Let's paint you a picture. It's the late-2000s, and the Philippine rock scene is dominated by the usual suspects: straight-ahead rock bands, emo groups, and acoustic acts. Then comes this crew from Baguio City that decides, "You know what? Let's be weird about it."
Even describes their sound as "Electronica Metal"—think Tool or A Perfect Circle meets Zero 7. Yeah, you read that right. They're blending the cerebral heaviness of progressive metal with the atmospheric textures of electronica. The band themselves coined the term "Experi-Metal FX-tronica" to describe their unique sonic landscape.
But here's where it gets really interesting. The band is known for their excessive use of effects pedals live—it's both a visual and sound signature. We're not talking about your typical guitarist with a couple of stomp boxes. No, no, no. Every gig, you'll see a lot of their pedalboards on stage, and they really use them to their advantage. This isn't just for show—it's integral to their entire identity.
The Female Vocalist with a Pedalboard
Now, let's talk about something that absolutely blew my mind when I first learned about it. Dyanne Licudine, the band's original vocalist, doesn't just sing—she processes her voice through her own pedalboard setup. Think about that for a second. While most vocalists in metal bands rely on their raw voice and maybe some studio effects later, Dyanne brings her own arsenal of effects to manipulate her vocals in real-time during performances.
This setup allows her to create ethereal soundscapes, add layers of texture to her voice, and seamlessly blend with the electronic elements the band incorporates. It's not just innovative—it's downright revolutionary in the OPM rock context. They're all gear heads and FX geeks, and Dyanne is right there with the boys, crafting sonic textures that most bands would only dream of achieving in post-production.
Jam Bumanlag: The Semi-Hollow Maverick
Let's talk about Jam Bumanlag, because this guy is something else. Jam is known for his cutting tone, dynamic phrasing, and powerful modern playing across rock and metal genres. But here's what makes him truly unique in the metal guitar world: his choice of instrument.
Most metal guitarists swear by solid-body guitars—your Les Pauls, your ESP superstrats, your Ibanez shredders. They want that tight, focused sound with maximum sustain and minimal feedback issues. But Jam? He plays a semi-hollow guitar, specifically the JCraft AR series that's his signature model.
Think about that choice for a moment. A semi-hollow guitar in a nu-metal band that uses heavy effects processing? That's like bringing a knife to a gunfight and still winning. The semi-hollow body gives him a warmer, more resonant tone with unique harmonic characteristics that you just can't get from a solid-body axe. Combined with his pedal mastery, Jam creates tones that are simultaneously massive and nuanced.
Jam is the founder and admin of #PedalboardPH, the largest and most informative gear-focused community in the country. This guy isn't just playing gear—he's educating an entire generation of Filipino musicians about tone, effects, and sound design. His unmatched control over effects pedals, both on stage and in gear demo videos, has made him a respected figure among musicians, gearheads, and tone chasers.
The Origin Story: Born in a Baguio Jam Studio
Even was founded in May 2007 by Dyanne Licudine, Jam Bumanlag on guitars, Coco Saupan on bass, and Dan Allan Acosta on drums. But the story actually starts earlier than that. Dyanne and Jam had been performing together since 2003, and they met Coco and Dan at the "infamous Baguio jam studio" called Feedback.
You know how some band names have these epic origin stories? Not Even. They were flipping through a dictionary hunting for "one short and memorable word" when they settled on "Even". Simple, elegant, and somehow perfect for a band that would balance electronic and metal elements so precisely.
All the members were huge fans of Tool when they started out, and they originally tried to pattern their music to Tool and Zero 7—metal meets electronica. But like all great bands, they evolved. Through the years, their influences and personalities changed, along with their outlook on life and music.
Many critics and fans have said they sound a lot like Incubus or A Perfect Circle with a female vocalist. That comparison makes sense—both bands share that progressive approach to alternative metal, heavy use of atmospherics, and introspective lyrics. But Even brings something distinctly Filipino to the table, something that could only come from the Baguio underground scene.
The Breakthrough: Red Horse Muziklaban 2008
Every band dreams of that one moment that changes everything. For Even, it came in 2008 at one of the most prestigious band competitions in the Philippines: Red Horse Muziklaban, where Even won the Grand Championship in 2008.
This wasn't just any local battle of the bands. The winner receives one million pesos in cash, a recording contract, and the honor of representing and endorsing Red Horse Beer. Past winners have gone on to become household names in the Philippine rock scene.
Even's lead vocalist is female, making them the second band to win Muziklaban with a female vocalist. The competition was fierce, but their unique sound and tight performance won over both judges and audiences. This victory wasn't just a validation of their experimental approach—it was proof that Philippine audiences were hungry for something different.
The Converse Get Loud Double Victory
But wait, there's more! In 2013, Even did something remarkable. They were declared the first-ever Converse Get Loud Band Competition champion, and also walked away with the People's Choice Award. That's right—they won both the judges' prize and the popular vote.
Their song "Luminary" extols the virtue of holding one's head up high, taking chances, and being the best that you can be. The song resonated with audiences during what the article described as "a time of national crisis."
The judges were blown away. Former Sugarfree lead vocalist Ebe Dancel proclaimed he was blown away by Even's electrifying performance, calling them "the tightest band that I have heard in a while". He specifically praised how they took advantage of technology: "It's nice to see that musicians take advantage of the technology. Even really used it well".
Dyanne, who runs a tattoo shop called Musink, said after the win: "We raised the flag of the Northerners. We feel very proud that this happened and they gave us the opportunity to represent not only Baguio but the rest of Northern Luzon and Philippines for Converse".
