Representing the Maldives in the global music arena, Sacred Legacy is a metal band with a vision to conquer. As they sit around a coffee table, the brutality they unleashed on stage recently at High Voltage seems momentarily forgotten, yet the eager gleams in their eyes betray their passion.
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| Shayd |
Wadde |
Formed in 2006 by Shayd, the lead guitarist and the “key person” of the band, Sacred Legacy have so far released two albums of remarkable quality, Sacred Legacy (2006) and Apocalypse (2007) and have been invited to concerts in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Their albums are available through 30 online stores.
“There is no future for metal in the Maldives. So we are aiming at taking our music to the international level,” explains Shayd, adding that the international community is surprised to hear of the existence of metal music in the Maldives. “Every step we take is a challenge,” adds Wadde, the drummer of the band, elaborating on the limitations of the underground metal scene.
The complexity of their Sacred Legacy’s compositions are evidence of their musical maturity. Their music, powerful yet melodious riffs forming a contrast to brutal vocals, is marked with Shayd’s signature guitar solos, a sound which he attributes to his influence from neoclassical guitarists including Malmsteen and Becker. “Without Shayd there would be no Sacred Legacy”, says Wadde the drummer of the band, explaining that even though everyone contributes to the song writing process, the band’s unique sound stems from Shayd’s artistry.
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| Azzam |
Iku |
Sacred Legacy combines many musical styles ranging from thrash to melodic death metal to form what they coin as “kick-ass metal”. “We like metal too much to stick to one subgenre”, explains Azzam, the vocalist and bass guitarist of the band.
The diverse lyrical themes revolve around fantasy as well as “elements of human suffering and the world today”, he adds. Azzam uses unique vocal techniques including growling and screeching, to add “a unique colour” to their songs.
One challenge the band has continously faced in the Maldives are allegations of being “haraam”. Some people try to use religion as an excuse to suppress metal music, says Shayd. But that will not stop the fans, says Iku the guitarist of the band. “They are too stubborn”, he adds with a laugh. Music can be positive. Music is about freedom. It is not inherently diabolic, explains Wadde.
Sacred Legacy is currently signed to STF Records in Germany and sponsored by Coca Cola Burn. They are looking forward to releasing their new album Legacy Begins as well as Shayd’s second solo album Nostalgia early next year, and hopefully, more mind-blowing performances in Sri Lanka. |
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