Photo Courtesy of Arcadia
The Philippine hardcore scene continues to push boundaries, and at the forefront of that movement stands Arcadia — a band that has steadily carved its name into the country’s heavy music landscape. Known for their relentless energy, metallic edge, and emotionally charged songwriting, Arcadia has evolved from underground mainstays to one of the most respected acts in the local hardcore community.
With years of experience on stage, powerful releases under their belt, and a growing presence beyond Philippine shores, the band remains committed to delivering music that speaks to struggle, resilience, and unity. In this written interview, Arcadia opens up about their journey, creative process, brotherhood as a band, and what lies ahead for the next chapter of their sound.
Arcadia has been part of the Philippine hardcore scene for years now. How did the band first come together, and what was the original vision?
My old pal BJ and I co-founded the band around 2007. At that time, our only vision was to create the kind of music we wanted to play and perform at as many local hardcore and metal shows as we could.
As the years went by, our goals grew, we wanted to tour the world and play outside the country, just like the bands that inspired us to form Arcadia. Even though the lineup has changed since then, that original vision still drives the band today.
Looking back at your early days, what challenges shaped Arcadia into what it is today?
Staying true to our core is what shaped Arcadia into what it is today. We never let the small amount of limelight get to our heads.
Big shows are cool, but nothing beats intimate, community shows. That’s where this really lives. This was never just about music for us it’s about purpose. It’s a movement.
How has the band evolved from Parallels to your latest releases?
For me, Parallels is something that will always be special. It represents our youth and everything we were going through at that time. But it also opened the door for growth. It challenged Arcadia to step outside our comfort zone and create new music, with the newer lineup, and begin telling a new story together.
Your sound blends hardcore intensity with metallic elements. How would you describe Arcadia’s musical identity today?
We never tried to label the sound of Arcadia. We leave that to the people who listen to us. But at our core, we’re hardcore and punk kids. Youth crew and New York hardcore had a huge impact on us. Still, we’ve always listened to a lot of different music. We embrace everything in between and even beyond those influences, and that openness continues to shape our sound.
What usually comes first when writing a song — the riffs, lyrics, or overall concept?
It usually starts with the riffs. We’ve tried adapting a more modern way of writing too, demoing ideas with programmed drums before bringing them to the full band.
Are there particular themes or personal experiences that heavily influence your songwriting?
If you listen closely to Arcadia’s music from the World Lockdown EP to our newest releases politics has always been part of our voice. Some songs reflect the world around us, while others come from within. ‘Fading Pages’ speaks about growing older and realizing that time slowly erases parts of our past but no matter how faded those memories become, we still hold on to them because they helped shape who we are.
How do you balance aggression and melody in your tracks?
With our new album Life We Know, we made a conscious effort to push ourselves. We wanted to explore new territory and try things we hadn’t done before. It was all about stepping outside the box and seeing what we could create.
The Philippine heavy music scene has grown significantly. How do you see Arcadia’s role within it?
The Philippine heavy music scene has definitely grown a lot, and we’re proud to be part of it. For us, Arcadia’s role has always been about staying true to the core.
We try to inspire younger bands by showing that you can stay passionate, put in the work, and create something meaningful. Whether it’s playing local shows, touring outside the country, or just putting out music that connects with people, we hope we contribute to the scene by keeping it alive and honest.
What does it mean for you to represent Filipino hardcore on international stages?
It’s meaningful because it connects our local scene with the world. We don’t speak for everyone, but it’s great to show that Filipino metal and hardcore bands have a place on international stages.
How different is the energy of performing locally versus overseas?
Both local and international shows are a lot of fun. The main challenge is connecting with people who are seeing you for the first time. I think the energy at international shows is a bit different because people are excited to check you out. It’s similar here at home, but most non-hardcore shows have been really steady(literally), haha.
Arcadia is known for high-energy live sets. What do you want audiences to feel after watching you perform?
We really want our crowd to experience what we feel live. But most importantly, we want them to connect with the message. Moshing is fun, but above all, we want people to feel and understand what our songs are about.
Is there a memorable live show that stands out in your career so far?
There are too many shows that are memorable to us, but one that stands out that I can remember is the Deftones night show we did with The Flying Lugaw. Seeing kids 10–20 years younger than us enjoying our set, and even singing along to parts of our songs, was really special.
Can you tell us about the message and direction behind your recent album?
Life We Know, our latest album, combines our thoughts on politics with our personal life experiences. Being parents now has also had a big impact on how we approach the music and what we want to say.
Was there a track in the new record that challenged you the most creatively or emotionally?
Fading Pages’ was the most challenging track for us. Aside from featuring mostly clean vocals instead of screams, the song’s message is also really emotional for us.
What was different in your approach this time compared to your previous releases?
The melodic parts. Almost all the tracks on this album have melodic elements, and exploring that is something completely new for us.
After years together, how do you maintain strong chemistry within the band?
I think openness and communication are a big part of what makes it work.
- How do you handle creative differences when working on new material? When creating music, we make it a point to get input from everyone. If someone has a good idea and the rest of the band agrees, we find a way to make it work.
What’s next for Arcadia — more tours, collaborations, or new music?
We still want to keep making records, one after another. We haven’t done a full international tour yet, but we hope to do it before we hang it up.
Are there dream artists or bands you hope to share the stage with?
It’s hard to pick just one Mastodon, Speed, Code Orange, Malevolence… Our current favorite is Drain but honestly, we really enjoy playing with hardcore bands in general.
Lastly, what message would you like to send to your supporters and the hardcore community?
Support the scene you care about, the community that makes you feel at home, and the people who let you be yourself. Always stay true and keep it pure.
Stay connected with Arcadia and don’t miss a single breakdown, release, or live show announcement
Follow them on their official social media accounts for the latest updates, exclusive content, and upcoming performances.
Turn the volume up. Stay in the loop. Support Filipino hardcore.
Welcome to City Writer 
Leave a comment