KEKAL

If you're on KEKAL's page every now and then, you may notice there are 3 releases under "Recommended by Kekal". These are albums available on Bandcamp from underrated artists that are inspiring to Kekal in some ways or another. Let's check them out!

1. Coaltar Of The Deepers - Revenge of the Visitors
The long-awaited "new release" from Japan's best-kept-secret band COTD. This is a remake of their 1994 debut "The Visitors From Deepspace".
https://needlejuice.bandcamp.com/album/revenge-of-the-visitors?from=ritem-kekal

2. Die Kreuzen - October File
Influential album released in 1986 from a very influential, but also very underrated, U.S. punk band back in the 80s. If you like the Piggy-era Voivod, you need to listen to this!
https://diekreuzen.bandcamp.com/album/october-file?from=ritem-kekal

3. Hako Yamasaki - Tobimasu
Hako Yamasaki is a gifted singer-songwriter from Japan with songs & singing that can speak directly to your soul! Only a few in the world that are able to do that. This is her 1975 masterpiece debut album, recorded when she was only 18.
Thanks to this European indie label who re-released her first 2 albums in 2023 on Bandcamp, her music can now be discovered by many new fans outside Japan.
https://wrwtfww.com/album/tobimasu?from=ritem-kekal

Hako Yamasaki - Nawatobi (1986)
山崎ハコ - なわとび

Underrated album from Japanese folk singer-songwriter Hako Yamasaki. Simple and more relaxed material, with depth of melancholia in songs that can move/stir the soul. This was released at the time "city-pop" music became a trend in Japanese pop music scene, and felt almost like a resistance to that trend.

Some of the songs from the album

Kotoba:
https://youtu.be/tYh3-FsYgxI?si=x684R5nPC2lsvDsm

Yume Iro Densha:
https://youtu.be/P_b_2aUMneI?si=4mKLqe0p4qlsGG7g

Kimono:
https://youtu.be/915B_D0-2no?si=0C7svlkrFaoFPWIm

Sora E:
https://youtu.be/X_U7KFSMzzw?si=whlkmU4tXzQrK1nr

YouTube playlist of her selected songs from 1975 to 1990:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF7nn7YizG0KiOY0NfnRWZvAgSqEWPGJG

If you're interested in the physical format(s) of the 2023 re-issue version of Kekal's 1998 debut album "Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams", here are the links to get them online.

CD (limited edition) & Cassette Tape (very limited edition of 50 copies only!) are now available on Sadist Records Bandcamp page, sold individually or as a bundled package. Independent distributors can also contact the label directly via Bandcamp. 👇
https://sadistrecords.bandcamp.com/merch

Those who live in Indonesia can purchase the CD + Tape via Tokopedia (prices in IDR) 👇
https://www.tokopedia.com/search?st=&q=kekal%20beyond&srp_component_id=02.01.00.00

If you're into digital download, you can always get it on Kekal's Bandcamp, see below link. Price is to high? Don't worry. Just ask us via Bandcamp contact form to get a limited-time 50% discount code! 👇
https://kekal.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-the-glimpse-of-dreams

Check out the 30 - 45 sec clips of all songs from the album on IG Reel 👇
https://www.instagram.com/kekalofficial/reel/C1OMqtGq3Ci/

As the final post for the year 2023, here's the lyric presentation video of "Blessing In Disguise", song taken from Kekal's 5th album "Acidity" released originally in 2005. The audio here is from the 2021 re-mastered version.
Watch on IG Reel 👇
https://www.instagram.com/kekalofficial/reel/C1X37tUqrJ3/

"Acidity" is one of 6 Kekal full-length albums that can be downloaded for free on Bandcamp.
Visit 👇
www.kekal.org/download

Thank you for all your support!

Hako Yamasaki - Tobimasu (1975)
山崎ハコ - 飛・び・ま・す

Masterpiece 1975 debut from Japanese singer-songwriter Hako Yamasaki, then 18 years old. She has an extensive discography of excellent albums.

