Release Of Anthology Album, God Bless Combines Rock With Mega Orchestra

God Bless during a press conference at the launch of the album Anthology - 50th Anniversary at Bentara Budaya Jakarta (Ivan Two Men/VOI)

JAKARTA - God Bless launched a new album titled Anthology 50th Anniversary in order to welcome its golden age. The album contains 11 best songs that have been released before, as well as another title which is an instrumental number containing their hits medley.

In the launching of the album at Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Wednesday, June 21, the personnel of God Bless, namely Achmad Albar (vocals), Ian Antono (guitar), Donny Fattah (bass), Abadi Soesman (keyboards), and Fajar Satritama (drums) were present to explain their latest album to the media crew.

Different from other albums, Anthology album presents the concept of rock music combined with a magnificent orchestra. Ian Antono said that the idea of combining rock music with classical music orchestration was obtained from what many other rock bands and musicians in the world had done. Not only that, God Bless also wants something different in this 50 year celebration.

"Idenya itu muncul ketika melihat setiap band yang sudah sukses di luar sana, jalan terakhir yang merekali adalah membuat lagu yang disengungi oleh orchestra," kata Ian Antono.

Furthermore, Fajar Satritama said, the selection of the song on this album also involved Tohpati who acted as a producer.

At first, Mas Ian's basic idea was that we wanted to make an album accompanied by an orchestra. Then we thought, which albums of songs will be taken. The selection of the songs also involves Tohpati," said Fajar.

Meanwhile, Tohpati, who is also working on orchestral elements on all songs on Anthology's album, collaborated with Czech Symphony Orchestra to get involved.

"God Bless may have played with all the orchestras in Indonesia. To celebrate this 50th anniversary, I think I have to give something special, so I chose Czech Symphony Orchestra," said Tohpati.

Meanwhile, Denny MR as the representative of God Bless' management added that the Anthology album, which can now be listened to through digital platforms, will also be present in physical form, ranging from black disks, compact discs (CDs), to cassettes.

It doesn't stop there, God Bless will also hold a 50 Years concert of God Bless with Tohpati Orchestra on November 10, 2023 at Istora Senayan, Central Jakarta.