Album Info / Overview | Media Reviews | Free Downloads | Where to Buy

Reviews of KEKAL - "1000 Thoughts of Violence"

Genius!! They really surprised me with their musick!! The album has really really complex compositions that come from one of the best extreme bands from South East Asia. They're straight forward, jump from their earlier releases which took roots from black metal. This album really needs an open mind to listen. It's not about "conventional" black metal, really different, just some parts still use screaming "black" vocals (beside "clean" vocals). Salute for their genius compositions!!!! Full of complexity and combination from many genres, such like black/deathmetal - progressive rock - industrial - and.. jazz/avant garde/ambient!!!! Maybe this is the best release from Indonesian extreme bands in this 2003! They got their own character and it's built from many genres and influences. Complex!! The compositions have clever riffs and variative beats, that really show their skills and ability. I said they're genius! This is not "everyday extreme metal", it needs more time to understand before you like it or hate it. This is not for everyone, you must be open minded before you try this genius compositions. Highly recommended!!
Reviewed by h / Muted Diction zine (Indonesia)
6 out of 6

Kekal, what an unique band this is! All the way from Indonesia this band gives many European bands a lot to think about. In my opinion Kekal may give some clinics in Europe about song writing, instrument control and originality! However, let’s calm down my enthusiasm, so I can do some good work as a reviewer. ‘1000 Thoughts Of Violence’ already is the fourth full length CD from Kekal, where Jeff and Azhar are now together responsible for all music. Like on their last albums the basis of the music is made of extreme metal, and black metal in particular. However, this term is not really describing Kekal, as there are also clearly elements of heavy metal and other influences in their music. The first song ‘Subsession/Once Again It Failed’ directly leaves an impressive impression behind. The mix of blastbeats, technical guitar playing black metal vocals, heavy metal singing and screaming solo’s are absolutely tight and completely original. I can tell you this much about each song, but in this case that is not really important...
Reviewed by: Leon van Rijnsbergen / Aardschok Magazine (NL) translated to English
90 out of 100

The Heroes from Indonesia are back. That's really good to me, because they are a really good Underground-Tip. In Indonesia they rose out of the Underground status, they sold 1000 CDs of the new album in the first month. What is on the new KEKAL CD different than on the last one? First I see, that there is a bit more of the progressive style and a bit less heaviness and aggressiveness. The songs need more time to get into. Maybe that sounds not really good at the first listen, but it is really good if you give the CD the chance of 4 or 5 times to play. Then it is a really crazy CD and every KEKAL Fan will like it 100%. With every next rotation of the CD you will find more details and you will like it more. The very extreme highly and crazy vocals are gone, but there are many different vocal styles and surprises left. It is an album with many varieties and the whole album is really good. It is a mature album. Fans of very fast music will love `Vox Diaboli`. I love it. A lot of variety, tempo-changes and cool guitar-riffs. One of the best songs on the CD, totally great! `In Continuum` is a typical up-tempo KEKAL song and could have been on the last album. `Artifacts of Modern Insanity` starts off with melody guitars and then death metal vocals and clean vocals. Another great song on the album. `Violent Society` starts with a crazy guitar-part and piano sounds. A darker song with melody vocals. Really cool! If you think you know everything of the song, then there is another break with a hip-hop part!! Unbelievable, what you can find in that album. The more you listen, the more you´ll find more details. Although the band may stay in the Underground, this album is a highlight of the year 2003! Fans of music - you have to give them a listen! If you like crazy extreme music, you´ll like them!
Reviewed by: Metal Stefan / Powermetal.de Webzine (Germany)

With their last album ‘The Painful Experience’ Kekal already impressed me. This time they take things even a step further. This progressive metalband likes a finishing touch and variety and those are the two keywords to describe this album. The originality of the several vocals, samples and genre-crossing compositions are amazing and comparing to their last album, this time all songs are good. It would be sorry when the metal audience would miss Kekal. But at least they got my appreciation!
Reviewed by: KB / Mindview Magazine (Belgium) translated to English
6 out of 7

