Playlist : "Psyche van het Folk", Radio Centraal, Antwerpen, Belgium Overview Progressive Music from Indonesia (& intro 60's prog in Singapore). 2 Radioshows. It took a long time, research etc. before I could make this radioshow. I tried to leave out the neo-prog. The connection with Holland makes Indonesian music sometimes more easy to trace in Holland than in Indonesia. For some earlier examples Feddo Rennier (internet radioshow "Psychedelicatessen", collector, Holland) helped me. For later interesting examples it was mostly Surjorimba Suroto (responsible for Indonesian Progressive Society & website) who helped me building on this radioshow. Some other information was provided by Ajie Wartono (staff Indonesian music internet shop Warta Jazz, Indonesia & radio program producer "Progressive With SWA", Indonesia). Some other remarks being made during preparations are mentioned with name. RADIOSHOW 1 : INTRO : EARLY PROGRESSIVE MUSIC FROM SINGAPORE 60's : * October Cherries : same (SING,Baal Rec.) Tr.2, "It's all there" 6 min. -compi tr.3- * October Cherries : same (Baal Rec.) Tr.4, "Can I hold your hand" & "Deborah" 6 min. -compi tr.4- Cover of this LP : http://progressive.homestead.com/files/octobercherriesLP.jpg "The October Cherries are Premier band from Singapore. They begins as Surfers and changed their name to the October Cherries, in order to get out of a contract with EMI and start their own label, BAAL. This move also helped confuse the pirates, who would sometimes have their unauthorized versions of records out by lunchtime on the day a new record was released! Sometime they are know as Jade and Pepper (Jay and Pete )." Jessie Son "The have close to 20 Albums to their credit. Due to the severe piracy situation that the industry faced, they were forced out of the business in the early seventies. This top Asian (Singapore) band tried to go to the UK in the late 60s and earlier 70s. Could not get in and were dumped in Belgium. In Belgium, France and the Netherlands they made some 45's and even a mega-rare Belgian LP, before returning to Singapore. Other than The October Cherries they at time know as Jade & Pepper (Jay & Pete from The October Cherries). Funkgus being the heavier Porgy Funk group formed around the member of October Cherries plus additional musician from UK. I think Mr.Joseph Pereira know them well and should published a book about the group." Son, Cliff The style of them is very much Beatles inspired. They had produced some great tracks. The track "Can I hold your hand" has more rock guitar passages. Cover of another single : http://progressive.homestead.com/files/octobercherries.jpg * Movement : Movement (SING?,Baal Rec.) Side A,B 6+4=10 min Very rare but incredible single. An incredible and beautiful anti-Vietnam War beat psych track. INDONESIA 1. EARLY PROG TRACKS ON LESS INTERESTING ITEMS * The Brims : "Anti Ganja" 4 min End 60's / early 70's heavy Freakbeat track. So called anti drugs song. But this makes it a fine psychedelic track at the same time. With some crazy orgasmic spacey psychedelic effects near the end. (* Band Rasela I left out because the progressive late 60's tracks aren't really that good). * Koes : Plus vol 1, Tr.3, "Kau Tinggalkan Aku" 3 min -compi Tr.1- Fine flipped freaky hard rock track, with good electric guitars. Cover of this LP : http://progressive.homestead.com/files/koes_web.jpg * Freedom : Freedom of Rapsodia, Tr.4, "Freedom" 4 min -compi tr.12- 23 Good early hard rock track with hard rock vocals, some electric guitars, some crazy organ. Other tracks from the album are less interesting. * Golden Wing : best of, Tr.2, "Hi Lang" 4 min -compi Tr.13- 27 Style on this track is very much influenced by (or stolen from) Uriah Heep. Not Better than Uriah Heep, but good enough to play. * Band Rollies (Remaco Rec.) : "I had to leave you" 8 min (fragm. 400-end) 5 min Fine bluesy rock track with Hendrix like heavy electric guitars in 70's style. - compi tr.14- * Band Rollies Tr. "Let's start again" 4 min -compi7- Bluesy rock track with some brass, funky touch & James Brown,and other black music influences, with hand percussion & drums. 