Anthrax, Ugly Kid Joe, Loudness, and The Hu became part of Jogjarockarta Festival’s final history in 2025. Held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, this year’s festival was confirmed to MetalTalk Indonesia as being the final event, as the festival founder wanted to finish while the festival was “still on top.”
Jogjarockarta Festival – The Majesty of Rock, Crowned in Jogja
Yogyakarta, Indonesia – 6-7 December 2025
Words: Umar R
While The Majesty of Rock, Crowned in Jogja will be the final event, Jogjarockarta 2025 Day One saw Ugly Kid Joe finally perform in Indonesia, electrifying the Yogyakarta crowd with a powerful, nostalgic rock set.
Day Two of Jogjarockarta opened at 2:15 PM, with three bands performing: Bias, The Panturas, and Jakarta’s capital city punk band Marjinal.
At 5:00 PM, Infernal Lamentations took the stage, one of Indonesia’s dangerous Deathcore bands, a group featuring members from several Metal bands. After the crowd were smothered by Deathcore numbers, the next performers were Usman and The Blackstones (UATB) featuring Gugun Blues Shelter (GBS), two bands from different genres but with the same roots.
They performed socially critical songs about human rights and environmental issues. UATB’s rock music blended with GBS’s hard-hitting blues to convey a powerful message through blues rock at Jogjarockarta 2025.
Then it was the turn of Loudness to take the stage. This veteran Heavy Metal act are role models not only in Japan but also across Asia. MetalTalk Indonesia captured some pictures of Loudness backstage activities before they took the stage.
Loudness kicked off three fast numbers through Crazy Nights, Like Hell and Heavy Chains. The crowd immediately welcomed them with headbangs and singing along. Loudness are one of the bands that were eagerly awaited in Jogjarockarta, this was their first appearance in the central part of Java Island.
Loudness performed extraordinarily. Three-quarters of the lineup are over 64 years old, but they still looked in their prime, like they were still in their 30s.
It cannot be denied that Akira Takasaki, the guitarist, is the prima donna of this band, besides Minoru, with his high-pitched scream. Akira is one of the best shredder guitarists in the world. A total of eleven songs were performed by Loudness, which resulted in hysteria, headbanging and mass singing together.
This was a very popular set for Indonesian rockers and Metalheads who attended, who were thrilled by songs such as Crazy Doctor, This Lonely Heart, So Lonely, Metal Mad and S.D.I.
One of the unique things about Loudness in Jogjarockarta this time was the presence of Kaori, an extraordinary woman, a super fan of Loudness who is always present in the front row, almost wherever the band performs in the world. This was an epic set.
Before The Hu performed, the entire Rajawali Indonesia promotion team took to the stage for the Jogjarockarta ceremonial farewell to the audience. Then, The Hu appeared, a folk Metal band from Mongolia that have gone global, appearing at major metal festivals in the world.
The Hu were impressive, with a formula that combines Heavy Metal and traditional Mongolian music, using several traditional Mongolian instruments and a traditional touch to their stage outfits. They certainly attracted the attention of the crowd.
This was The Hu’s second appearance at Jogjarockarta, having previously performed at Jogjarockarta 2020 with Whitesnake and Scorpions. The Hu performed a total of eleven songs, including Upright Destined Mongol, The Same, Black Thunder, Wolf Totem, This is Mongol, an Iron Maiden cover of The Trooper, and the Jogjarockarta crowd favourite, Yuve Yuve Yu.
Around 10:35 PM, the highly anticipated finale of the Jogjarockarta 2025 Festival hit when Anthrax rocked Kridosono Stadium. This was Anthrax’s second visit to Indonesia, following their first in Jakarta in 2012, a 13-year wait for local Anthrax fans.
Anthrax immediately launched into action with A.I.R., followed by Caught In A Mosh and Madhouse. Anthrax delivered an engaging, wild, provocative, and ferocious performance, giving the crowd no chance to let down their cool.
Scott Ian never stops moving and always provokes the crowd to do crazy moshing and circle pit. Frank Bello can be said to not have a special spot on the stage. The entire surface of the stage is Frank Bello’s arena to move wildly and actively. He also did a rap session on the song I’m The Man.
Charlie Benante, one of the best Metal drummers in the world, as usual, appeared cool and prime. His attack on the drum set was always full of power, keeping the pace and tempo of Anthrax’s pulse, which was always beating fast.
Jonathan Donais, the youngest in the band, appeared very cool, devouring all the guitar solos of Anthrax songs with power. Joey Belladonna is one of the best Metal frontmen, very attractive to the crowd, often doing funny movements.
MetalTalk Indonesia had the chance to meet Joey the day before the show and discuss various things, some of which were about his Journey and Dio tribute band projects, where he is indeed a fan of Journey and Ronnie James Dio. He is quite serious about doing the two tribute projects in between his busy schedule with Anthrax, who will soon release a new album after their last album, For All Kings, in 2016.
Before Anthrax took the stage, a Jackson guitar was auctioned off by promoter Rajawali Indonesia. The guitar, signed by Scott Ian, was won by a female superfan of Anthrax, from Indonesia, named Nina. The proceeds from the auction will be fully donated to flood victims on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. The signed guitar was handed over directly by Scott Ian, accompanied by Anas Alimi, founder of Rajawali Indonesia.
In total, Anthrax performed fourteen songs on this historic night, in addition to the songs mentioned above, other songs were Metal Thrashing Mad, Fight ’em ‘Til You Can’t, Breathing Lightning, Keep it in the Family, Be All End All, Medusa, I am The Law, Antisocial, N.F.L and closed by Indians.
During the song Indians, there was a surprise as frontman Joey Belladonna wore a hand-woven headband with a Dayak motif from Kalimantan, Indonesia. The headband was a gift from MetalTalk Indonesia. Joey looked like a Dayak warrior from Indonesia, leading the war dance.
During the final song Indians, Scott Ian stopped the song and incited the crowd into even more frenzy, moshing, crowd surfing, creating a massive circle pit, and war dancing. This was an incredible classic Thrash Metal atmosphere. Everyone seemed to be rejoicing.
After Indians, Anthrax bid farewell and bowed to the crowd. They threw guitar picks and drumsticks, and Charlie Benante even prepared some signed drum snares for the crowd to throw to the audience.
The closing night of Jogjarockarta 2025 was special, a night that will never be forgotten, as it marked the final night of the Jogjarockarta Festival. This fact is a real sadness for many Indonesian rock and Metal fans, as well as those from neighbouring countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, who regularly attend Jogjarockarta.
MetalTalk Indonesia spoke to many, who said going to Jogjarockarta is not just about watching their favourite bands, having fun at the venue and then going home, but also as a reunion, gathering with other rock and Metal lovers from various cities in Indonesia and other countries who come to gather and chat.
This festival was always a celebration of the rock and Metal brotherhood, and all hope that this cool festival will return someday. MetalTalk would like to thank Anas Alimi and his team at Rajawali Indonesia for everything, Joey Belladona, Paul and Anthrax for All Access on the second day.
