Review: JD Garrahy

The slogan reads, ‘Decade of Dominion’, and this festival, rich in history, is celebrating its 10th year with as much brilliance as possible. This is Hammersonic Festival, and if you haven’t been before, then please ask yourself the same question I asked myself: “Why. Fucking. Not?”

The way we structure our festivals here in Australia is so uniform that it should be in the damn military. Headliners close out the night, set durations vary depending on how big the band is, and what sometimes feels like a fuck tonne of ego. Well, here in Jakarta, check all that shit at the door, because it’s not necessary whatsoever. Throughout this review, I shall attempt to explain just how brilliantly the Indonesians run a festival, and why this should be on your bucket list of festivals to attend.

Firstly, as I said, there’s no room for ego here. If you want more than 50 minutes, too bad. You’re here to showcase your band the same way the smaller local bands are. Get your 50, show us what you’ve got, and get off. Simple. “But I paid to see a headliner!” Well boo-fuckin-hoo Shirley, how about you watch some other up-and-comers show you what they smash themselves for. That’s enough old man ranting, let’s get into the thick of it.

Day one. The air is thick and the sun is brutal. Walking in with two cameras strapped to me, it’s a daunting feeling knowing I have to cover this as best as possible for you all back here in Oz. So forgive me if I omit some details, but this was a monumental task I put on myself. Starting the day on the Hammer Stage is local band Cloathe. With every bit of intensity and energy as a headliner, they give it everything they’ve got, and the early comers are treated to some killer riffs.

Next up is a band that has played Hammersonic Festival many times, Dreamer. With all the ferocity of a band acting like they’re the only act you need to worry about catching over the weekend, they erupt out of the gates with absolute crushing force and show their fans as much love as they receive. There were some standout bands over the weekend, but this band captured me from start to finish.

The local scene is rich in talent, with bands like Burgerkill, Pee Wee Gaskins and Sekumpulan Orang Gila really showing the crowd why the scene is thriving in Jakarta. Incredible riffs, bone-crushing beats and, in this heat, you have to be insane to be wearing jeans, jackets and jumpers while performing, but I can tell you now, they all smash every bit of their sets and leave the crowds wanting more.

As the day goes on, Crystal Lake takes the stage and absolutely devours the energy that the crowd gives them. They turn it on its head and do not stop, even for a millisecond. Everywhere you watch on stage, there’s something happening. Whether it’s stand-in vocalist Kento, whipping the crowd up, or the duelling guitars of YD and TJ, there isn’t a moment to be missed here. Bring on their show in Brissy, I say. I need all the Crystal Lake I can handle.

With Lich King, you get what you see. Metal at its finest. Thrashy and melodic, yet with enough brutality to keep even the most hardcore of metallers happy, these lads came to party and their set captivated me from the first note.

Sydney lads Speed hit the Sonic Stage and while I have ALWAYS missed shooting them back home, I wouldn’t be missing this set for anything. If you think we have an epic hardcore scene, then think again. Indonesia’s scene shits all over ours. The passion is huge, and the camaraderie is plentiful. This country loves everything that goes along with the scene and, speaking to the locals, they want more. Bring that shit on!!

Of Mice & Men and Memphis May Fire hit one after another and the whole crowd is at absolute fever pitch for what is about to be a feast for the senses. As Memphis May Fire completes their set with pyros aplenty, Counterparts hit the stage and intend to use every one of their 50 minutes to show why they are one of the most anticipated bands on the bill. Following this set was never going to be an easy feat. Cue Ukrainian powerhouse Jinjer.

As Tatiana Shmayluk hits centre stage, the crowd goes wild and the energy intensifies. Delivering one of the greatest 50-minute sets I’ve witnessed, everything is 110% on point. Lighting, sound, stage presence — it’s all here in massive amounts.

As the lights go out, the stage encased in a smoky haze, everyone is ready to throw every bit of themselves into our final band for the day. If someone told me I’d travel all the way to Jakarta to see the boys in Parkway Drive, I would have told them they were nuts. What went down was quite possibly the best performance I have seen them give with the small amount of time they were given. Packing a Parkway Drive set into 50 minutes is not something to be taken lightly, but our lads do it while breaking the heftiest of sweats. (Fuck me it was hot — ThirdEye and I struggled to keep our lenses from fogging over in the humidity.)

