TRIBUTE: "Madura is Our Breath" (Yayak Rajam Final Interview), by Ms. Dhinie (English Version)

Ms. Dhinie Allegrea1: Hai, can you tell me the history of this band, how it formed, until now?

Yayak Rajam: Hail... Rajam formed in ’99 decade by the first founder, Magus, where at that time Rajam played thrash metal. Starting from November 2000, Rajam plunged idealistically into black metal. During that time, Rajam started to record their first single “Bheles Pateh” which was submitted into “LEGION TIMUR” compilation under Rotor Corp and released by MUSICA Studio as Major label. Line up at that time: magus: vocal yayak: guitar mumu: drum arif: bass.

In 2003 Rajam with the same line up released their first album “WAR BEGIN”, released by Dark Benner Prod Bandung. During the existence in black metal scene, in 2007, Rajam released a demo that contains 2 songs: SOLUSINYA ADALAH PERANG ANATHEMA AS THE WARRIOR. Only 50 CDs were produced and shared to our colleagues.

Continued with the same line up, again Rajam released their 2nd full album “BURNING ANTARCTICA”, released by LUDAH PRODUCTION GRESIK. In 2010, related to the overload of activities and distance between Jakarta and Madura, Magus (vocal), Mumu (drum), Arif (bass) ”resigned” from Rajam and they’re now living in Jakarta, and they formed death metal band, FINAL TERROR.

In 2010, after the three of them left the band, I was fully in-charge to recruit new personnel Badrut (drum), Ditto (bass) and me, Yayak (guitar vocal) and in 2013, Rajam, again released the full album, 3rd one, with titled “350” released by the same label, Ludah Production.

In this year, 2015, Badrut (drum) and Ditto (bass) couldn’t share their time between band and their activities outside of the band, that led me to make the decision to keep the existence of Rajam in black metal scene. In April and May 2015, through me personally (one man), we recorded 8 new materials for Rajam’s 4th album in DAZTANIANS PRODUCTION. And while I’m having this interview, these materials are in the MIXING and MASTERING, hopefully they will be ready to be released in September 2015. I personally am still in the negotiating process with some labels for the release. The current line up for Rajam nowadays are: YAYAK/SIR WARLORD: GUITAR VOCAL and JIMMY/EVEREALD: BASS (LIVE) DRUM live, for temporary, we use the backing track for every gig until I can find the new drummer for the future invasions. That was the history of Rajam, from how it formed until today. We never had hiatus even though we have had many personnel crises in Rajam.

D2: How was the response for your band’s mini album/album/demo?

YR: From the beginning of our single until our 3rd album, the response is very good. As we can see from the CD sold out and we had tight gigs from time to time. Hopefully the release of our 4th album will still have the same response from the black metal scene

D3: What band that most influenced in your music?

YR: METALLICA, IMPIETY DAN IMMORTAL.

D4: What’s your future plan with the band?

YR: Still productive, released our best creations in our next full album... et cetera... et cetera.... as long as we’re alive still exist in black metal scene, in the middle of it polemic and controversy, hopefully we will able to give the best dedication in the future

Rony Sickles and Yayak Rajam

D5: Are your songs using Bahasa Indonesia or English?

YR: Both Bahasa Indonesia and English. Rajam first single, Bheles Peteh, means killing revenge using Madura (ethnics) language.

D6: What do you describes in your lyrics?

YR: All of our lyrics tell about the total war, the heat resistance of aggression rebellion within the scope of the war itself was a war nationalist / independence epic or legend that we transferred into Rajam’s lyrics.

D7: Why do you like to play black metal?

YR: I think it’s about choice for an existence in music, it’s about our idealistic in music, in this case we chose BLACK METAL as out roots in music, there we found interests to play, to see, to listen and to read from it polemic and controversy as gave a magnet for me and Rajam to become crazieeeeeeeeeerrrr in playing black metal music.

D8: When was the first time that you became metal fans?

