Ribut Dari Timur (2017)

 

Ribut Dari Timur (2017)
93 pages, 19.5cm x 22.5cm, Malay

This was first printed in 2017. In my hand now is the second print in 2019.

Abd Aziz Itar, the writer of this hardcover book is widely known in Malaysian scene as the fanzine editor of Vortex From The East. One of earliest and longest running zine in the underground scene. I first thought the book is his zine anthology or compilation of his zine in a book like many books available nowadays because the name of the book is Malay translation of the zine's name.

What you will read here is his personal experience in the Malaysian underground scene for more than 30 years since the 80's, being an editor, in bands or other projects.

There is no specific chapter, but we can tell if the first letter in page start with big size font, maybe it's a new chapter.

The first chapter talks about his experience during the early days in 80's vs today and what caused him to be in the scene and later editing his own fanzine and many more in these 28pages. Also, some pictures related with what he is writing there. Many old bands photos when he talks about Malaysian scene when he's about to start his second zine: Vortex From The East.

Chapter Two is about his mail writing to his penpal, bands and labels around the world, zine editing, and memorable gig attended. Many of them was not famous or just release their first demo like Sakis of Rotting Christ, or even Euronymous of Mayhem at the time. Many more band pictures. This is until page 39.

The Third Chapter talked about the scene in Kuala Lumpur, CM (Central Market), Brickfields.

The fourth and fifth Chapter resume back on pen-pals during the BI era which mean Before Internet ;-) elaborated further and with their pictures as well.

Sixth Chapter talked about international labels and Popkomm Music Festival.

Chapter Seven is on local labels namely Valentine Sound Production, Dark Journey Records, Ultra Hingax Productions and Nebiula Productions.

Chapter Eight is on variety of music styles by Malaysian old & new underground bands and towards the end a bit on other South East Asian countries and ofcourse more pictures.

Chapter Nine talked about open mindedness of the BI Era where fans of different genre can mix around and can have influence on each other in music making while fans or bands in current era confined to only specific genre.

In the last chapter, he asked whether true underground scene still exist in Malaysia or any part of the world. He then answers this. The book ends with his all-time favourite albums.

This is my first book on a person experience in metal scene so I can't compare with other books. Just glad somebody in the Malaysian scene came up with this.

I hope to see more books of Malaysian and South East Asian scene.

Contact
from_arash at yahoo dot com (editor)

Publisher
Penerbitan Langit
B7 Seksyen 10, Wangsa Maju,
53300 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia

penerbitanlangit at gmail dot com
https://www.instagram.com/terbitanlangit