Labels: Self-Released/Ancient Horror Records/Death Prayer Records
Formats: Self-Release/Tape/CD
Release Date: 03 Dec 2023
Tracklist:
1. Amuk Lor
2. Amuk Waitan
3. Amuk Kuluan
4. Amuk Kidul
Cult UK black/death metal label Death Prayer Records are about to embark on their next chapter and in anticipation, I wanted to write about one of their most recent releases that expands upon their lust and love for extreme music from ever widening corners of the world. Enter stage left Indonesian raw black metal entity Djiwo. A force amongst the Indonesian extreme metal community for over a decade now, Djiwo has released two full-lengths (including 2023's Svvanantaka, which was released on tape via Death Prayer) and a demo, they have recently officially released their latest EP Darbha Pūrwadakṣiṇa Paścimottara.
Initially released last December on limited tape from Ancient Horror Records, which was available at their Anno Mortis Live #1 showcase in Bali (if my sources are correct), the EP was then self-released digitally by Djiwo and immediately followed by a CD release through Death Prayer Records just last month.
The Autumn nights are truly setting in now and soon it will be Winter. Maybe that’s why I’m feeling the grim, cold pull of black metal all of a sudden. While the UK and Scandinavia might be the first port of call for most BM fans, I’m visiting warmer climes tonight in the form of Indonesia and it’s mysterious entity Djiwo. Raw, lo-fi black is what’s presented here and I for one don’t disagree with that billing as EP opener ‘Amuk Lor’ begins. I thought that both Black Cilice and Pa Vesh En presented a similar approach, but Djiwo’s is on a different plain. That’s not me being derogatory though, as the band nails the sound perfectly.
As is usually the case, I’m battling with the noise generated by my neighbours (generally loud slamming of doors, stomping footsteps and irrationally loud coughing), but I’m pressing on regardless. ‘Amuk Waitan’ is the perfect way to do that with it’s murky, percussion-led atmospherics and tortured screams. While it’s song-structure might seem maddening and chaotic to a layman (like said neighbour), it is in fact very entrancing and immersive despite it’s obvious intensity.
Djiwo present an ever growing and unnerving musical evolution in third song ‘Amuk Kuluan’, which opens with a truly haunting melodic intro before transitioning into the safety of their rhythmic yet disparate black metal. Considering it’s the EP’s longest song, it speeds along and it’s over before you really have time to take it in.
EP closer ‘Amuk Kidul’ is somewhat pleasing on the ear (If that’s even the right way to describe it) as Djiwo once again settle into a groovy, almost hypnotic black metal hymn. Obviously, all music is subjective and the more extreme it gets the more it becomes so. If you’re already a fan of black metal then you’ll no doubt lap this up. If not, then that’s fine but taking a chance once in a while is a good thing too. Djiwo has made a great case for both Indonesian extreme music but also for their own inclusion on many end-of-year lists come the end of the year. Great stuff.
The EP is available to purchase as a name-your-price download via bandcamp below:-
Djiwo - https://www.facebook.com/djiwoofficial
Both tape copies from Ancient Horror Records and CD copies from Death Prayer Records are sold out.
If there are any inaccuracies above regarding release information, please don't hesitate to contact me via tnio@outlook.com.
Ancient Horror Records - https://www.facebook.com/ancienthorrorrecords
Death Prayer Records - https://www.facebook.com/@deathprayerrecords