentless power-pounding provided that extra explosive element that VRYKOLAKAS needed. Immediately after that gig, VRYKOLAKAS began working on new songs. Plans were made to begin recording at the end of the year 2000. Meanwhile, Khairil looked for other labels and negotiated the simultaneous release of the 4 songs. Khairil found two labels, MANGLED MAGGOT STEW PRODUCTIONS from The Netherlands, and MAELSTROM666 PRODUCTIONS, from Thailand, to co-release these 4 songs. November 2000 saw the release of "Buried On Filthy Vomits" under MANGLED MAGGOT STEW PRODUCTIONS complete with professionally duplicated tapes and fully coloured covers. In addition to this release, MANGLED MAGGOT STEW PRODUCTIONS has also planned a split EP featuring VRYKOLAKAS and a Dutch brutal death grind band, SANGUINARY, for a tentative release at the end of 2001. At the same time, the owner of MUZIK BOX PRODUCTIONS, also confirmed the split EP release featuring VRYKOLAKAS and the Indonesian brutal death metal band, KOMA, due to be released in December 2000, after a lot of delays and plans ammendment. VRYKOLAKAS also awaits the release of "Buried In Filthy Vomits" by MAELSTROM666 PRODUCTIONS. This will be a very exclusive release and the cover totally in Thai language. Unfortunately, due to some reasons, one of which being that the new songs are a bit more complicated and need more practice for a tighter result, the recording session has to be postponed. Tentatively, the recording session is expected to take place sometime between March to June 2001. In December 2000, the Thai label, MAELSTROM666 PRODUCTIONS, released "Buried In Filthy Vomits" as a cassette EP with professionally duplicated tapes and fully coloured covers. But the words were in English, instead of Thai as previously planned, for international access. Towards the end of December, VRYKOLAKAS unleashed their promo CD, aptly titled "Vrykolakas 2000", featuring all four songs from the "Buried In Filthy Vomits" releases and the rare promotrack "Nuthfah". The CD slip-in jacket features a computer-illustrated fully coloured artwork done by a very talented illustrator friend of the band. January 2001 : VRYKOLAKAS began practicing the new songs, aiming to enter the studios by March. The new songs turned out even more brutal than those in "Vrykolakas 2000", with Edi's brutal poundings adding to the brutality and the intensity. VRYKOLAKAS awaits the recording date with high hopes. March 2001 : The recording was again postponed because the band decided to rerecord the old songs as well. It seems that Edi played the old songs with added aggression and intensity. So altogether nine songs will be recorded. The band then decided to practice at Aleeve Studios, to get a feel of the surroundings and the equipments in the studio. The metronome was also used to ensure precise timing. May 2001 : Finally, VRYKOLAKAS is ready to enter the studio and record down the tracks of the new songs. Unfortunately, Khairil received a call from Yusuf, the Aleeve Studio sound engineer, that Aleeve Studio will have to move out of their location unless they manage to pull in some investors to invest in their business and meet the increase in space rental costs. They were only given one week and by the end of the week they had to move out. VRYKOLAKAS had a discussion and TNT Studio was chosen to be the recording studio. July 2001 : Six songs were recorded. It was a tedious recording process again, just like the "Buried In Filthy Sessions". It took the band all the way till November 2001 before recording the tracks were finally completed. October 2001 VRYKOLAKAS found time to play in the Neo-Diabolica II gig held at the Joo Chiat CC. It was the first time playing the new songs. The crowd reaction was that of surprise and awe. They find it diificult to get into the vibes of the new songs. The new songs are really twisted, so much so that they just stood and watched. Some tried to get into headbanging but after a while they just gave up. December 2001 A lot of things happened. VRYKOLAKAS took over CENTRAL MUSIC STUDIO and renamed it VRYKOSOUND STUDIO. So many things had to be done. At the same time, VRYKOLAKAS was invited to play in the CONQUERORS OF STEEL pre-gig party. It was an obvious mistake to play in that gig because VRYKOLAKAS had to play at four thirty in the morning, with sleepy eyes and tired limbs.

Group Members Andy 'Gore' on vocals,Khairil on guitar & vocals,Iman on guitar & vocals,& Eddy on Drums