YR: Hmmm maybe in the beginning of 90s I’ve heard and collected a lot of rock and metal bands from abroad. And it still happens until now and become my reference in playing music with Rajam.

D9: What do you say to the people who asked : why do you play western style of music?

YR: Hahahaha I like this (laughing) It’s about feeling that is untold with words, and of course, this kind of favorite of mine is countable hahahaha...

D10: Does the wife or girlfriend of the personnel support for what you’re doing now?

YR: Amaziiiiiiinggggg since the very beginning until now, since we were on date, until we got married and now our kids are grown up, the full support from the family never dies, and it becomes our spirit to stay existing and working on in this metal scene.

D11: What was the best and the worst things of the community in your city?

YR: Hmmmmm always comes and go... that maybe the perfect answer for that question... hopefully in the next year Madura scene and community will grow and deliver high quality bands... ‘settong dhere tretan dhibi' whatever it takes, Madura is our breath.

D12: In which event that you felt the stage is memorable?

YR: All gig events that we’ve been through are memorable. We can see a very good response and supports from our friends in other cities or places that we’ve been through.

D13: Any messages for your friends?

YR: There’s no space for us to be weak, keep working on with the band and the personnel in the band. Because band is like a family needs responsibility too... and being alone but keep working on is more honorable that together but creates nothing... Support local scene by buying the physical release, read, see and listen as reference so in the next years this scene is not being under-estimated. we not fail but we will attack argggghhhhhail.... hail for all MILITANs

D14: OK, thank you very much.

[Interview and English translation by: Ms. Dhinie, vokalis ALLEGREA / VALERIAN (Surabaya Power Metal), interview questions by: Kieran James.]

   

CD REVIEW: WARHAMMER (Jogjakarta) - "Visual Antagonism", by Corna Irawan, 25 April 2016.

Artist: Warhammer (Jogjakarta)
Title: Visual Antagonism
Format: CD
Year: 2016
Label: Brutal Infection Records
Review: Corna Irawan
Rating: 8.5 / 10

Warhammer adalah sebuah band Death Metal yang muncul dari komunitas musik extreme metal Yogyakarta, Jogja Corpse Grinder (JCG). Berdiri di tahun 2009 dengan nama Genital Cavity yang kemudian mendeklarasikan diri menjadi Warhammer pada tahun 2011. Tahun 2016 ini adalah tahun yang keramat bagi mereka, tepat tanggal 4 April 2016 yang lalu mereka dengan gagah perkasa merilis debut album mereka “Visual Antagonism”, sementara pesta peluncuran album itu sendiri baru akan dilaksanakan akhir bulan ini (29 April 2016) di Jogja Nasional Museum (JNM) Gampingan Yogyakarta. Maka tepat bagi saya untuk mereview album ini sambil bersiap ikut berpesta dengan mereka tanggal 29 April nanti.

Oke langsung saja kita bedah habis album ini. Dibuka dengan intro yang menggambarkan suasana seram dan kelam, seolah kita hendak dibawa ke situasi mencekam negeri ini beberapa tahun silam ketika semua orang harus menghadapi situasi negara di tahun 1965, tahun yang penuh tragedi di negeri ini. Dalam kisaran semenit intro langsung disambung dengan suara distorsi gitar yang menderu, The Beginning. Setelah jeda satu detik telinga kita langsung dihajar dengan sebuah lagu andalan mereka, Aggresion. Inilah lagu yang menurut saya sangat mewakili karakter musik mereka, oldschool death metal yang mengalir dengan sangat kental. Sound gitar yang kasar (raw) dan deru set drum yang membawa kita ke masa-masa kebangkitan musik death metal di akhir tahun 80an (awal 90an). Aura Bolt Thrower memang terasa di lagu ini, oke ini sah-sah saja mengingat menurut pengakuan personelnya memang mengidolakan band death metal asal negeri Britania Raya itu.

Lagu berikutnya adalah lagu yang sempat mereka pamerkan ke kita beberapa bulan silam dengan demo album Warhammer, jadi mungkin sebagian kalian sudah mengenal lagu ini, Living Chaos langsung menderu merobek-robek jantung kita. Konsep lagu yang asik, Bara sang gitaris nampaknya seolah tak kenal lelah menjelajahi setiap bagian lagu ini. Lagu ini terdengar dengan semacam perpaduan Vader dan Entombed namun dengan cara lebih agresif versi Warhammer. Disusul berikutnya Morbid Illussion yang juga ada di demo mereka, bercerita tentang bagaimana kematian menjemput kita, terutama oleh kejamnya keadaan yang ada disekeliling kita, semakin membawa album ini semakin agresif dan mengerikan.

Satu hal yang menarik perhatian saya adalah bagaimana mereka justru "sengaja" membiarkan setiap part lead gitar (melodi), dengan justru ritem gitar ikut "menghilang" (atau terdengar samar-samar). Ibarat sedang live (konser) dengan formasi satu gitar. Padahal jika mereka mau, bisa saja saat proses penggarapan album mereka menebalkan part ritem mereka, well ini oldschool men. Fine!

Enslaving Mankind menjadi sajian berikutnya, dengan drum beat grinding yang cepat menjadi menu lagu ini, lalu seperti rentetan senjata otomatis yang disemburkan untuk menghantam rakyat jelata yang menjadi budak kekuasaan. Album ini memang sengaja membawa tema masa kelam negeri ini di tahun 1965, dimana terjadi tragedi nasional dengan adanya peristiwa G30S/PKI. Ini bisa dilihat dari artwork cover album Visual Antgonism ini yang digarap oleh Rio Oscaryzm. Mereka ingin membawa kita ke suasana dan situasi kala itu, dimana ribuan rakyat indonesia menjadi korban karena ulah sekelompok yang berkepentingan dalam usahanya menguasai negeri yang kaya raya ini. Yang kemudian sejarah telah ditekuk dan diaransemen sesuai "seniman" mana yang membuat, dan kita sebagai rakyat biasa hanya bisa menerima dan mengikuti saja tanpa tahu apa dan bagaimana yang sebenarnya terjadi.

Kembali kita dibawa ke suasana kelam dan mencekam saat lagu Dimension of Sorrow mulai dikumandangkan, sebuah lagu intrumentalia. Diawali dengan petikan gitar dan sayatan melodi yang membawa kita pada suasana pagi buta ketika datang manusia pembantai kesunyian. Sajian melody apik ini dibantu oleh Ardian N Anwar. Kelar kemudian kembali dihentak dengan lagu Burning Death.

Kemudian lagu Ruins to the Past mulai mengalir dengan tempo sedang namun terasa berat. Begitupun Damned Souls yang masih menceritakan tentang kengerian masa pembataian masal yang pernah menjadi sejarah brutal negeri ini. Yang akhirnya dijawab para arwah yang dipaksa mati oleh situasi politik yang tak dimengerti oleh mereka yang menjadi korban dengan Voice of Burial Ground, sebuah puisi dari alam kubur.

Akhirnya rangkaian “pembantaian” dalam album Visual Antagonism ini ditutup dengan sempurna dengan lagu The Last Revenge. Begitu terasa bagaimana penderitaan rakyat (tak bersalah) yang dipaksa harus menerima situasi yang terjadi. Album ini telah sukses membawa kita dalam lembah penuh darah sebagai salah satu proses yang harus dialami dan dilalui negeri ini. Album ini digarap pada akhir tahun 2015 yang lalu di Rockstar Studio Yogyakarta, dengan tangan dingin Donny Wagna sebagai music enginered, orang yang sama dengan saat penggarapan album Forging A Legacy milik Death Vomit. Silakan berburu album ini sebelum kehabisan atau kamu akan menyesal dalam penderitaan kuburmu [by Corna Irawan and used here with his kind permission.]

Tracklist:
01 The Beginning
02 Aggression
03 Living Chaos
04 Morbid Illussion
05 Enslaving Mankind
06 Dimension of Sorrow
07 Burning Death
08 Ruins to the Past
09 Damned Souls
10 Voice of Burial Ground
11 The Last Revenge
Credits:
Adin Ahmad Ramadhani - Vocals
Bara Lintang Swastika - Guitars
Bayu Setiawan - Bass
Husein Khaidhor Musa - Drums

CD REVIEW: MORGUE SUPPLIER (Chicago, IL., USA) - "Morgue Supplier", by Corey Athos, 15/4/2016

Morgue Supplier s/t   9.5/10

Review by Corey Athos for Busuk Chronicles

 

The album starts with complete chaos on every instrument and only lets up for an occasional groove then back to Armageddon .  Half way through the first song something really caught my ear.  A Gorguts’ “Obscura” era style part.  I’ve come to realize the whole album has that chaotic overtone.  I consider this as an “Obscura II” although they definitely have their own sound completely.  There’s the same chaos, darkness, dissonance and bipolar changes.  When we(Flesh Consumed) played in Chicago with them, they completely destroyed.  Out of all the bands despite my normal pre-show rituals, I stopped to watch Chicago natives, Morgue Supplier.   Point being they are even more intense live, which is an extremely difficult task seeing that their album is solid  with a great production and intense as hell.   The music goes from complete chaos to come all together seamlessly.  The solos that are on the album are completely fitting to the style.  Chaotic, demented, and psychotic reminiscent of no other guitarist and if forced to I would compare them to Bob Virga’s (Immolation) psychotic choice of notes and the cleanliness and flow of Shaune Kelley (Ripping Corpse, Dim Mak, Flesh Consumed).  Every piece, from the bass tone to the vocal intensity creates a soundscape fitting of impending doom.  Tension and release is huge on this album to reset your mind.  Make your tolerance for the chaos die off then hit you hard again and again, punishing.  The dynamics are impeccable.  Being primarily a vocalist I highly respect vocalist Paul Gillis’ vocal approach.  He has a million voices and each one uttered is another demonRE released.  This and every time I listen I find a new layer or element I hadn’t yet discovered.  Morgue Supplier’s Self-titled release is a masterpiece, plain and simple. I will definitely continue to play this album daily.     - 9.5/10

To purchase Morgue Supplier’s s/t visit their facebook or http://obscuremusick.bigcartel.com/

[By Corey Athos for Busuk Chronicles.]

RAIN CITY DARKNESS: Our first interview with CRIATURA (Bogor Black Metal), 15/6/2012

CRIATURA. Left to Right: Mahar "Tragedy" (keyboard), Yudi (gitar), Ale (vocal), Ikhsan "Syariat" (drums), Nos (gitar), Handy (bass) 

My interview with Nos (guitarist) of Bogor City black-metal band CRIATURA

By Dr Kieran James (BUSUK WEBZINE)

Email Interview, 15 June 2012

CRIATURA is: Mahar “Tragedy” (keyboard), Yudi (gitar), Ale (vocal), Ikhsan “Syariat” (drum), Nos (gitar), and Handy (bass)

Kieran James (BUSUK WEBZINE) Question 1: Hai, bisakah kamu menceritakan sejarah awal terbentuknya band kalian hingga sekarang?

Nos (CRIATURA) Question 1: Kami berdiri tahun 2008, dengan formasi awal Ale (Vocal), Yudi (Gitar), Nos (Gitar) dan Deni (Drum), Seperti lazimnya band-band lain kami telah mengalami beberapa kali pergantian personil, Deni ( Drum) memutuskan untuk keluar dari Criatura, kami vakum beberapa saat dengan tetap jalan ber-tiga. Dan Handi (Bass), Astri (Keyboard) dan Ardy (Drum) masuk, namun formasi ini tidak bertahan lama, Astri (Keyboard) dan Ardy (Drum) keluar. Saat ini kita memakai additional player Mahar “Tragedy” (Keyboard) dan Ikhsan “Syariat” (Drum). 

