Who are your Enemies?

MANILA, Philippines - Enemies  was formed in the summer of 2007, within a thriving DIY music scene in the village of Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Since then, the four-member band has been creating expansive and complex math-rock, while maintaining a simple ethos of self-sufficiency. In 2008, their “Alpha Waves” EP led to Japanese labels Machu Picchu Industrias and Stiff Slack Records picking up the band for releases.

The band made a two-week tour of Japan,  which saw it supporting its highly esteemed label mates TOE.  The year 2010 marked the release of Enemies’ first LP, “We’ve Been Talking,” which demonstrated the band’s unique take on instrumental rock: nuanced yet clear-cut, melodic yet ferocious and energetic yet emotive. Several more tours of Europe and Asia followed.

This year the band will release its sophomore album, “Embark, Embrace.” Scattered (for the first time) with vocals on themes of escape and renewal, the album’s optimistic title is inspired by the band’s collective decision to put career and college pursuits on the back-burner, to focus on writing and touring more fully than ever before. The result is an album far more hopeful and jubilant-sounding than its predecessor, preserving the band’s recognizable melodic interplay and technical prowess, while pushing towards the new and unexpected  levels of both theme and sound. 

Enemies  has handled a large chunk of recording, designing and releasing “Embark, Embrace”  itself, strengthening its “do-it-yourself” reputation while stepping tangibly forward in terms of its own music.

Enemies performs  live in Manila on Sept.  20, Friday, 8 p.m. at 19 East located at KM. 19 East Service Road near Sucat, Parañaque.  Terno Recordings’ artists Skymarines and Pulso will be guest performers.

Major sponsor of the event is New World Makati Hotel.

Tickets available at Artwork Glorietta and TriNoma branches, at 19 East and at all Terno Recordings’ gigs. Tickets are priced at  P1,200 until Sept. 15 and P1,500  from Sept. 16 onwards.