Thunderbird's Thunder and Horizon's Fury
"Hello! I'm Mystica's Kim Seungjae!"
The band's leader bounded onto the stage with vibrant energy. Unlike their previous tame outfits, this time they sported flashy colors and flowing clothes that billowed dramatically. Of course, Mystica's members weren't the long-haired, curly-locked hunks straight out of Led Zeppelin's era from back then. Some in the audience muttered things like "What the hell, total cringe..." because of it, but thanks to some advanced makeup skills, they'd somehow managed to pull off visuals that were at least passable.
"What we're bringing you today is... early 1970s heavy metal. The era when hard rock transitioned into heavy metal. Think of it as a tribute to the great progenitors of metal—a song with that kind of vibe."
Cheers erupted from parts of the crowd at Seungjae's words. Probably because they'd heard "authentic heavy metal."
"Alright, let's get started. Listen up—Thunderbird!!"
With the title shouted, the song kicked off with a gritty bass riff. The bass sound hammered the stage floor like a sledgehammer, igniting the audience's heat. Dragging my tired body home, sighing and cursing the world—it's you in that corner of my room, waiting for me every night, that gives me strength. Straightforward, powerful drums and hi-hats. The guitar riff and speedy runs led the track without overpowering it. And the main instrument driving the song—as blatantly advertised by the title—was the bass. A monstrous bass evoking The Who's John Entwistle.
"Thunderbird, my friend!"
Not quite falsetto highs, but a solid vocal dominated the stage. The instruments seemed to invade each other's territory at first glance, but they blended perfectly without excess. The harmony of vocals and instruments pulled the crowd deeper into excitement.
* * *
"Thank you!!"
'Enemies, but I have to admit it.' Amid the frenzied crowd, Ayoon thought that.
Heavy metal had undeniably low popularity in the Korean music market. And the grit to carve through the indie scene with it wasn't something to underestimate. Those guys had clearly prepared for this stage until their noses bled. The evidence was plain: dark circles from exhaustion, hands visibly trembling even from the seats.
"Whoa... what an amazing stage. Let's give another big round of applause for Mystica!!"
Thunderous applause. Genuine cheers, totally different from when they'd first appeared.
"They're in first?"
"Thank god we didn't face them."
"Next ones are done for, right? Basically automatic."
People around Ayoon muttering like that. She wanted to scoff, but couldn't. Even as a Group Sound fan, she had to acknowledge it was an outstanding performance.
'Please, girls...!'
So she could only pray. As her idols, Group Sound, took the stage.
'What... the hell is that outfit?'
Not their usual casual clothes, nor the idol-style stage wear they sometimes donned. It looked like workwear... a jumpsuit, up close. The kind worn on job sites, top and bottom connected, with various marks and patches in an arranged style. What were they going for?
After the rowdy Mystica cleared off, the atmosphere grew slightly solemn. Group Sound set up their instruments. Nothing much different from usual—except Hyeona's keyboard setup had way more gear.
Soon, preparations ended, and darkness fell. Pitch-black stage, no lights.
A calm voice flowed from the mic in the shadows.
"Hello. We're Group Sound."
Small and low, but confident. The resonance eased Ayoon's mind.
"We'll jump right into the performance."
'Already?'
Unlike Mystica, who'd explained before starting. No time for the crowd to buzz or ponder. Atmospheric fog rolled through the dark set like mist, with analog synth lows and piano keys humming—woong—forcing everyone into a trance.
Then, as the sharp piano stabs grew familiar, the melody truly began... and the stage lit up softly.
On pitch-black cloudy days, through the bus window's fog,
Mirage-like dawn light over the sea shimmers.
Gently caressing the bass, Iseo sings into the mic.
Beside her, Suyeon sits on a chair, knees drawn up, strumming a classical guitar as big as herself.
Lively yet despairing monophonic classical guitar.
Even in hazy time, amid fading senses, the brilliant horizon always gleams far away.
