The 14th of March 2025 will go down as a milestone—the official launch of Ethos Collective and our very first local show, completely self-organized and fueled by pure underground energy. What was originally meant to be a pre-game warm-up gig quickly turned into a full-scale eruption, thanks to four incredible young acts: Empathize, HappyCo, Under Pressure, and Hypertension.
From the moment the lights dimmed at Le Café des Stagiaires, there was no such thing as a “slow start.” The crowd was buzzing with anticipation, and Empathize ignited the room with the first crushing breakdowns. The young band wasted no time diving in, delivering a high-energy set that blended brutal heaviness with slick crowd control. With two vocalists commanding the mic, the stage felt like it was constantly in motion—raw, reckless, and impossible to ignore. Their set didn’t just warm up the night; it set the bar for every act that followed.
Next up was HappyCo, a band that refuses to be boxed in. Of all the performers that night, HappyCo was the most sonically adventurous—touching on punk, ambient hardcore, and even spoken word elements. Their sound felt like a throwback to post-hardcore legends like Fugazi or Rollins Band, as some veteran audience members pointed out, but it was anything but dated. Their dynamic range and willingness to experiment made them an unexpected standout. Whatever they’re doing, we want more.
After a brief intermission, the atmosphere shifted again as Under Pressure took the stage. This tight, well-oiled four-piece brought a perfectly balanced fusion of classic hardcore and modern metalcore. Technically impressive and emotionally charged, they pulled the crowd in with melodic hooks before unleashing riff-heavy chaos. It was one of those sets where everything just clicked—the performance, the pacing, the crowd engagement. You could tell this band is heading somewhere big.
Closing the night was Hypertension, a recently formed group but made up of seasoned players with deep roots in both the studio and stage. Their brand of technical death metal meets metalcore added a sharper edge to the evening’s sonic palette. Despite not having official releases out yet, Hypertension delivered a razor-sharp, intense performance that left zero doubts about their capabilities. Precise, heavy, and deeply passionate—they ended the night on a high note and completed a lineup that truly showcased the diversity of Vietnam’s underground heavy music.
This Is Just the Beginning
If this show was our “warm-up,” then April 10th is the main event. We’re beyond stoked to welcome Alpha Wolf to Ho Chi Minh City for what promises to be one of the heaviest shows the country has ever seen. And what’s even more exciting? Events like this aren’t just one-offs anymore. The Vietnamese heavy music scene is rising fast—not only in Saigon but across the entire country.
New bands are forming, old ones are evolving, shows are becoming more frequent, and the crowds are getting bigger and louder. There’s real momentum here. From Hanoi to Da Nang to Saigon, you can feel it—something’s happening.
And Ethos Collective is here to be part of it, support it, and help it grow.
