Get to know the Voice of Baceprot
Known as Voice Of Baceprot, or simply VoB, three Muslim girls residing in Java, Indonesia, are achieving success throughout the country playing Thrash Metal in their native language, Sundanese. The girls, who met at music school, say they are fans of Slipknot, Lamb Of God, and Rage Against The Machine.
The band was featured in an article published today in The Guardian, an English newspaper, which interviewed the lead singer, 16-year-old Firdda Kurnia, and their music teacher, Erza Satia.
The vocalist explained the style: “I fell in love with Metal the first time I heard it. It seemed so rebellious to me. I think we found each other in the music.”
In the interview, Kurnia and Satia talked about what it's like to challenge stereotypes in the country:
“Many people think that Metal is satanic, but we are showing that there is another aspect, another side to the music ,” said Satia. Kurnia added: “We can play Metal and defend our morals. Of course, Islam and Metal can combine. Why not? Metal is just a style. The problem is that it is often associated with bad things, but it doesn't have to be.”
“I think what we want to say to young women in Indonesia is, don’t be afraid to be different. Don’t be afraid to shout your independence ,” said Kurnia.
The band, which also includes members Eusi Siti Aisyah on drums and Widi Rahmawati on bass, receives threats by phone and email, and is constantly targeted by protests from religious leaders, who have even cut off power to prevent the band from performing a show. Even so, they remain optimistic: “We hope to be able to release an album. And who knows, maybe tour in other places, like England or the United States.”
Watch the girls performing on CNN Indonesia's news channel:
