Review | Hong Kong metal outfit Dagger get straight to the point
The new project from King Ly Chee frontman Riz Farooqi show off their heavy hardcore sound on debut EP, which gets launched at Focal Fair, in Causeway Bay, on July 1
Dagger
Dangerous Goods
Recorded by Naseem Khan, of Hong Kong band Parallel Horizons, and mixed at California’s Pit studio, the debut EP from new local metalcore act Dagger blasts the listener with a tight, heavy sound slashed by stinging metal riffs. Dagger are the latest project from King Ly Chee frontman Riz Farooqi and they are the first non-Singaporean band to have material released on Lion City label Dangerous Goods. The pounding rhythm section of bassist To and drummer Ivan is anchored by guitarist Farooqi’s strong hooks. These guys must be huge fans of 90s hardcore, but prefer a heavier sound to their musical influences. Vocalist James (it’s first names only with this lot) sings of the global issues of this generation, the breakdown of tolerance and the fear that generates. Hong Kong hardcore bands Fight Club and Yau Dong also lend members to Dagger, and their take-no-prisoners approach is clearly a result of that combined experience. Join Dagger on their journey on July 1, as they take to the Focal Fair stage, in Causeway Bay, to launch the EP at a Unite Asia Showcase, alongside five other local noise mongers.
