Zoo vocalist Rully Shabara.

Yogyakarta-based experimental rock band Zoo says it has finally arrived at a musical territory it can call its own and has laid the groundwork for future exploration in its latest album Prasasti (Inscription).

The band toyed with noise, experimental and math rock after its establishment in 2005, an exploration it featured in its mini album and first release Kebun Binatang (Zoo) and it later began infusing traditional and tribal elements in the brew.

A later concoction resulted in an extension of Kebun Binatang, released as a full-album Trilogi Peradaban (Civilization Trilogy) in 2009, which consisted of three parts in three CDs: Neolithikum, Mesolithikum and Paleolithikum.

“Prasasti is the perfected form of our earlier music. We are still going to explore and grow, but we have found the Zoo music,” vocalist Rully Shabara says.

Zoo comprises Dimas Budi Satya (bedhug, drums), Bhakti Prasetyo (bass, ukulele, mandolin), Rully Shabara (vocals, synths) and Ramberto Agozalie (drums).

The band is planning to thematically explore civilization and its aspects in future works.

Prasasti consists of 11 composed songs and 11 songs recorded in experimental jam sessions.

On the album, Rully sings in tribal languages from all over the archipelago: Aceh, Bugis, Komering, Dayak Tidung, Sasak, Kawi, Kaili, Banjar and Minang.

“The album’s theme is language. We can explore other themes of civilization in the future: science, architecture, religion, anything. Listeners would likely need to listen to at least 10 of our albums before beginning to understand what we are doing; it’s going to be a grand journey,” Rully said.

Prasasti and its iconic 1.7-kilogram granite case.Continuing their tradition of unique packaging, which saw Trilogi Peradaban CDs put in wooden boxes, Prasasti is physically issued inside a granite case weighing 1.7 kilograms.

On the granite case is the band’s insignia and album name on a stainless steel plate. Only 200 copies are issued by Yes No Wave Music, an Internet-based music label. All Zoo releases are also distributed free under the Creative Commons license via yesnowave.com.

The band is currently on the road promoting its latest album. Throughout January, it performed in Jakarta, Bandung, West Java and Purwokerto, Central Java.

In February, Zoo is performing in Surakarta, Central Java and Malang and Surabaya in East Java. The band is also scheduled to play in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore in March.

Working on only vocals, bass, drums and synthesizer — as guitar was not needed, they say — the band produced an in-your-face album with wild compositions.

Experimental musicians often produce songs that are difficult to comprehend, let alone enjoy, but Zoo is successful in taking listeners to a conclusion where it is only natural that tribal chants find their place in fast paced rock.

Rully’s vocal exploration is definitely the prominent element of Zoo’s music. Throughout the songs, Rully keeps transforming into tribal war chiefs, shamans and crooners, presenting us with a variety of possible uses of vocal chords and vocal tracks.

He delivers guttural growls, pitchy screams, meaty hums, twisty serenades and breathy yodels. His live performance is forceful and ferocious, and at times frightening.

“Our music is wild. I purposely sing that way to intensify the primitive feel, but I also enjoy singing in such a way,” Rully said.

 — Photos by Andreas D. Arditya