KJ2: Bagaimana respon orang-orang dengan mini album/album/demo band Kamu?

NOS2: Akhir tahun lalu kami mengeluarkan Demo Promo dalam format CD, responnya positif, dan 2 lagu dari CD Demo itu masuk beberapa album kompilasi

KJ3: Band apa yang paling berpengaruh bagi Kalian dalam bermain musik?

NOS3: Abigail Williams, Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, Rhapsody, Nightwish, Moi Dix Mois dan beberapa band lain yang bernuansakan Symphony, Classics, Folk, Viking, Gothic, Black, dan Power. 

KJ4: Apa rencana kedepan kalian bersama band?

NOS4: Kami berencana untuk Split Album dengan Agorphos (France) di akhir tahun 2012 ini dan Glorious Night (Argentina), setelah itu kami merencanakan album full pertama kami tahun depan. Semoga tidak ada halangan dan berjalan lancar semuanya.

KJ5: Apakah lagu-lagu yang kalian buat menggunakan Bahasa Inggris dan Indonesia.

NOS5. Sejauh ini kami menggunakan Bahasa Inggris, dari 3 lagu yang sudah di record dan 3 lagu baru kami yang belum di record, tapi pasti akan ada yang menggunakan Bahasa Indonesia.

KJ6: Apa yang kalian ceritakan dalam lirik-lirik yang kalian buat?

NOS6. KeTuhanan, kematian, ketakutan, kegelisahan, fantasy, perang, kejayaan dan semua pesan tentang hidup.

KJ7: Mengapa kalian semua suka memainkan musik black-metal?

NOS7: Sebenarnya setiap personil kita menyukai musik metal yang berbeda-beda, seperti power metal, folk, heavy metal, classic, gothic, dan lain-lain malah jarang musik yang kita buat terinspirasi dari Black Metal, namun kita lebih senang mencampuradukkan semua inspirasi kita yang berbeda-beda itu dan memainkannya kedalam satu genre, yaitu Symphonic Black Metal, dan menjadikan itu sebagai ciri khas musik kita sendiri.

KJ8: Kapan pertama kali kamu menjadi fans band metal?

NOS8: Sekitar 2007, pertama kali yang kami sukai musik-musik gothic metal, dan terus berkembang setiap tahunnya memenuhi kebutuhan kami di musik. dan sampai sekarang kami sangat suka dengan metal menjadikan gaya dan tujuan hidup kami.

KJ9: Apa yang Kamu katakan kepada orang-orang yang bertanya mengapa Kamu memainkan musik bergaya barat?

NOS9. Ini jiwa kami, disini kami nyaman, disini kami menemukan jati diri, dan disini kami bisa bebas berekspresi tanpa harus ada yang mengatur!

KJ10: Apakah para istri dan kekasih para personil kalian mendukung apa yang kalian kerjakan? 
NOS10: Ya, tentu saja, kadang mereka menemani kami perform, mendukung dan menyemangati kami, hehehe. Kalau dilarang mending kita putusin saja, hahahahaha
KJ11: Apakah hal-hal yang terbaik dan terburuk tentang komunitas di kota kalian?

NOS11: Kebetulan kita dari kota Bogor, dan komunitas di kota ini tentu saja ada baik dan buruknya. Baiknya, dikota ini memang banyak komunitas metal, tapi buruknya kita jadi tidak bisa bersatu, kita jadi masing-masing. Kami tidak mau komentar banyak tentang hal ini.
KJ12: Kebanyakan sekitar 80%-90% band-band terbesar dan tertua adalah masih berasal dari Kota Bandung?
NOS12: Ya, Kami setuju itu. Banyak band-band berkualitas di Indonesia berasal dari Bandung, mereka yang tua sangat menghargai dan mendukung penuh band baru yang muda, dan yang muda sangat menghormati yang tua, mereka bisa seperti itu karena mereka selalu bersatu dan saling merangkul untuk bisa sukses bersama-sama, bahkan bukan cuma band beraliran metal, yang ber-genre lain pun banyak yang berkualitas dan sangat terkenal yang dilahirkan kota Bandung, mereka sangat kreatif dalam hal apapun.

