This past Saturday (October 4), Saigon’s underground scene came together once again for Hiệp Sĩ Mèo Đắm Đuối Nhìn Nhạc Co!, a night that showcased both local powerhouses and familiar regional friends. Singapore’s Tariot, now returning with a refreshed lineup and evolved sound, headlined the evening, supported by Under Pressure, Hypertension, Empathize, and Diarsia. From new faces to old favorites, Vietnam’s heavy scene continues to evolve loud, honest, and unfiltered.
Under Pressure — New Faces, Same Fire
First to hit the stage were Under Pressure, who walked in with confidence and left with a crowd full of believers. This was a debut of sorts. The band introduced a refreshed lineup, featuring a new vocalist and guitarist, both of whom immediately fit into the band’s sound like missing puzzle pieces. Their performance had structure, intent, and a clear message: Under Pressure is stronger than ever.
The band’s new material leaned heavily on aggressive riffs and classic beatdown roots reminiscent of early Shattered Realm, while still maintaining a modern edge. What stood out most was the vocal dynamic; several members joined in across the set, giving their songs a layered, communal punch that many hardcore acts strive for but rarely achieve.
The organizers’ decision to keep the lights on throughout the show, though unusual for underground gigs, surprisingly worked. It made the energy onstage and in the pit feel more exposed, a reminder that hardcore is about being seen and heard, not hiding behind theatrics.
Editor’s Note:
As the night unfolded, one thing became hard to ignore – crowd killing. From the first breakdown, a few overzealous showgoers began swinging fists wildly, turning parts of the pit into a danger zone. As someone who’s been around hardcore for two decades, I understand where it comes from, it’s part of the culture. But it’s also a matter of balance and respect. The pit should never be about proving dominance or showing off moves, especially when it comes at the cost of others’ enjoyment or safety. Several bands, including Under Pressure, called for circle pits and participation, but most of the crowd seemed more cautious than involved. The focus drifted away from the stage, and that’s where the real problem lies. Hardcore should be about shared release, not competition. Respect the bands and the people around you, it’s the only way the scene can grow.
Hypertension — Discipline Through Chaos
Next up was Hypertension, a band that consistently delivers professionalism wrapped in raw energy. Their sound was massive, polished, and executed with machine-like precision. Every riff, drum hit, and vocal line landed exactly where it should, creating a wall of sound that filled the venue.
Hypertension has built a reputation for their technical tightness and ability to balance chaos with control. Watching them live, it’s clear each member has mastered their craft. However, the absence of new recorded material has become increasingly noticeable. For a band of their caliber and consistency, fans deserve to take that energy home, not just experience it live. Their set was powerful, but it left you wanting to replay it afterward—and that’s exactly why Hypertension should consider capturing this momentum in the studio soon.
Empathize — Momentum in Motion
At the midpoint of the night came Empathize, fresh off their first overseas run in Indonesia and a recent split release with bands from across Southeast Asia. The experience has clearly shaped them. From the moment they stepped onstage, they radiated confidence. There was a sense of growth, not just musically, but in their overall stage presence and communication with the crowd.
Adding a second guitar works quite well for their sound. Thickening the texture and giving more punch to their melodic layers. Each song felt deliberate and heavy, filled with emotion and purpose. Empathize’s energy is contagious, they’ve evolved from promising newcomers to a fully realized force in the local scene. The crowd responded accordingly: singing, shouting, and moving to every note. It’s clear they’re no longer just representing Saigon, they’re representing Vietnam’s hardcore scene abroad, and doing it with pride.
Diarsia — Reinvention in Progress
After a break from the stage, Diarsia returned with a refreshed visual direction. Again… The process they’ve been transitioning through for the past couple of live appearances. Jezzika continues to command the spotlight with both looks and confidence. However, the musical delivery didn’t quite match the look this time around.
Some songs felt uneven and slightly disjointed, as though the band was testing out new arrangements or directions. The energy and intent were there, but the cohesion wasn’t. As someone who’s followed Diarsia since their inception, this performance felt underwhelming. They have the talent and drive; experimentation is a necessary part of evolution. Here’s hoping this stage marks a temporary growing pain before another big leap forward. When Diarsia finds that balance between vision and execution again, they’ll be unstoppable.
Tariot — Reinvented and Relentless
Closing the night were the Singaporean guests Tariot, already something of honorary locals at this point. Over multiple visits to Saigon, they’ve built relationships, shared stages, and earned deep respect from the community. This time, however, they arrived as an entirely new beast. A complete lineup overhaul has reshaped their sound, pushing them from traditional metalcore into darker, more industrial territory filled with synths, samples, and atmospheric tension.
Unfortunately, by the time they took the stage, the crowd had thinned considerably. Whether due to fatigue or the earlier pit chaos, nearly half the audience had left before Tariot’s first note. But professionalism prevailed. The band gave it their all, playing as if the room were packed to capacity. The blend of mechanical precision, melodic undertones, and sheer aggression showcased why Tariot continues to be one of the most interesting acts in Southeast Asia’s heavy landscape. It was a performance for those who stayed, a tight, electrifying set that hinted at even bigger things to come.
Hiệp Sĩ Mèo Đắm Đuối Nhìn Nhạc Co! captured everything that makes Saigon’s underground both thrilling and challenging: energy, passion, experimentation, and a few growing pains. It was a night of comebacks and reinventions, of lessons learned and lessons still to be understood. Despite the occasional chaos, the takeaway is clear: the scene is alive, restless, and moving forward. What matters now is how we nurture it, together, louder, and smarter.
Photos: Rezqoi
