For my birthday in Siem Reap I had a special treat. By sheer coincidence, Shanghai band Chimera Cult were stopping by Cambodia on tour. So on my birthday I was able to spend time with friends I had grown to know over several years in the place I lived the longest.
During my time in Siem Reap I had been spending a lot of time in a local metal bar called Atlantis. I got to know the owner and one of her bartenders. We would spend a few nights sharing our love of metal music.
I’d also spent a bit of time with Jack, a friend I met in Shanghai. He works at a school in Cambodia helping kids get extracurricular education. He was also working on opening a new hostel, The Drop Inn, which would help to support the school that he works at.
Later I found out from Jack that Shanghai band Chimera Cult would be staying at his new hostel. Even better, they would be playing a gig at the Atlantis bar on my birthday.
So of course the day came and I was reunited with several friends I used to drink with back in the metal and rock bars of Shanghai. Then the band took the stage and filled Siem Reap with music from the place I still consider home.
It was fun to see Cambodians reacting to Shanghai’s brand of metal. Chimera Cult are a very heavy band, and would often inspire mosh pits back in their home city. Though the crowd was small this day, people were still rocking out.
Since Atlantis isn’t on the main bar street, it had to close its doors early. When the time came the band packed up their things, and I returned to my hotel to enjoy the view with a few more beers. What had begun as the loudest night in Cambodia ended on a quiet note.
