Kekal

Kekal
Kekal in concert at Alter Gasometer, Zwickau, Germany in 2004
Background information
Origin	Jakarta, Indonesia
Genres	Hard rock, electronic, black metal, death metal, heavy metal, thrash metal, extreme metal, unblack metal, christian metal, progressive rock, progressive metal, avant-garde metal
Years active	1995 (1995)–present
Labels	THT, Whrilwind, Fear Dark, Open Grave, Clenchedfist
Associated acts	Excision, Doctor D, Worldhate, Mournphagy, Inner Warfare, Altera Enigma, Armageddon Holocaust
Website	kekal.altervista.org
Members	Jeff Arwadi Azhar Levi Sianturi Leo Setiawan
Past members	Harry Newin Atmarumeksa "Newbabe" Yeris

Kekal (sometimes stylized as KEKAL) is a heavy metal and electronic music band formed in 1995 in Jakarta, Indonesia. According to AllMusic, Kekal was one of the first heavy metal bands from Indonesia to make international inroads, and according to sociologist of heavy metal, Keith Kahn-Harris, was one of the few extreme metal bands from Southeast Asia to ever make more than a minimal impression on the global scene. Founded by two musicians known simply Yeris and Newbabe, the band underwent some shifts in lineup in its early years, but emerged with a consistent lineup of three key-members, guitarist/vocalist Jeff Arwadi, bassist Azhar Levi Sianturi, and guitarist Leo Setiawan. Frequently labeled as black metal, progressive metal, and avant-garde metal, Kekal plays a very diverse range of music styles within the frame of metal and rock, incorporating many other music genres such as ambient, electronic, jazz fusion, and progressive rock. Over the course of its career, Kekal has transitioned from a heavy metal-based style to a more experimental and electronic sound.

Throughout its entire career, the band has released nine full-length studio albums, two EPs, two compilation albums, two demo tapes, a split album with Slechtvalk, and several contributions to various collaborative albums, and in 2004 engaged in a successful European mini-tour. As of 12 August 2009, all key-members have officially left Kekal, but continue to contribute material. Though the band currently has no active members, former members of the band contributed to an eighth studio album entitled 8 which was officially released in 2010, and a ninth studio album entitled Autonomy, released in 2012.