KJ13: Rencana apa yang kalian buat bersama band untuk kedepannya?
NOS13: Lihat menjawab Pertanyaan 4/ See answer to Question 4.

KJ14: Di acara apa kalian merasakan, itu stage yang berkesan?

NOS14: Citayam Meledug #3, di KNPI Cibinong, 24 Desember 2011 lalu, itu terakhir kalinya Almarhum sahabat kami Bagol “Bassist Syariat” melihat kami perform, headbang bersama kami di venue dan juga meneriakkan “END OF TIME” lagu kedua yang akan kami bawakan (lagu criatura yang paling beliau suka) sebelum beliau meninggalkan kami selamanya. di acara itu juga untuk pertama kalinya kami membuat Wall of Death, walaupun penonton hanya kisaran 300 orang tapi itu sangat membuat kami senang, dan bisa kenal dekat hingga sekarang dengan teman-teman dari Gajah Oleng Squad Crew dan band-band dari Citayam Extreme Metal Syndicate. Kami sangat berkesan dan tak akan pernah kami lupakan itu.

KJ15: Ada pesan untuk kawan kawan?
NOS15. “Untuk metalheads, tidak ada pesan, haha tetap dukung kami saja dan band-band lokal lain, karena sehebat apapun band tanpa dukungan tidak akan berarti apa-apa”.

KJ16: OK, terima kasih banyak. 

NOS16. Terima Kasih kembali, Sukses selalu dan God Bless You!

OFFICIAL VIDEO:
Majesty of Romance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJucJGjoUoI&sns=fb

Picture captions (below):

#1 ONE NIGHT IN JAKARTA. L to R: Iqbal (Tanah Kubur, Bogor Black Metal), Jamet (Tanah Kubur), Ardi Grindbuto and his girlfriend, Willy Damien (Umbra Mortis, Jakarta Power Metal), Nos (Criatura, Bogor Black Metal), and  Kieran James (Busuk Chronicles).

#2 ONE NIGHT IN JAKARTA. Left to Right: Kieran James, Ardi Grindbuto and his girlfriend, Willy Damien (Umbra Mortis), and Nos (Criatura). 

#3 ONE DAY IN JAKARTA. Left to Right: Iqbal (drummer Tanah Kubur, Bogor Black Metal), Kieran James, Jamet (vokalis Tanah Kubur). 

GRAUSIG STATEMENT: CLARIFICATION OF GRAUSIG’S PERFORMANCE CANCELLATION, HAMMERSONIC (English Version)

GRAUSIG - OFFICIAL STATEMENT

CLARIFICATION OF GRAUSIG’S PERFORMANCE CANCELLATION: THE SOUL OF STEEL STAGE, HAMMERSONIC

17/04/2016 

“On Wednesday 13 April, 2016 we, Grausig, received an invitation to attend the ‘technical meeting’ in the Hammersonic Office in order to discuss all matters relating directly to the technical set-up for the stage, event acts, equipment list, ID passes for band personnel and production teams, and the provision of fee deposits as to be received directly by Grausig’s manager. During the meeting it was conveyed that there would be two Drum-Set risers which would be available for use, free of charge, for all bands - including Grausig - playing on the Soul of Steel Stage.
 

