A veteran rock musician tragically died after collapsing behind his drum kit just minutes into a live concert in Malaysia.
Raja Azreen, longtime drummer for Malaysian rock band Meditasi, was performing at the Teruntum Rock Festival in Kuantan, Pahang, on July 18 when tragedy struck during the band’s second song.
According to band vocalist Bakaruddin Daud, everything had appeared normal before the performance.
Azreen had rehearsed with the group and showed no obvious signs that anything was wrong. However, Daud said the drummer had recently been diagnosed with diabetes.
Then, in the middle of the band’s set, Azreen suddenly collapsed over his drums.
Daud immediately rushed toward his longtime bandmate.
“I rushed over to the performer, but I could sense that he was no longer with us,” Daud recalled, according to Malaysian outlet Gempak.
He said he called Azreen’s name and tapped him, but the drummer did not respond.
“His body was already cold,” Daud said.
Band members carried Azreen backstage as emergency crews were called. An ambulance arrived within minutes, but the musician could not be saved.
The heartbreaking death took on an eerie note after Daud revealed something Azreen had said before taking the stage.
The drummer reportedly told his bandmates to wear black for the performance and declared, “Come what may, the show must go on.”
No indication was given that Azreen believed anything was about to happen to him.
Meditasi has been part of Malaysia’s rock scene for decades.
The group was previously known as Metal Wizard and began by playing weddings and local fairs before earning wider attention after winning first place in the 1986 Pahang State Rock Championships.
That victory helped the band land a deal with major Malaysian record label PMI.
Meditasi later became known for songs including “Angels,” “A Punishment for Charm” and “May the Pain of Love Endure.”
News of Azreen’s sudden death quickly spread through Malaysia’s music community.
A singer from fellow group Masa Legacy shared a tribute mourning the drummer.
“I have received the sad news that the drummer of the band Meditasi has passed away,” the musician wrote, according to HMetro. “Let us all pray for the departed soul, and send our condolences to his family.”
Azreen’s death stunned fans and fellow musicians alike — especially after what had begun as an ordinary night of live rock music ended in tragedy only two songs into the show.
