Sinawe returns after 7 years with album, DMZ show

Heavy-metal rock band Sinawe, nationally recognized as being the very first metal band in Korea, has made its return to the big stage. Last week the iconic rock band released “Mirrorview,” its first album in more than seven years.

Members Shin Dae-cheol, Kim Jung-wook and Yoon Gee-hyun had previously commented that the concept of their latest album was “bibimbap.” The veteran rockers who are known for the hard-core rock tunes have tried to incorporate a variety of different styles into their newest singles. The album’s title track “Reason of Sadness” is an upbeat electro-pop rock track in which the band mates also experimented with voice distorting technology. 

The original Korean metal rockers of Sinawe made their debut in 1986 and were formed by current band leader and guitarist Shin. That same year the band released its first studio album “Heavy Metal Sinawe,” which reportedly sold some 400,000 copies, helping launch the group’s quest to be recognized as the nation’s very first metal band and becoming forerunners of the rock ‘n’ roll music scene in the late ’80s and ’90s.

Throughout its more than 25-year illustrious history as a band, the members have released more the 20 albums including nine full-length studio albums. However, despite the rock group’s tremendous success in the local rock community, the band has seen many new faces and has undergone many member changes including famous past members Seo Taiji, who went on to superstardom with Seo Taiji and the Boys, as well as Bada Kim and Yim Jae-beom.

Sinawe is completing its return to the limelight by joining the lineup at the upcoming 2013 DMZ Peace Concert, a two-day music festival at the Imjingak Peace Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Sinawe will perform live during the festival’s “K-Rock in Harmony” segment that will also include headlining performances by YB Band, Beast, FTIsland, Daybreak, Sweet Sorrow, Deli Spice and A Pink on Aug. 14. The following night’s segment, “One Summer Night’s Harmony,” will include performances by vocalist Jang Sa-ik, traditional Korean musician Ahn Sook-sun, pianist Im Dong-hyuk and others.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)