Amen Paling Serius, a groundbreaking three-way split electronic/breakcore album by Surabaya-based artists TamaT, TerbujurKaku, and Individual Distortion, was released via Anti-Trust Records’ Bandcamp, coinciding with Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day. Born from a chance meeting at Pestapora 2023’s Yes No Klub stage, late-night chats, and a shared passion for the iconic “Amen break” from The Winstons’ 1969 track “Amen, Brother,” this project unites three veterans of Indonesia’s experimental music scene. The album, comprising nine relentless tracks, is a tribute to the amen break’s legacy in hip-hop, drum & bass, and breakcore, while pushing boundaries with fresh cuts, mutant remixes, and reworks that defy obsolescence.
The trio—Eri Rukmana (TamaT), Phleg (TerbujurKaku), and Adythia Utama (Individual Distortion)—crafted Amen Paling Serius to unsettle and challenge listeners, blending their distinct styles into a chaotic yet cohesive soundscape. TamaT contributes two new tracks and one older piece dedicated to his friend Valdakhanzaaa, a dancefloor regular. Individual Distortion delivers three tracks built from popular song samples, including the amen break, while TerbujurKaku fulfills a long-held vision with a collage of remixes, from dangdut emcee intros to 90s tracks and a reimagined song by Surabaya’s thrash/heavy-rock band Headcrusher. The album, mastered by Aprizal Nursetya with artwork by Luky Prasetya, is available digitally and is slated for a physical cassette release by Gaib Lab.
Despite its title echoing a popular Malang soloist’s single, the trio clarifies that Amen Paling Serius is purely a nod to the amen break’s cultural impact, not a reference to pop trends. X posts reflect local buzz, with @hipkultur praising the album’s “unhinged energy” and its “love letter to breakcore’s roots,” though some, like @DejaRu22, call its abrasive style “an acquired taste.” The album’s experimental edge aligns with Surabaya’s underground scene, where TerbujurKaku’s 2010 Megamix Album: Koplo Goes to Breakcore previously mashed dangdut with jungle and breakcore, earning cult status. With influences from global breakcore labels like Planet Mu and Peace Off, Amen Paling Serius cements TamaT, TerbujurKaku, and Individual Distortion as torchbearers of Indonesia’s avant-garde electronic scene, inviting listeners to “seriously dance amidst the jokes.” Stream it on Bandcamp (https://antitrustrecords.bandcamp.com) and follow @tamatnoise or @terbujurkaku for updates.
The Pop Blog general news and updates, mostly from press releases and conferences.