08/12/2025
The Borneo Metal Titans gig held last Saturday at 13 Box Karaoke V2 demonstrated that Borneo’s metal scene is alive, thriving, and fiercely passionate. Despite the venue’s limited capacity of around 100 people, it was packed to the brim with devoted metalheads, the crowd’s energy spilling out into every corner. Organised by Midlife Crisis Apai Urang in collaboration with Restwell Extreme Chapter, the event delivered on its promise: a raw, intense, and unrelenting celebration of metal.
The night featured a mix of local Sarawak bands alongside two acts from West Kalimantan, Indonesia — PRIVLEGIA and Abgal — highlighting the strong connections between the Borneo metal communities. According to the organisers’ Facebook posts, the lineup was carefully arranged, keeping the intensity consistent throughout the evening despite the venue’s cozy space.
The evening kicked off with Vaxxinated from Serian, who set the tone with fast, aggressive crossover thrash. Their punchy riffs and punk-infused energy immediately ignited the crowd, proving that Serian produces its share of heavy-hitting talent. Rotting Century from Kuching followed, delivering darker, atmospheric death metal that shifted the mood to something more ominous. Deep growls, precise blasting, and murky riffs gave their set an old-school feel that got the moshpit moving.
Severe Bleeding then escalated the intensity with brutal death metal that was relentless and punishing. Their slamming riffs and rapid-fire drumming provided some of the heaviest moments of the night, with the vocalist even drawing playful comparisons from fans to Depha from Masterpiece. Next, Militant Attack injected the stage with thrash chaos — sharp riffs, confident stage presence, and a controlled frenzy reminiscent of Bay Area thrash, but with a fresh, invigorating energy. The crowd’s spontaneous cheers confirmed their command over the room.
From Pontianak, Privlegia brought groove-laden death metal that was heavy but accessible. Their female-fronted lineup delivered infectious grooves that captured the audience immediately, making their set one of the night’s most engaging. Their performance also reflected the tight bond between Kalimantan and Sarawak’s metal scenes. Following them, LARRONG, veterans from the Unholy Triangle region, introduced a distinctive regional flavor, blending Eastern melodic motifs into their death metal framework without sacrificing intensity. Their set showcased how local culture can coexist with extreme music, adding a unique identity to the night.
Finally, Abgal closed the gig as headliners, commanding the stage with tight musicianship, crushing vocals, and dynamic grooves that held the audience in thrall. Their encore was met with roaring cheers, leaving fans completely satisfied and cementing their status at the top of the lineup.
In their post-event statements, the organisers expressed gratitude to everyone involved — the fans, the bands, the venue, and the crew — acknowledging the collective effort that made the gig run smoothly. Special thanks were extended to technical partner Martin Macmin (Wam), as well as media and design partners who contributed to the event’s identity.
Borneo Metal Titans proved that the Borneo metal community is growing stronger, more connected, and ready to push boundaries. The event was more than a gig; it was a statement that metal in Borneo remains alive and will return with even greater force. Plans for next year’s edition are already in motion, and judging by the packed crowd, fans are eager for more. Agi idup, agi metal.
