Doomed Confessionary: Khristian, Joel, Jay & Marco (Bakunawa)
Bakunawa is a four-piece death/doom metal band from Calabarzon, Philippines. They have released their debut album »Ritwal« on February 15th, 2025. Available now on all major streaming services.
Bakunawa are Khristian (vocals), Joel (guitars), Marco (bass) and Jay (drums).
Can you please say a few words about your band?
Khristian: First of all, thank you for giving us this opportunity. We are Bakunawa, a 4 piece Filipino death/doom metal band hailing from the province of Rizal in the Philippines. The theme of our songs are mostly about Filipino folklore, darkness and horror tales.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Joel: Biggest challenge of the band so far are the gigs being offered from distant lands. We support it with our own wallets.
All: Perhaps the biggest challenge was during the BKNW’s foundation years. Leo and Khristian were both on strings back then, and to make the project work, Ian had to take on drums while also handling vocal duties. That setup gave birth to two of the four tracks on our EP.
The duo tried finding someone who was willing to play slow, but where we’re from – out East – full of speed kings. No one really wanted to go slow. That’s when the idea came up to reach out to Jay (DFA/Kushagra/Sagrado), who played in his past works. Surprisingly, he was down to take the path of learning drums for this one, especially since he had a kit at home to practice on anyway.
A couple of joints later, we jammed at Jay’s makeshift studio in Cainta, which led to two more tracks. The EP was recorded just a few months after in the same exact room!
Khristian: Originally, we were a 3 piece band but we opted to add Marco (Descant Gott) to handle the bass duties as I was unfortunate to be involved in a road accident hindering me to play.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Khristian: In such a short time, we were able to release one demo and one full-length album and in the midst of creating the second album.
Joel: We are proud that we are quick to conceptualize something and make it as an inspiration to create a material our of it. We create something from nothing. Lol
What was your biggest regret?
Jay: Not a ‘regret’, really , for me though, it’s the fact that we’ve known each other and been friends for years in our local scene. We’d always see each other at gigs, smoke-outs, or some random birthday party of one of our closest friends. The regret is more like: why didn’t we form the band earlier? We could’ve started Bakunawa as early as 2014. I guess our waypoints just hadn’t aligned yet back then – haha!
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Khristian: Probably the album launch of our first album. Despite the accident of our vocalist, we were able to push through in releasing and playing the event.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Khristian: Recently, we are being invited not to metal events but in hardcore/grindcore events and that really surprised us as we know that we are not just confined to not just the metal scene.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Many to mention but here are few:
• Local: Salot, Gapang, Killratio, Gibraltar, Two Ton Cunt, Tsimpayne, Bloodicide, Sagrado, Abanglupa, Surrogate Prey, Basalt Shrine, Nuclear Punishment, Crepuscular Dawn, The Beauty Of Doubt, Monochrome, Descant Gott
• International: Yob, Conan, Sleep, Asphyx, Opeth, Monolord, Bongripper, Methdrinker, Primitive Man, Cult Of Luna
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Joel: You have something in mind, write, record and repeat. Do not hesitate. Don’t think about what people will think or say about it. Keep writing music!
Jay: Make records!
Khristian: Write, record, release, repeat.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Khristian: Tom Jones, Matt Monroe, Engelbert Humperdinck, The Corrs (add kayo dito).
Joel: I love watches, always checking out something, not caring about the brand as long I see it is well made.
Jay: The Isley Brothers, Cypress Hill, Bone Thugs N’ Harmony.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Rizal?
Khristian: In our province, there are only few noteworthy metal bands specifically Gapang, Exitus, Eurycide, Gilinganne, Absit Omen and Saipek. However in the city, that’s where you’ll encounter great bands to watch. You can refer to our answer in question 7. 🙂
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Khristian: We have few remaining gigs this year as we want to focus on recording the second album.
• Sep 27: Hellmet Production at Makati City
• Oct 11: HeavyFuckingNights at Cainta, Rizal
• Oct 18: Doom/Sludge fest in Cavite
• Oct 25: Winter Nightfall album launch in Quezon City
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Khristian: For now, we are currently finishing the writing for the second album. We are planning to do the recording this coming Ber months.
How can people best support your band?
Khristian: The album and demo are both available via YouTube and Bandcamp. Have a listen and spread to your friends. Any review is welcome. 🙂
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Khristian: Please watch out for our new album. Thank you for supporting us in the demo and first album release. Lastly, thank you and more power to Doomed Nation!
Joel: SMOKE AND FKKK MUDUFKKKZ.
Jay: Smoke hard, make music, smoke harder!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well