Interview with Nyoman

Interview by Andrew Stanton.

Interview with Nyoman Sastrawan.

Devoured are a brutal Death Metal band from Indonesia and their new album The Curse of Sabda Palon is awesome. Andrew Stanton talked to frontman Nyoman about the new album.

Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness.

Hello Andrew, Nyoman Death Metal & Black Metal has a big fansbase in Indonesia. Sastrawan here from Devoured, Indonesia. - Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please? Devoured was found in Yogyakarta 1998. We play Old School Death Metal like Entombed, Dismember, Bloodbath. We just released the new album ‘The Curse Of Sabda Palon’. It was released by Sadist records & Vrykoblast Production.

- What bands did you listen to growing up?

I listen to many bands and many genres. But this week I listened to some old school death metal stuff like Autopsy ‘Mental Funeral’, new CD of Cannibal Corpse ‘Violence Unimagined’, some Black Metal & Doom Metal bands.

- What is the Indonesian scene like? What bands should our readers check out?

Indonesia is the biggest metal scene in Asia. Death Metal has a big fansbase. If you are interested with Indonesia Metal scene, you will find a lot of good quality bands. Death Vom- it, Jasad, Dead squad, Viscral, Pure Wrath, Vallen dusk, etc.

- Who is Sabda Palon? Is this a concept album?

Yes, the concept of the album. Read the short story below - A story from the age of kings in Java dwipa; the great Majapahit kingdom, about 1294-1478. An unwritten tale comes to us from the end of the kingdom’s golden years; that a kingdom as great and luxurious as Majapahit can fall apart and disappear without a trace! War broke out due to a power struggle, the outcome was a religious revolution which caused the split of the kingdom. Sabda Palon was an honorable advisor to the king of Majapahit who led and gave advice for the benefit of the Kingdom’s prosperity. However, during the rule of King Bre Kertabumi/Brawijaya V (of the fifth generation of Brawijaya rulers) at the end of the fourteenth century, the counsellor’s advice fell on deaf ears. Eventually, war broke out and the kingdom was invaded. At last, the king bowed down to the enemy and was helpless. The people of the kingdom and the advisor were heartbroken by the king’s decision. The king’s advisor, Sabda Palon, swore an oath. The 13th curse of the oath, which was believed already to have happened several times before, describes a flood. In this flood, people will lose everything: family, wealth, even their lives. Everything will disappear, swallowed by the flood. This 13th curse will happen and hit civilization when the pattern of humanity’s behavior exceeds their provision.

- What are your lyrics about?

Story of the Great Empire called Majapahit. It existed from 1293 to circa 1527. Yes, the story is dedicated to Idonesian history. So many people are interested in reading their history again.

- Do European bands ever tour there?

Many European bands were touring in indonesia. We have many big festivals like Hammersonic Fest, Rock in Solo, Jogjarockarta, etc.

- Why do you think so many Metal magazines ignore Black and Death Metal?

Maybe Black Metal & Death Metal contain explicit lyrics, some brutal and gore stuff. But not for Indonesia, Death Metal & Black Metal has a big fansbase here. You cannot ignore them.

- Do you have a message for our readers?

Hail for readers, check out Indonesian bands. You must try to listen to them.