Bingkai Karya-Jakarta-based rock band .Feast has finally released their long-awaited album, “Membangun & Menghancurkan,” on August 30, 2024. Known for their previous focus on sociopolitical issues, the band has taken a bold new direction with this release, delving into more personal and introspective themes.
Vocalist Baskara Putra has made it clear that this project marks a new chapter for the band, stating, “The old .Feast is dead.” The album features 15 tracks and involves collaborations with 12 prominent Indonesian music producers. Including Laleilmanino, Lafa Pratomo, and Iga Massardi. The diverse production team has helped the band explore a wider range of sounds and styles than ever before.
“We agreed to act as if we were just starting this band but with the skills that we have now,” explains Baskara. This fresh approach was necessary after the band faced several hurdles. Originally, .Feast intended “Membangun & Menghancurkan” to be their third full-length album and had even released four singles in anticipation. However, the COVID-19 pandemic derailed their plans. This leading to a temporary shift to other projects like the EP “Uang Muka” and the album “Abdi Lara Insani.”
In early 2023, the band was experiencing internal issues and a lack of enthusiasm, which became evident during their tour celebrating their decade-long journey. Adnan Satyanugraha, the band’s guitarist, reflects on this period, “Our hearts just weren’t into it anymore.” This led to a decision to scrap the original material for “Membangun & Menghancurkan” and start over. Adnan elaborates, “We destroyed it and rebuilt it. It turns out that names really are prayers.”
Bassist Fadli “Awan” Fikriawan notes that the collaboration with various producers brought new perspectives and invigorated the band’s creativity. “Having all these producers gave us new perspectives while making this album. It was something that we really needed after being in .Feast for over 10 years,” he says. The result is an album that not only marks a significant shift in their musical style but also reflects their personal growth.
Personal Theme
The lyrics on “Membangun & Menghancurkan” tackle more personal topics compared to their previous work. They explore themes such as fatherhood, mortality, and self-recrimination. For example, the track “Arteri,” inspired by guitarist Dicky Renanda’s nightlife experiences, and “Langitruntuh” produced by Lafa Pratomo, showcase this new, introspective focus.
The band’s drummer, Dias Widjajanto, also plays a crucial role in this album. He brings a versatile range of styles that highlight both their classic aggression and new, lighter touches. “This album feels as exciting as when we were making our first one,” says Dicky, reflecting on the reinvention of their sound.
Despite the album not being what they originally planned, .Feast is proud of their work. “Though it took much more effort compared to our previous work,” Awan adds, “this album feels as exciting as when we were making our first one and it brought back the excitement that we’ve been missing in recent years.” Baskara sums it up: “Finally, we once again have something that we created with 100,000 percent of our hearts. We enjoyed making this album, and we hope that excitement spreads to whoever listens to it.”
In conclusion, “Membangun & Menghancurkan” is a testament to .Feast’s ability to evolve and reinvent themselves. The band’s journey has been marked by challenges and changes, but this album represents their renewed passion and creative energy. “Even if this were the last .Feast album, we’re very proud of ‘Membangun & Menghancurkan,’” says Adnan, with a hint of humor, “We spent a lot of money on it, so we hope people like it!”
