16/05/2025

FRIDAY | MAY 16, 2025

26

LYFE

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T AIWANESE vocal powerhouse Jam Hsiao is making his return to Malaysia after six years with his new Wild/Mild World Tour hitting Axiata Arena on Aug 2. Dive headfirst into the universe of Hsiao’s latest album with the upcoming tour, which is an exploration of nature’s majesty and the depths of human emotion. With mesmerising stage lights and genre-defying musical arrangements, each note and every beat will take you on a journey through contrasting moods, igniting a personal connection. The tour’s poster offers a preview of its artistic

SINGAPOREAN singer Roziana Cindy has returned with a new single titled Tinggalkan Luka , following the success of her previous song Paling Sejati , which was released in November last year. The song is a collaboration with Indonesian composer Ilham Baso, who has previously produced several popular tracks such as Bukan Dia Tapi Aku sung by Judika, and Menjaga Jodoh Orang Lain by Ara Johari. According to Roziana, Tinggalkan Luka tells a story about the strength of people who rise after experiencing heartbreak, highlighting elements of sincerity and honesty in every line of the lyrics. “This song reminds us to let go of the pain that once surrounded our lives and not let it define who we are. I am truly grateful to have worked with Ilham, who managed to convey the meaning of this song so deeply,” she said in a statement. The single was recently released on all major digital streaming platforms. The official lyric video was also uploaded on Roziana Cindy’s YouTube channel on the same day. – Bernama VK Blanka to drop fresh single xLxCxAx Roziana Cindy releases new track Roziana’s single is available for streaming. – PIC FROM INSTAGRAM @ROZIANACINDY

Jam Hsiao (2008) dominated charts and gifted the world with timeless anthems such as Princess, I Can Only Miss You and How to Say I Don’t Love You , which are karaoke staples across the region. Renowned for his electrifying stage presence, Hsiao consistently delivers concerts that fuse musicality with emotional connection. Throughout his illustrious career, he has amassed numerous accolades, including honours from the KKBox Music Awards, Hito Music Awards, Global Chinese Golden Chart Awards and QQ Music’s Artiste of the Year, solidifying his status in contemporary Mandopop. The tour is inspired by Hsiao’s album of the same name – a tribute to the raw, unrestrained energy of life. It reflects his deep fascination and love for the untamed wonders of the world, inviting audiences to embrace that same wild vitality. Alongside fan favourites, the tour will debut new tracks from the album, including White Night and Fusion/Diffusion . Tickets for the concert will go on sale starting May 19 at 12pm. Tickets are priced from RM298.

direction, featuring a striking concept inspired by Rene Magritte. It plays with the duality of “seeing” and “being seen”. The artwork exudes a bold intensity, charged with tension, asking fans: “Why settle for hearing about Hsiao when you can witness his wild energy live?” Having performed across major cities in China, North America, Hong Kong, Macau and Southeast Asia since its launch in Shanghai on August last year, the tour is gearing up for a Kuala Lumpur stop. Mandopop titan Celebrating 17 years in the music industry, Hsiao stands tall as one of the most dynamic and versatile forces in the Chinese music scene. His unforgettable breakout performance of New Endless Love on One Million Star in 2007 was just the beginning of an inspiring journey marked by his instantly recognisable vocals and deeply emotive interpretations. His self-titled debut album

Tickets for the Aug 2 gig are priced from RM298.

Swede sounds of melodious mayhem Ű BY R. BALA

JAPANESE singer songwriter VK Blanka is set to release his new single xLxCxAx on June 4. After months of cryptic teasers and partial live renditions, the theatrical track is finally making its full debut and it is arriving with an eye-catching cover that is as layered and eccentric as the song itself. Equal parts performance and pop, xLxCxAx plays like a

JUST what is it with Sweden and melodic death metal? Not only did the Scandinavian nation give birth to this kick-ass subgenre, but has consistently produced premium quality outfits that continue to elevate the metal landscape. Following in the esteemed footsteps of Entombed, Dismember and Dark Tranquility, the latest line in the seemingly never-ending production line of fine Swedish metal exports is LIK. Formed in 2014 in Stockholm, LIK is armed to the teeth with all the necessary weaponry required to rise above the mediocre – killer tunes, fantastic riffs and a true love of classic heavy metal. The latter element can be heard with the twin guitar attacks that is reminiscent of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest which give the band’s albums a distinctly old school feel. After recording and releasing its critically acclaimed third full-length, 2020’s Misanthropic Breed during the pandemic, the band headed back into the studio with a clear sense of purpose. While Misanthropic Breed was recorded at the quartet’s rehearsal space where the band produce all its demos, when it came to recording Necro , LIK upped sticks to record at NBS Studio (also known as Necromorbus Studio) in Soderfors, two hours from its home city. Once again using uber-producer Lawrence Mackrory (Meshuggah, Katatonia, High Parasite, Decapitated), all the music was recorded live over a three-day period, before Tomas Akvik headed to Uppsala to record his

surreal one-act play, bursting with shifting characters, emotional turns and melodies that stick. It is storytelling disguised as a banger, with VK Blanka’s signature genre-blending flair front and centre. The single’s newly-revealed cover art deepens the intrigue. A swirling tableau of theatrical figures and frozen mid-drama, the image captures the song’s spirit of controlled chaos with each corner packed with visual riddles and unexpected detail. Known for his cinematic songwriting and shape-shifting style, VK Blanka has carved out a genre-defying space between indie, pop and performance art. From anime anthems to chart-ready hooks, his has won fans worldwide. With xLxCxAx , VK Blanka opens a bold new chapter that is impossible to ignore. The tour rolls on across North America before heading to Japan – and now, with this explosive new track on the setlist, the stage is set for fans around the world to follow and join the journey.

LIK was formed in Stockholm in 2014. – PIC FROM FACEBOOK @ILIK–STHLM

intention in mind – to completely pummel the listener with heavy yet tuneful songs. This marriage of the heavy and melody is no easy feat but Necro makes it seem so, stocked as it is with prime examples of the finest cuts this subgenre has to offer. Truly an album that fits the “all killer, no filler” category, Necro will certainly delight fans with its supreme collection of songs. One thing that needs to be noted though is that the band’s massive thunderous sound is best enjoyed on physical formats. The streaming version just does not do it proper justice. If you were to invest in a copy, rest assured it would be money well spent.

vocals at Rorysound Studios. Make no mistake, album number five sees the band scaling new heights with weighty chunky riffs that are executed to near perfection. Following on the template laid on previous albums, LIK concentrate of songs that are full of dynamics and tunefulness that will have fans of this particular subgenre headbanging in orgasmic delight. Yes, it is that good. Recalling the heights of classic long players such as Entombed’s seminal debut Left Hand Path , LIK take a similar route when it comes to sheer brutality with metal that is designed with one