#SHOWBIZ: Rock with a sweet bite
MALAYSIAN rock band Barbarik is set to headline Zepp Kuala Lumpur this Saturday, June 28, for their highly anticipated concert, 'Barbarik Pentas Peluru Cokelat'.
The show celebrates their debut album, 'Peluru Cokelat'.This concert marks a significant milestone for the band, as it will be their first time performing a full set featuring entirely original tracks from their new album.
Released in November last year, 'Peluru Cokelat' demonstrates Barbarik's serious commitment to establishing their presence in the Malaysian rock scene.
The album comprises seven tracks: the title track, 'Golok Kayu' (featuring Karl Cromok), 'Didakap Pesona', 'Kasmaran Selamanya', 'Nasib Baik', 'Marcapada', 'Gelap Nan Terang' (an instrumental), and a radio edit of 'Didakap Pesona'.
All songs were composed by Jo, with lyrics contributed by well-known writers including Nasir Jani, Muss, Bambino, Nuar Botak, and Jo himself.
Mastering was expertly handled by Don Bartley at Benchmark Mastering in Brisbane, Australia.
What truly distinguishes this album is its multi-format release. Fans can purchase it as a CD, vinyl record, USB card, or digital download via email, catering to collectors who still appreciate physical formats.
Previously, Barbarik's live shows often included songs from lead singer Muss's time with the legendary rock band Wings.
"We promise a high-energy performance that will test your adrenaline from start to finish," says frontman and guitarist Jo Branko, whose real name is Abdul Zamin Abdul Kadir.
The 56-year-old rocker adds: "We want the audience so captivated they won't even want to take a bathroom break."
Despite being formed only three years ago, Barbarik — comprising Muss (vocals), Jo Branko (guitar), Rozaimi (bass), and Ainol (drums) — has already headlined four major concerts.
These include Pentas Keras 1.0 (in 2022), Double Trouble 2: Search X Barbarik (2023), Pentas Keras 2.0 (2023), and Pentas Keras 3.0 (2024).The band's formation can be traced back to their debut concert, Pentas Keras 1.0, in December 2022.
This event reunited Muss and Jo — former bandmates from Wings — after more than two decades apart.
The name Barbarik is inspired by the warrior character from the Mahabharata, symbolising immense strength and a fight for good — a spirit the band aims to revive through their music.
At the upcoming concert, expected to run for over two hours, the band will perform 20 songs.
They'll blend fresh material with nostalgic classics in a special segment called Retro Akustika, which pays tribute to the rock sounds of the 1980s and 1990s.
The concert will also feature special guest guitarists Shah Slam, Ujang Tukimon, and Muzza, along with a string octet to elevate the musical experience.
According to Jo, the upcoming concert will be unlike anything fans have seen before.
"We want people to enjoy the show like they're watching a movie with popcorn," he elaborates.
"The album 'Peluru Cokelat' reflects our direction as a band — one with purpose and identity."
Jo also addresses the challenges of staging concerts in the current climate.
"Our challenge today, besides the sheer volume of concerts, is technology.
"Every time we do a concert, there will be fans who record the performance and post it on social media
"They can watch the performance over and over again, so what more can Barbarik offer to encourage fans to come to the concert? We have to be more creative to showcase something out of the ordinary."
He is grateful that despite the abundance of local and international concerts, most tickets for their show have already been snapped up by their fans.
"Sales so far have been very encouraging. Tickets for the VIP room are already sold out.
"Now, all that remains are tickets in the arena section for the standing category. Perhaps many of our fans are of a certain age group who prefer a seated area," he says with a laugh.
"However, it's simply not possible for concert-goers at rock shows to be sitting throughout. So, that's why we've provided the standing section, and hopefully, we'll sell all the tickets for this section at the last minute," Jo adds, noting that a single ticket for this section is priced at just RM150.
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