Bandcamp (2023 re-issue on European indie label): https://wereleasewhateverthef**kwewantrecords.bandcamp.com/album/tobimasu

YouTube full album streaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hboXXVfj24M

YouTube playlist of her selected songs from 1975 to 1990:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF7nn7YizG0KiOY0NfnRWZvAgSqEWPGJG

Copied here from Jeff's post:

On September 11, 3 B.C. sunset was at 6:18 pm and moonset at 7:39 pm. It was during this eighty-one minute period of time that Yeshua (known today as Jesus) was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, presently known as Palestine. The birth of Yeshua was never celebrated by the original early Christians in the first 3 centuries (before Roman empire's takeover).

What happened to the now so-called Christmas day on December 25? It was originally a festive season dedicated to Roman empire's Sol Invictus, a sun deity. It's the date of the Winter Solstice in the Julian calendar (pre-Gregorian Roman calendar we use today). The festive season is called Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, and itself a "re-branded" of another festive season called Saturnalia: a very dark Roman empire's festive season held during the winter solstice (incl. human sacrifices) between December 17 to 25. Saturnalia was held to honor the Roman deity called Saturn (where the name Satan which appears on early Christian & Essenes scriptures may point to the same entity).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol_Invictus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia

And what about Santa? It was based on medieval European folklore called Krampus, which isn't as cute (but as creepy) as the bearded fat old man in the shopping malls promoting consumerism. Contrary to the dogma, the person called Saint Nicholas never existed, not a historical figure, so Santa Claus is probably just a wordplay of Satan's Claws. Krampus has claws as below images suggest.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus

What was unleashed 25 Years ago is now re-visited on December 25th, 2023! Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams!

Kekal's 1998 debut album is now re-issued in its most updated forms. Check out the 30 - 45 sec clips of all songs from the album on IG Reel 👇
https://www.instagram.com/kekalofficial/reel/C1OMqtGq3Ci/

The 25th Anniversary Updated Edition of the album is now available on CD, Cassette Tape, and Digital Download. Special Edition T-Shirt and Longsleeves are also available. It has been entirely remastered for the second time in 2023 using the most up-to-date M/S (Mid/Side) digital processing to enhance the overall sound for better listening experience.

CD is a limited-edition, released by Indonesia-based extreme metal label Sadist Records and can now be purchased through their Bandcamp page: https://sadistrecords.bandcamp.com

T-Shirt as well as Longsleeves are being handled by Erase Store, and they also sell bundled options with CD and/or Cassette Tape.
For international orders, visit their website https://www.erasestore.com (prices in USD, PayPal accepted)
For orders within Indonesia, go to https://www.tokopedia.com/erasestoreofficial (prices in IDR)

Digital Download can be purchased through Kekal's Bandcamp page. Get 50% Off listed price until December 31, 2023 by entering the discount code: beyond2023
https://kekal.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-the-glimpse-of-dreams

Tell us how you feel about the album by leaving the comments here.

Albums that have influenced both Kekal as a band and the musicians involved, from the early formation until now. Let's explore!

"1000 Thoughts Of Violence" (Kekal's 4th full-length album originally released in 2003) is now 20 years! Watch/listen full lyrical presentation video of "Vox Diaboli" on Instagram Reel 👇
https://www.instagram.com/kekalofficial/reel/C05LvMJq8Yx/

"1000 Thoughts Of Violence" is KEKAL's most-selling album to date in terms of physical sales, with over 10,000 units combined (CD + cassette tape formats) both the original version as well as the 2017 re-mastered re-issue. Also, it is among Kekal albums that get the highest listeners' ratings on Rateyourmusic site.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/kekal/1000-thoughts-of-violence/

"1000 Thoughts Of Violence" is one of 6 Kekal full-length albums that can be downloaded for free on Bandcamp.
Visit 👇
www.kekal.org/download

Here's "For The Greater Good And Evil" from Kekal's 2008 album "Audible Minority" (the band's 7th full-length album).
The album features hand-drawn illustrations by Levi Sianturi.
Watch/listen on Instagram Reel 👇
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0rq9LDq9ox/

