Singapore's rock scene might not be the most sprawling, but for those who lived it, Ronin was a name that shook the stage and the airwaves. Known for their electrifying performances and unapologetically bold sound, the band dominated the early 2000s with hits like 'Black Maria' and 'Crazy Son'. Their 2005 album Do or Die became a touchstone for English-language rock in Singapore, a feat still unmatched by many.
After a long hiatus that began in 2008, Ronin is back—not with a reunion tour or a new record, but with a gift from their storied past. the band released a surprise EP, The Lost Years, a collection of unreleased tracks and gems that never made it to the full-length second album that fans were once promised.
“This EP is comprised of songs that we had contributed to various projects, like Memories, which was featured in the movie Singapore Dreaming, as well as tracks meant for the second album we never got to complete after our lead singer Levan left,” explains Sean, Ronin’s guitarist.
The band's history is as compelling as their music. They carved out a niche in Singapore's music scene with a self-released EP, followed by their breakout LP, which saw them collaborating with Mediacorp star Fiona Xie for the cancer awareness anthem 'Love Will Shine on Through'. Ronin was a force—topping local charts, contributing soundtracks to movies, and even lending their song 'One More Moment' to singer Ho Yeow Sun.
Now, The Lost Years brings closure to an unfinished chapter. It’s not just a collection of songs; it’s a time capsule, a reminder of what Singaporean rock once was and still could be. For longtime fans and curious listeners alike, the EP is streaming on major platforms, ready to reignite memories or spark new ones. Ronin may have been silent for years, but their music speaks louder than ever. Here's to revisiting the past—and rediscovering why it still matters.