3 min 36 * Benjamin & Iringa Band Panja -Nada- : Si Djampang, Tr.B4, "I'm a teacher" 5 min 41 Solo project from The Mercey's group. Bluesy rock track with fine organ improvisations & electric guitars. Singing is good too. -compi1- * Aka : Do what you like (Indra Rec.) Tr.A1, "Do what you like" 4 min -compi2- Tough rock music with tough vocals. Great ! With "black music" like heavy rock / funk feel. Only some tracks are like this. With a feeling of rebellery in quest for more freedom of expression. * Aka : Do what you like (Indra Rec.) Tr.B1, "Glennmore" 6 min -compi4- Great and highly original drive and combination of organ with electric guitars, drums, vocals, in heavy 70's (hard) rock style. Both tracks make this album already worth to trace. There are even a couple more good tracks, one ok, one other with Hendrix like heavy rock feel. * Aka : Crazy Joe : "Crazy Joe" 4 min -compi6- Funky "black music" rock track on less interesting album. Very powerful "dirty" vocals & sound. Cover of this LP : http://progressive.homestead.com/files/akaweb.jpg 2. EARLY PROGRESSIVE ROCK (* Godbless (1975) Tr.1, "Huma Di Atas Bukit" 5 min Good progressive rock. Fine band : keyboards, drums, keyboards. Vocals are a somewhat weak on this track, like in most Indonesian bands, also in production. This track has a terrific electric guitar passage of Genesis. A bit oddly placed. From a good until very album, which might be still one of the better "early" prog albums from Indonesia to trace. * Godbless (1975) Tr.4, "Eleanor Rigby" (The Beatles) 5 min 65 Fine 70's (hard) prog rock version of this Beatles song with electric guitar solo's and organ, and with fine metalophone passage. * Godbless (1975) Tr.6, "Friday on my mind" (Easy Beat) 7 min 72 Fine interpreted track with nice Hammond organ. Fine 70's prog rock track. Again with some stolen parts of known progressive / symphonic rock bands, nicely fitting with the rest. I think the stolen parts were nicely and spontaneously placed. Tape scan at http://progressive.homestead.com/files/godblessfronttapeweb.jpg More Info page at http://www.angelfire.com/rock/indonesia/godbless.html and http://www.indonesia-rock.gn.to/mania/godbless.html : "God bless formed at Pasar Minggu ,Jakarta in 1971. They are still running until today. In 1970's, they made the pre-act for Deep Purple which was coming in Indonesia. Their music style have been changed with the change of culture. Their first album named "Huma diatas bukit" was released in 1975, It was just progressive Rock .Some of the songs were clearly influenced by Genesis' sound. In 1980'., they had changed their musical style to American Hard Metal like Van Halen. However they stopped their activities after the third Album had been distributed in 1990.After that, each members had made performance in each new band . In 1997, they re-formed with Album"Apa Kabar". We can still enjoy their good Hard Rock & Ballads." according to http://indoprog.cjb.net/ : "Possibly the most popular rock group in Indonesia, they played progressive music during their 1980's Cermin album line-up. Some consider their music as a straight rip-off from famous prog groups, though." Surjorimba : "Their album Cermin was only released on tape. Although God Bless is heavily influenced by Deep Purple, there were some prog songs. In 'Cermin' and 'Huma Diatas Bukit', there were some as well. I'm ashamed to say that God Bless was never original in making prog songs. They often 'cut and paste' songs from Genesis, ELP, Klaatu, etc and claimed as their own." 3.(CONTINUED :) INDOFUSION PROGRESSIVE ROCK (OLD & NEW) * Guruh Gipsy : "Indonesia Makarddika" 16 min (CD2-Tr.5) -Indoprog- Incredible music. One of the few must haves from Indonesia. The best keyboards, electric guitar & fine arrangements. Remark : Keenan Nasution, the drummer and vocalist of Guruh Gipsy's first solo album contained also a fine progressive track. (His vocals can be heard on the 1st track in GG). This solo album mainly was pop, but this one prog rock song is really interesting, also for its organ & keyboards, some electric guitar, drums. I will play this in the second radioshow. Keenan Nasution, along with his younger brothers Odink and Debby, plus Fariz RM formed Gank Pegangsaan, a release which I will get later, and will get attention in a later occasion too. * Guruh Gipsy (1975) : Tr.3, "Barong Larung" 7 min -Indoprogrock- Incredible combination of prog rock with electronic keyboards, gamelan. A monster track. * Guruh Gipsy (1975) : Tr.5, "Geger Gelgel", 12 min 12 Gamelan with progressive rock. With