Newly formed Indonesia-based label Jangjang presents Tortoise, the new album from Ensemble Tikoro, an a cappella choir of metal vocalists who build avant-garde compositions from the human voice. The lead preview, “Tortoise Part 2 – Root,” is streaming now.
Ensemble Tikoro, which translates to “Throat Ensemble” in Sundanese, is a contemporary Indonesian group working with extended vocals, fusing extreme metal techniques drawn from death metal, black metal, thrash, hardcore and punk with throat singing and traditional instruments. Its members are metalheads from the Bandung, West Java underground who perform contemporary music with classical notation while weaving in elements of Sundanese culture. The result sits at the intersection of heavy metal, traditional healing ritual and avant-garde composition.
Founded in 2012 by Robi Rusdiana, the group has created more than 50 works for dance, theater, visual art and experimental projects. In 2021 they collaborated with Melbourne modern dance company Lucy Guerin Inc., a performance where heavy metal and throat singing collided with contemporary Australian dance. The group then released the album Hell Chamber in 2024 through Italian label Artetetra Records.
In 2026, Ensemble Tikoro premiered Tortoise, a performance that adds singing bowls, shaman drums and tingsha (Tibetan ritual cymbals) to their extreme vocals and throat singing. Tortoise Part 1 is performed only in live settings, while Tortoise Part 2 and Tortoise Part 3 are captured for this album. Part 2 gathers seven short pieces interpreting the seven chakras through extended vocal techniques supported by singing bowls and shaman drums, while Part 3 brings in tingsha alongside the vocals, bowls and drums. Fittingly, the group’s motto is “And contemporary music for all,” a nod to Metallica’s And Justice For All.
Tortoise was recorded at Pilarin Corp by Ade Syaepudin, mixed and mastered at 7 Kerikil by Robi Rusdiana, and completed with artwork by Tandani Mutaqim. Jangjang, a Sundanese word for “wing,” was launched by J. R. Fritsch, who previously ran the cult 2000s Baltimore avant label Public Guilt. The label releases Tortoise on cassette and digital formats on October 23, with more previews to follow in the weeks ahead.
Pre-orders and streaming are available via Bandcamp.
Tortoise tracklist
- Tortoise Part 2 – Root
- Tortoise Part 2 – Sacred
- Tortoise Part 2 – Solar Plexus
- Tortoise Part 2 – Heart
- Tortoise Part 2 – Throat
- Tortoise Part 2 – Third Eye
- Tortoise Part 2 – Crown
- Tortoise Part 3
Ensemble Tikoro: Arum Dwi Hanantoro (vocals, singing bowl), Ardyansah (vocals, singing bowl), Handriansyah Nugraha (vocals, singing bowl), Mahatma Adi Hartoko (vocals, tingsha) and Robi Rusdiana (vocals, shaman drum).
Ensemble Tikoro: Website, Instagram. Jangjang: Bandcamp, YouTube, Instagram.