On the day of Hammersonic, after unloading all the equipment, we made enquiries to the promoting team in regards to our setting up the Drum-Set on one of the nearby unused risers, as per our agreement at the aforementioned technical meeting. It was at this point that we were informed by the promoting team and the Soul of Steel Stage Floor Manager that Grausig were not permitted to use the riser as both risers were strictly reserved for exclusive use by the bands Burgerkill and Hellcrust. Despite there being five to six bands playing after Grausig’s scheduled set, and before Hellcrust and Burgerkill, and despite reminders of previous agreements between the band and the promoters, Grausig were prevented from using a riser. It was further asserted by the promoting team and the Floor Manager that only bands who had brand endorsements were permitted to use the risers, a fact that had not been discussed at the technical meeting and as such was not a part of the original agreement which ensured all bands on the Soul of Steel Stage usage of the risers. 

As the terms of the agreement between Grausig and the promoters had been compromised, it was with much regret that Grausig cancelled their performance on the Soul of Steel Stage at Hammersonic 2016, returning the appearance fee to the promoters before leaving the venue. 

Grausig does not intend this statement to discredit or marginalize certain parties involved, but hopes merely to provide clarification regarding the band’s decision to withdraw from the festival. Grausig would like to take this opportunity to thank all our friends and supporters who continue to stand by us, and to express our continuing support and respect for the operation of the Hammersonic Festival" [by GRAUSIG band, translation into English by Jason Xenophobic and Lauren Wilson, used here with kind permission].

Comment by Jason Xenophobic: "You can buy clones, and you can endorse and give awards and trophies to any clown Death metal band in Indonesia, but you will never buy or bargain GRAUSIG'S Principles and their Pride!

RESPECT IS EARNED, NOT BOUGHT OR GIVEN!"

[By Jason Xenophobic, XENOPHOBIC RECORDS, 20/4/2016, comment used with his permission].

OPINION: "You are a Funny Kent (Message to a Friend)", by Jason Xenophobic, 22/4/2016

YOU ARE A FUNNY *KENT*! By Jason Xenophobic

(*KENT is an Australian slang word used in replacement of the more crude word “cunt”. The word kent is often used among friends as a very Australian term of endearment, but also can be used as a most severe insult. The literal meaning of the word cunt refers to the female genitalia.)

You are a funny kent mate! So much so that I have to have a little chuckle. But honestly, I have to ask, who the fuck do you think you are? I have reminded you on numerous occasions not to shoot yourself in the foot when you are feeling as high as the moon - a superstar in your own head! Yes, that’s right, in YOUR OWN head! Sorry, please excuse me, I have to stop again to laugh at you.

So you’re only bringing a knife to a gun fight? I’m feeling like we’re in a spaghetti western here, and unfortunately you ain’t no Clint Eastwood. You’re just another bitch ass who happens to play guitar, coasting on your fame from SIKSAKUBUR! Without that mate, you are a nobody - a no-name face in the crowd.

As a personality within the music industry it is the public’s right, and my right, to critique your music abilities and accomplishments as a band. The same way that people critique art, drama and all the performing and creative arts. It is your responsibility as musician to take criticisms on the chin and either ignore them, or use them to better yourself as an artist. But you, however, not only winged like a little bitch, but you also crossed the line and made it personal. Trying to use tattooing against me? You don’t know shit! As far as I know - and it is something that I do have considerable knowledge about - I was the first Indonesian person to be awarded a certificate from the PTAA (Professional Tattoo Association of Australia) - as I was informed personally by the association - and have also received qualifications from Queensland University Australia, as well as certificates from the New South Wales Victoria and Western Australian of health departments . For a Batak boy from a small village in North Sumatra I consider this to be quite an accomplishment. Aside from these personal achievements I have also dedicated my time to helping my fellow Indonesia tattooists, including my sponsorship of Master Gede Supala Shotonk (who at the time was President of BTAC) to attend the Melbourne Tattoo festival. It was from this venture that Shotonk took the knowledge of infection control and hygienic standards to help progress the Indonesian tattoo industry in order to meet contemporary international tattoo practice standards. Furthermore, I was the first Indonesian person who was able to open my own tattoo studio in Australia despite frequent threats to my life because that’s just how the industry is over here! Well, that’s enough bragging about myself I should think - but remember this, I’ve been doing this shit for 3 decades so you got a long way to go boy before you can even think about throwing your insults at me.