Being vaguely aware of Indonesian Black Metal I was expecting an old school HELLHAMMER-esque noise here, but how very wrong I was. I don't think words can begin to describe this. This is Black Metal alright, but it's just so innovative and progressive. The biggest influence is probably later era EMPEROR, but in terms of technicality and sheer lunacy KEKAL leave them (or any other band to be honest) behind. "Vox Diaboli" is a track that these Norwegians have being trying to produce for years but haven't, a ball of eclectic energy; hyperfast drum blasts and savage riffs contrast with brooding electronic ambience; "Paradigma Baru" sounds like something from THE CURE's seminal "Disintegration" LP; "Artifacts of of Modern Insanity" is progressive, ranging from a gentle bossanova kind of rhythm to brutal Death Metal styled riffs; "In Continuum" is astral, etherial and majestic but hammering drums and distorted riffs make it as equally savage. Basically, words fail me. This is simply magnificent. Unpredictable, eclectic and savagely beautiful, it's Black Metal Jim, but not as we know it. A masterpiece.
Reviewed by: Jamie Smith / deadsouls.org.uk Webzine (UK)

Some years at the end 90's I followed closely the progressive metal scene and the interesting combinations of duo vocals, classical arrangements in the dark metal scenes with some wonderful examples (Tristania, Hollenthon, Groomy Grim, Artrosis, Sins of Thy Beloved, Aghora, etc with items which I still play now and then, or parts of it, but not often... Having read about Kekal, during the preparations of my future Indonesian Progressive radioshow broadcast, I decided to check this latest release. Kekal is a group which is not theatrical, but brings purely musical and philosophical themes. It is told that this group went beyond usual dark metal with progressive and experimental touches mixed with classic metal and sometimes with a more atmospheric guitar. Their sound on this album is surely interesting. The tracks that starts more up tempo are in a dark metal style have various tempo changes and a really powerful sound and production… Basically this is multilayered guitars / vocals / drums and sampling drums, sound manipulation, the production, mixing and compositions are surely intelligent. Tracks that immediately blew me away at first were some of the more powerful tracks like "Once again it failed"..., and especially "Vox Diaboli" for its incredible production, powerful sound and tempo changes, and the 12 minute track "Beyond numerical reasons", with even a progressive fusion rock touch and coloured voice arrangements. But all the other tracks are great too, varying from song oriented metal to instrumentally worked out progressive metal tracks with surprising changes and very unusual rhythms and adaptations. A intelligent listening pleasure for the open minded.
Reviewed by Gerald Van Waes / Psychevanhetfolk Radio (Belgium)
4 out of 5

I've heard some of Kekal's previous albums, all very good but with kind of a bad production. Now, Kekal's brilliance can be heard in their latest album, where they push the boundaries of blending different genres even further than their more black metal oriented roots. The band explores the big world of music in this album. 1000 Thoughts of Violence is their most diverse work to date, blending electronica/experimental, asian/oriental music, melodic progressive metal, black/death metal, jazz, and even a little technoish hip hop beats (just a small part towards the end of the track "Violent Society", don't be turned off by that hip hop comment, it's only a few seconds of experimentation with that element, they bust out with blackened thrash metal after that part too.) There's even some bells used in one song. I should mentions the solos are pretty damn good too. Each song has an intro that catches your attention, then the song manages to transform into something new, creating an unexpected atmosphere. Every song has its soft parts and heavy parts, gives you a variety of feelings to the sound. There's so many parts to the songs that I keep coming back for more to listen for my favorite melodies. There's a combination of vocals. You'll hear regular singing, black metal vocals, feminine like singing, soft whispering, and some weird robotic sound effect applied on some of the singing. Just get or hear this album if you're a fan of innovative, diverse music or any genre of metal.
Reviewed by: Megafury / metal-archives.com
100 out of 100

