The Magnificence Of Progressive Rock Music Amid The Complexity Of Its Composition

Andy/ rif while performing Laron Laron at Gagah Music Concert #2 (Photo: Azhan Miraza)

JAKARTA - Progressive rock music is always special. Although for some people it is quite complicated to digest and the duration is long, this type of music always displays the splendor at every stage. Especially from the ambience that is created.

The Indonesian Community Maharddhika's Gagah Music Concert # 2 which was held at Sallo Inyaan, Tebet, South Jakarta, Tuesday, November 26, evening again displayed this splendor. Presenting a line of musicians who were 90 percent the same as the first stage at Titan Center, Bintaro a month earlier, every song that reverberated was so charming.

Indonesia Maharddhika, My Land of My Love, Fable, Armageddon, Palestine and Ape-Man, Ballad of a Million Faces, Your Own Twilight Horizon, Apathy, Beloved Persada, Nangroe, Daun Daun Surga, Trumpets, Musicians, Satria, Malaria, and Laron Laron are performed alternately by the musicians who are the line-up of this event.

And of course, the line of vocalists who develop each song are the big names of Indonesian music who started their musical careers in the progressive realm or are still consistent in this genre until now. Just say it; Keenan Nasution, Kadri Mohamad, Jimmo, Fariz RM, Arry Syaff, Benny Soebardja, Eric Martoyo, Bangkit Sanjaya, Doddy Katamsi, and Andy / rif.

No, you read that right when you saw the name Doddy Katamsi in the line-up. The vocalist for the band Seven Years Later was asked to replace Ecky Lamoh as the singer of the song Musician from God Bless. Meanwhile, another song performed by Ecky at the Gagah Music Concert # 1, The Beast (Edane), was not performed at all.

Benny Soebardja when performing the song Apatis (Fato: Azhan Miraza)

The important point that was missing in the event this time was only Fariz RM who did not play drums in Palestinian songs. The size of the stage which was not able to accommodate two drum sets like the Titan Center made the gimmick disappear. It's a little bit less salt, considering that the audience rarely sees Fariz RM hitting 'British drum'.

However, the presence of the Managing Director of Freeport, Tony Wenas, who played the keyboard in the song Armageddon and sang in the Ballad of A Million Faces gave this event a different taste than before. Especially in the song Sangkakala, Adi Adrian (KLa Project) also plays the keyboard.

For your information. The Indonesian Community Maharddhika originated from the Indonesian compilation album Maharddhika, which was released five years ago. The title of this album was taken from the song by Roni Harahap and Guruh Soekarnoputra, one of the most powerful numbers from the phenomenon of Guruh Gipsy (1976). Indonesia Maharddhika was brought back through the magical touch of Indonesian maestro Iwan Hasan and featured guest musicians, including Marcell Siahaan, Indra Lesmana, Keenan Nasution to former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman.

By maintaining its original 'spirit', this song was made fresher and more dynamic by crossing elements of West (rock) and East (Bali). A number of other musicians who filled this album included Cockpit, who delivered a number entitled Should I Run, The Miracle with Free Your Mind, The KadriJimmo through Srikandi, Discus (The Machine), Van Java (Propecy of Jayaba), Imanissimo feat. Andy / rif (Indonesian Symphony - Rock Opera Scene I (Cultural Crisis)), Vantasma (Jakarta (Jet Black City)), Atmosa (Ragu / Sibincar Layo), and In memoriam (The Ghosts of Ancient Patriot).

The plan, Gagah Music Concert will be held once a month. Malang, has been asked as the next stopover on 26 December.