Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban Presents: Pulp Summer Slam XVII: Redemption
MANILA, Philippines - An army of Pinoy metal heads gathered at QC Amoranto Stadium last April 29, 2017 for PULP SUMMER SLAM XVII: REDEMPTION, co-presented by PULP Live World and RED HORSE BEER. Six international metal acts and six of the country’s heaviest local rock acts joined hand in hand to give a truly epic experience.
Immediately after arriving at the venue, the crowd rushed to get their battle gear: official PSSXVII bandannas and shirts by TRIBAL. Ramon “The Doctor” Zialcita and former beauty queen Bianca “Zahra” Saldua once again served as hosts, warming up the crowd and presiding over Dutdutan’s Shred Fest and Drum Duel. The crowd fueled themselves for the pit by gorging on Taco Bell and Pizza Hut while guzzling down Mountain Dew and Red Horse Beer.
Starting off was 2016 RHB PAMBANSANG MUZIKLABAN champions SHOTGUN COMBO, who kickstarted their set with the Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban anthem before going straight for crowd favorites such as “Labahita” and “Mahiwagang Butas.” Rock n’ roll mainstays RAZORBACK came next and showed all these younger bands how it’s done. KJWAN, on the other hand, served one epic riff after another.
Australian band GODS OF EDEN was the first international act to hit the stage, wowing the crowd with their brand of metal that was equal parts heavy, catchy, and complex. Next up was electronicore band I SEE STARS who had their fans completely floored with their earthshaking breakdowns and front man Devin Oliver’s soaring vocals. WHITECHAPEL then arrived and nearly destroyed the stadium with their apocalyptic brand of deathcore. Afterwards, Japanese electronicore act CROSSFAITH got the whole place jumping with their nu-metal influenced sound, while DRAGONFORCE gave an otherworldly performance with their signature fantasy-themed power metal. This was the second time for both bands at the Slam, and by the looks of the mayhem they caused this year, it’s safe to say that the Slameros can’t wait for a third.
Ending the international line-up was headliner, MEGADETH. Giving a long overdue followup performance after their 2012 solo concert here in the Philippines, their setlist was filled with classics such as “Hangar 18,” “Tournado of Souls,” and “Holy Wars,” but fans were also treated with live renditions of songs off their latest record Dystopia such as “Post-American World” and the Grammy Award-winning “Dystopia.”
Closing off the night were The Three Kings of The Slam. WILABALIW had the crowd screaming for more with their hits “Matador” and “Diveler,” while GREYHOUNDZ surprised the fans with a brand-new song called “Krus.” The Masters of Mayhem SLAPSHOCK, now celebrating their 20th year, gave a glimpse of their new album by dishing out their latest anthem “Atake” while also treating their long-time fans with their classic and timeless songs like “Agent Orange.”
With an ocean of beer, endless cheers, and mosh pits ‘til dawn, the 17th year of Southeast Asia’s longest-running metal festival was once again a huge success, a solid reaffirmation that heavy metal is alive and kicking.
PULP SUMMER SLAM XVII: Redemption was co-presented by RED HORSE BEER and PULP LIVE WORLD in cooperation with TRIBAL, MOUNTAIN DEW and TACO BELL, with official media sponsors The Philippine STAR, MYX, Monster Radio RX93.1, Rakista Radio and PULP Magazine. Photos: Joriel Bataan, Stephen Lavoie and King Sta. Maria