I know i should have heard from Kekal before, they exist since 1995, but honestly, they are total unknown to me. Big shame, so it seems. I didn't even know there were such bands coming from Indonesia too. Only kind of music i know from that area is gore grind or crust / punk. Big difference with Kekal, playing the more experimental music. More about that later... I don't think it's a big secret that i love and adore all kinds of music, but ain't really fond of black metal (that's why we have several other members who do dig it). So, reading they they played black metal...mmm..i dunno, didn't really appeal to. Until i've put it in my stereo and ... djee... sold from the first to the last minute. Sure, there are a few fuck-ups in my opinion, but on a 50 minutes scale, these only take up 1%. For instance, the little weird pop-tunes (Violent Society) that come across once in a while. Nothing wrong with them, but to me they are a bit over the top. The female vocals (at least i think they are female vocals) are amazing, they add up a lot to the entire song. The sound / production is just complete, really. It sounds perfect in my 'ears' and i don't think they can improve this any further. It's pretty obvious this is an experienced group and not a rookie. If you like the more experimental melodic black metal, but also dig some rock influences from time to time, this is really worth your attention.
Reviewed by: Ahfish / Fishcomcollective.net
9 out of 10

Kekal hail from Indonesia, and "1000 Thoughts Of Violence" is their fourth album. Following on from "The Painful Experience" - an excellent progressive/experimental black metal release - I was eager to hear how the band had developed, especially considering their myriad of influences and highly original sound. The nine songs on "1000 Thoughts..." mark a slight change in direction; the music is increasingly compact and organic, and less experimental than that of its predecessor. No longer a trio, Jeff (guitar, vocals and programming) and Azhar (bass, vocals) are now responsible for all instruments. The guitars are, like the last album, melodic and varied - distorted riffage is fragmented by cleaner tones, and complex time signatures prove no challenge. Keyboards play less of a prominent role, however. Occasional instrumental sections break up the otherwise unforgiving music, and add variation, but are far less prominent. The drums are well programmed, with constantly changing beats, while the bass is of a high standard. The vocals are also less varied than the last release - singing is as well placed and effective as ever, black metal growling is interspersed throughout, and effects-laden tones are still present. This is no match (in number at least) for the six different styles on "The Painful Experience". Kekal are a talented band, and this album is another solid addition to their back-catalogue. With good production and many melodic elements, it is also a relatively accessible release, that comes recommended for fans of progressive black.
Reviewed by: Russel Garwood / Ultimatemetal.com

Kekal is an Indonesian metal band; usually acts from these so-called third world countries are a bit more primitive, but Kekal is a major exception to that rule! Just listen to the sound of the album, which is very good for instance... "Once Again it Failed" is more intense and extreme than everything I've heard before from Kekal, and regarding the intensity it reminds me a bit of Limbonic Art; the riffs, yet also the drumming of my old friend Sang Hitam (check the interview, their name for the drum computer). And there is a bit of a polka beat to it! Kekal's music has become much more progressive compared to their "Chaos & Warfare" split with Slechtvalk, yet also more extreme regarding the musical spectrum they use. The music of Kekal nowadays contains elements of fast melodic black metal like Limbonic Art, still also King Diamond/Rush (both vocals and instruments), Dream Theater (the progressive aspect, just check "In Continuum" or "Subsession II"), Satriani (compositionwise, check "Artifacts of Modern Insanity") and on this one, seventies porn or quiz music!!!: I'm sorry, but I cannot put it in other words. The bio recommends this band to fans of progressive black metal; I would like to add to that that it goes for fans who like more than just black metal! The album is a kind of slide along the musical spectrum just mentioned. The more furious and fast tracks have been put in the beginning of the album, and towards the end it becomes softer and softer, more progressive and on occasions even beyond the boundaries of metal. The serious headbanging part is, like you could expect from reading this, less fast yet more heavier: the headbanging area so to speak. This headbanging part is the bulk of the album, yet the more it lasts, the stranger sound passages show up in the music. That "70's quiz/porn movie music like passage" is for instance in "Violent Society" and sadly takes away the power and intensity of the metal part of this song. The change is rather drastical so to speak. Or what about the "funky/disco-like part" in track 7 I can imagine that sometimes for sheer metal heads this becomes too much. To put it in other words; although there is still some serious intensive metal towards the end of the album, the emphasis of the non metal parts is concentrated here. Kekal have made it extremely difficult for themselves: I am afraid that for specific fans of genres the band is too little of their favourite genre and too much of other genres. The pitfall for progressive bands is becoming too progressive: showing too much musicianship and versatility and loosing the composition out of sight. Kekal does not step into this pitfall, yet on occasions comes very close to this fatal fringe. It is very questionable whether Kekal will conquer a firm place in metal with this album, as it is perhaps too versatile, yet they show the guts to try and that should be rewarded as well. If you come across this album, do at least give it a listen, yet be warned for the drastical and abrupt mixture of styles. It is with Kekal's music like the food from Indonesia: you must learn how to eat it, otherwise you will burn your taste buds!
Reviewed by: John "Nasty" Notten / Vampire Magazine (NL)

