Doomed Confessionary: Kevin & Chris (Polusyon)
Polusyon is a two-piece sludge/doom/hardcore band hailing from Cainta, Philippines. Founded in 2024, the duo consists of Chris Sarte (bass, backing vocals) and Kevin Pertez (drums, vocals, samples).
Polusyon have released their self-titled debut demo on July 4th, 2025. Available now in digital format with physical copies coming soon through Thresthold Records.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
Kevin: Hey Bojan/Doomed Nation! Thanks for this opportunity. We are grateful to be part of your Doomed Confessionary series. We are Polusyon (Filipino pronunciation and spelling of the word “pollution”). A filthy 3rd-world sludge/doom/hardcore bass-and-drum duo from the polluted streets of the Philippines. We angrily shout about the reality of living in this fucked-up society, environment and many more.
Chris: Thank you for featuring us again. Yeah, we are just two angry people making angry music.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Kevin: Our goddamn location. We live like 400 km apart. Hahaha.
Chris: Yes, I agree about our location, and it takes me a long time to travel from Bicol to Rizal/Manila. That’s why our gigs and recordings may take some time.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Chris: Our unique style of music, heavy bass and drums, with lyrics that speak about the ugly truth we see in our country.
Kevin: We achieved a wall of sound with just minimal instrumentation (bass and drums).
What was your biggest regret?
Kevin: I think my biggest regret is not starting this band sooner. We planned it for a long time before the pandemic, but then Covid hit and we couldn’t travel since we live so far apart. After the pandemic, we got busy with different projects. Honestly, we should’ve started this particular band back when we were kids and neighbors, even though we were already bandmates in a different band back in high school. But I don’t want to dwell too much on the past. I prefer to focus on the future and live in the present.
Chris: Same with that, we had planned it for a long time, but Covid hit us so hard.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Chris: This isn’t with Polusyon, but we used to play a series of events in Bicol called A.O.R. with our previous hardcore band when we were teenagers. So far, that’s the best gig we’ve had
Kevin: Yeah, A.O.R. 1 or 2. The crowd is in your face.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Polusyon: Some of the bands we look up to have been very approachable and supportive. But one thing that’s not surprising, though, is that the Philippine underground scene produces a lot of great bands.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Polusyon: There’s a lot, but we’ve been listening to Stubborn frequently over the past few weeks. They’re a sludge/hardcore band from Saint Petersburg, though I’m not sure if they’re still active. I’ve also been digging Dysphoria from Philly, a sick sludge/hardcore band from the ’90s. Crowbar, Noothgrush, Corrupted, Dystopia, Melvins, Agnostic Front, Hatebreed, and Black Sabbath have been mainstays on our playlist ever since.
As for local bands, there’s too many to mention as well, but to name a few: Eyes Of Fire, Salot, Gapang, Aware, Dark Horse, Kapitan Kulam and many more. Also, a lot of ’80s Pinoy punk bands like Wuds, Intoxication Of Violence, Dead Ends, Philippine Violators, and Urban Bandits.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Chris: Stay true, and keep learning.
Kevin: Whatever you do, do it with passion.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Chris: I’m into 90’s hip hop and I love watching anime and reading manga. Hahaha.
Kevin: Wu-Tang Clan comin’ at ya! I also like watching rap battles and videos of arrogant cops getting humiliated. I might be or might not be addicted to chamomile tea. Fuck! Hahaha.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Cainta / Rizal?
Polusyon: Thriving! There are a lot of new sludge and doom bands emerging, including us. The scene is doing great, not just in sludge and doom but in the underground scene as a whole.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Polusyon: We’re planning to play live in October, which is when Chris visits Rizal again. Hopefully, we can find a gig or get another invitation. With our current band setup, we can’t accept gig invitations very often. We’ve had a few invites since releasing our demo, but unfortunately, we can’t commit right now because Chris can’t travel to Rizal or Manila all the time. That’s why we’re also open to the idea of getting a session musician or even adding a permanent guitar player or a drummer, so we can accept gig invites even when Chris isn’t in Rizal. We’re just waiting for the right fit.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Polusyon: We are planning to release a follow-up EP and an album as soon as possible, while doing gigs in the process. Also, the hard copies of our demo will also be out around September or October, under Thresthold Records.
How can people best support your band?
Polusyon: Listen to it while blazing some GMOG or whatever strains you’ve got! Hahaha. Spread the noise and understand the message.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Polusyon: Thank you for lending an ear and listening to us. We truly appreciate it. Always remember to stand up for what is right, and as the mighty Kirk Windstein said, “Walk with knowledge wisely.” Big thanks to Doomed Nation again for this rad series! Until next time, cheers!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well