Rising Arp: Nagetto Merge Post-Rock & Vintage Cinema In Their War-Cry Debut

The late Charlie Chaplin makes an appearance in Nagetto’s debut release (Credit: Hylman Suwandi)

Post-rock has always possessed a theatrical temperament, conveyed with an oft-instrumental nature that leaves plenty to the imagination. In the case of Nagetto, a new quartet that carries on the tradition of the genre – one that’s relished evergreen popularity in the Singaporean scene – they curiously look to the legacy of one of world cinema’s greatest icons to fortify their debut single.

Ironically, they dig up a spirited vocal sample of silent film legend, Charlie Chaplin, to add a texture of gravitas to their brand of post-rock; a discipline that tends to eschew the use of voices to begin with. The excerpt in question comes from Chaplin’s role in the 1940 satirical war film, The Great Dictator, and it’s a classic monologue that’s been sampled by other bands such as The Album Leaf and The Chariot. In Nagetto’s hands, the sample delivers a sense of lofty dignity that commands authority. “You, the people, have the power” goes a highlighted segment of the soundbite, and it instantly gives you an idea of the solidarity-slanted tonality that they strive for. This, they successfully match with musical firepower.

While titled “Rimshot”, Nagetto’s debut single doesn’t delve in subtlety. Instead they tick the boxes of the post-rock format, producing a tsunami of dense noise that lunges forward like a cavalcade of war horses. This is rambunctious music of gargantuan physique, buffed up by grizzly guitar riffs, piercing counter hooks, and muddy threshed chords. Guitars step up as the lead protagonists without primary vocal contributions, and they tell a tale with soaring wails and accented note trails that punctuate the carnage. Complete with a rolling deluge of drums that hit with battering snares and seething cymbals, and you have a blistering first strike from a band that’s a glowing contender in the post-rock vanguard.

The Nagetto quartet consists of like-minded creatives who found a nexus in their paths (Credit: Hylman Suwandi)

The four forces behind Nagetto comprise Hafiz Syukri on songwriting and lead guitar, Khalif Eddie on second guitar, Jeffrey Ooi on drums and Alif Jani on bass. With established connections in the art and design industry, the quartet formed in the midst of the pandemic to further explore their creativities on the musical front. Nagetto is fundamentally their shared canvas of open exploration and interpretation, and “Rimshot” is merely the beginning of this journey of limitless prospects. “Rimshot came about pretty naturally,” explains Syukri on the birth of the song. “The storytelling behind it was to portray the emotion of empowerment, yet being honest and genuine to oneself.”

Listen to “Rimshot” by Nagetto now on Spotify and Bandcamp. Follow their Instagram page to stay updated with their activities.