From “Glitch” to “Carrion” and “Sacred” to “Bottom Feeder”, there is no stone left unturned for our local heroes. Closing out the set with “Crushed” and “Wild Eyes”, the pyros erupt in six pillars at the front of the stage while a forever-burning rail around the band is surely melting them beyond recognition. This is the best way to see a band that was selling out stadiums and arenas last year — stripped back, raw, emotional and taking no prisoners. This is Parkway Drive at their finest, giving the people a condensed taste of what their usual production has to offer, but not dropping the energy one little bit.

Day two. Well, where to start. Today is all about the emo. If you came for metal, Saturday was where it was at, but if you came to hit every nostalgic fibre of your being, then Sunday will be your pilgrimage to the holy land. Still hurting from the previous day’s festivities, I arrive as Nocturnal Hill brings the black metal to the masses. Corpse paint-covered black metal goodness — this is exactly what I need before I submerge myself in the pop punk and emo pool for the afternoon.

Three bands back-to-back was not what I had intended to do today, but getting lost in Ellegarden and following it up with Knuckle Puck and Hawthorne Heights was pure bliss. I love my metal, but if there’s punk or hardcore on offer, that’s where you’ll find me.

A Skylit Drive are up next and the crowd shows them the love they so rightly deserve, but I cannot stop myself from heading to the indoor stage (not only for some respite from the heat) to catch DeadSquad. Holy fuck me sideways!!! Absolute bone-crushing brutality in a room packed to the hilt. Thank fuck I have a photo pass, because this was one of the standouts of the weekend. 100% added to the playlist for every future listen.

Heading back to the Sonic Stage for the remainder of Malevolence, I can’t help but get hit with the regret of not seeing some of these bands when they were on our shores. But I’m here now, and I intend to soak in every little bit of it. Exhaustion be damned!!

Three bands that I never thought I would see are one after another — Senses Fail, BlessTheFall (biggest regret not seeing these guys in Oz), and the one and only The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. What a trio!!! The workers in the pyro field were eating well tonight as I don’t think there was a moment that did not utilise the fire to its full potential.

Between BlessTheFall and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, myself and my travel companions made our way to the indoor stage to catch UK killers Lastelle. We had heard a lot of hype surrounding this band the day before and even shared a cab back to our lodgings with the boys (quite possibly the most hilarious cab ride I’ve ever been a part of). This was not a set any of us wanted to miss and I tell you what, keep these guys on your radar — they’re primed to do huge things.

It’s time for the one band I was most excited to see: Agnostic Front. Ask anyone in the hardcore scene to list their top bands, and I guarantee that AF is in the mix. Their influence spreads far and wide and, after spending the duration of their set shooting from every angle imaginable (with my camera, you fucking filthy bastards!), I was speechless. In absolute awe watching Roger Miret and crew whip the crowd into a circle pit frenzy, there were spin kicks, barrier jumps and passion that could not be matched by anyone across the whole weekend. If Agnostic Front is in your area, hit that show. It’s not anything you want to miss.

Our final artist for the weekend is here and I’m not ready for it to be over. But what better way to round it all out than with a chill set from emo elders Dashboard Confessional. Playing songs off Dusk and Summer, The Swiss Army Romance and The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most, the Floridians showed why they were so prominent throughout the whole emo movement. They defined a genre and, without original lineup additions My Chemical Romance here to close out proceedings, the job couldn’t be in better hands.

Closing out their set with “Vindicated” and “Hands Down”, the crowd is emotional to say the least. These fans have cried many times to these songs and tonight is no different. It’s a sea of emotions and everyone shares a connection with one another that needs no words. This is passion, this is beauty, this is music.

As I try to take in everything that has happened over the last 48 hours, my thoughts clouded by a mix of adrenaline and exhaustion, I can’t help but feel an immense sense of privilege to have been here to see how they do things in Indonesia. The people are kind, accommodating and make you feel like royalty. From the average punter right through to the artists and management, friendliness is not something taken for granted here. It adds to the atmosphere and makes a festival all the more welcoming and enjoyable.

Will I come back next year? You better believe it! Hammersonic Festival, happy 10 years. Let’s do this again next year and many more beyond. Horns up!!!!

 – GALLERY –