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KUALA LUMPUR - More than three decades after making their mark on Malaysia's music scene, legendary pop rock band Exists proved they have lost none of their vocal prowess or stage energy, delivering a powerful performance at the Exists Momento Mori Concert at Unifi Arena, Bukit Jalil, here recently.
Organised by Icon Entertainment to celebrate the band's 35th anniversary, the concert marked a heartfelt reunion, with the group's renewed brotherhood putting to rest the various chapters of separation and internal "drama" that once defined its journey.
The reunion of Along (guitar), Musa (bass), Ujang (drums), Ajai (keyboards) and Shah (guitar), together with lead vocalists Ezad Lazim and Mamat, rekindled the magic of the 1990s before thousands of fans who packed the venue.
Although all the members are now fathers, having begun their careers while still in school, Ezad and Mamat's vocals showed no signs of fading, remaining remarkably true to the sound quality heard on the cassette tapes and compact discs (CDs) of the band's golden era.
The concert, which began at about 8.50 pm, opened on a high note with Ezad, whose real name is Mohd Rohaizad Mohd Lazim, 47, performing four tracks from the band's Paragon (2004) album -- Percayakan Siti, Mama Tolong Percaya, Masih Terserlah Ayumu and Hilang Dalam Ramai.
"How are you, Bukit Jalil? The arena is packed tonight. Thank you for joining us to celebrate Exists' 35th anniversary. Sing along with us, shall we? Do you still remember the lyrics?" Ezad asked, drawing an enthusiastic response from an audience that had grown up with the band's music.
The stage was then handed over to Mamat, or Mohd Ali Kamaruddin, 48, who performed songs from the band's early years, including Anugerah, Meniti Cita-Cita and Janji Bidadari.
Mamat also expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support fans have shown throughout the band's 35-year journey in the music industry.
"Who would have thought that the group of teenagers standing on this stage years ago, chasing our dreams, would still be here for all of you today," he said before reigniting the atmosphere with Nota Di Lautan Sepi.
The evening became even more engaging as Exists went beyond their trademark emotional ballads, treating fans to rarely performed songs such as Kuman HIV, Oh! Benih Adam, Hidupan Fantasi, Konklusi and Sebelum Terlewat.
Mamat's heartfelt rendition of Untukmu Ibu moved many in the audience to tears.
"This was the song that introduced us to the music industry back in 1991 and 1992. It changed our lives. Everyone has their own memories attached to Untukmu Ibu," he said, recalling the band's early days.
The concert gathered further momentum when Mamat performed Buih Jadi Permaidani, also known as Mengintai Dari Tirai Kamar, composed by Saari Amri, a song that created an extraordinary phenomenon in Indonesia in 1998.
One of the night's most memorable moments came during Kapal Terbang Kertas, when thousands of miniature paper aeroplanes descended from the arena's ceiling as fans enthusiastically launched their own paper planes into the air.
Unifi Arena then transformed into a giant karaoke hall as timeless hits such as Janji Padamu, Rahsia Pohon Cemara, Tak Mungkin Berpaling and Jesnita prompted the audience to rise to their feet and sing in unison.
In all, Exists performed 33 songs throughout the evening, including their latest single, Memilih Yang Salah, sung by Ezad.
The nostalgia-filled concert concluded on a high note with a powerful duet by Ezad and Mamat on Langkah Seiringan and Alasanmu.
Exists' commanding performance reaffirmed that quality music transcends generations, with their timeless songs continuing to resonate deeply with fans.
More importantly, the band's enduring spirit of brotherhood and professionalism has healed old wounds and reignited hopes among music lovers, leaving many asking:when will Malaysia’s other legendary bands reunite? - BERNAMA