Ohmsapien
Interview
By: Corix
Hails to you brothers! How’s the band doing? What’s spinning on your player while answering this?
Jeremiahs: Hails from the Northern Militia! As of now we’re doin’ everyday responsibilities a man should do. We’re separated currently but when we’re gathered, something wild will happen for sure. Philippine Revolutionary Songs are playing while answering this. It gives a calm atmosphere but far more angst driven lyric wise than most of metal music I know. Strikes a haunting (due to the dark Kundiman approach) but agitating aesthesis. Incomparable, brother.
Before things up, pls. share a short bio of the band for the reader’s sake
We are Ohmsapien, three fourths of us hail from Aurora Province while our newfound lead guitarist hails from Binangonan, Rizal. We started way back 2007 playing heavy metal covers as senior high school students and eventually got intoxicated by the bastard we all know as Thrash fuckin’ Metal! Our current lineup is me on vocals and guitars, Otan on bass, Apa on drums and our newly enlisted bastard brethren Aa on lead guitars. We this play molten and agile form of music made of steel with a brand of sheer militancy.
How did you discover metal and the underground in general?
I discovered it while on high school when the older schoolmates here played in their respective bands. Though most of them played the Nu-(Un) Metal, there was this band that covered songs from the Mighty Sabbath, Metallica and Pantera and there was also this more extreme group covering materials from Sepultura and Skychurch which blew most of our innocence. I was contented as an audience and supporter not since my batchmate/neighbour’s guitar chops went molten metal. That’s when I became into it further, and started visualizing me forming a band but I ultimately had no skill on anything about playing in a metal band. So I went wild in my room every time I can as most of the rebellious youth would do. Tearing my throat off, hitting high registered notes, head banging, moshing, doin’ air guitars from stuffs of hard rock and heavy metal legends. All of it lamely! Hahaha. Then there came the time when I finally get to form a good ‘ol metal band from the ashes of a previous alternative rock band when I used to be just a vocalist. However my neighbour acquired mad skills more and more and I found myself being his apprentice in the art of the axe along with stuffs form Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Queensryche, Metallica, Pantera, Judas Priest, Overkill, Testament, Death, Manowar, Dio, Hammerfall, Dahong Palay and Death By Stereo as the daily soundtrack on my road to the metal highway. I discovered the Underground when we already played some of our own material with me not just the vocalist but also an axeman. It was when I became a part of an underground text group which shared infos, individual profile bios, zines, shows and other stuffs concerning the Philippine underground even the international underground scene introduced to me by Earwin Chan and Kris Ureta. I then made acquaintances from other members who have bands, distros, zines and gig organizers which helped me aware a lot more.
You guys formed in 2007, but the first demo was released in 2011, what made you take it longer before you record and released the first demo? Why Ohmsapien by the way? Are you guys into electrical related courses or something? Or is it because you play fast than lightning? J
As usual to most that were beginning, the reason is the lack of means to finance recording. Even our demo was done with a very low budget. The songs were recorded while rehearsing using a digital camera then converted it to audio format. We just edited and enhanced some parts of it to be a little bit more audible but as it turned out, it had the rawness some other bands in the thrash circuit locally haven’t done yet though many metal comrades advised to record our stuffs in the form of multi-track recording judging by what they have heard in the demo to justify the songs more. We were just appalled by the absolute force of lightning/electricity that is related to Ohm which our former/co-founder guitarist added who incidentally studied Electronic Communications Engineering. I added the Sapiens which made our band’s name Ohm Sapiens back then. Later we decided to make it a word sans the “s”; Ohmsapien.
Your music draws a heavy metal and thrash elements, but for you, how would you define your music? How about the band influences?
