“Thay Pin” marks a bold statement from a newly revamped venue in the heart of Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City. With an eye on becoming a regular hub for live music, Arrow Warehouse relaunched its space with a clear vision: to create a multi-functional venue that fuses a bar, café, custom motorbike and accessories shop, and most importantly, a performance-ready live space capable of accommodating the growing demands of the city’s underground scene.
Helmed by two known figures in the Saigon hardcore and metal circuit, both of whom have played in a range of heavy acts over the years, Arrow Warehouse is not just a venue; it’s a passion project driven by musicians for musicians. Their goal? To make sure Saigon’s alternative and heavy scene never runs out of stages to scream on.
Due to a packed schedule, our team was unable to attend the DJ and hip-hop sets that launched and closed the event. However, our focus remains squarely on live guitar-based acts, and we arrived just in time to catch the LIVE segment of the evening—a diverse lineup of four bands that showcased the evolving landscape of Saigon’s heavier music community.
A BLAST FROM THE PAST
The first live act to hit the stage was Black Industries, and their impact was immediate. Their aesthetic alone was enough to raise eyebrows—a cross between Marilyn Manson’s dark theatricality and Slipknot’s unfiltered rage. With full costumes, face paint, and an unhinged presence, they took the industrial metal template and twisted it into something entirely their own.
Musically, Black Industries melded heavy, mechanical riffing with eerie electronic textures, giving the crowd something they don’t often see in the local scene. The vocalist’s range was particularly striking: from clear, clean vocals to deep, guttural growls. They played a handful of crowd favorites that clearly resonated with the audience, setting a high-energy tone for the rest of the night. For us who grew up in the heyday of previously mentioned metal stars, this was a true reminder of the life we lived as teenagers.
TECHNICAL PRECISION, UNRELENTING ENERGY
Next up was Hypertension, a band that continues to build on the momentum they generated playing every possible event in the city. Combining the technical intricacy of death metal with melodic breakdowns and a metalcore backbone, Hypertension has grown increasingly sharp with each performance.
Their performance at Arrow Warehouse only solidified that reputation. Every riff was razor-sharp, every breakdown hit with sniper precision, and the transitions between tempo shifts were executed with stunning professionalism. And while the aggression is front and center, the melodic layering gives the band a dynamic edge that keeps their sound engaging from start to finish.
It’s clear this band is preparing for bigger things, and we’re genuinely looking forward to their upcoming release. With performances like these, Hypertension is proving themselves as one of the most polished and promising acts in the country.
CROWD IGNITERS
By the time Final Heaven took the stage, the venue was buzzing, and they did not disappoint. Mixing thick, drop-tuned chugs with soaring melodic guitar leads and heartfelt vocal deliveries, their set was one of the emotional and physical peaks of the night.
Their ability to move a crowd is exceptional—the floor opened up into chaotic yet joyful mosh pits, while others sang along or simply let themselves be carried by the sound. The band’s vocalist, who also happens to be one of Arrow Warehouse’s managers, delivered a performance that balanced technical skill with a commanding stage presence.
It was that moment everyone loves, when audience and artist felt entirely in sync, and it was one of the clearest indicators of what Arrow Warehouse is trying to cultivate: a space for real connection through sound.
VETERAN SOUND, FRESH ENERGY
Closing out the live portion of the night was Resurged Temptation, a band with a history that threads through many familiar faces in the Saigon heavy scene. Though they’ve had an on-and-off presence over the years, their recent resurgence (pun intended) is marked by new music, a recent video release, and a clear intention to return to form.
Stylistically, Resurged Temptation dives headfirst into the melodic metalcore of the early 2000s—think As I Lay Dying meets Killswitch Engage, but with a Vietnamese grit that sets them apart. Their guitar work was emotive yet aggressive, their breakdowns calculated for maximum pit destruction, and their vocal delivery raw but impassioned.
In a landscape filled with ultra-modern metalcore relying on brutal drops and electronic effects, Resurged Temptation’s sound was refreshingly nostalgic yet still relevant. It’s clear they still have plenty to say and more importantly, plenty of heart left to give. We’re eager to see where this next chapter takes them.
With the successful launch of “Thay Pin,” Arrow Warehouse has taken a strong first step toward becoming a cornerstone for Saigon’s underground. The venue strikes a rare balance: raw enough to feel authentic but polished enough to support serious performances.
The fact that it’s run by individuals deeply embedded in the scene gives it a unique edge. It’s not just another space trying to catch a trend—it’s a place built from the ground up by people who know what the scene needs.
If there’s one takeaway from the night, it’s this: the more venues, the better. Every new stage is a new opportunity—for bands to evolve, for audiences to expand, and for the scene to thrive. Arrow Warehouse has not only given us a new home for loud music but also shown what’s possible when passion meets purpose.
Here’s to more nights like “Thay Pin,” more bands ready to tear it up, and more fans willing to show up, no matter the weather, no matter the day. We’re in this together—let’s keep it loud, keep it live, and keep it ours.
Photos: Tran Khang