Misunderstood, loved, hated, overlooked, confusing, brilliant, and enigmatic. All of these words represent people’s opinion of Indonesian avant-garde extreme metal band Kekal. Let’s be honest right from the start; Kekal would sell a lot more albums if they stayed a black metal band. Everyone –including the band themselves- knows that. But Kekal isn’t a band interested in selling a lot of albums. Kekal aren’t a band that you can be complacent about. You love them or hate them. They don’t write music for the masses, they enjoy exploring musical expression for themselves. Their latest album 1000 Thoughts of Violence is undoubtedly their strongest work to date. It is all at once extreme yet melodic, chaotic yet focused, progressive yet ferocious, aggressive yet restrained. They blend death and black metal, 70’s prog-rock, Jazz-Fusion, techno into an eclectic mix that defies definition. The opening track Once Again It Failed, is one the more extreme tracks on the album, blending death vocals with blast beats before moving to an almost Rush-like midsection of cleverly layered clean guitars before returning to the extremity. Vox Diaboli is an epic black metal inspired track, again with an amazing prog inspired midsection. You can check this track out at www.mp3.com/kekal. In Continuum, arguably the best track on the album has some truly inspired moments and once again draws heavily from the harmony and rhythmic concepts of great prog bands without letting up the ferocity. Other tracks of note include the fantastic instrumental Subsession II, and the remarkable closing three-part song Beyond Numerical Reasons. Both these songs are a great indication of the potential of this band: their obvious musical ability to create interesting, varied, clever and above all totally unique extreme music. In an album of such diversity and incredible experimentation it goes without saying that many will not like what they are doing, but don’t let that deter you; check this album out and decide for yourself- be open to new sounds and make up your own mind. This is one of the most interesting, enigmatic, unusual, intriguing, engaging and brilliant metal albums I have heard for a long time. This band deserves to be hugely successful, and if creativity and uniqueness were the determining factor in success, 1000 Thoughts of Violence would be the album to make them so.
Reviewed by: Jason De Ron / Black Cauldron zine (USA)
9.5 out of 10

Kekal from Indonesia have apparantly been cranking out schizoid black metal since 1995, and the massive range of influences on display here certainly bears testament to the band's breadth of musical knowledge. This record veers all over the place: to a solid kernal of Rotting-Christ style dark metal, Kekal weld classic metal riffery, some industrial breakbeats, a light ambient techno touch and occasional full-on grindcore noise. Fine Stuff, you might well say, but Kekal elect to do this all within the space of one track, and the resulting mixture is pretty heady. Except for some rather irritating but apparantly black metal mandatory instrumentals, none of the tracks seem to stick to one style for more than a few seconds at a time and this makes '1,000 Thought Of Violence' a trying listen, which is bound to deter all but the most adventurous of listeners: there's even a hip-hop break in the middle of 'Violent Society'. But having said that, if you can get past the sampled drums, so-so production and apparant desire to overcomplicate everything, Kekal's peculiar brew is a rewarding one which might well appeal to fans of Labrat-style noise, although it will probably test the patience of most black metal fans.
Reviewed by: Mark Freestone / Powerplay Magazine (UK)
7 out of 10