I think it is safe to say that our music dwells in Thrash, no other spices/condiments to spoil the fuck out of it. We draw influences from the usual foundation of a metal fan and added some to the concoction to give it a mean kick. Blues, Garage, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Punk Rock, NWOBHM, Speed, Thrash, Hardcore, Power, Stoner, and Death. Citing the specific bands would be too common and a waste of read so I prefer not to. Let’s just say that some of it also hails from our native land. Influences outside of music will always be having quality time with comrades, the struggle of the people, the patriotic art the progressive movements produce; and the guidance based upon the communal way of coexistence.
“I Swallow Lightning” was an awesome title, what was the lyrics all about? And what kind of messages you tackle in some of your songs?
It was about a rustic farmer who was tortured, experimented and later executed by bureaucrats and higher government officials in the way of a highly sophisticated electric chair. As it turned out, the motherfucker lived unaware to the suspects. Though some of his body parts were mutilated, it mutated as an Intergalactic Vigilante crossing dimensions and era obliterating anyone of guilt in his sight be it demons, gods, other deities, criminals and any creature who deserves capital punishment.
Our first composition was about a laments of a drunken wasted bastard. As we get mature we wrote about the inhumanities committed by religion as a whole, the evil of the system of governance dominating the majority of the world. We also write about revolts. People’s War to be exact as the ultimate resolve of our motherlands clamor.
Are you working for new tracks for an album maybe? When can we expect for Ohmsapien new release? What’s the Ohmsapien song writing process looks like?
We are currently working on new materials tentatively for a full length whenever it may be. We recently became hungry again for the urge to deliver our goods mainly because our new member fit precisely as we needed. I am the architect of our songs. Riffs, lyrics, melody etc. My comrades are the co-builders to create not just music but propaganda.
Thrash metal are associated with alcohol and violence in their theme, how often you guys get wasted? Which do you prefer? Hard alcoholic drinks? Or beer? How about marijuana?
As I’ve said we’re apart these days. I am based here in our province while the three are in the Metro working their asses off and doing family responsibilities but whenever we assemble, being sober ain’t an option. As of beverage of choice, we are pretty flexible mainly because of budget. You should try our Lambanog that I came up with the monicker, “Bombanog” though. We hail the leaf and leaf alone. We are of earth and we use of earth. A member should exceed that; a disciplinary action will follow through certainly to no extent.
I haven’t heard some bands coming from your place in Aurora except your band, is there an underground scene down there? Do you play gigs in your place? Are there any production put up an underground shows there? Can you recommend some bands there? Zines, Productions Etc.
A band called Libris Arcana is also from here, they became active first before us in terms of playing in the Metro scene and anywhere it may be. The drummer of Pentavia also hails from here which is a friend of the band. There is not a scene here whatsoever; we play in mashed up gigs here which result to a confused crowd and aspiring musicians. Metal shows ain’t the cup of tea of people here. They prefer……. What the fuck they want to! You don’t force feed the audiences smoldering iron just to see them shit flower petals y’know? We just do what we do and we don’t lick the boot of them ignorant. I recommend Ina Ni Basilio (INB) though. They are a hardcore/groove band. Tight as fuck, they inspired us way back even before we weren’t able to play yet. They are a band of brothers who happen to be the original band of Skin; Pentavia’s drummer. I hope they would release a record someday. No zines here and I ain’t recommending a mashed up production.
Your band bio is some kind of political, what can you say about our current system?
Our current system is not so different compared to the era when we were colonized by the Spaniards. Only this time, the surroundings and the faces have changed. We are neo-colonized and our reactionary government is a puppet of the U.S Empire. This time, our own race ravages the carcass of its own. Feudal Lords maraud and steal the lands the farmers deserve, workers exploited and deprived of the equal fruits of their labor by large compradors. The middle class’ mind manipulated by the tyrannic imperialists resulting on the Filipino’s ignorance of civil rights, sovereignty, social equality and genuine justice. Not that the blame is on this alone though it was a crucial stage for the Filipinos; but if it weren’t for the treachery and cowardice of the first puppet of the “Republic” of the Philippines: Emilio Aguinaldo and his cohorts, our present time would be a lot different in a positive way. That’s why there are still Patriotic Sons of Supremo who continue his unfinished battle. Now that’s some history for the readers to dig up.
