Raja Azreen, the longtime drummer for the popular Malaysian rock band Meditasi, has died after collapsing during a live performance. He was 56.
The incident occurred at the Teruntum Rock Festival in Kuantan, Pahang. According to bandmates and local reports, Azreen fell into his drum kit during the second song of the group’s set. Lead singer Bakaruddin Daud said he saw Azreen go down, helped carry him backstage, and found him already “cold to the touch.” Emergency responders arrived shortly afterward, but Azreen could not be revived.
Daud later recalled the moment with clear emotion, noting that he sensed immediately that his bandmate was gone. He emphasized that Azreen had looked and sounded strong during rehearsals leading up to the festival, even as the drummer managed a recent diabetes diagnosis and had tightened his diet.
Meditasi (formerly known as Metal Wizard) formed in 1984 and rose to prominence in the 1990s with a shift toward a more melodic rock sound. The band is known for enduring Malaysian hits including “Biar Pedih Kasih Memanjang,” “Bidadari,” “Hukuman Pada Pesona,” and “Demi Rindu Kita.” Azreen joined around the time of the group’s debut album, replacing earlier drummer Atan, and remained a steady presence behind the kit for decades.
Azreen was laid to rest in Bangi, Selangor. The band has indicated it intends to continue performing in the wake of the loss.
The sudden nature of Azreen’s death has left fans and the Malaysian rock community in mourning. His steady rhythmic foundation helped define Meditasi’s sound across generations of listeners, and his final performance underscored both the passion and the vulnerability inherent in live music.
