TamaT, TerbujurKaku & Individual Distortion push the Amen break to new extremes

‘Amen Paling Serius’ (roughly translating to "the most earnest Amen") is a nine-track split from scene veterans TamaT, TerbujurKaku, and Individual Distortion, released via Surabaya-based Anti-Trust Records.

Dropped on August 17, 2025—Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day—the record is a raw tribute to the Amen break, the endlessly recycled drum pattern first cut from The Winstons’ ‘Amen, Brother’ in 1969, here reimagined with unapologetic force.

“I think this name ‘Amen Paling Serius’ really represents us always exploring and loving the track of our Amen break idols,” says Eri Rukmana aka TamaT of the loop that has shaped everything from hip hop to jungle.

The tracks are anything but polite, erupting with distorted breaks, static bursts, and chant-like shouts.

Yet there are moments of control; Individual Distortion’s ‘Kim Bedil’ layers breaks and percussive patterns with a sharp sense of rhythm.

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Speaking to Mixmag Asia, the artist (real name Adythia Utama) explains: “It originally started out as a hip hop track (you can still hear a little of that near the end), but I stretched it out with the Amen break and it took on a new life. There’s also a sample from The Breeders in there, so as a little nod I twisted Kim Deal’s name into the song title ‘Kim Bedil’.”

The chaos spills into TerbujurKaku’s ‘Keong Racing’, where distorted dangdut textures crash into high-speed drum programming. TamaT then ups the intensity with ‘Sego Heavy’, an onslaught of hyperactive drum lines bordering on dystopian.

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The pace escalates again with Individual Distortion’s ‘D_Massive Ciledug’, channelling punk-fuelled energy reminiscent of The Prodigy while staying anchored to the Amen’s pulse. TerbujurKaku follows with a remix of Surabaya metal band Headcrusher’s ‘Molotov’, smashing thrash riffs into frenetic synths to forge a mutant club cut.

Closing out the album is TamaT’s a hardcore flip of viral track ‘Sampang Banjir Pole’, ending the listening experience in a state of manic euphoria.

Listen to and purchase ‘Amen Paling Serius’ here.

Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.

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