How about religion? Pls. share your views on that? Do you believe in the concept of God and Satan?
The concept of Satan and God is definitely fabricated by what seems to be the founders or capitalism and imperialism that clearly are favorable to their acts. In time more and more will eventually realize that. I have nothing against people who are religious though. Not until they trample the very essence of humanity but if I ever should belong to a religion; it is definitely Rock n’ Roll. As Lemmy said: “Rock n’ Roll is the only religion that will never let you down.” How’s that for a choice eh?
Nowadays, access of music and gigs is so easy; do you think you still feel the feeling of true Underground? Do you think the Underground scene in general is Dead? If so, who do you think killed it? Why?
Well, I have become exposed to the underground when it was deteriorating for some time already. As you know, we’re not that old already to have lived those glorious days. But based on what I have known, its glory was way past in its prime. I’m just glad to know that there are very few who really stuck to their guns and lived with it with pride. What made it dead if we are to say that it is “dead” is mainly the media here in our country. Majority are conformists to what is fed by the Imperial western culture and technology given that we are a third world country that even hardcore metal fans got infected by it. I might say cannibalism killed the underground for whatever purposes.
The scene today was like; “we are True”, “we are the Elite” metal underground, and sometimes I have noticed the scene was like; Elite vs Elite or True vs True, for you? How would you classify a band or a person that has a Truest form of beliefs, attitude and practice in the underground?
Nah, you don’t proclaim something you ain’t sure even if it is just a percent of doubt within you. It’ll always be the deeds that will count, not the spits. Remember this is a rude environment, be a sissy and you’re waste. There will never be a better establishment of what you are other than staying genuinely true within yourself regardless of what the fucks would say. Always plug to them brain nerves particularly in underground metal that one should play not to impress but to express. If ever the crowd gets impressed, well it’s just a fuckin’ bonus of what you are truly aimed at, and there will come a time when the serious fuck up’s will decide how you are really forged of fuckin’ steel! There you’ll realize how rewarding it is to be genuine in its purest form. Elitism ain’t got a room here whatever concerns it may be. .l. .l.
Alright brothers, lets go down to some other topic before we end this up, and since you guys are from the Northern provinces, do you believe or have you ever encountered it in your place about those supernatural creatures like the Aswang, Manananggal, Tikbalang etc. how about ghosts, spirits etc.
I still don’t know what to think right now considering I aint’t buying supernatural phenomena or other kinds of shit related to it, and I ain’t talkin’shit here but apparently I happen to witness and deal with what appeared to be a possession of some sort of shit with two of our lady drink mates as the vessel while in the midst of an alcohol spree. I can’t fuckin’ believe until now that they became way stronger than me along with my company who are quite tough also as it went ballistic transferring from the lady to the other repetitively, speaking Latin and English, cursing. I’ve known the ladies for quite long and there’s no way they would be wasted too early by alcohol for they even surpass our tolerance sometimes. No leaf too! And they sure as hell don’t know and speak Latin; and introduce themselves a different identity. They don’t even believe in such phenomena too. They made all of us sober during that incident even if we still continue passing the bottle while containing them freaks and after that, they don’t remember and believe a shit or two on what happened even if we showed the whole place Thrashed! It didn’t scare the shit out of me but it fucked with a part of my sanity and I hate remembering that night. Well I recalled it once again and even opened it up here just to be true to what I have to say.
Cheers and thanx for sharing your views and thoughts on my queries, your last messages and your band contact infos.
We thank you more, brother. We hope to play with you guys sometime and succumb to a Bombanog bombardment. Cheers!
Any of the readers who would be interested in our current release (trades are always honored) , feel obliged to contact me at:
zortheus_101007@yahoo.com.ph or www.facebook.com/bronson.gaerlan. Mailing address is:
“Sa inyo’y ilulunsad ang Bakal ng Digma, Homeland or Death!”
