Malaysian rock drummer reportedly dies mid-performance aged 56

Malaysian rock fans are grieving the unexpected death of veteran drummer Raja Azreen Raja Talib, who passed away after collapsing during a live festival performance last month.

The 56 year old musician fell onstage while performing with his longtime band Meditasi at the Teruntum Rock Festival in Kuantan, Pahang on July 18.

Azreen had only played two songs with the group when he suddenly collapsed, leaving both the audience and event crew shocked.

Meditasi frontman Bakaruddin “Burn” Daud told Berita Harian Online that he immediately knew the situation was serious.

He said: “I rushed towards [Raja], but I could feel that [he] was gone.

“I called and patted [him], but there was no response. His body was also cold. The fans were quite alarmed when they saw what was happening.”

Members of the band and festival staff moved the drummer backstage as they waited for medical assistance to arrive.

Burn recalled: “We carried [him] backstage and within a few minutes the ambulance arrived. Alhamdulillah, everything was made easier."

Azreen was transported to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, where he was “given respiratory assistance, but he did not regain consciousness or respond after the collapse.”

His elder brother, Raja Azman Raja Taib, later disclosed that Azreen had experienced heart related health problems in the months before his death.

Speaking to the outlet, he said: “He was hospitalized twice; the first stay lasted two to three weeks before he was admitted again."

Even with his previous health struggles, his family and fellow musicians were deeply shocked by how quickly everything happened, particularly because he had seemed to be doing well ahead of the festival.

The only change his brother had noticed was that Azreen appeared “very thin”.

His brother also said Azreen had recently been diagnosed with diabetes and had been taking care with what he ate.

Meditasi, which was established in 1986, had spent three days rehearsing ahead of the festival, with Burn remembering Azreen as being energetic and in good spirits. The drummer had also unexpectedly asked his bandmates to dress entirely in black for the performance and told them the show should carry on "no matter what".

Guitarist Rosli Ahmad was also dealing with illness at the time.

Burn said the band intends to keep Meditasi's music alive and continue performing in honour of Azreen.

He added: “We have not yet discussed [the future], but we will continue the group’s struggle. Because as [he] said, the show must go on.

“We are no longer chasing money, we just want to find friends and fill our free time.”