for Revenge is Expected to Become One of the Living Legend Bands in Indonesia

Kapanlagi.com - Starting as a casual band formed simply to channel a hobby, for Revenge has now transformed into one of the top bands in Indonesia. Their works have proven successful in captivating music lovers, as evidenced by the number of views on their music videos on YouTube and the incredible total streams on various streaming platforms.

Currently, for Revenge has joined a giant music label; Sony Music Indonesia. They are also beginning to be flooded with performance gigs in various cities and different events. Boniex, Archims, Izha, and Arief, as members of for Revenge, unanimously admit that they never expected to reach this point.

"So the initial goal was really just a hobby. From this hobby, Alhamdulillah, it has now become fruitful. So there was never any thought of reaching (national) level like this. The important thing was to be known in the scene, in the community first. So now, it turns out that the scale is much more recognized, it's just more surprising," said Arief Ismail, the guitarist of for Revenge, when met by the KapanLagi team recently.

Bonniex, the frontman, also echoed a similar sentiment, "I was surprised, it's really magical. Since I was little, when asked what my dream was, I never said I wanted to be a vocalist, I wanted to be in a band, never said that."

1. Starting to Be Known in Neighboring Countries

At the international level, many screamo or emo bands have achieved significant success. However, this is indeed difficult to happen in Indonesia, where the music industry has long been dominated by the pop genre. And for Revenge can be said to be the first emo band to reach that point.

"I always see foreign bands that can thrive with genres like for Revenge, screamo, emo, hardcore over there. I thought, ah in Indonesia it can't be like that, but it turns out it can," explained Boniex.

Not only in Indonesia, for Revenge has also started to be widely recognized in the Southeast Asian music market, including in neighboring countries like Malaysia. On one occasion performing in the neighboring country, For Revenge even received a welcome and reaction beyond expectations.

"Oh I was most surprised (when performing) in Malaysia, playing in Johor Baru. It was something I never (expected) would be that crowded. Then everyone sang along, from all the setlist that For Revenge brought, they sang. So it was like, 'How could we get here?'," he reminisced.

2. Will They Become Indonesia's Living Legend?

Sony Music Entertainment Indonesia, as the label that supports for Revenge, believes that the band from Bandung will one day become something very big in Indonesia. To realize this belief, Sony is accompanying for Revenge step by step in their process.

"Simply put in my mind, for Revenge is going to be one of the living legends. They are mature in age, they are also mature in terms of musicality, and their business thinking is also developed. They are already professional. So I think in the future, for Revenge will be a band with a long lifespan," said Keke Kananta, Head of A&R Sony Music Entertainment Indonesia when asked about the potential of for Revenge.

As the next step, Sony hopes that in the coming years, for Revenge can start to enter the international market, especially Asia.

"In the next five years, we believe for Revenge can go international. No need to go far, we will play in Asia first, it seems like that dream is not too difficult for for Revenge," Keke hopes.

3. Harapan for Revenge in the Next Five Years

For Revenge won the Best Band of the Year award at IMA 2024 (Photo credit: instagram.com/forrevengeofficial)

In response to Sony's hopes regarding the future of For Revenge, Boniex CS does not want to be too ambitious. What is certain is that in the coming years, they want the band that has elevated their name to be something that is always remembered and recognized by Indonesian music lovers.

"This is a tough question. In the next five to ten years, For Revenge should be among the top three bands in Indonesia, yeah, top three. At least top of mind for people, 'What Indonesian band is there? For Revenge'," Boniex stated regarding the future of For Revenge.

"The position is advantageous, keep moving forward. Amen. A position that will truly always be remembered, I can't elaborate on wanting the highest position, I can't. There will definitely be a regeneration," said Archims Pribadi, the drummer who chose a realistic answer.

(kpl/mat/gtr)