Instruments vox,guitars,drums

Albums Vrykolakas 2000,Supreme Brutal Legions

Press Reviews ETERNAL FROST ISSUE 13 2002-VRYKOLAKAS "Vrykolakas 2000" self-released ( 2000 ) ... This Singapore-based quartet originally sent their "Bured in Filthy Vomits" demo tape to be reviewed, but since I fucking despise cassettes, I went ahead and bought this slimline mini-CD version, released by the band. It has all the same songs from the demo, only in a different order, plus an additional track named "Nuthfah". These guys play extreme death metal in the Southeast Asian vein, standing alongside bands such as KOMA, ABSOLUTE DEFIANCE ( ex - VILE ), BLOODY GORE, etc. That means you'll hear plenty of catchy riffs, brutal grooves and deep death metal growls. The sound on this disc has a little too much bottom-end, but otherwise it sounds fine - very dirty and heavy, with a dark edge. This release shows a lot of promise and is recommended brutality for fans of this style. Can't wait for the next Vrykolakas release! VOMIT ZINE ISSUE 3 2002 -VRYKOLAKAS ( SIN ) "VRYKOLAKAS 2000" CD '00 Self-production ... VRYKOLAKAS is a rather interesting Brutal Death Metal band. With this promo, the band proposes 5 tracks of brutality with very good feelings! Indeed, if the band plays a kind of Old School Brutal Death Metal, there's also a good part of originality. Indeed, there are some parts that remind me of old INCANTATION, old MORTICIAN, and some other more in the typical US UG way. The vocals are in the typical guttural way, there are some very good guitar lead, some very intense blast beats parts. But the sound remains a problem for this promo Cd, but as the band knows the sound isn't excellent, it will surely be better next time. Anyway, the sound remains good enough to listen correctly the songs, that's just average. At last, I really like this promo Cd of VRYKOLAKAS, and I hope the next releases will be again better. I'll keep an eye on that good band, and you'd better do the same!!! BLOODY ZINE ISSUE 9 2002 VRYKOLAKAS "VRYKOLAKAS 2000" MCD self released -... I feel it will be better to first indicate the aspects I donīt like about this MCD to go on later to show its interesting aspects. First of all, that "Manga"-like cover artwork doesnīt help much to announce this is a Death Metal band, and we must add that some aspects of the sound could be improved and some voices sometimes cause a bit of monotony. On the other side, we have a band here that has been fighting for more than 7 years in Singapour to self release a dark brutal Death Metal work that combines the darkness of Incantation with some riffs that sometimes remind the old Swedish Death (Carnage, Darkified,..) and that makes them interesting nevertheless. MAELSTROM 666 ZINE ISSUE 4 2002 VRYKOLAKAS "BURIED IN FILTHY VOMITS" EP'2000 MAELSTROM 666 PRODUCTIONS -... This is the first released in my label, the cover in my version picture "American Police Corpse". It's my sick design. VRYKOLAKAS're played Brutal music in US Death metal style views Suffocation, low high screaming vocals, 4 songs in this tape, cool underground sound. This one new the leader Brutal death of Singapore and South East Asia, they 're recording in studio for new release in full long album this year '2002. MAELSTROM 666 ZINE ISSUE 4 2002 VRYKOLAKAS / KOMA "AFTERMATH" SPLIT CASSETTE EP 2001. MUZIK BOX PRODUCTIONS -... The last promo stuff from my friend Khairil of VRYKOLAKAS. This're split tape released under MUZIK BOX PRODUCTIONS ( Malaysia ) in professional cover and very good artwork. Singaporean band VRYKOLAKAS play 4 song of US death metal styles and all songs taken from EP'2000. KOMA're sadistic death metal band from Indonesia of 5 sadist young the music played fast and with mush music stylcs between thrash, punk, grind and old school death metal, 4 songs of fast music not fuck melodies this brain. This is tape cool underground sound true underground fan just lover it. STATIC ZINE ISSUE 29 2001 VRKOLAKAS "BURIED IN FILTHY VOMITS" -... This death metal band sound like they know how to play quite well but the production is not so great. Not too bad I guess you can hear everything it just has a low quality sound. They play a death black style with absolutely no originality, hopefully they stay with it and progress into something better . This is definitely a good start. FORTITUDE WEBZINE AUGUST 2001 UPDATE VRYKOLAKAS - "BURIED IN FILTHY VOMITS" DEMO MANGLED MAGGOT SPEW PRODUCTIONS Rating : 5/10 -... This is a Death Metal four-piece from Singapore and they aren't bad, I should say. You'll find four well-aranged tracks on this tape with some nice gut vocals and tight rhytm-section. Guitars sound way too weak and that's doubtlessly a huge drawback. It's definitely not a masterpiece, but neither a failure. ( Krasniy 01.08.2001 ) VOLUME MAXIMUM June 2001 UPDATE VRYKOLAKAS - "VRYKOLAKAS 2000" CD Self-released-... Heavy brutal death. 5 songs in this promo. The sound is very heavy and clear. Really deep, low vocals, an overpowering onslaught of precise blasting from the drums mixed with fast riffs keep this heavy from the start to finnish, and the band is accomplished. Start with 'Nuthfah', I don't know what is the meaning of this word, this is a bonus track from their previous single recorded in 1999. Extremely tight and interesting. And then four new songs are heavier than 'Nuthfah'. Some parts might remind me of INCANTATION, some good shit like that. CANADIAN ASSAULT ZINE ISSUE 6 ( USA ) 2001 VRYKOLAKAS "BURIED IN FILTHY VOMITS" DEMO / EP 2000-Hmmm ... The track I heard before before from this Singaporean band was much more raw and in blacking war metal mode. The 4 tracks on here are totally brutal death / grind a little like early CANNIBAL CORPSE. It's still quite good music with a thick suffocating atmosphere. 6 / 10 INVERTED PATER NOSTER WEBZINE 14 DECEMBER 2000 UPDATE ( PHILIPPINES ) VRYKOLAKAS "Promo 2000" Demo -... Another band from South East Asia conquered my mailbox. This time they hail from Singapore. I heard this band played Black Metal before and shifted to Brutal Death Metal. They existed in the scene before but took a break and came back with a powerful musick. In your face Brutal Death Metal which I can easily compare between a combination of INCANTATION and CRYPTOPSY. Vocals ranges similar to INCANTATION with a scorching back-up. Good riffs are executed here and a really brutal one. But I find their drums a little bit untight and slow. I heard this material was already released by a Netherland base Grind Core label. Brutal freaks should keep an eye to this hordes !!!

Additional Info Special thanx to everyone that helped us, The Asian Metal Scene, and Mp3 site by Sean at Fecal-Matter Discorporated.

Location Singapore, Singapore - Singapore

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