By: Corix
Hails to you brothers! How’s the band doing? What’s spinning on your player while answering this?
Jeremiahs: Hails from the Northern Militia! As of now we’re doin’ everyday responsibilities a man should do. We’re separated currently but when we’re gathered, something wild will happen for sure. Philippine Revolutionary Songs are playing while answering this. It gives a calm atmosphere but far more angst driven lyric wise than most of metal music I know. Strikes a haunting (due to the dark Kundiman approach) but agitating aesthesis. Incomparable, brother.
Before things up, pls. share a short bio of the band for the reader’s sake
We are Ohmsapien, three fourths of us hail from Aurora Province while our newfound lead guitarist hails from Binangonan, Rizal. We started way back 2007 playing heavy metal covers as senior high school students and eventually got intoxicated by the bastard we all know as Thrash fuckin’ Metal! Our current lineup is me on vocals and guitars, Otan on bass, Apa on drums and our newly enlisted bastard brethren Aa on lead guitars. We this play molten and agile form of music made of steel with a brand of sheer militancy.
How did you discover metal and the underground in general?
I discovered it while on high school when the older schoolmates here played in their respective bands. Though most of them played the Nu-(Un) Metal, there was this band that covered songs from the Mighty Sabbath, Metallica and Pantera and there was also this more extreme group covering materials from Sepultura and Skychurch which blew most of our innocence. I was contented as an audience and supporter not since my batchmate/neighbour’s guitar chops went molten metal. That’s when I became into it further, and started visualizing me forming a band but I ultimately had no skill on anything about playing in a metal band. So I went wild in my room every time I can as most of the rebellious youth would do. Tearing my throat off, hitting high registered notes, head banging, moshing, doin’ air guitars from stuffs of hard rock and heavy metal legends. All of it lamely! Hahaha. Then there came the time when I finally get to form a good ‘ol metal band from the ashes of a previous alternative rock band when I used to be just a vocalist. However my neighbour acquired mad skills more and more and I found myself being his apprentice in the art of the axe along with stuffs form Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Queensryche, Metallica, Pantera, Judas Priest, Overkill, Testament, Death, Manowar, Dio, Hammerfall, Dahong Palay and Death By Stereo as the daily soundtrack on my road to the metal highway. I discovered the Underground when we already played some of our own material with me not just the vocalist but also an axeman. It was when I became a part of an underground text group which shared infos, individual profile bios, zines, shows and other stuffs concerning the Philippine underground even the international underground scene introduced to me by Earwin Chan and Kris Ureta. I then made acquaintances from other members who have bands, distros, zines and gig organizers which helped me aware a lot more.
You guys formed in 2007, but the first demo was released in 2011, what made you take it longer before you record and released the first demo? Why Ohmsapien by the way? Are you guys into electrical related courses or something? Or is it because you play fast than lightning? J
As usual to most that were beginning, the reason is the lack of means to finance recording. Even our demo was done with a very low budget. The songs were recorded while rehearsing using a digital camera then converted it to audio format. We just edited and enhanced some parts of it to be a little bit more audible but as it turned out, it had the rawness some other bands in the thrash circuit locally haven’t done yet though many metal comrades advised to record our stuffs in the form of multi-track recording judging by what they have heard in the demo to justify the songs more. We were just appalled by the absolute force of lightning/electricity that is related to Ohm which our former/co-founder guitarist added who incidentally studied Electronic Communications Engineering. I added the Sapiens which made our band’s name Ohm Sapiens back then. Later we decided to make it a word sans the “s”; Ohmsapien.
Your music draws a heavy metal and thrash elements, but for you, how would you define your music? How about the band influences?
