Performing, listening, and recording underground rock shapes an oppositional consciousness among Indonesian youth. This spirit found expression in the grassroots protest movement responsible for toppling the autocratic Soeharto regime in 1998.
CommentaryOur author comments on the 2014 music video «House of Greed» by the Indonesian metal band Burgerkill. He thereby talks about the tradition of popular music as a vehicle of political and social criticism in Indonesia.
Short EssayMatthieu Canaguiers stunning film «East of Hell» is a stunning documentary of Indonesias black metal scene. It portrays a highly indigenized music scene in which western codes mingle with Indonesian beliefs.
Portrait«Jalanan» shows the tale of three street buskers out of the Indonesian capital Jakarta, using vivid storytelling methods of reality television.
PlaylistWarning: This list is very political – and very loud. It's about greed, honesty, corruption and – what else could it – love. We see a country which is likely home to the most massive hard rock, metal, and punk scenes in Asia.