Tempered Mental, Albumata

Tempered Mental launched their second album, Pax Automata, at The Bee, Publika, on the 22nd of November, 2012. Here’s Melina, frontwoman, bassist and principal songwriter rocking out.

Jimmy on drums is one skilled drummer. I remember a drum workshop many years ago at Bentley Music, Bintang Walk, where he described how to play drums softer to achieve a more balanced sound.

Jack is an awesome shredder. I don’t remember if he switched to the sunburst Fender Stratocaster on the guitar stand on the left, as none of my pictures of the night show it in use.

Jerral Khor pops out of the woodwork, to take some pictures.

I really, really miss my long headbanging-friendly hair.

Despite all the rocking out, Melina does complex bass runs and sings with ease.

Jimmy packs really tight rhythm.

Jack and his mythical guitar of unknown, unspoken origin. Or at least those of us who have spoken of it without asking him, reckon.

The band brought in a lot of stage equipment, making for a colorful show with smoke machines. Since I couldn’t get an even exposure, Adobe Camera RAW saved the highlights and shadows. (This was before DxO Optics Pro Elite supported the Sony Alpha 99. Sure I could reprocess them now, but I quite like how these turned out!)

Melina pauses to address the crowd.

Jimmy and the Tempered Mental logo in the background. It better remain unchanged, since he’s already tattooed it to his neck! (Also, very cool ear stud – note how it focuses light to behind his ear!)

The album is packed full of indulgent, hot solos.

The crowd. They also pulled out the benches on the sides – quite a rare occurence.

For some reason, this picture, due to its lighting, reminds me of gig photography in 2007.

Jimmy thanks the crowd.

Gotta dig the partial Frankenstrat tape look, with the different volume knob.

All shots with the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA and Sony Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2.0 ZA SSM.

Partial moshpit.

I’ve seen this bass in use for a very long time!

Raffique Hashim of Village Roof Studios and one of his kids with protection for the ears. You might even spot his own earplugs, as well as his classic brother, Tarquin.

Intense. The music, too. It does not disappoint, but Tempered Mental never disappoints, certainly one of the most consistent bands in Malaysia.

After the show.

The crowd stayed on for quite a while. The buzz was still there, plus it ended before it was The Bee’s closing time, that all the people we had not seen in a long time were suddenly around! And so, we had a fair bit of catching up to do.