In 1999, Philippine hard-rock/alternative band Cheese released their self-titled debut album. The band's sound is a melange of hard rock, rap, hip-hop, and metal, taking its cue from the music of American bands
Korn and
Limp Bizkit. Cheese's hard rock, however, is the dominant force in the mix, and many of the songs revolve around searing, hard-edged riffs such as those purveyed by
Led Zeppelin and metal/rap 1990s band
Rage Against the Machine. Cheese's vocalist raps in many of their songs. His straightforward singing ranges from tuneful crooning to rough-throated growls in the manner of American metal band
Pantera; the growls are also similar to that of Philippine hard rock/alternative band Greyhoundz. Also notable in the music of Cheese is the inclusion of a percussionist, who adds tasty beats to "10x Karma," "The Way," and throughout the album.
The guitar, however, plays a leading role in Cheese, evidenced in severe chord progressions. The band finds imaginative ways to present their music. "The Way," for instance, opens on interesting percussion and tenderly played electric guitar notes, paving the way for earnest rapping, all of which leads to pungent, hard-edged guitar. "Trilogy," "Gaido," (no translation) and others are built around burning
Led Zeppelin-styled riffs, while "Doobie Tunes 1 & 2" opens on a repeated bass figure, topped by provocative percussion and a clean, appealing guitar riff. The piece also features several stylistic changes, and includes a pleasant vocal hook as well as growl-throated singing over more searing chord progression. ~ David Gonzales