Angels of steel: Extreme singing and the women of Pinoy metal

Girl power was a much darker, more brutally beautiful world far beyond what I’d imagined. Needless to say, I wanted more, making secret weekend visits to Recto (limited internet access could take one to great places) to look for more female screamers to add to all the guitar shreds and lightning-fast riffs by the male species.

 

The search led to more women-fronted discoveries, including more metal from bands like Otep and Arch Enemy, and other genres—from the post-punk’s Siouxsie and the Banshees to Riot Grrrl’s Bikini Kill.

 

Inequality and misogyny have characterized most types of music, and metal is no exception. One of the problems encountered by women playing in front of a male-dominated crowd is objectification. 

 

Take, for example, the special editions of music magazine “Revolver”. The “Women in Metal” (later renamed “Women in Hard Rock) issues sparked controversy. The idea was to celebrate the talent and beauty of women from metal bands, but many metal devotees saw that that there were too many corsets, heels, and laces, and too little musical achievements. 

 

Despite these, however, women in metal lived to flourish up to this day. The Pinoy metal scene, in particular, is very much alive and thriving with women band members. 

 

More women are making their mark in a testosterone-driven genre, providing audiences with some aggression and conviction from the bloodcurdling, in-your-face growls, stirring melodies, and unapologetic lyrics. 

 

Proof are these two women from local metal bands Descant Gott and Voice of Tranquility, arguably two of the more popular heavy rock outfits in the country. GMA News Online asked them about what it’s like to be a part of the local metal scene today, roaring, growling, and screaming their head off with the best of the metalheads. 

 

Loubelle Luis of Descant Gott  

“I wouldn't want to be seen solely as an eye candy,” she said, expressing the common dilemma of being a lead force in a male-dominated scene. 

 

Loubelle discovered metal in high school, when she realized she could do more than just chant and sing back-up for death metal bands. Inspired by artists like Tarja Turunen, Sharon den Adel, and Chuck Schuldiner, she eventually became the front woman of melodic death/thrash metal Descant Gott. 

 

When not on stage, Loubelle works at an IT company and does conceptual photo shoots with her friends. 

 

How’s the response from female fans? 

 

Loubelle: More women are appreciating and supporting the metal scene, deviating from being the stereotypical groupies in the past.

 

Do you think that women should be scared when joining the mosh pit during gigs? 

 

Yes, but not all the time. Joining the pit is an exciting experience but I think they have to gauge first if they can handle the intensity and at least get to know the feel of the crowd they're in for safety purposes. 

 

As for me, I have gone close to the mosh pit area but not exactly in it because the guys could get really rough, especially when they are "in the zone" and you can't blame them for that. In fairness to the other moshers, there are still those who are consciously aware and caring enough for the welfare of not only to the women around them, but to the people in general even if they get wild.

 

Got new material coming out soon? 

 

[We have[ a single for the Muziklaban 2006 Compilation CD and one EP. As of now, we're just waiting on Vortextures Recording Studio for the final mix of our songs so we can move on to the next steps and hopefully release the album soon. 

 

Arnie “Rny” Jane Ortega of Voice of Tranquility  

Rny fronts melodic death metal band Voice of Tranquilty. The band has been around for nearly a decade, and has recently released a re-issue of their “Army of Hades” EP under a Malaysian label. 

 

They’ll be back in the studio soon to record a full-length album. 

 

Who are your musical heroes?

 

Rny: Those bands who influenced me to be what am I now in Voice of Tranquility since I was started playing in the band. Most of them are foreign acts like Lamb of God, Arch Enemy, Kittie etc., but some are local bands like Saydie. 

 

Would you consider yourself a feminist?

 

In some way, but I know myself that no matter how I proved to every body that I can sing and move the way the men use to sing, when it comes to equality of men and women there's still differences. Maybe I can be like them? But not in terms of reaching them.

 

What’s it like to be in a scene dominated by men?

 

It feels good to the fact that every men was admiring you not just because of you can do what they can do on the stage but also your ability to mingle with them regardless of your differences. -- KDM, GMA News  Photos courtesy of Loubelle Luis and Voice of Tranquility