[2025] Recommended Bands from Indonesia: A Summary

Nina.Feast

.Feast – Nina (Official Lyric Video)

A fiercely cutting sound that slices through social injustice! Formed in Jakarta, Indonesia, .

Feast delivers genre-defying music that blends hip-hop and metal onto a rock foundation.

They began in 2014, and their 2019 track “Peradaban” was sung during student protests, showcasing their massive influence.

That same year, their collaboration with The Panturas, “Gelora,” was chosen as the official song of the Southeast Asian Games, drawing major attention.

They’ve been nominated multiple times for the AMI Awards, one of Indonesia’s top music honors—proof of their undeniable talent.

If you’re after hard-hitting, cerebral rock, their music is highly recommended.

It’s sure to shake up your worldview.

KillchestraBurgerkill

Burgerkill “Killchestra” – An Elegy (Official Video)

Burgerkill is the band that, overcoming repeated adversity, put Indonesia’s metal scene on the global map.

Since their formation in 1995, they have pursued a ferocious sound grounded in death metal and metalcore.

They debuted in 2000 with the album “Dua Sisi,” and their 2006 masterpiece “Beyond Coma and Despair” drew major attention, with tracks selected for horror film soundtracks.

In 2013, they won the “Metal as F*ck” honor at a prestigious UK music award, a unique achievement for a band from their country.

Even after the tragedy of a founding member’s death, they continued to innovate—collaborating with an orchestra, among other bold steps.

Their sound is more than just heavy; it’s a soul-stirring testament to their way of life, and it’s sure to strike you to the core.

TimurThe Adams

Timur

The Adams is a powerhouse band that has led Indonesia’s indie scene for over 20 years.

Formed in Jakarta in 2002, they’re known for an irresistibly catchy sound that fuses power pop with alternative rock.

“Konservatif,” from their 2005 debut album The Adams, became a major hit after being featured on the soundtrack of the film Janji Joni.

The song’s quality is beyond doubt—it was included in Rolling Stone Indonesia’s list of the 150 Greatest Indonesian Songs.

With sweet harmonies and lyrics that resonate with everyday life, many listeners can’t help but relate.

Their exhilarating melodies and energetic live shows are sure to add a vibrant splash to the daily life of anyone seeking fresh music from Asia.

Hope You Found MeEastcape

Eastcape – Hope You Found Me [Official Video]

Eastcape is a four-piece band from East Java, Indonesia, that stirs the heart with shape-shifting sounds.

Formed in early 2020, they’re a formidable DIY act centered on rock and Midwest emo.

Their first EP, “Falsified Pleasure, Blessings Given,” released in June 2023, packs in their experimental musicality.

While they haven’t yet won major music awards, their fan base across Southeast Asia has been rapidly growing thanks to viral traction on social media.

Their distinctive world-building fuses complex, odd-meter song structures with emotional guitars and expansive vocals.

If you’re into lyrical guitar rock or technically intricate instrumentals, you’ll likely be drawn into their deep allure.

Bis SekolahKoes Plus

Koes Plus – Bis Sekolah (Original Clip) HD

Overcoming political repression and laying the groundwork for Indonesian popular music, the legendary band Koes Plus stands out.

They began performing as brothers in the 1960s and established a unique style that fused rock and pop with the sounds of traditional music.

Their harrowing experience of being imprisoned in 1965 for their embrace of Western music surely imprinted an indelible soul into their work.

From the 1969 masterpiece “Dheg Dheg Plas” to “Bis Sekolah,” which was selected for lists of historic songs, their simple yet deeply resonant melodies demonstrate the power of music to transcend eras and borders.

Their story—of staying true to the music they believed in even in difficult times—will undoubtedly deliver something powerful to the hearts of listeners.

Terbuang Dalam WaktuBarasuara

Barasuara – Terbuang Dalam Waktu (Official Video)

Barasuara is a band that transcends the boundaries of alternative rock, dynamically blending Indonesian tradition and innovation.

Formed in Jakarta in 2012, they captivate with powerful rhythms and poetic lyrics that reflect on society.

“Bahas Bahasa,” from their acclaimed 2015 album Taifun, drew early attention, winning an AMI Award the following year in 2016.

Their true essence shines in their breathtaking live performances: hailed by Rolling Stone as Best Live Act, their stage presence—enhanced by the vocalist’s traditional batik attire—seems to symbolize their identity.

Their music may well suggest new possibilities for Asia’s rock scene.

Rumah KitaGod Bless

Rumah Kita

God Bless are living legends who have led Indonesia’s rock scene for over half a century! Formed in Jakarta in May 1973, they’ve crafted an innovative sound rooted in hard rock and progressive rock, at times incorporating scales from traditional instruments.

“Kehidupan,” from their smash 1988 album Semut Hitam, ranks 8th on the list of Indonesia’s 150 greatest songs—proof of their immense influence.

In 2020, they were even featured on a postage stamp, a striking testament to their status as a national band.

Their lyrics, grounded in social reality, and their overwhelming musicianship are nothing short of breathtaking.

If you want to experience the fusion of muscular rock and Asian music, there may be no better choice.