Philippines Hardcore Check In

From the STILL ILL RECORDS fam, here’s a brief check in on how 2025 is going. At the very bottom, they mention that Philippines is made up of hundreds of islands with a LOT going on. If they’ve missed out anything, send it in so we know what’s up!

Photo Credit: Jhona

Can’t believe first quarter is already over. As of writing, we’re already almost a third through the second quarter. But here are some major updates regarding Pilipinas Hardcore. If I missed anything, it’s unintentional. Just forgive my lack of social media presence.

January
The year started strong. Connections between the UK hardcore scene and our local scene started with two legs of Your Demise in the Philippines — Cebu and Manila — via Hostile Youth and Brigad3/MC/Unite. I was with the band for a quick chat and they’re blown aways by local bands, such as Stab.

AninoKo toured major cities in the Philippines, starting with Quezon City, then Batangas and then Cebu and Davao, from mid-January until the third week. Nothing beats the feeling of having our fellow Pinoys sharing their migrant stories via songs through the vessel of hardcore punk. Rupert (vox) mentioned that this experience is one for the books for him.

Notable releases that month: the highly anticipated Triple Threat (3-way split) with Badwave, Repetition, and Stable.

February
Triple Threat release show was a blast. These bands work really hard to keep the hardcore spirit alive and happy that they were able to pull this record and this record release off. It’s a fiesta at Mow’s and what was on the table was a ton of moshing and singalongs.

UNITE HARDCORE FEST featured two days of hardcore mid-February, featuring friends from BCHC (Bacolod) Crossfire, Oppressor, Von Boyage, and Passing Grade 75. I think this is also the first time they tried spreading the fest into two days. Props to the team for pulling it off so well.

Splitknuckle from Essex played later that month via Still Ill Records. Stronger connections are now being reforged between the Philippines and Europe scene, all thanks to the people who regularly support tours like this one. Funny story here: Luke from Negative Frame filled in drums for Desolated, Your Demise, and now Splitknuckle. Third time in a Manila and the guy cannot be more excited.

Notable releases that month: Linger Escape’s We All End in the Same Place hailing from Naga. These guys opened for Narrowhead and did not disappoint and so this album has been an anticipated one for all of us here.

March
South Florida hardcore made a comeback in Manila, now with Domain. I think the last time was with Day by Day in 2019, but I can consider Magnitude and Envision in 2023 given their members are now mostly from Florida. Anyway, the show’s lineup was a nod to metallic hardcore in all shapes, forms, and venue hours possible. Shockpoint, Sift, Prayer of Endurance, Hemorrhaged.

Death Grade and Hellbent AD also had their release show later that month which packed Mang Rudy’s. Crossover thrash and heavy metallic hardcore (think of Shattered Realm mixed with Antagonist AD).

Notable releases that month: REACT’s True Grit, Refuse’s Question the Sytem LP, Exit Wound’s Steel Downpour, Crevice’s Demo, and No Remorse’s 2025 Promo, Death Grade and Hellbent AD’s EPs.

What to look out for?
1] Still Ill Records’ upcoming Still Hostile (Cebu City Hardcore compilation).

2] More PHC bands flying out to play SEA, Taiwan and Australia (in chronological order)

Limbs just finished touring Singapore and Malaysia as of writing
No Remorse and Warg – Dengin Hardcore Fest in Indonesia (Apr)
Shockpoint – Australia tour (May)
Figure Out – Concrete Jungle Fest 2025 (June)

3] Upcoming touring band shows in May 2025

First Blood Productions Pilipinas Tour with Kill On Sight, Angulimala, and Keep It Real (May) to play Davao, Cebu, Manila
Torena from Oxnard to play Cebu and Manila third week of May
GHC makes a comeback – Hellbound, Nothin’ But Enemies, and Defy will play Manila on May 29

4] Pages to check if you want direct to your feed updates (alphabetical)

BCHC
Brigad3
Closed Fist
Counterflow
Hostile Youth
Mainland Crew
Sleeping Boy Collective
Still Ill Records
Unite Hardcore

What you can do
Come and support a show. The amount you pay doesn’t go to any specific people. It goes to the community to build.
Write a zine. We need more zines.
Learn to play drums. Fact: a drummer has 4 to 5 bands. The ratio is insane.

Final note: The Philippines is an archipelago, so I may not capture everything, especially now I am off Facebook. If you feel I missed something, feel free to write to Unite Asia. It’s a community effort anyway. Also photo credits to Jhona, taken during the Splitknuckle show. Love and peace! Free Palestine. Free all political prisoners.