complete female backing choir, keyboards, drums, electric guitars,.. Each of these I played are monster tracks. One of the top items ever. * Guruh Gipsy : "Chopin Larung" 7 min (CD2-Tr.1) -Indoprog- Track with lots of piano, Indonesian themes. Remark : Bassist Chrisye (his voice was on GG's "Chopin Larung") made an album afterwards with Jockie, the keyboardist of God Bless. This album was made before the legendary 'Badai Pasti Berlalu' (1978) - both musicians were considered as the brainchild of the revolution in Indonesia's pop music-. It was released on CD around 1998. Jurang Pemisah means "Valley Separation". I had one track on the compilation, rock with fine neo-Genesis prog keyboards but decided not to include it, because of time limitations, although it has really great keyboards. Info on Guruh Gipsy at http://www.angelfire.com/rock/indonesia/guruh.html and at http://www.indonesia-rock.gn.to/mania/guruh.html : "This band was organized with the above members and the some additional members such as female back vocal and Gamelan player. Their cassette, tape was sold with the booklet(about 30pages).The purpose was the introduction of the Balinese music . The idea was originated by GURUH SOEKARNO. Their sound was mixture between the traditional Balinese music and the progressive rock featuring some keyboards. Especially, "INDONESIAN MAHAMADDEKA", the first song of the Album ,is very amazing .the first part is the typical progressive rock sound like ELP. The second part is the very original sound which mixed progressive rock by mini moog with the Balinese music by Gamelan. After that ,the last part is also magnificent sound like the Italian prog. I must say again "THIS ALBUM is MASTER PIECE OF ASIAN PROGRESSIVE ROCK.". " Contact : drummer/vocalist at keenan@centrin.net.id Collector's item. Only released on tape so far. Son of president did this huge project. Gamelan music with rock, Nice influences, electronica, traditional sounds,.. unique. It will be reissued soon by Musica Studio, a local label. The remastering process is supposed to have been going on for a while now in Australia. But I don't know whether the reissue will be distributed only domestically or internationally as well once it gets released. I will try to find out about it when I hear more news. I heard their item lately. It is incredibly good, very progressive and with lots of fusion ideas (*****). Highly recommended ! according to http://indoprog.cjb.net/ : Probably the most successful Indonesian progressive act of the 70's, they combined Balinese music (including gamelan and choir) and orchestral elements with their own views of progressive music. Influenced by the greats of prog rock, such as Yes, Genesis, and ELP. Quite well-known within the international circle of underground progressive music movement. Their self-titled album was released in 1977. Guruh Soekarnoputra was obviously the band's main creative force (and yes, he's the youngest brother of the present Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri), but the rest of the band line-up contained talented and well-known musicians. Suryo : "GURUH GIPSY "s/t" 1975 : This album was the finest in Indonesian progrock history and the pioneer in our modern music history. Guruh Soekarno Putra (the son of our first president, Soekarno) wrote all the songs and since then has been a master of arts (music, traditional dance, painting). He wrote many successful songs with Chrisye mainly as his main performer. Their partnership lasts until today. Gipsy Band was a revolutionary youngsters back then. They used to play ELP and Genesis covers. They even played several gigs in Ney York a few years before GG. Guruh asked Gipsy Band for collaboration and make a 'new sound in the Indonesian pop music'. GG's line up was: Keenan Nasution (dr/ lead vocal on Indonesia Maharddika), Chrisye (b/ lead vocal on Chopin Larung), Odink Nasution (g/ v Keenan's younger brother), Abadi Soesman (mini-moog), Ronny Harahap (keys,organ). Guest star I Gusti Kompiang Raka (Balinese gamelan). He also toured with Discus on ProgDay." Guru Gipsy is one of my top 10 albums of all times. * Discus : 1st (Mellow Rec.) Tr.1, "Lamentation & Fantasia Gamelantronique" 9 min 2 songs from Discus 1st create a similar interesting situation as on Guruh Gipsy's album. This is progressive rock with gamelan & jazz