Photo Credits: SAYDIE’s official band photo by Shotaro (@e.w.sfilm_shotaro)
SAYDIE has spent years carving its own place in the Philippine metal scene, evolving through lineup changes, diverse influences, and a relentless passion for music. More than just a band, SAYDIE has become a movement, championing female-fronted metal and hoping to open more doors for artists across the Philippines and Asia.
With a heavier, more technical sound shaped by years of growth and international performances, the band continues to push creative boundaries. Following memorable 2026 shows, including sharing the stage with HANABIE. in Hawaii and touring Japan, SAYDIE is preparing to release a new album in early 2027.
Featuring Kat Taylor, Keiran Tumpalan, Lehmann Flores, and Eumer Comoda, SAYDIE remains determined to evolve, inspire the next generation, and bring Filipino metal to a wider audience.
In this City Stories Band Edition feature, the band reflects on its journey, its musical evolution, and the warrior spirit that keeps it moving forward.
SAYDIE has been part of the Philippine metal scene for many years. Looking back, how would you describe the journey so far?
It’s been a pretty crazy ride, we’ve grown so much as artists with all the line up changes and countries we’ve played in. We’ve been exposed to so much and are still learning so much along the way. At this point Saydie has turned into an entity of its own, a collaborative passion project and a movement.
What inspired the formation of SAYDIE, and what was the vision behind the band when you first started?
Kat was 15 when the band started, initially the vision was to do music similar to Chevelle or Taproot but when we started jamming out we ended up with something else lol
How has SAYDIE’s sound and musical identity evolved throughout the years?
The line up changes really contributed to how we sounded. The first album was definitely experimental since we were in our teens and didn’t have much experience. The 2nd album Belita was more emotional and definitely more polished than the last one.
Our new album, we’ve gotten heavier and has more of a contrast from track to track. Different moods, more technical and very in your face.
What do you think has kept the band together and relevant through different eras of the music scene?
Determination and consistency. We are extremely grateful for all our supporters and amazing musicians that had graced our line up throughout the eras that gave our music it’s own style and we never put the same type of track when releasing music. Each song has its own vibe which resonates with different audiences.
SAYDIE has become known as one of the notable female-fronted metal bands in the Philippines. What does that identity mean to you?
This means a lot to us, we are a movement. Female fronted metal bands in the Philippines is sadly very niche and don’t get a lot of support. As we delve into the international scene we hope to push the boundaries and hopefully open more doors for female fronted metal bands not only from the Philippines but across Asia.
What were some of the biggest challenges you experienced as a band, especially during your early years?
We were very very young when we started, so the stereotyping was definitely one and a lot of the older bands saw our music to be “wrong” because it was different. But thanks to our loyal following that kept us going and to this day continue to be the inspiration for us to get better and stronger.
How has the Philippine metal community changed since SAYDIE first entered the scene?
There were many female fronted metal bands when we started, great bands like Whorelocke, Wicca and Descant Gott which were in a more heavier genre compared to ours, we’d like to believe we influenced a lot of female fronted bands in terms of musical style.
Who are some of the artists or bands that have influenced SAYDIE’s music and creative direction?
Coheed and Cambria, Tool, Taking Back Sunday, Korn, Deftones and toward the later years we also had a lot of pop influence especially with the Belita album. And the new album is like a hodgepodge of influences we’ve picked up playing shows outside the Philippines.
When writing new music, where do your ideas usually come from—personal experiences, society, emotions, or something else?
Lyric wise it’s mostly Kat, stemming from personal experiences, society, emotions and the distain for power abusers.
What subjects or messages do you feel SAYDIE naturally gravitates toward when creating music?
A lot of rage as always, love and grief.
How do you balance the individual personalities and musical influences of each member when creating as a band?
We respect everyone’s take and contribution to each track, our sound engineer is also our guitarist Lehmann so everything is very intimate and within the band’s circle.
Is there a particular SAYDIE song that holds a special meaning for the band? What makes it significant?
Jinn and Yawa are the two tracks that showcase the current line up, in terms of technicality and song structure we have really evolved with those 2 and are still evolving.
Your music carries a strong and intense energy. What do you hope listeners feel or take away after experiencing a SAYDIE performance?
Listeners don’t get the same song from track to track, we hope our songs resonate with them and take them on a mood ride.
How important are live performances to SAYDIE, and what makes a great show for you?
Very very important. Aside from sounding polished live, our goal is to put the audience in a trance that they’ll take home with them.
What has been one of the most memorable moments in SAYDIE’s career so far?
Our 2026 shows had been a pool of unforgettable memories, sharing the stage with Hanabie in Hawaii, finally playing in Manila again for Tribal Gear events are always memorable too and our most recent Japan run, we’ve been so blessed this year to have played with such amazing bands all over the world.
Have there been moments when you considered stepping away from music? What made you continue?
No, never. 🙂 we continue to inspire other female fronted bands to keep going too.
17. What do you think the next generation of Filipino metal musicians can bring to the local and international scene?
We have so much talent and given the proper platform, the opportunities are limitless.
If SAYDIE could collaborate with any artist or band, locally or internationally, who would you choose and why?
Korn! Cuz why not? lol
What can fans expect from SAYDIE in this next chapter of the band?
Our new album is coming out early next year, it’s definitely more evolved and influenced by our journey.
After everything SAYDIE has experienced, what does being a musician—and being part of SAYDIE—mean to you today?
We are warriors! After each tour we come back stronger. Saydie is an unstoppable entity, the gift that keeps on giving. 💚
Current line up:
Kat Taylor
Keiran Tumpalan
Lehmann Flores
Eumer Comoda
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