Answering the Controversy of the Genre Debate for Revenge, Emo or Pop Rock?

Kapanlagi.com - In recent years, the name for Revenge has begun to rise to prominence and become one of the Indonesian bands adored by music lovers. Their songs, which always explore themes of sadness, confusion, heartbreak, and despair, are one of the main reasons why this band from Bandung is so loved.

Meanwhile, to this day, debates often arise when discussing the music genre of the performer of the song Serana . Many label them as an emo band, but there are also quite a few who refer to them as a pop rock band in general. Regarding this, Boniex, the vocalist of for Revenge, has his own perspective on the matter.

“Yes, the identity is indeed that (emo). From the beginning, when we formed the band, it was influenced by emo music from the 2000s wave. If now some call it pop or rock, that’s fine too. But indeed, for me, the consistency is in emo. From the perspective of lyric writing, what we write, what we tell in our works is emo, that’s emo,” Boniex stated in an exclusive interview with the KapanLagi team.

1. Red Thread for Revenge

Boniex when talking about the genre of for Revenge (Photo credit: KapanLagi)

No matter the fans' views on the genre for Revenge, Boniex does not want to impose any limitations. For him, the red thread of for Revenge from the past to the present is the lyrical theme that discusses heartbreak and all things related to sadness.

"The emo-ness is what we've continued to carry from the first for Revenge until now. There are some of our long-time fans who say, 'Why has for Revenge become like this?'. Actually, if you listen to the old stuff and the new stuff, in terms of lyrics and the story of the songs, it's all the same, filled with heartbreak, so nothing has changed. That has always been the red thread," Boniex stated clearly.

2. Will Never Make Happy Songs

Boniex wants to consistently create melancholic songs in for Revenge (Photo credit: KapanLagi)

One thing is for sure, according to him, for Revenge will always be consistent in presenting works that explore sadness. For now, there is not a single thought in Boniex's mind about creating songs with fun and happiness themes.

"You might be confused if for Revenge makes a happy song. It seems like it would be strange, I haven’t done it before. I don’t know, it probably won’t happen haha," Boniex replied while laughing.

3. Successful Emo Bands in Indonesia

for Revenge, the pioneer of the emo revival in Indonesia (Photo credit: KapanLagi/Adrian Utama Putra)

Returning to the emo genre theme. On an international level, many screamo or emo bands have achieved significant success. Just mention popular names like Bring Me The Horizon, My Chemical Romance, Panic! At The Disco, The Used, Asking Alexandria, Fall Out Boy, and many others.

However, it must be acknowledged that this genre is indeed difficult to 'sell' in Indonesia, where the music industry has long been dominated by pop and mainstream genres. In fact, for Revenge can be considered the first emo band to reach that point.

"I was shocked, it was really magical. Since I was a child, when asked what my dream was, I never said I wanted to be a vocalist or a band kid, never said that. I always saw foreign bands being able to live off their genre like for Revenge with screamo, emo, hardcore over there. I thought, ah in Indonesia it can't be like that, but it turns out it can," Boniex concluded.

What do you KLovers think, what genre do you think fits for Revenge best? Write your comment, because if not now, when?

(kpl/mat/gtr)