passages & influences. * Discus : 1st (Mellow Rec.) Tr.9, "Contrasts" 13 min Another such track. The rest of the album is less innovating. See review & links at http://progressive.homestead.com/INDOREVIEWS.html * Karimata with Bob James : "Paddy Field" (CD1-Tr.7) 8 min -Indo prog fusion- This track is definitely more Indonesian in style (with choirs, gamelan, flute), with additional piano, drums, some electric guitar & fusion guitar. Very good. I will call it fusion prog. Comes close in style to the best tracks of Discus 1st. "The band was a fusion jazz band and their last album was called Jezz, 1991. In their final effort they blend fusion/ GRP-jazz with ethnic music. Difficult to explain which ethnic music, as they combined several in one song. FYI, there are hundreds of tribes in Indonesia and each have unique ethnic music. They invited GRP musicians such as Lee Ritenour, Bob James, Phil Perry, Ernie Watts to contribute their talent. The members were Aminoto Kosin (keyboard, now a symphony conductor),Erwin Gutawa (bass, now a symphony conductor, also former bandmates of Fariz RM on TRANSS),Candra Darusman (keys and vocal, now active in Music Copyrights organization), Denny TR (guitar, now active as a session guitarist). As for drums they had 3 different drummers: Uce Hariono(now joined Denny TR session band), Aldy (no info) and Budy Haryono (now active in GIGI, also a rock band). 4. INDO FUSION (-referring to India-) * CD1-Tr.5, Tohpati : "Mahabarata" 5 min -(Indian) jazzfusion progrock- Tr.5, Indian Jazz Fusion with funky bass and good drummer, fine electric guitarist. With female backing vocals.) RADIOSHOW 2 5. INDOFUSION (-referring to Indonesia-) * SimakDialog : Trance/mission (Musikriza,2002) : Track 1, "This Spirit" 10 min Fine fusion jazz with a certain progressive rock touch, played with piano, Rhodes, electric and acoustic guitar, jazz drumming and percussion, fretless bass. This is my favourite track of the album. It's an enjoyable album, with relaxed instrumental music with a highly original exotic touch in the fusing rhythm section. (* SimakDialog : Trance/mission (Musikriza,2002) : Track 2, "Throwing Worlds" 13 min ) Another wonderful & nicely fitting track. Perfect combination of an original Jazz Fusion form with some progressive music touch, performed by a perfectly balanced group & a warm sound. Here with some more relaxed easy jazz / exotic rhythms). Sadly left out for time limitation reasons. See review & links at http://progressive.homestead.com/INDOREVIEWS.html 6. (CONTINUED) SYMPHONIC / PROG ROCK 70's styles : * Symphony : "1/32" -symphonic- (CD1,Tr.9) 8 min 18 Fine 70's styled piano/keyboards dominated symphonic music based upon classical melodic themes. Progressive band includes drums, and some bass guitar. "Symphony was formed in 1981-1982 and disbanded around 1992-1993. They only released 3 albums : 1. Trapesium 1982 (the song 1/32 was from this album): Fariz RM (vox, bass), Herman Gelly (keys, back vox), Jimmy Paais (guitars) and Ekky Soekarno (drums). All songs written by Fariz RM. 2. Metal 1984: the same line up plus Tony Wenas (keys and vox) 3. Normal (1991) forgot the exact year. The line up was Fariz, Jimmy and Herman. Fariz took both bass and drums. Actually this band was more a pop-new wave band. By the time they exist, new wave music (like Police) and new romantics (Duran-duran, etc) were top artists. The sound Symphony played was more in the 80's sound. You know, the sound of drums, keys, guitars and bass. However, there were prog spirit here and there. Although not exclusively on all tracks. 1/32 was their most prog tune. There were others, but it'll be more convenient to called these prog-pop or prog new wave or prog ska. After 1991, all members resigned except Fariz and he tried to rebuild the band. Among the line up was Adi Adrian (I included his one solo track, Satrya) and Budhy Haryono (he played drums on Karimata). But this line up never released an album, neither played on stage.All 3 albums were never got released on CD." Surjorimba * Keenan Nasution : "Negeriku Cintaku" 9 min (CD1,Tr.6) -symph prog- Symphonic music a bit in post Nice, Latte e Miele style, very classical inspired, with lots of keyboards and a bit nervous drumming. Especially the keyboards are interesting. The singing in the second part is ok. At the last part of it we hear some