Over a decade since their debut album, Provement from the Wise Tigers, Indonesian metallic hardcore band Sabertooth is back with new music in tow. Earlier this week, the Magelang band released "Blessing Rage," the title track from their upcoming second album.
Sabertooth started in 2013 when vocalist Hays, who had played in Crashbone, and Big Wox, then drumming for Striker, decided to form a band that would go beyond the beatdown style common in their scene. "From the beginning, we wanted Sabertooth to be more than just heavy breakdowns and aggressive stage presence," the band tells No Echo.
"Musically, we aimed to explore a broader sound, while lyrically we focused on honest reflections of real-life struggles, self-improvement, and the realities of being human. "They brought in Ozzy and Dino from Dislike Enemy and Locos from Unframed to round out the lineup. The band later shifted, with Big Wox switching to guitar, Ewin joining on drums, and Amung on bass.
According to the quintet, the lyrics on the Blessing Rage LP point inward. "The songs evolve around the idea of accepting the consequences of our mistakes, confronting pain and disappointment, and understanding that suffering is an unavoidable part of life's cycle," they say. "Rather than being consumed by those experiences, the record is about finding the strength to rise from them."
Sabertooth still sees themselves as a heavy metallic hardcore band, but their new album brings in death metal, groove metal, and southern metal influences. "We never wanted to be confined by trends or formulas," the band explains. "We strongly believe that hardcore is much bigger than any single template."
Sabertooth is returning at a time when Indonesian hardcore is especially active. The scene has been strong since the late 1990s, but the band sees more connection now than in the past. "What we're seeing today feels different," they explain. "Since the pandemic, the scene has become far more connected, both nationally and across Southeast Asia."
Social media, independent outlets, digital releases, and regional touring have opened up new opportunities for bands from smaller cities, not just Jakarta.
"Indonesia currently has one of the most active and diverse hardcore communities in Southeast Asia," the band says. "New bands continue to emerge from different islands and regions, many of them reaching international audiences."
Sabertooth is based in Magelang, where the scene is known as "Temple City Hardcore." The community has grown through DIY efforts, events like Titik Temu Hardcore, and local bands including Striker, Milhouse, Bouver, and Intenshit.
Looking beyond Indonesia, the band sees Southeast Asia as a key region for hardcore right now. "There are more shows, stronger crowds, and greater collaboration between countries than ever before," they say. "From an outsider's perspective, Southeast Asia is genuinely becoming one of the most exciting hardcore regions in the world."
For the rest of 2026, Sabertooth plans to bring the new album to audiences through shows and touring. They will also mark the 12th anniversary of Provement from the Wise Tigers before starting to write again.
12 years in, the band is more sure of their direction than ever. "We're no longer trying to prove anything to anyone," they conclude.
"We're simply focused on creating music that reflects who we are and contributing to a culture that has given us so much."
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Blessing Rage will be out on July 9 via Rest N Rust Records (CD) and Tycusgoth Records (cassette).
Sabertooth on social media: Instagram
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