Biography
Formed in 2004, Oshiego has remained a steadfast force in Singapore’s extreme metal underground, delivering a distinctive blend of old-school death/thrash metal with Middle Eastern influences and lyrical themes rooted in war, injustice, Islamic mysticism, and the human condition. Over the years, the band has evolved both musically and in lineup—yet their core ethos of relentless sonic aggression remains unchanged.
EARLY YEARS & “UNENDING CARNAGE” (2004–2009)
The early period saw Oshiego crafting their sound through demos and live shows. Their first significant release came in 2009 with the Unending Carnage MCD, which compiled two newly recorded tracks with four remastered songs from their earlier demo Now Suffer. Produced by Leonard Soosay at Snakeweed Studios and mastered by Michael Kalember, the release earned acclaim from Sea of Tranquility, Metal Team UK, and Castle of Vampiria (Spain), marking the band’s first international exposure.
“WOE TO THE CONQUERED” ERA (2009–2011)
In late 2009, Oshiego began recording their debut full-length album, Woe to the Conquered, again at Snakeweed Studios with Nathanial Chew and Leonard Soosay. The album was mastered at Hertz Studio in Poland (famous for work with Vader and Behemoth), enhancing its already crushing sound. Released independently in 2011, it featured the band’s trademark mix of thrashing ferocity and heavy, groove-laden riffs.
Following a hiatus from live performances in 2009, Oshiego made a thunderous return to the stage in 2010 with the “Now Suffer” gig. A local review praised their set as a “wall of death poised to portray their adulation,” affirming their continued dominance in the Singapore metal scene.
HPGD YEARS & FINDING THEIR SOUND (2013–2015)
Oshiego signed with Horror Pain Gore Death Productions (HPGD) to release their second album, The Great Architect of Nothing, in 2013. Featuring eight original tracks and a cover of Vomitory’s “The Voyage,” this release showcased a maturation in their songwriting—fusing groove, melody, and brutality into a tighter, more aggressive package.
Their third album, Crossing the Bridge of Siraat, followed in 2015 under the same label. Widely regarded as the band’s creative high point, it featured a heavier incorporation of Middle Eastern elements, merciless riffing, and complex song structures—all without sacrificing their raw, old-school roots.
NEW ERA, NEW COLLABORATIONS (2019–2022)
After a period of silence, Oshiego returned in 2019 with their fourth full-length album, The Book of Wonders. This marked the start of a collaboration with American multi-instrumentalist Jared Moran (Uzumaki, Ange De La Mort, Boiled Tongue), who contributed drums. The album expanded the band’s sound into more esoteric and mystic territory, continuing their thematic exploration of spiritual warfare and ancient texts.
In 2021, Oshiego entered a prolific phase, releasing a series of standalone singles:
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Clerics of Corruption (Sep 3, 2021): A ferocious outcry against corruption and injustice.
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Litany of the Sea (Oct 1, 2021): Inspired by the spiritual poetry of Abū al-Hasan al-Shādhilī, a Moroccan Sufi mystic.
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Provenance (Nov 12, 2021): Based on the teachings of `AbdAllah ibn Alawi al-Haddad, a 17th-century Yemeni saint.
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Jaljalut (Dec 17, 2021): An esoteric track inspired by the ancient Ode of Jaljalut, attributed to Ali ibn Abi Talib and found in the Shams al-Ma’arif.
These tracks introduced Zul on guitars and bass, and Krzysztof Klingbein (session drums), a rising talent known for touring with Vader during the De Profundis XXV tour.
“JALJALUT” & BEYOND (2022)
The culmination of this period was Jaljalut, Oshiego’s fifth full-length album, released on January 14, 2022. Featuring 12 tracks of punishing, riff-heavy death metal steeped in Middle Eastern scales and lyrical mysticism, the album cemented Oshiego’s identity as both musically brutal and philosophically rich. With Zul on string duties and Krzysztof delivering an unrelenting percussive assault, the band reached a new peak of intensity.
Oshiego continues to evolve—rooted in their unwavering devotion to old-school death metal while fearlessly exploring spiritual, esoteric, and philosophical themes. With five full-length albums, several singles, and nearly two decades of underground legacy, Oshiego stands as a brutal and thoughtful force in global metal.