My interview with Dajjal (Bandung death-metal)
Interpretation by: Popo (Vocalist Demons Damn)
Expert Comments & Questions by: Popo and Bobby
Rock (Vocalist Hydro)
Dajjal is: Barok (Vocals); Zulf (Guitar); Karkash
(Guitar); and Runal (Drums); no bass player at present. Note that Karkash has
since left the band.
Date: 22 January 2014 @ Dada’s Deathstar Tattoo, Bandung
Jack
Frost: It is great that we can finally interview your band because Dajjal is a
legendary band in Bandung although now with Karkash, the young-blood guitarist.
It is good I got to know Karkash through the Facebook so now we can have this
interview. Please tell us the history of the band.
Runal
(Drummer): We were formed in October 1995. The original member until now is
only Barock.
JF:
The oldest?
Karkash:
One of the oldest!
 |
| Zulf (left) and Karkash |
JF:
How many albums for your band?
Zulf
(Guitarist): Two.
JF:
What are the album titles?
Karkash:
The first album Amarah, meaning
“anger”, was released in 2000 and the second album called Human Dark Side in 2014 (Heretic Records). The first album was
released by Bandung Soul Production.
JF:
Why such a long break between the albums?
Zulf:
We changed formation so the people who arranged the music were always changing.
We took a long break.
JF:
Did some fans forget the band because of such a long break?
Runal:
Many fans maybe disappeared but when we launched the new album many fans came
to live and like us.
JF:
Are the fans old or young?
Zulf:
Teenagers [laughs]!
JF:
What genre do you use to describe your music?
Zulf:
Death-metal music. We don’t know exactly what type of death-metal. We have many
influences.
JF:
What are your influences – foreign and local?
Karkash:
The old-school metal and some death-metal or black-metal. Mostly I listen to
Iron Maiden and the Big 4 and some new bands like Behemoth, Fleshgod
Apocalypse, Dawn of Demise [Sweden], and Kreator too as you already know.
Zulf:
The Faceless [USA], Psycroptic, and Behemoth.
JF:
Who played bass on the album?
Karkash:
On the album me and Zulf were the bass players.
JF:
Ok, can you give me your comments on Bandung death-metal scene, positive and
negative.
Runal:
The positive thing is that the old death-metal can make the young ones
motivated and inspired. The young ones are motivated to live death-metal.
JF:
Negative things?
Runal:
Sometimes people are followers who don’t understand the art of death-metal. The
fans and bands just become followers, some not all.
Zulf:
There is a separation between some people in the community, maybe Ujung Berung,
Cimahi, etc.
Popo
(Vocalist Demons Damn): Cimahi is a different city.
[Jack
Frost note: At this point there was some debate about this topic but I didn’t
write it all down.]
JF:
What do you think of people with Rock Star Syndrome?
Karkash:
Some of them act like that yes but not all. We respect each other.
JF:
Dajjal is an old band but not so famous as some other old bands from Bandung,
do you feel upset about this?
Zulf:
Stay humble, stay wise, stay metal, stay cool, peace and love, respect each
other!
JF:
Do you think Dajjal should get more respect?
Runal:
No, we existed for a long time so the old guys in the death-metal scene still
support us and the young too.
Zulf:
Dajjal did not make an album for 13 years; it’s a long gap [so this may explain
any lack of fame compared to some other bands]. We only made two albums.
Popo:
Runal, how do you feel working together with young guys such as Zulf and
Karkash?
Runal
(Drummer): I started in year 2000, Barock started in 1995. It’s no problem to
work with young guys because before I started I discussed with Barock about
continuing this band or not. When we decided to continue I asked Zulf to join
and we started playing as a threesome without a bassist. We felt it was
unenjoyable. Then I asked Karkash to join
the band and then we made new colourful music.
JF:
Why did you ask Karkash to join the band?
Runal:
Karkash had a band that was not too busy. He had a good technique which can
combine well with Dajjal’s music.
JF:
Popo, what is your comment about Dajjal?
Popo:
I think they are a legendary band. I say legend because they have a different
way to show themselves to the audience with song and performance. They are
always using costumes. I really had a shock because the vocalist is brutal and
running everywhere and jumping to the crowd. When he jumps to the audience it
will make them scared. I always enjoy looking at their performance.
JF:
Why didn’t you tell me about Dajjal ha? [smiling]
Popo:
I always tell you that Bandung has many good bands but why you always ask me
about Bleeding Corpse and Jasad? [all laughing]
Popo:
Don’t write about the bands Jasad and Bleeding Corpse! [smiling]
Bobby
Rock (Vocalist Hydro): What are the problems when you make the new album?
Karkash:
Me and Zulf try to combine old-school music and modern style but the vocal technique
is still in really old-school style. It’s hard to combine the music and the vocal
character. That is Barock’s [vocal] character so why should we change? We
combine with the old-school vocal.
JF:
Like Kreator and Exodus on their recent albums.
Karkash:
Of course.
JF:
Bobby, what is your comment about this band?
Bobby:
Dajjal has the most hard-dying fans in Bandung. The fans are really loyal to
the band. The band members are very humble and easy to friend. They are always
humble to everyone.
JF:
What are the differences between the first and the second album?
Karkash:
In my opinion the first album sounds like grindcore. The second album is more
like death-metal and with more harmonization. The lyrics are not really
different because the vocalist is still the same. It still talks about the dark
side of humanity.
JF:
Karkash, which of your bands is the main priority for you because you also play
with Amora Savage?
Karkash:
I cannot answer. I try to make them separate.
JF:
If they both play on the same night in different towns which band will you play
for?
Karkash:
Whichever band gives me the schedule I will take it first. If it is possible to
play at both gigs I will do both performances.
JF:
What is the future goal and dream for the band?
Zulf:
For now the goal is to release the second album and to make new albums. And to
become more successful; to earn more respect from all of the bands young and
old.
Karkash:
To keep creating.
Zulf:
To be known not just in Indonesia; we hope our songs can be accepted by foreign
people and to play in a foreign country of course.
JF:
Who are your favourite singers in Bandung death-metal?
Zulf:
For slamming Andre from Turbidity; he is a more powerful vocalist.
Karkash:
For me Dada.
Runal:
Barock and Bobby; Barock for the old-school and Bobby for the new-school.; for
the 90s-era Barock and for the 2000s-era Bobby.
JF:
Does Bobby do guest vocals on your new album?
Karkash:
It will happen if there is a chance.
JF:
Who are your favourite guitarists in Bandung death-metal?
Karkash:
Edz from Hellbeyond.
Zulf:
Agung from Burgerkill.
Runal:
Agung and Ferly.
JF:
Who are your favourite drummers?
Karkash:
Ask the drummer first.
Runal:
Andris, Burgerkill.
Zulf:
Same.
Karkash:
They are all good. I don’t have a favourite drummer but that does not mean
there are no good drummers.
JF:
Ok, this is a private joke for those who read our old interviews, grade out of
ten for Abaz?
Karkash:
I say 7/10!
JF:
You know why I ask this [all laughing].
Bobby:
What are your plans to promote your new album?
Karkash:
We will do some tour as soon as possible.
Popo:
I want to know about your funny experiences on the stage.
Zulf:
My ankle slipped and I fell; in Sundanese language Tijalikeuh.
Zulf:
Our vocalist does moshing on the stage and I got scars.
JF:
What town are the fans most crazy?
Zulf:
We always have a good experience because the people are so shocked because we
use costumes; we look different from other bands; this makes the people
enthusiastic.
JF:
Which town?
Zulf:
All.
JF:
Any message for the fans?
Karkash:
Because of you we can survive; without you we are nothing, that’s all. We give
thanks for your support; it really means a lot to us.
Zulf:
Say no to drugs; love your parents; stay humble; stay rock; stay cool; stay
lovely; keep respecting each other.
Runal:
The minuses and plus we have but zombies we are still alive.
Popo:
Your concept on stage is undying zombie?
Karkash:
It will happen.
Popo:
Why do you wear costumes on stage?
Zulf:
It started when the first time Dajjal performed we used mud like Sepultura and Rob
Zombie; and the transformation came to zombies and then to costumes.
Popo:
It’s better to use the costumes than mud?
Zulf:
It’s hard to use the costumes for performance.
Popo:
What is your feeling when you perform with costumes and everyone thinks you are
different to the others?
Karkash:
Costumes can allow us to express the art about the music; the costumes
facilitate the self-expression.
Popo:
Why do you not try different costumes?
Karkash:
Honestly the costumes are still not yet fixed. Mostly I like the colossal
concept.
Popo:
Why do you believe costumes will help your band?
Karkash:
They allow for more expression of emotion on stage.
Zulf:
The costumes make us a trend-setter band.
Popo:
Do you all feel comfortable on-stage?
Zulf:
The first time I felt it was not easy to wear costume and play guitar.
Popo:
It’s hard for a drummer too?
Runal:
Only the drummer has the permission not to use the costume.
JF:
Are you happy with the sound of the album or do you feel it’s not perfect?
Karkash:
So far so good. In my opinion it’s a more natural sound and not too processed.
Popo:
Are there any guest musicians on the album?
Zulf:
Edz from Hellbeyond.
Popo:
What is your comment about Busuk Webzine?
Zulf:
Thanks for interviewing us. It can make people know more about Dajjal.
Karkash:
My message to Busuk is it’s really great to know Busuk Crew because I can share
personally bout things and I hope Busuk can get bigger like I said. I hope it
can be physical magazine. It would be really cool.
Popo:
What do you expect from the Bandung death-metal scene?
Zulf:
We are thankful because Burgerkill and Jasad help the regeneration bands in
Bandung to become worldwide because Jasad has contact with Severed [Records]
and Burgerkill is known in Europe. This is a door for us. Foreigners know more
about Indonesian death-metal, and especially Bandung death-metal, because of
Burgerkill and Jasad.
JF:
What is more important – selling albums or merch?
Karkash:
We choose selling album.
Zulf:
Yes, selling album.
Popo:
But the merch will help the band financially.
Karkash:
Yes, support.