I think it is safe to say that our music dwells in Thrash, no other spices/condiments to spoil the fuck out of it. We draw influences from the usual foundation of a metal fan and added some to the concoction to give it a mean kick. Blues, Garage, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Punk Rock, NWOBHM, Speed, Thrash, Hardcore, Power, Stoner, and Death. Citing the specific bands would be too common and a waste of read so I prefer not to. Let’s just say that some of it also hails from our native land. Influences outside of music will always be having quality time with comrades, the struggle of the people, the patriotic art the progressive movements produce; and the guidance based upon the communal way of coexistence.
“I Swallow Lightning” was an awesome title, what was the lyrics all about? And what kind of messages you tackle in some of your songs?
It was about a rustic farmer who was tortured, experimented and later executed by bureaucrats and higher government officials in the way of a highly sophisticated electric chair. As it turned out, the motherfucker lived unaware to the suspects. Though some of his body parts were mutilated, it mutated as an Intergalactic Vigilante crossing dimensions and era obliterating anyone of guilt in his sight be it demons, gods, other deities, criminals and any creature who deserves capital punishment.
Our first composition was about a laments of a drunken wasted bastard. As we get mature we wrote about the inhumanities committed by religion as a whole, the evil of the system of governance dominating the majority of the world. We also write about revolts. People’s War to be exact as the ultimate resolve of our motherlands clamor.
Are you working for new tracks for an album maybe? When can we expect for Ohmsapien new release? What’s the Ohmsapien song writing process looks like?
We are currently working on new materials tentatively for a full length whenever it may be. We recently became hungry again for the urge to deliver our goods mainly because our new member fit precisely as we needed. I am the architect of our songs. Riffs, lyrics, melody etc. My comrades are the co-builders to create not just music but propaganda.
Thrash metal are associated with alcohol and violence in their theme, how often you guys get wasted? Which do you prefer? Hard alcoholic drinks? Or beer? How about marijuana?
As I’ve said we’re apart these days. I am based here in our province while the three are in the Metro working their asses off and doing family responsibilities but whenever we assemble, being sober ain’t an option. As of beverage of choice, we are pretty flexible mainly because of budget. You should try our Lambanog that I came up with the monicker, “Bombanog” though. We hail the leaf and leaf alone. We are of earth and we use of earth. A member should exceed that; a disciplinary action will follow through certainly to no extent.
I haven’t heard some bands coming from your place in Aurora except your band, is there an underground scene down there? Do you play gigs in your place? Are there any production put up an underground shows there? Can you recommend some bands there? Zines, Productions Etc.
A band called Libris Arcana is also from here, they became active first before us in terms of playing in the Metro scene and anywhere it may be. The drummer of Pentavia also hails from here which is a friend of the band. There is not a scene here whatsoever; we play in mashed up gigs here which result to a confused crowd and aspiring musicians. Metal shows ain’t the cup of tea of people here. They prefer……. What the fuck they want to! You don’t force feed the audiences smoldering iron just to see them shit flower petals y’know? We just do what we do and we don’t lick the boot of them ignorant. I recommend Ina Ni Basilio (INB) though. They are a hardcore/groove band. Tight as fuck, they inspired us way back even before we weren’t able to play yet. They are a band of brothers who happen to be the original band of Skin; Pentavia’s drummer. I hope they would release a record someday. No zines here and I ain’t recommending a mashed up production.
Your band bio is some kind of political, what can you say about our current system?
Our current system is not so different compared to the era when we were colonized by the Spaniards. Only this time, the surroundings and the faces have changed. We are neo-colonized and our reactionary government is a puppet of the U.S Empire. This time, our own race ravages the carcass of its own. Feudal Lords maraud and steal the lands the farmers deserve, workers exploited and deprived of the equal fruits of their labor by large compradors. The middle class’ mind manipulated by the tyrannic imperialists resulting on the Filipino’s ignorance of civil rights, sovereignty, social equality and genuine justice. Not that the blame is on this alone though it was a crucial stage for the Filipinos; but if it weren’t for the treachery and cowardice of the first puppet of the “Republic” of the Philippines: Emilio Aguinaldo and his cohorts, our present time would be a lot different in a positive way. That’s why there are still Patriotic Sons of Supremo who continue his unfinished battle. Now that’s some history for the readers to dig up.