So this is where I am quite amused! You think you can turn me against my fellow tattoo artists? Well, sorry kent, but I’m not like you, so quick to turn your back on those who were once your mates and fellow musicians - the ones who made you who you claim to be today! You have proven once that you don’t have the nerve to be upfront and honest with people, to deal with situations like a man, but rather you have shown the world how deceitful you are - bitching to the media about how “hard done by” you have been and attacking people on a personal level, just like what you are trying to do now.

And it’s a funny thing - I don’t have that jealous streak that your small, narrow mind is imagining I have. I applaud the people in my industry who stand out, who succeed, and who are talented at what they do - I don’t have what they call in Australia the ‘tall poppy syndrome” (you think you can converse in English, then look that phrase up so you don’t get offended the next time someone uses a common saying when communicating with you). I worship the Indonesian tattoo artists in Indonesia so much so that secretly I created the media site INDONESIAN TATTOO ART AND RITUAL WORLDWIDE in order to promote and celebrate the Indonesian artists and encourage the world to take notice of the unique talent that Indonesia has to offer. This is a representation of my pride and respect for my fellow artists, as opposed to me being bitter and spiteful such as yourself.

So again I must ask, who the fuck do you think you are? Yes, I critiqued the integrity and the musical ability of your band. Yes I questioned the appropriateness of the accolades been awarded Hellcrust by Hammersonic as I justifiably believe that such praise is undue. Album of the Year? Kalamaut has been out for a mere 3 months so forgive me for assuming this to be a extremely biased publicity stunt pulled by Hammersonic in order to serve their own interests as opposed to being an objective decision based purely on the merits of the album and a reflection of the people’s choice (but please don’t interpret this as my way to attack Hammersonic, as admittedly I believe they have done a good job for the last couple of years despite all the surrounding drama). This work of yours, in my humble opinion, is average and underserving of the hype that you have tried to create. The drama surrounding it is just that - drama! It is a gross over dramatisation which disappointed on every level. But hey, that’s just my opinion. What do I know? When there are so many Indonesian bands that eat, breathe and shit metal I know I am justified in criticising an industry that is so obviously favouring the very small minority - whether they have talent or not - at the expense of and to the detriment of the whole metal scene.

So if you want to be a rockstar mate - with your custom guitars (which you still cannot use to create any memorable piece of music) and “friends” in high places - then how about you try growing a pair and harden the fuck up! This is my last word on the matter, I will provide no further comment [by Jason Xenophobic and used here with his kind permission, 22/4/2016].

FOOTNOTE:
Picture captions (below):

1 Double trouble at Melbourne Tattoo art festival rite of passages Melbourne indonesia 1st on one tattooist in the history of the annual expo

With TATTOO MASTER SHOTONK OF BALI INDONESIA

2 At the  Step Inn Pub (Brisbane, Australia) after the DEATH VOMIT (DEVO) show and feeling accomplished. Jason made a small personal contribution to the Indonesian death metal scene by organize and managing DEATH VOMIT touring Australia wide (No sponsor and no shit) (September 2010).

3 With Ebenz of Burgerkill at Black Betty Night Club from THE INVASION OF NOISE #1 making a history and contribution to Indonesian Metal Community by BURGERKILL, the 1st band from the 3rd world playing legit in Indonesia, self organized, self funded with no cigarette company or beer company as sponsor.

4. THE FAMILY 2015 Jason B day.
5 Jason (centre) with the two legendary Balinese tattoo masters and mentors MR AGUNG JAMRUT (L) and MR BLOCH (R). They are two of the master tattooists from the old guard c1990s reunited after 17 years.