Headbanging, death growling, guitar shredding and staccato drumming are probably not what the average Pacific Islands music fan would associate with Solomon Islands.
But at the turn of the century rock and heavy metal were all the rage in the Melanesian country and dominated most live concerts in the capital Honiara.
Left to right Photo: Bokz Boys/ Makaeramo Ruia Peter (Photographer Unknown)
Solomon Islands band seeking to resurrect heavy metal music
Solid Black, Bokz Boyz, Sound Temple, Black Centipede and Red Star Unit are just a few of the bands from the heyday of Solomon Islands' rock and heavy metal.
But today the country is more commonly known for its own genre of music, Solomon Islands Reggae.
This was inspired by the regional and international success of pioneering artists like Sharzy and groups like Onetox, DMP and Dezine, who frequently tour the Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand.
This year Jaro Local became the first Solomon Islander to win the award for Best International Artist at New Zealand's Pacific Music Awards.
But a new breed of heavy metal bands in the country is bucking the dominance of reggae. Among them are Earthbound, Forbid and Sons of Solomon.
Heavy metal crew Sons of Solomon Photo: FB / Sons of Solomon
The Sons of Solomon, not to be confused with the New Zealand reggae band of the same name, is leading the charge against the common misconception that only reggae, hip hop, rhythm and blues, and gospel music are popular in the Pacific.
Lead guitarist Floyd Kofela said based on positive feedback following the release of singles 'Follow' and 'New Beginning', he believed there was still a large heavy metal fan base in the country.
"For me, I just feel like metal music has a part to play in the whole music industry in Solomon Islands. So we just want to complement Solomon Islands music as a whole and be part of the Solomon Islands music industry as well," Kofela said.
Fearly Kofana, who sings the clean vocals for Sons of Solomons, has lived and played in heavy metal bands in Papua New Guinea. Kofana said all across Melanesia he had met fans who followed the Solomons' small but vibrant metal scene.
"I think in all the Melanesian countries, the Solomons is the centre of heavy metal. Because of the British influence even way back when rock and roll was popular in Solomon Islands," Kofana said.
"Up until the era of the likes of Sharzy and other island artists then it started to die out. But how I see it, there are still a lot of people who love heavy metal in Solomon Islands."
Sons of Solomon lead guitarist Floyd Kofela (L) and clean vocals Fearly Kofana. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
The group was brought together and is produced by Solomon Maneoru of Kokros Records who said he had big plans for Solomon Islands music.
"I want a band or a few of our bands to develop a global audience so that we can have fans out there as well so that we can join the big shows outside. For example (Bloodstock) at least one day our bands must go to these kinds of shows," Maneoru said.
Mr Maneoru who trained as a sound engineer at Sydney's JMC academy is currently working with the Sons of Solomon on the music video for their latest single 'New Beginning'.
The band is hoping to release its first EP next year, he said.