THANKS to fellow Soundtrip blogger Lawrence Casiraya, I was able to discover Lunarin, an alternative rock band based in Singapore.

While we were in Singapore, Lawrence gave me a CD sampler of the band’s songs, which included two versions of the song called “Absolution”: one features powerful guitar riffs while the other had a haunting mood and an unforgettable piano lick. You can listen to this song on their MySpace, actually.

The band is composed of Linda Ong (lead vocals, bass), Ho Kah Wye (guitars, vocals), and Loo Eng Teck (drums, percussions, piano, vocals).

What’s interesting about this band is that they’re all working professionals. This is a “side project.” But based on the quality of their music (and the superb recording), this band is Asia’s upcoming bands that you have to watch out for. They’re good.

On their MySpace profile, Linda Ong has been compared with Tori Amos.

Excerpt:

If Lunarin had to choose to deliver a message with the music, it would be that contrasting elements can and do work. The band’s biggest breakthrough was perhaps to balance melodic female vocals with hard-hitting riffs and drumbeats, while at the same time, to indulge themselves in a myriad of styles reminiscent of art-rock and metal. Contradiction should have been the band’s moniker. Described by music journalist Sujin Thomas as “Tori Amos on acid”, the band’s brand of dark and heavy music has been described as “Tool meets Kate Bush”; “Tori Amos fronts A Perfect Circle” and has been likened to the dark soundscapes of 4AD bands by music critics and radio deejays.

Indeed, it is not difficult to see why the music of Lunarin has evoked extreme reactions from listeners. The music has been capable of arousing a deep sense of anger and bitterness in naysayers. It has also been capable of evoking great feelings of sadness and ambivalence in the lovers and supporters of the music. Given the manner in which the songs are written and delivered, it is impossible to be neutral about Lunarin — the songs take you hostage, sometimes even when you don’t want to.