Pinoys open foreign gig in UAE

With their original composition, six overseas Filipino workers had gotten a chance to  perform front act for two death metal foreign bands at the El Barrio Bar & Resto in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

^{Photos courtesy by Allan Ray Concepcion}

“Final Grief was created in late 2018. We scribbled and dedicated the song to our friend who lost her husband in an accident. We released the video last March 23 at the Tantra Blue Nile Club Karama under Juan Musik Community with other bands. It [the release of the composition] was successful,” said keyboardist and synthesizer Allan Ray Concepcion of Fatal Qualm in an email interview with GMA News Online last May 31.

Six days after the March 23 song release, the OFW group was commissioned to do a front act.

“After that event, we did a front act for Phidion, a Swedish metal band last March 29. We were at the streak of music until Ms. Rica Salario, the director and producer of our music video, asked us if we can play a front act for a ‘surprise guest’ band for an event of Joscene, a prominent metal production here in Dubai. After two weeks we saw the poster and then—boom!—we were surprised to find out that it was Vader and Nervochaos,” the car detailer at Auto Mystique Car Care added, referring to the Polish band and Brazilian group.

With Concepcion are vocalist Mic Calma, administrative clerk at Al Habbai Contracting LLC; bassist Joanne Crescini, nurse at Aster Hospital; rhythm guitarist Katrina Salario, photographer at Allabar Designs; drummer Paul Taquiga, customer service representative at Dubizzle; and lead guitarist Jan Salamat, customer service representative at Arabian Oryx Travel & Tourism.

“Fatal qualm was formed in August 2018. Each member came from various bands in Dubai such as Herbalution, Karachi Kid, Mandirigma, Pullbox and Skintillaz. From there a new Symphonic Metal was created,” Concepcion added.

“We do not only consider each other like one family but also we forget the stress we face thru the work. As we write our songs, we dedicate it with passion, respect for each other and enthusiasm in every stitch of our daily challenge.” —LBG, GMA News