First, let me clarify this before proceed further:
1. I’m not a big fan of grindcore. Therefore don’t expect me to list what songs Napalm Death sung at that night, I don’t know and don’t care. I just given a ticket by my so-called boss and ordered to get my ass off the venue quickly, for free. It was gloomy Saturday night so there I go.
2.  There are no photographs on this report for two reasons:
a) Professional camera, video and audio recorder are prohibited by MiPro organizing committee.
b) Our corporation can’t afford digital SLR yet. I don’t want to document such “biggest metal event in 2005” with a pocket or cellphone camera. Silly.

The Venue
Arrived in the Ancol at 18:00, we proceed to the gate and enter the outdoor venue located near the Ancol beach. First thing I saw was a huge FOH! It was three floors FOH for mixing console, lighting and video camera secured by thick wire strands as blanket between trusses, ensuring no jackass can trespassing the FOH. There were two young police officers too inside.

The stage was quite big with giant Napalm Death logo as background. There are two drumkits and two separate instruments and amps for the opening act and main performer. Two large screens provided on each side provided better visualization for distant crowd. Two set of main speakers, which I believe a line array type, hung and covered by a cigarette product fabric poster. A moving camera crane and water sprayer also installed to sweep the audience. That’s impress us that the show’s going to be great.

As planned before, probe#1 took the position and installed himself firmly close to the stage allowing his eyes cover the whole stage and witness the energy burst by the talent and audience. Probe#2 stuck right in the front of FOH to measure the sound and lighting quality with his no-brainer computation (I don't have handheld RTA, SPLmeter or SmaartLive onhand, all measurements based on ears).

The Talent
After few minutes waiting, a stupid skinny bloke walking up the stage and started to talk blah blah blah. I don’t know what the points, seems like he said fuck me fuck me and thanked MiPro and cigarette manufacturer, Oh now I reckon he must be a fucking MC!

Opening performer Tengkorak walked up the stage at 19:30. After a little chit chat say hello to all underground friends, Ombat the leader with his baldhead trademark crushing the stage with “Prostitusi”, “Konsentrasi Massa”, “Pemimpin Gila”, "Disgusting Agenda" and so on. After about 10 songs or so, Tengkorak ended with “Konflik”, their classic “kutumbukkan k’pala kau” track which also available in Metalik Klinik 1 compilation.

With their new guitarist Samir from Slowdeath Surabaya, Tengkorak performed flawlessly. Tight and constantly amazing. Ombat never lose his energy from start to finish exploding his vocal to the max from powerful growl to funky clean voices. From the tracks they’re played, Tengkorak probably more into metal taste than their major influence Napalm Death. I don’t know what the problem is, but the hi-hat and cymbals were weak and barely heard.

Barney and partners started to step onstage with huge applaud and hurrah. Barney’s language was very British and hard to decipher for me. “selamat malam Jakarta, we’re Napalm Death from Birmingham England..” and the rest I don’t fucking understand haha…..oh except some noticeable phrases like "never ever trust your goverment"..."fuck the queen".."we have new album coming up few days"...

With the clean appearance and dress, Barney looked younger than his age. And his performance proved that once again. He ran through the stage with constant voice power during the whole show with punk-like acts. Probe#1 reported that Barney’s endurance was so good, but he might have problem with his knee (he uses knee guard band, perhaps he suffers an accident lately) so he limits the moves away from the danger point.

The band members especially drummer were amazed. He must be over-enthusiast that every word Barney spoken during break, he always followed by snare and kick combos haha! Overall, ND squads weren’t run out of the steam that night.

The masses were amazing. Moshpitting crowd seen like huge turbulence waves appreciated every song hence Barney thanked again and again every time he finished. The energy became bigger when “Scum” and some old ND tracks were played with old megadeth and metallica thrash style. From the front row until FOH everyone I seen was moving, at least his/her head. In about two hours of 26 tracks, ND gone from the stage. After the encore ND continues with four bonus tracks before ended the show including "Nazi Punk Fuck Off". Only few tracks that has metal groove were played that night, and the rests were short, fast, straight, punk-style songs.

The Sound & Lighting
The lighting devices provided were excellent actually. Lots of color changing pars, moving heads, washes, scanners, fogs and lasers swept the stage, but the operator was so stupid, he frequently projecting high energy lights to the audience’s eyes.

Probe#1 said that there’s significant improvement from Tengkorak to ND. The overall sounds were louder and clearer. Probably because of different equipment they have used.

I looked at FOH rack and found big console with analog VU metering, seems like Allen&Heath ML/GL or so, with plenty of outboard effects. In my humble opinion, the sound quality that night was bad. Observing from FOH I assumed I can get the best point to measure the sound. Guitars were harsh and too much bite like thousands bee stinging eardrums. Level was too loud hence the rest of instrument didn’t have enough room to be heard clearly. Bass has no punch seems like it’s a pop show. The drums and voices were okay.

Probe#1 was called during encore to convince Probe#2 observation. He stated that the sound near the stage was much better than what he heard at FOH. But he did reckon the guitar glitches when he was near the stage. He said the guitarist were unhappy with it. Not only because of distorted level and temporary shut-ins, but the guitarist also experienced temporary dead mic (he was a backing vocal, he’s voices were great).

Summary
It was a great show for ND and Tengkorak, but not the great sound for (some) audience. The audience toll reached 7000 people and ended safely. No accident, no chaos. So we think the organizer is happy with this success. We wish too, that Suffocation and Lamb of God interested some organizers and have them to play here.

Comments

Good Report Written by MKW on 2005-04-18 04:55:09 What a good report from you, i can feel the atmosphere of the show.  Nice Job! GREAT!    MKW    www.manunggal.tk

Written by andi on 2005-04-19 05:44:16 yang ga nonton adalah kaum yang merugi

Ashes of The Wake: Kick Major Arse!!! Written by Lamb of God on 2005-04-19 09:01:35 Yeahhhh I support whoever want to summon Lamb of God! Pure American Metal! their latest "Ashes of The Wake" definitely the best metal album of the year

hahahah Written by aziz on 2005-04-21 03:21:41 it's great event in indonesia !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yeakhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

KREATOR live to jkt/sby indonesia Written by systemerror on 2005-05-25 16:54:30 metal is back  kreator live in jakarta/surabaya indonesia  www.myspace.com/systemerrorawk

sallute Written by SURVIfall on 2005-06-02 08:50:38 greenway is never weak

Methaallkkzz Written by Nico on 2005-06-09 23:46:21 senyam senyum

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