Solid DOKKEN-worship from Indonesia!
Jawbreaker Records are proud to present “Back on the Streets”, the sophomore album from Indonesia’s premier heavy metal powerhouse, TUMENGGUNG.
Imagine being given a time machine by the higher entities – those we can only assume blessed the world with the existence of heavy metal. Now, this time machine takes you back to the early to mid-80s, where metal was an experimental genre in the UK and Sweden, a melting pot of sounds and influences. But instead of Europe, take the scene you find there and place it in modern-day Indonesia. Think of bands like Judas Priest, Thundersteel-era Riot, maybe even a touch of Dokken, Lizzy Borden and also of modern day bands like Ambush and RAM – combine their essence, stir in some Indonesian spirit, and you’ve got TUMENGGUNG’s unmistakable style. The group’s new album “Back on the Streets”, set to release in January 2025, is a collection of everything an 80s metal heart could long for. From headbanging riffs to sing-along choruses, melodic song structures, and pit-opening anthems, TUMENGGUNG delivers with force. They may draw clear inspiration from their 80s metal predecessors, but their unique sound is what truly makes them stand out.
Having started as a quartet back in 2007, TUMENGGUNG has since slimmed down to a power trio, and their upcoming album shows a band that has matured musically. They’ve grown beyond the subgenre they were founded upon, noticeably adding dynamics and delving more into the raw energy of heavy metal, but still embracing their influences while crafting something uniquely their own. “Back on the Streets” showcases the band’s melodic side like never before with guitar leads right out of the 80s metal dream. Its analogue recording style gives the riffs and raw, unpolished vocals an organic, visceral edge. The 9 tracks on the album are bound to surprise you, taking you from soulful melodies to the kind of thrashing speed metal that gets your adrenaline pumping.
Fans of Judas Priest, Riot, and anyone with a love for authentic, unfiltered 80s metal will find TUMENGGUNG’s latest work a journey worth taking.
LINE-UP
Arif Ramadhan – Vocals & Guitars
Anindita Bramasto – Drums
Ardhy Dwiatmoko – Bass
REVIEW
Getting this one in the inbox gave me a reminder of the global nature of heavy metal. Indonesia is a country whose contributions to the genre often go unsung and overlooked, despite the large number of bands from the archipelagic nation (the Metal Archives have a number of nearly 2500 bands). Yet, influential acts such as BURGERKILL and Indonesia’s first death metal band ROTTEN CORPSE. TUMENGGUNG, which is a noble title from the region, joins such company albeit in the more traditional metal variety.
“Wall Breaker” was a minute-long synth-laden introduction that initially sounded like the opening score for an 80s film, before some very nice Priest-inspired harmonic guitars kicked in, in a way that reminded me mightily of “The Hellion”.
“Back on the Streets” had a fast pace right out of the gate, storming past the introduction with a fury. I have to admit that the vocals were a bit more higher pitched than I’d expected, but I didn’t hate them, in fact they only grew on me as the track progressed. Pure, loud n true speed metal at its core, but in a way that felt oddly fresh and of its self. Oftentimes, NWOTHM acts can feel a bit too similar to bands of yesteryear, but this track definitely stood out for me.
“Living on the Edge” contrasted the previous track by being the thrash metal to the former’s speed in terms of instrumentation. While I found the vocal delivery to have a more glam metal influence. Also, loved the drums occasionally sounding like clapping, really made the song infectious. While I loved the overall vibe in this one, I did feel that it could’ve used some synthesizers like the introduction track.
“In the Dead of Night” had a great headbanging riff to kick it off, followed by a nice sustain that reminded me of the music in the Dynasty Warriors franchise of video games (if you know, you know). The locomotive chugging of the bass in this one was a key standout, and I once more have to hand it off to the drumming. In truth, all three members of TUMENGGUNG were bringing their A-game instrumentally, with a nice, albeit brief, little guitar solo near the midpoint. The DOKKEN influence was strong in this one, and I think I’d like to see these guys cover “Dream Warriors”.
“Deja Vu” was anything but! With a melodic, ballad-like introduction that practically erupted with emotion. Speaking of emotion, the sheer longing in Arif’s vocals in this track were the stuff of legend. This track, everything from its chorus to its instruments, feels right out of the 1980s in all of the best ways. I feel that a lot of bands view ballads as sort of ‘un-metal’, when they’re one of the most important aspects of a metal band. Every band should have at least one slower song. Easily a standout track.
“1000 Tons of Metal” began with a thundercrack, followed by half-ish of the ‘Holy Diver’ riff (that’s cool!). While I found this one a bit forgettable, especially after following the incredible previous track, I don’t think it was a bad song by any stretch. Just middle of the road for me. Despite that, I do once more have to commend the vocal performance of Arif.
“Symphony of Hate” had an almost symphonic opening to it that instantly gave it it’s own identity. As the song progressed, it reminded me less of symphonic metal and more of later-era JUDAS PRIEST, especially their last three albums. This was definitely one of the more power metal centric songs on the album so far, and I do like the bits of variety TUMENGGUNG has placed in their music without deviating too heavily from their established sound.
“Strangers” had a more modern and aggressive sounding riff to kick it off, fairly early-mid 90s reminiscent. Contrasting that however, the song was still firmly rooted in that DOKKEN/KROKUS style of ‘pretty much metal’ hard rock. At this point, I do have to commend TUMENGGUNG for proudly wearing that influence on their sleeves. DOKKEN is a band that is important to metal, yet hardly ever gets the praise or callback. It’s nice to see them given their due here.
“Soul Reaper” was our final track, and brought things full circle a bit in being more of a speed metal focused affair, much like the opening two tracks. Arif’s blazing cry of the track title was impossible to belt out along with him. A quick, and yet solid song to bring the album to a close.
CONCLUSION
That is also what I’d use to describe the album itself, ‘quick and solid’. At just under 34 minutes long, this Back on the Streets breezed by, and while I think a touch more variety would’ve been nice. This album was anything but one-note, and in fact, I found it strangely refreshing in a way that I can’t quite fathom. The standout was of course the ballad “Deja Vu”, but while some tracks were stronger than others, there really wasn’t a true stinker present. This was a good listen, and as the first 2025 release to cross my inbox, currently sits atop the pecking order for 2025 releases. Who knows, maybe it’ll keep the top spot all year…
TheNWOTHM Score: 8/10
TUMENGGUNG‘s Back on the Streets releases on 17 January, 2025
>>>>GET IT<<<<
The Nwothm 
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