Raksar: Local Riffs That Are Fuzzed, Feral & F*cking Loud

By Lara Kramer  •  20 Mar 2025 in Features

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If you’ve been anywhere near Malaysia’s underground rock scene in the past decade, you’ve probably heard the name Raksar whispered among the disciples of distortion.

A band that refuses to be boxed into any single genre, Raksar has been grinding its way through the local circuit with the relentless force of a juggernaut, leaving behind a trail of fuzz-laden, bone-rattling anthems.

Often likened to “Malaysia’s Black Sabbath”, the band has cultivated a cult following that thrives on their raw energy and unapologetic embrace of heavy, stoner, and doom rock aesthetics.

But Raksar is more than just another fuzz rock band—it’s a tribute to what happens when passion, grit, and sheer sonic audacity collide. The band’s latest full-length album, Sattira, may not be brand new anymore, but it remains a defining chapter in their journey, a roaring declaration of intent that still resonates powerfully with fans both old and new.

Raksar isn’t a band that tiptoes around expectations.

From the very beginning, they have worn their influences like battle scars—Black Sabbath’s doom-laden grooves, Kyuss’s desert-baked intensity, and a hefty dose of Queens of the Stone Age’s swagger.

What sets Raksar apart, however, is the way they mould these inspirations into something uniquely their own. Their music pulses with an undeniable Malaysian identity, fusing local lyrical storytelling with the universal language of heavy rock.

It’s no surprise that fans and critics alike have struggled to pin them down—stoner rock? Doom? Psychedelic fuzz? The truth is, Raksar doesn’t care. If it’s loud, raw, and thrilling to play live, it’s Raksar.

Fronted by Azzim Luqman Azhar on vocals and guitar, alongside guitarist Muhammad Afiq Dzulkarnain (Apek), bassist Muhammad Shahfari Abdul Nasir (E), and drummer Mohammad Asnawi Johari (Awie Joe), Raksar is a band that thrives in the chaos of live performance. Their shows are beyond your regular gigs; they’re sonic exorcisms, with every riff and drum hit feeling like a war cry against mediocrity.

When Bentala, the debut album, dropped, it was a raw, almost meditative album—its minimalism making space for the sheer weight of its riffs.

But with Sattira, Raksar dialed everything up. Heavier. More intricate. More unrelenting. This wasn’t just a second album—it was a redefinition.

Gone were the hypnotic haikus of Bentala. Instead, Sattira showcased a band that had grown sharper, lyrically and musically. The songwriting took on a deeper, more exploratory form, weaving between the expected sonic assaults (‘Para Pendusta, Taring’) and surprising moments of restraint (‘If I’m Lost’, an acoustic offering that peels back the layers of their intensity).

And then there’s ‘Kiriman Setan’, an eight-minute monolith that lurches and writhes through different tempos and moods, solidifying Raksar’s ability to keep things unpredictable. The band was no longer just riffing—they were telling stories through sound.

What makes Raksar’s recordings stand out is their philosophy towards sound.

Sattira wasn’t designed to be pristine—it was designed to be alive.

The band opted for an organic, live-session approach to recording, capturing the energy of a performance rather than polishing it down to clinical perfection. The result is an album that feels like a Raksar gig: sweaty, thunderous, and impossible to ignore.

But don’t mistake this for carelessness. On the contrary, Sattira is a masterclass in controlled chaos. Every riff, every drum attack, every vocal howl is intentional, delivering a balance between raw power and precise musicianship that only comes from a band deeply in sync with each other.

While Sattira remains a defining moment in their discography, Raksar is not a band that rests on its laurels.

Their presence in the local scene has been bolstered by relentless gigging, an unwavering DIY ethos, and a commitment to keeping their music accessible to true fans. They’ve been known to play anywhere—from grimy underground venues to festival stages—bringing the same level of intensity regardless of the setting.

Funding their projects has never been easy. Like many underground bands, Raksar has had to navigate the challenges of sustaining a musical career in a scene that often lacks structural support. But their persistence paid off when they secured funding from Dana Kreatif Perak@Port, allowing them to bring Sattira to life without compromising their vision. It’s a rare success story in an industry where financial backing is often hard to come by for independent acts.

In an era where instant gratification dominates music consumption, Raksar remains a band for those who listen.

Their music isn’t designed for algorithmic playlists or fleeting TikTok trends—it’s built for those who crave the tangible experience of a record, the visceral rush of a live show, and the unspoken bond of a crowd screaming along to the same song.

And perhaps that’s why Sattira continues to resonate. It’s a reminder that real, unfiltered rock still exists, and that it still has teeth. For those who haven’t yet taken the plunge, the invitation remains open. Just remember—Raksar doesn’t play nice. Sattira has fangs, and once it bites, there’s no turning back.

Facebook: Raksar
Instagram: @raksarocks

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