I rarely write about Malaysian Melodic Death Metal — in fact, I don’t think I ever have — but there’s a first time for everything. Recently, I received this 4-track EP, and it was a blast from the past. It transported me straight back to the early 2000s, frequenting underground shows across Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya.
For context, Herriot was founded in the late 90s, drawing deep influence from the “Gothenburg sound” pioneers like In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, and At The Gates. After releasing Celestial Obelisk (2000) and Transworld Chaos (2001) through Psychic Scream Entertainment, the band went quiet except for some periodic reunions. It wasn’t until September 2024 that they came back to record this new material, released via Goatlordth Records.
The Tracks
- “The Sign” sets the tone immediately, with driving riffs locked in against some classic double-pedal drumming.
- “Light My Darkness” is a standout. It’s a compelling 7-minute-and-32-second journey through shifting moods. I especially enjoyed the harmonized guitar lines that kick in around the 3-minute mark. The solo is melodic and spacious—a nice contrast that allows the track to breathe. Despite its length, this is the most accessible track on the EP.
- “Obelisks Of The Sun” (feat. Erwan Zernal) brings the intensity back up. The highlight for me was the syncopated hits after the 3-minute mark, paired with some excellent tapped and harmonized guitar leads.
- “None Of The Sons” closes the record with high-energy riffing. This track features my favorite solo on the EP—a blend of tapping, harmonized leads, and tasteful bends that align with the lyrics’ reflection on the cost of war.
Verdict
Where does Herriot stand in the current Malaysian landscape?
Honestly, there is space for every type of act, and it’s great to see a classic band re-emerge with such clarity. The real question is: what’s next? I hope this EP serves as a springboard for them to further explore their vision through more live performances and future releases.
Rating: 3.5/5
You can stream the new EP on YouTube here and support the band directly via getting a digital download on Bandcamp.
The release is also available on CD & cassette. You can order your copy here from the band via WhatsApp.
Thanks to the PR team at Dissecting The Euphony for sending this release my way!
[About Herriot]
Founded in the late 90s, Herriot is one of the originators of the Melodic Death Metal movement in Malaysia, rooted in the Gothenburg Sound approach. At a time when Malaysian Metal fans were still obsessed with Extreme Metal music from Norway, Greece, and the USA, six young men from northern Malaysia came together to form Herriot, named after a location in Penang. Herriot kickstarted the Swedish Melodic Death Metal obsession in Malaysia, inspired by In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, and At The Gates.
The earliest incarnation of Herriot consisted of Chen (vocals), Chop Chaosblood (guitars), Adlan (guitars), Azim (drums), Afzad (bass), and Joe Sarcast (guitars). They released their debut EP Celestial Obelisk through Psychic Scream Entertainment in 2000, which transformed the Malaysian extreme music scene at the time and received positive responses from international markets.
Their full album Transworld Chaos followed in 2001 through Psychic Scream Entertainment with a slight lineup change: Yat took over the bass position and Ling contributed to Herriot’s sound with keyboards. Within a year between Celestial Obelisk and Transworld Chaos, Herriot showed significant growth and was hailed as one of the local bands gaining attention from listeners outside Malaysia.
Herriot disbanded after the release of Transworld Chaos. The band reunited several times over the following years, until finally reemerging with the current lineup at the end of 2023 to record Celestial Chaos EP and Black Day Massacre album in Sweden with Fredrik Nordström (In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, At The Gates, Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy, Bring Me The Horizon). Celestial Chaos EP was released in May 2026 via Goatlordth Records.
Herriot are
Chen – Vocals | Azim – Guitar | Eroll – Guitars | Peth – Bass | Fariz – Drums
Leave a Reply