Kekal makes Indonesian progressive black metal. Hey, slow down there dude, what are u saying? Does black metal exist in Indonesia? Yup, it looks that way, its 100% Indonesian Progressive black metal and surprisingly good too. Hold on there buddy! Kekal, who the fuck are they? Well now metal brethren I was just about to tell you. Kekal is an Indonesian band formed in 1995. This is already the fourth album they've released. No newcomers to the black metal scene so it seems. They've already seen quite some changes in the line up trough out the years. With only two core members left, Jeff and Azhar, they've recorded this album. With success I might add, the album doesn't disappoint. The production, also in the hands of Jeff, a multi-talented guy apparently, sounds good. A nice production is half the work, right? Yes, but what about the music? That's even more important! Well, Kekal is not afraid to experiment and that certainly does the album justice. It seems former albums were even more experimental then this one. Alas I am sad to say I haven't heard their previous work so I can't compare it with the new material. On this Album however the experimenting is nicely integrated. They don't fear to use ambient sounding drumbeats or intriguing jazz parts and have spread it nicely trough the songs. Armed with a variation of styles they take you on their black metal voyage. Their music has a dark and gloomy atmosphere which made me think of Emperor while some of the jazz parts reminded me of Pestilence last album "Spheres". Still their style is very much their own. The last song "Beyond Numerical Reasons" is a great example of that. This twelve minute lasting song shows that they are more then just black metal. While songs like "Vox Diaboli" and "Subsession/Once again it failed" prove that Kekal knows how to make black metal. This Album is just great. It grows on you the more you listen to it. If you're into black metal and like more then just blast beat, "1000 thoughts of violence" has your name on it. You just have to try it.
Reviewed by: Hielke / Pitfather Magazine (NL)
4 out of 5

The first thing that is noticeable when listening the album is that the drum computer has been programmed above standard. Something a lot of Western drum computer-based bands can learn from. Progression is the flag of Kekal. Extreme metal with a strange twist. To name a few examples: On the back cover of the CD features a Legoman and the lyrics of the song ‘Beyond Numerical Reasons’ handles amongst others the 404-error on internet. The progressive song ‘Violent Society’ turns into a kind of trip-hop song halfway. ‘1000 Thoughts Of Violence’ is an album with an equal amount of qualities and faces that remains to keep its cohesion in spite of the variation it contains. It is by no means the most accessible album, which will have its consequences for people who think everything has to fit perfectly into squares. An album for the listener with a broad vision.
Reviewed by: Wilf / Lords Of Metal (NL)

Kekal from Indonesia has made some total different feed for the ears here. They see themselves as a black metal band..., sometimes going more to power metal or reaching the universe of fusion. However they (have to) work with a drumcomputer, Kekal succeeded in making some well sounding music. Except for the irritating clean vocals, nothing sounds wrong here. The guitarplayer has studied Maiden, Satriani and Cynic.... You can get it at www.fear-dark.com
Reviewed by: Robert Pöpperl-Berenda / Rock Hard Magazine (Germany) translated to English
8 out of 10

Quatrième full-length pour Kekal (sans compter le split-CD avec Slechtvalk sorti en 2002) qui continue de faire valoir sa maestria sans aucunement se soucier des modes, aussi séduisantes et gratifiantes soient-elles. En ces temps malheureusement chargés et pas toujours cléments envers l'industrie du disque, "1000 Thoughts Of Violence" vient nous plomber le cul avec sa panoplie de riffs ultra robustes et son incontournable accent progressif. On ne peut annoncer la couleur plus clairement, je pense... A l'écoute de ce petit bijou - car ceci en est bien un, n'en doutez pas ! - on pense inévitablement à Klimt 1918, Arcturus, Room With A View et bien d'autres groupes issus de la catégorie "excentriques et Cie.", mais jamais la sensation de déjà-entendu ne perdure dans le temps. L'autre atout du groupe, c'est qu'il a su créer une musique mélodique. Oh, oui : de la mélodie, vous en aurez par vagues ! Que dis-je ? Par raz-de-marée ! Pourtant, aucune trace de mollesse, aucun moment guimauve, pas la moindre effluve de miel dans cette galette... Même les chants clairs gardent à tout instant un caractère viril, tout en permettant d'amples modulations au niveau de l'intensité et, plus généralement, de l'expression. En voilà apparemment qui ont trouvé un style parfaitement équilibré sans devoir passer par de honteux compromis ; compromis qui dans le cas présent dénatureraient sans nul doute l'essence même de cet art dramatique - quasi-théâtral - qu'est celui de Kekal. Quel gâchis que ce serait ! Et dire qu'ils ne sont que deux pour assurer toute l'instrumentation... Ils me tuent ces mecs !
Reviewed by: RNO / Beyond Webzine (Belgium)
88/100