The Lineup Evolution
Like most long-running bands, Even has seen some lineup changes over the years. Dan Allan Acosta became their drummer in 2011, and later, Drei Paliza was enlisted as vocalist when Dyanne went on indefinite leave due to her family migrating to Europe.
Currently, the band consists of KD Dasco on vocals, Jam Bumanlag on guitars, JL Siscar on bass, and Dan Allan Acosta on drums. KD Dasco has stepped in as the new female vocalist, continuing the band's tradition of powerful female-fronted performances.
Despite the changes, the band has maintained good relationships. As Jam noted, "We're all in good terms. We always post a lot of updates on our Facebook page".
The Music: Dark, Melancholic, and Brutally Honest
So what does Even actually sound like? Let me break it down for you.
The band describes their music as "dark and melancholic," taking pride in their "well-thought-out lyrics woven into heavy chugs and bass, unisoned into drumlines".
Their approach is cerebral. These aren't simple three-chord rockers. The band spent a long time finding the right sound that would fit their personalities and influences—"the heaviness of it, the weight of it" drives them to write their music.
The electronica elements aren't just window dressing. They're woven into the fabric of every song, creating atmospheric passages that contrast beautifully with the heavy, chugging guitar riffs. When you hear an Even song, you're getting layers of processed vocals, intricate guitar work filtered through multiple effects, driving bass lines, and precise drumming all working together to create something that feels both intimate and massive.
The Gear Obsession
Let's get nerdy for a minute, because this is where Even truly stands apart. They're known for their excessive use of effects pedals, and they're all gear heads and FX geeks.
Jam has become a Boss & Roland Global Artist, JCraft Guitars Signature Artist, DR Strings Artist, and featured IBox Musical Artist. That's not just endorsement deals—that's industry recognition of his expertise in tone and gear.
He's also the first official Montances Custom Pickup Artist, collaborating with Mong Montances to develop the Montances KAG OVERWOUND Bridge Pickup—Jam Bumanlag Signature. This pickup features an AlNiCo 8 bar magnet and high-output winding, designed specifically for players who demand clarity, power, and versatility.
The band's stage setup is a sight to behold. Multiple pedalboards, interconnected effects chains, and carefully crafted signal paths that would make most sound engineers weep with joy (or terror). But here's the thing: they don't just have all this gear for show—they actually use it extensively during their performances.
Songs and Releases
Like most streaming-era bands, Even prefers releasing singles over full-length albums. However, they did release a full-length album at one point called, "Retribution", though they've continued to release music since then. In 2016, they digitally released "ZENITH" under 12 Stone Records, with physical CDs following later.
Their albums showcase the band's evolution while maintaining that core Even sound—atmospheric, heavy, electronically enhanced, and always pushing boundaries.
Here are their most popular tracks according to Spotify:
- Dolores: The first song where KD Dasco wrote lyrics as the new vocalist, named after a chapel Jam visited in Pampanga that means "Our Lady of Sorrows", originally intended to be acoustic but evolved to match their metal sound, with the acoustic version finally released in 2022 without any effects units
- Hiraya: Released in December 2023, explained as embodying Filipino hopes and dreams while maintaining their signature dark atmosphere
- Alessandra: Released in April 2022, dedicated to one of the band member's partners as a celebration of unconditional love and blissful relationships, showcasing their Nu-Metal/Rap Metal influences while being intense and romantic
- Quatro: Described by the band as their all-out juggernaut with a "we don't give a fcuk attitude", released in 2021
- Isabel (feat. Joko Reantaso): Released in 2021, featuring the renowned guitarist Joko Reantaso in a collaboration between two guitar virtuosos
The Impact and Legacy
Even's influence on the Philippine rock scene can't be overstated. They proved that you could be experimental, use unconventional approaches, and still connect with mainstream audiences. In Jam's words, "A lot of young bands are really fortunate for the technology today. Back when we started it used to be much harder for a starting band to be noticed".
Jam has played session guitars for top Philippine acts like Slapshock, Wilabaliw, and P.O.T., bringing his signature sound and precision to every project. The band's approach has influenced countless musicians to experiment with effects, to not be afraid of blending genres, and to embrace technology as an instrument rather than just a tool.
Baguio Pride
There's something special about Even being a Baguio band. The City of Pines has always had a vibrant music scene, somewhat removed from the Manila-centric music industry. Dyanne emphasized this after their Converse victory: "We raised the flag of the Northerners".
Being from Baguio gave them the space to develop their unique sound without the pressure to conform to Manila trends. It allowed them to be weird, to experiment, to create something truly original. And when they finally hit the national stage, they brought that outsider energy with them.
The Bottom Line
Here's what you need to understand about Even: they're not just a band—they're sonic architects. They took the tools that were available, refused to use them conventionally, and created something that didn't exist in Philippine rock before they came along.
They've got a female vocalist running her voice through a pedalboard. They've got a guitarist using a semi-hollow in a nu-metal context. They've won some of the biggest competitions in Philippine rock history. And through it all, they've maintained their integrity, their experimental spirit, and their commitment to pushing boundaries.
When asked about the future, Jam kept it simple and profound: "Write more songs, stick together and look forward to whatever comes next".
So the next time someone asks you about innovative OPM bands, about groups that pushed the envelope, about what happens when you give brilliant musicians from Baguio a bunch of effects pedals and tell them to go crazy—you tell them about Even.
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