How about religion? Pls. share your views on that? Do you believe in the concept of God and Satan?
The concept of Satan and God is definitely fabricated by what seems to be the founders or capitalism and imperialism that clearly are favorable to their acts. In time more and more will eventually realize that. I have nothing against people who are religious though. Not until they trample the very essence of humanity but if I ever should belong to a religion; it is definitely Rock n’ Roll. As Lemmy said: “Rock n’ Roll is the only religion that will never let you down.” How’s that for a choice eh?
Nowadays, access of music and gigs is so easy; do you think you still feel the feeling of true Underground? Do you think the Underground scene in general is Dead? If so, who do you think killed it? Why?
Well, I have become exposed to the underground when it was deteriorating for some time already. As you know, we’re not that old already to have lived those glorious days. But based on what I have known, its glory was way past in its prime. I’m just glad to know that there are very few who really stuck to their guns and lived with it with pride. What made it dead if we are to say that it is “dead” is mainly the media here in our country. Majority are conformists to what is fed by the Imperial western culture and technology given that we are a third world country that even hardcore metal fans got infected by it. I might say cannibalism killed the underground for whatever purposes.
The scene today was like; “we are True”, “we are the Elite” metal underground, and sometimes I have noticed the scene was like; Elite vs Elite or True vs True, for you? How would you classify a band or a person that has a Truest form of beliefs, attitude and practice in the underground?
Nah, you don’t proclaim something you ain’t sure even if it is just a percent of doubt within you. It’ll always be the deeds that will count, not the spits. Remember this is a rude environment, be a sissy and you’re waste. There will never be a better establishment of what you are other than staying genuinely true within yourself regardless of what the fucks would say. Always plug to them brain nerves particularly in underground metal that one should play not to impress but to express. If ever the crowd gets impressed, well it’s just a fuckin’ bonus of what you are truly aimed at, and there will come a time when the serious fuck up’s will decide how you are really forged of fuckin’ steel! There you’ll realize how rewarding it is to be genuine in its purest form. Elitism ain’t got a room here whatever concerns it may be. .l. .l.
Alright brothers, lets go down to some other topic before we end this up, and since you guys are from the Northern provinces, do you believe or have you ever encountered it in your place about those supernatural creatures like the Aswang, Manananggal, Tikbalang etc. how about ghosts, spirits etc.
I still don’t know what to think right now considering I aint’t buying supernatural phenomena or other kinds of shit related to it, and I ain’t talkin’shit here but apparently I happen to witness and deal with what appeared to be a possession of some sort of shit with two of our lady drink mates as the vessel while in the midst of an alcohol spree. I can’t fuckin’ believe until now that they became way stronger than me along with my company who are quite tough also as it went ballistic transferring from the lady to the other repetitively, speaking Latin and English, cursing. I’ve known the ladies for quite long and there’s no way they would be wasted too early by alcohol for they even surpass our tolerance sometimes. No leaf too! And they sure as hell don’t know and speak Latin; and introduce themselves a different identity. They don’t even believe in such phenomena too. They made all of us sober during that incident even if we still continue passing the bottle while containing them freaks and after that, they don’t remember and believe a shit or two on what happened even if we showed the whole place Thrashed! It didn’t scare the shit out of me but it fucked with a part of my sanity and I hate remembering that night. Well I recalled it once again and even opened it up here just to be true to what I have to say.
Cheers and thanx for sharing your views and thoughts on my queries, your last messages and your band contact infos.
We thank you more, brother. We hope to play with you guys sometime and succumb to a Bombanog bombardment. Cheers!
Any of the readers who would be interested in our current release (trades are always honored) , feel obliged to contact me at:
zortheus_101007@yahoo.com.ph or www.facebook.com/bronson.gaerlan. Mailing address is:
“Sa inyo’y ilulunsad ang Bakal ng Digma, Homeland or Death!”
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