electric guitar as extra melodic layer, changing the sound a bit more towards some kind of progressive rock. "Di Batas Angan" 1980 "The drummer and vocalist of Guruh Gipsy's 1st solo album. His vocals can be heard on the 1st track in GG. This solo album mainly was pop, but there was one prog rock song. Keenan Nasution, along with his younger brothers Odink and Debby, plus Fariz RM formed GANK PEGANGSAAN. Di Batas Angan means 'The Edge of Dream". The song Negeriku Cintaku means "My Country, My Loved One"." Suryo * PS. Fariz RM's music might have fit well here, but I was a bit limited in time. The style of this album is a fusion of styles, with jazzy fusion improvisations, funky bass, symphonic keyboards, with more pop singing. FARIZ RM "Panggung Perak" 1981 : "This album was Fariz's 3rd or 4th album I forgot. His masterpiece actually was his 1st one, the album Sakura (1980). He played all the instruments here, as he always did in all of his solo albums until 1982. The title track here might not be his most prog song, but overall it is interesting to hear several movements. Beginning with his mother's speech talking about a young man (actually it was Fariz) who was very talented, ambitious, gifted, loved by friends and very idealist to make innovative music. However he was disappointed with his fellow 'modern music pioneers' that fell into the luxury of the famous (Chrisye, Jockie, Keenan, etc). Fariz is still active and planning to make a big aniversary of his career around July/ Aug this year. 'Panggung Perak' means 'Silver Stage'" Suryo The style of this album is a fusion of styles, with jazzy fusion improvisations, funky bass, symphonic keyboards, with more pop singing. Some of the recordings be used in a future radioshow. * I also had a fine track by Chrisye, bassist from Guruh Gipsy who made an album afterwards with Jockie, the keyboardist of God Bless. This track had rock with fine neo-Genesis prog keyboards but I was a bit limited in time to play all. with ABBHAMA : * Abbhama : Alam Raya (1978) Tr.2, "Asmara" 3 min 30 Nice prog pop & prog rock. With nice fusion guitar. With Hammond organ. A bit symphonic in its arrangements. With very sweet but good what only seemed to be female pop vocals. On the release are a few lesser tracks only. In general the item is really fine and absolutely worth to trace. * Abbhama : Alam Raya (1978) Tr.6 : "Terlena" 4 min 34 This track is a bit in Errata Corridge like mood with dreamy soft progressive rock instrumentation. Somewhat sweeter as the other tracks, more pastoral, more acoustic symphonic, with flute and electric fingerpicking and keyboards. * Abbhama : Alam Raya (1978) Tr.8, "Malam" 5 min 39 Very Debussy, ... inspired progressive rock, with what seemed to be female vocals (-this was Iwan Madjid who later formed Wow !"-) & backing vocals. With lots of duo piano. Very symphonic. Very nice and interesting. Very 70's as well. * Abbhama : Alam Raya (1978) Tr.10, "Ibu" 5 min 44 Classical arranged, very filmic track. Highly unusual for an Indonesian band I guess. This last part is in a more 70's (French / Italian ?) movie-style (like Saint-Preux, with soft rock band and classical hobo..). The first part before this, "Indonesia" is left out for time limitations. Cover scan of CD : http://progressive.homestead.com/files/abbhama_web.jpg Info at http://www.angelfire.com/rock/indonesia/abbhama.html or http://www.indonesia-rock.gn.to/mania/abbhama.html : "The band is not popular in Indonesian people as well as Japanese like other Indonesian progressive rock bands. I also could chancily know the name for the first time when I were talking with one of Indonesian progressive rock mania. They released only one album named "ALAM RAYA" in 1978 within my knowledge. Their sound is surely in the category of progressive rock and it seems to be relical and introspective. It can be said that their sound is closely to French or Italian progressive rock. However their play style seems to be influent with ELP, especially keyboard work, because only English progressive rock materials were distributed against Indonesian Music market on these days. All songs was written by IWAN, (piano, vocals) and some songs were inspired from Buch and Debussy. After disbanded, IWAN and DARWIN formed the new band "WOW" that also released at least 3 albums at least from 1983 until 1990 in