“Nature Is Pissed”.So declared the black-and-white sticker on bassist Hendrick Gonzales’ four-string. And the rest of Bad Burn who performed their usual hardcore set at Mayric’s Sunday Grabe Sunday (SGS) last March seemed to live up to the stickers message.

Though the audience was sparse for SGS, vocalist Marben Romero (TAU GAMMA PHI UST Chapter Batch 1994) shoved his strong lyrics into everyone’s faces including that of Sandwich vocalist Marc Abaya, whose younger brother, Dave Abaya strummed out prickly chords on his flying V guitar. Gonzales’ bass guitar rocked with attitude, churning the intense riffs. Mixed with drummer Robert dela Cruz’s vigor on the drum set, you’ve got yourself one hardcore band minus the excessive noise. It is this particular quality about Bad Burn that puts them way over their kind, blending sharp music with strong lyrics.

With lines like “Who is righteous/Who is just/In a world of lies/Who can you trust?” (from “Who Can You Trust”) it is pretty clear that their anger isnt just an act to gain mainstream success. They’ve already been included in NU 107’s In The Raw compilation and have becoming one of the more eagerly anticipated hardcore bands in any concert line up.

I am no fan of hardcore bands. But with Bad Burn’s deep-seated attitude and indescribable anger, I know that their pissed-off aura is not to be taken literally. They only prove that noise is so much better appreciated when theres something important to say.