A song about broken everyday lives. Things anyone experiences. Stories of people who don't lose hope amid life's hamster wheel.
No trace of the previous storm-like stage. Some closed their eyes to savor the music; others tapped feet to the melody.
The following classical guitar solo shook emotions. The intense yet lyrical melody, played softly, drew applause.
"This kind of music's nice too."
"Is this rock?"
"Feels like a whole different band."
People murmuring amid the quiet guitar. But they didn't notice the shifting mood. Rising synth pitches in the background. Building tension. Like frogs in slowly boiling water, they suddenly saw the waves crashing from afar.
That still, motionless place where dawn's sea lingered beyond the fog
Now flows.
Sea and horizon all cascading down beneath that cliff.
Iseo's vocals, half-suppressed rage.
Filled by the three-part harmony.
Since when did we rationalize absence as presence, that distant despair?
Suyeon's vocals stood out. Her voice climbing endlessly, expressing fury. Rage and deprivation at the ideal paradise proving false—a hope once believed attainable. The raw emotional line, as if she'd lived it, made the audience move to the band's will.
Anticipation built for the musical climax.
And what awaited was a truly ferocious electric guitar solo.
"Rise up, you poor souls!"
With Iseo's shout, the electric solo erupted. Kee-ying!—screaming highs pushing the guitar to its limits. Rushing bends, arming, vibrato—no note stayed still. Like a stormy midnight pier eroded endlessly by sound, the audience stood before they knew it.
Having watched from start to finish, they knew this rage was injected by the performance... yet they claimed it as their own. So they raged. At those who stole hope. At those who dangled what never existed. And expressed it: stomping to the steady drum beat until the song's end.
* * *
While the MC struggled to calm the crowd, Myeongjeon checked her guitar. The impromptu emotional playing had taken a toll.
"Great performance."
"Ah, thanks."
The voice from beside her. Myeongjeon turned to see Kim Seungjae, Mystica's leader and vocalist.
"You guys were great too."
"Oh, really? Hahaha... thanks. That's an honor."
Seungjae paused, eyeing her opponent. Ha Suyeon. High school sophomore. Less than a year learning guitar. According to their guitarist Jung Jaehyeok, a disciple of guitarist Seo Myeongjeon. A true genius.
He'd figured it'd be tough. But they had a shot. Especially with bassist Ha Sugeol's Thunderbird—a killer track. Even more after their own show. The opponents were good, but matching that performance? Unlikely.
That illusion shattered after the first verse solo. Even mentors and judges, duty-bound to stay objective, couldn't contain their emotions. Shaking their direct rival—himself.
'How far will this kid go?'
"Honestly, if I'd said I wasn't confident picking you guys, it'd be a lie... but now that it's come to this, I kinda regret it."
Seungjae muttered. Results weren't announced yet, but winning now seemed absurd.
Myeongjeon twirled her hair, choosing words carefully. Not the usual "Shouldn't have done something you'd regret."
"Music has no winners or losers, but since we're auditioning... competition's inevitable."
Counting seemed done—a staffer approached the MC, who glanced at Suyeon and nodded knowingly.
"But life's long. We'll meet again somewhere. Hope you're making great music then."
The oddly mature tone from 'Ha Suyeon' carried a weight of experience. Seungjae nodded, thinking age really meant nothing. So young, yet so grown-up—truly admirable...
* * *
Filming day for Invasion from Seoul [2024] wasn't reason enough for the internet to explode. It was pre-recorded, no spoilers beforehand. Audience signed NDAs. That combo kept results safe.
But today was different. The same-day 1:1 matchup reveal. The juicy bait of 1st vs. 2nd. Perfect for stirring community dwellers: 'What's happening in that showdown right now?'
The first hot post thrown in accelerated the hype.
Audition audience slamming? What? But incoming witness accounts made it seem Mystica had crushed Group Sound.
In the short gap after Mystica, with no results yet, Group Sound got trashed endlessly. Like blood feuds.
The vibe flipped right after Group Sound's straight-cam video dropped.