Indonesia." It's an interesting album with a Latte e Miele / Errata Corridge / Zauber and such kind of styles sound. with GIANT STEP : * Giant Step : Giant on the move (197?) Tr.1, "Farewell Today" 8 min Beautiful keyboards with fine progressive rock. One of the best Indonesian progressive rock items I know of. Recommended. Good heavy and progressive rock band sound. * Giant Step : Giant on the move (197?) Tr.3, "Liar" 6 min Mostly arrangements of keyboards combined with electric guitars and drums. With many complex rhythm changes. Very interesting and original sound. Yes, this absolutely is an album worth to trace. Songs are sung in English. * Giant Step : Giant on the move (197?) Tr.4, "A Fortunate Paradise" 5 min Starts as harder rock, but then has also nice classical piano passage, later on with addition of organ and the full (progressive rock) band. * Giant Step : Giant on the move (197?) Tr.6, "Decisions" 8 min 27 71 This track is with more progressive rock improvisation, and even some Tullish flute. The vocals and the song is beautiful too. Fine electronic keyboards & Hammond organ, electric guitars, drumming and even vocals. My favourite track. It was really very difficult to leave out any tracks from this essential album. (* Giant Step : Giant on the move (197?) Tr.7, "Waiste Time" 9 min Again an excellent instrumental track. With harder & quieter passages. I left it out for time limitation reasons.) According to http://indoprog.cjb.net/ : "One of legendary Indonesian progressive rock acts of the 70's, their music showed influences of the greats of prog rock, but still managed to deliver originality. They started in early 70's, went through a series of line-up changes with the "keepers of the flame" being Benny Soebardja and Albert Warnerin, and managed to release several albums before finally breaking up in 1986. Their best prog albums (as recommended by Denny Sakrie of M97FM) are Giant On The Move (produced by Nova Record Bandung), Kukuh Nan Teguh (Nova Record Bandung), and Persada Tercinta (Irama Tara Record)." It's one of the best progressive rock bands I heard from Indonesia. They sung in English. Interesting keyboards and perfect band sound. Hopefully this will get a reissue one day. 7. HARD ROCK * Gong 2000 : Prahara (Metrotama Rec.) Tr.1, "Lidah Petaka" 5 min -prog rockpop- Prog rock possibly influenced by hard rock & pop music. Not incredible. Goes a bit towards an ordinary straight (hard) rock style (MOAR). This is the only track from this album which I can still appreciate for various parts of the rhythms are based on the gamelan or gamelan like rhythms. Some parts of this track are interesting, some are better hard rock styled. An interesting track for various elements in it. 76 Suryo : "Their album was only released as a cassette. 3 members of God Bless made this band, with some additionals. The music was pure rock, like Deep Purple. They formed this band when God Bless turned to a more Van Halen style (circa 1989)." Their later surely is not that interesting to collect. Cover of a compilation tape at http://progressive.homestead.com/files/gong2000web.jpg 8. INCREDIBLY FUSING & ARRANGED PROGRESSIVE SYMPHONIC ROCK WITH METAL,.. INFLUENCES * In Memoriam : "Overture" (demo) 13 min (CD2-Tr.6) -heavy symphonic prog - 90 Played with metal guitar now and then, but actually symphonic progressive in content with a metal edge, and with addition of a jazzy tune two times, with even the adaptation of a folk tune. It's heavy (metal) music with various changes. With some funky bass passages, and a few times gothic, then improvising fast symphonic fusion piano. Interesting music. According to http://indoprog.cjb.net/ : "Practically unheard before the Indonesia Progressive Festival 2001, they became an overnight success, co- headlining the festival with relatively more well-known Discus, Pendulum and Smesta. Reports from witnesses said that these guys combine a lot of contrasting genres, much like what Mr. Bungle have done." Ajie Wartono : "This a unique band, more experimental and eclectic, their performance always was a theatrical performance. They have released their first album.." (producer of band is andyjulias@yahoo.com (chairman of IPS-Indonesian Progressive Society)) "Indonesian new band, with demo. The official album is in over designing stage. Not sure the release date. The