"Heartlessness and the Systematic Perpetuation of Despair" Album by The Exsenadors

Philippine punk band The Exsenadors put their emotions and advocacies into song with their new album - Heartlessness and the Systematic Perpetuation of Despair!

Written over the past few years, it's a collection of songs that not only reflect the current political climate but transcend into anthems devoid of time and place. The album has your choice selection of mosh starters with a surprise mix of samples in between to calm the pace and keep you guessing. "Piece of Cake" takes a very modern issue of cyclists into a protest theme complete with multi-tempo portions is such a short span of time. The album will be sure to get your blood pumping and boiling!

I was able to have a quick chat with the band to talk about their new release.

JANLOR: Why release an album during a time like this?

THOMAS: Aside from it being long overdue, the band feels it is timely to release the album as a collection of commentaries regarding the current administration and the growing dissent and movement against fascism and tyranny.

KIT: We as a band, through the album, want to register our views and opinions on the current administration at least within our audience in the punk and arts community here and abroad.

ROMAN: This album is also our contribution to the fight against fascism, tyranny and oppression of the punk community and the people’s movement. This is one way of showing our defiance against the anti-terror law in particular and the fascist Duterte regime.

J: How much has the current political climate/administration been an "inspiration" to the album?

K: The album theme is very much ‘inspired’ by the Duterte regime’s fascism, suppression and wielding of state power to protect business interests of the ruling classes.

ELAINE: The title, is a spin-off from our Facebook post condemning the death of Baby River Nacino, son of political detainee Reina Mae Nacino which was arrested based on trumped charges and planted firearms as evidences. Reina Mae and Baby River were separated due to a court decision a month after the latter was born. Due to the lack of nourishment and care of his mother, Baby River died 3 months after. The separation of Baby River from his mom and his eventual death and the conduct of the personnel of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Philippines National Police on his wake and funeral march encapsulates the heartlessness and other characteristics of the current administration which we are trying to depict with the album title.'

T: The songs are definitely heavily influenced by the political climate. “Bad Mouth (Strikes Again)”, “Dead Bodies” “Executioner”, “Sa Dilim at Putik” and the filler, “Doro’s nightmare” are about Duterte’s tyranny and fascism, while “The Tide”, “Endless Struggle”, “Things”, “On the question of war and peace” and “Dahas = Dahas” are commentaries on the need for people’s movement and class struggle to totally end oppression, not just under the current regime. “Piece of cake” is a song regarding the assertion for proper bike lanes as we in the band are also bike commuters and enthusiasts.

J: if it were a different administration now, would the songs still be the same?

PX: There will be a slight difference in the lyrics and song titles, but the essence would definitely remain the same.

Poverty and hunger, economic and political inequality, fascism, extra-judicial and political killings are present in every administration. Yes, things have worsen especially the human rights situation, under the Duterte regime but it’s no different during Noynoy Aquino’s administration. Hundreds of civilians and activists were summarily executed and arrested due to trumped up charges during Noynoy’s presidency. Even during Cory Aquino’s term in the 80s which was supposed to be the “restoration of democracy”, unarmed civilians and activist leaders like Lean Alejandro of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Rolando Olalia of Kilusang Mayo uno and many others were murdered, just like what is happening now under the current administration

R: The songs were mainly written based on the context and situation under the current administration but are also anchored on the essence of the Philippines society, regardless of which political faction of the ruling class is in state power.

J: What's next for the band?

T: in relation with our latest album, restock of tapes will be available this March via Struggle Records and Mutilated Noise. We’re also planning on releasing the album in vinyl sometime this year. We’re in discussion with friends abroad for the funding/release of the vinyl.

K: There are also plans to release an EP this year. But there’s still a lot of work to do in terms of song writing. We also plan to push through the collaborative album (not split) with Flattbush (LA) if the Covid-19 pandemic eases out in the near future.

R: We’re also playing an online show organized by Arkipelago Books (US) this April 17 for the promotion of Bicol native and SF-based tattoo artist Jeff Quintano's new book BAYBAYIN: Panimula sa Pagbasa at Pagsulat on April 17th 2021.

Grab a copy below!