music is a mix of gothic, symphonic, dark, sometimes with rap vocals. Their official album was produced by Andy Julias, the Society's chairman" Suryo S. * Discus : "..tot licht!" (Intrepid Music)(2003) Tr.1, "System Manipulation" 10 min 100 After a second listen I preferred to include (in stead of the Indian Fusion track I choose first to start the show) this complex and loaded track, varying from metal, fusion jazz, Rock In Opposition, classical contemporarily music elements, Indonesian ethnical elements, to symphonic rock with post (heavy) rock touches, towards pleasant jazz with soulful female vocals, jazz improvisations, an ethnical folk passage, jazzrock, and so on. Really impressive when played loud enough ! * Discus : "..tot licht!" (Intrepid Music)(2003) Tr.6, "Anne" 20 min 33 120 Complex and somewhat loaded and dark, arranged and composed music with symphonic, progressive rock, fusion, RIO, Indonesian music, metal/hard rock, contemporary classical music, some jazzy improvisations, and various other influences. Music is paradoxally with the title (from darkness to light") darker as before and almost too loaded with ideas. Better is compared to earlier release is that each track is actually heavy symphonic rock. After some listens one can get used to the compactness of the music and of the incredible variety. On this track there's also an incredible and original combination of a jazzy improvisation (female vocals & later sax) with some Indonesian ethno folk vocal element ! In general this can be called a symphonic track. With electric violin improvisations too, and much more.. At the end the female vocals become heavy rock. Great ending ! Most impressive when played loud and on best equipment. The band is skilful, and the female voice is talented, ranged a variety of styles (music,soul,rock,jazz) with a stunning intensity at the end of this track. The mixing of styles here is ever surprising, inventive. (* Discus : "..tot licht!" (Intrepid Music)(2003) Tr.4, "Verso Kartini" 13 min Another fine track which has been left out for time limitations. ) Full review at http://progressive.homestead.com/INDOREVIEWS.html * Kelal : 1000 thoughts of violence (2003) Tr.2, "Vox diaboli" 5 min * Kelal : 1000 thoughts of violence (2003) Tr.3, "In Continuum" 6 min * Kelal : 1000 thoughts of violence (2003) Tr 8, "Default" 5 min * Kelal : 1000 thoughts of violence (2003) Tr 9, "Beyond numerical reasons" 12 min 28 150 From powerful & aggressive dark Metal mixed with progressive rock, heavy metal, classic hard heavy metal influences, to quieter thought over passages and very surprising rhythms and fine mixes in a perfect production. "Vox Diaboli" is a mostly up tempo track which seemed to be the most powerful track at first skipping. Track three is actually symphonic / progressive rock with some metal touch. I choose also track 8, because of it's song structure and unexpected unusual (and modern) rhythms. Last 12 minute track is also special, without much metal left, with even a progressive fusion rock touch and coloured voice arrangements. Modern, original. This release is a possibility to invite progressive rock listeners to take the challenge to open up their perspectives. All adaptations that occur here are very interesting. The drummer is very skilful. The first dark metal drummer I know that really adapts all kinds of other rhythms very skilful, and in an original way. Talented group. Full review at http://progressive.homestead.com/INDOREVIEWS.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information on progressive music in Singapore & Malaysia : http://progressive.homestead.com/MALAYSIA.html Information on progressive music in Indonesia : http://progressive.homestead.com/INDOPROGRESSIVE.html Reviews of new progressive music in Indonesia : http://progressive.homestead.com/INDOREVIEWS.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other playlists : http://psychevanhetfolk.homestead.com/2003.html General index page : www.radiocentraal.be/psychevanhetfolk More detailed index page : http://psychevanhetfolk.homestead.com/index.html Receive weekly this playlist before the radioshow with new reviews and additional comments : Ontvang wekelijks playlist reeds lang voor de radio-uitzending : Subscribe / schrijf u in : psychevanhetfolk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com