Notes from Jeff, in 2008 prior to the album release:
"Audible Minority" is a very difficult album for me, both technically as well as emotionally, because I had to use many different DAW programs, different places and different computers to record as well, even within one session/one song. There were lots of technical challenges and headaches (literal headaches). Emotionally, all those 'drifting' atmosphere made me feel like a nomad; taken-out-of-home and being exiled... To be honest, I don't see "Audible Minority" as a complete album, I see it as a continuing process, or as a bridge to the future unknown... It's like snapshots of certain moments within a dark journey, and the journey continues. All of the band members were having their own personal struggles in life when the songwriting started, and it continued as the music shaped itself. Most of the (limited) communications between me and other members at that time were never about discussing the music, but all about sharing our own problems. I had to deal with all the songwriting and recording on my own this time, because of the geographical reasons as I was moving to a different country. There were times I thought that it was impossible to finish the album myself, and even there were times I thought about quitting the band as I was not having a good time working on this album. All I felt was the overwhelming sorrow, but I could not stop doing it. Making music is the only therapeutic way, to ease myself from the pain. The main concept of "Audible Minority" is all about perseverance and facing the life itself. Musically, it turned out to be a very dark, low-key and introspective album ever made under the name of Kekal.

"Audible Minority" is one of 6 Kekal full-length albums that can be downloaded for free on Bandcamp.
Visit 👇
www.kekal.org/download

This is a full lyrical presentation of the song called "Hidden No More", another one from Kekal's 2020 album "Quantum Resolution". Watch/listen on Instagram Reel 👇
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0kmiFSqA_K/
"Hidden No More", in particular, is Jeff's personal favorite song from the album.

This is a full lyrical presentation of the song called "The Sleep System" from Kekal's 2020 album "Quantum Resolution".
Watch / listen on IG Reel 👇
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0crOvGK4dI/

"Quantum Resolution" is one of 6 Kekal full-length albums that can be downloaded for free on Bandcamp.
Visit 👇
https://www.kekal.org/download

Listen to Armageddon on IG Reel 👇
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0DEDYyqK6N/
Old song from Kekal's 1998 debut album Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams. Remastered digitally in March 2023 by Jeff Arwadi.

Written & performed by Kekal (1997-1998 line-up): Harry, Leo, Jeff, Azhar Levi.
Recorded & mixed in April 1997 on 16-track analog at Yaski Studios, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Feat. additional vocals by Julie.

Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams is now 25 years, it has been completely remastered in 2023 and will be re-issued in December. For more details, see the previous post here on FB:
https://www.facebook.com/kekalofficial/posts/pfbid0nVtQMBiYj6UayLSTE9PeY1w1BvsTnY2oHuyTUVpDyaEHbGgvZyPY5n61TQJLFkQzl

25 Years Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams!

Kekal's debut album Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams, originally released in 1998, is now 25 years!

We decided to work with other parties (Sadist Records & ERASE STORE) for the 25th Anniversary Edition items in the forms of CD, Cassette Tape, T-Shirt and Long-sleeves. Coming around mid December 2023. See series of images here in this post!

If you're in Indonesia or live in the regions near Indonesia (Asia, Australia, etc.), you can now pre-order T-Shirt or Long-sleeves of Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams from Erase Store based in Jakarta, Indonesia because it will save you a lot on the shipping cost. PayPal accepted for orders outside Indonesia.
Just go to 👇
www.erasestore.com (outside Indonesia, prices in USD)
www.tokopedia.com/erasestoreofficial (within Indonesia, prices in IDR)
Bundle options with CD and/or Cassette Tape are also available from the links above. Orders will be sent around mid-December 2023. Please don't contact Kekal regarding these items.

If you live in Europe or North/Central/South America and interested with the Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams T-Shirt, you can order from Kekal via TeeSpring (USA) to save the shipping cost. 👇
www.kekal.org/merchandise

2023 Updated Edition Re-mastered Re-issue CD and Cassette Tape of Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams will be released by Indonesian extreme metal label Sadist Records in December. They will be available for orders through the label's Bandcamp page: https://sadistrecords.bandcamp.com You can contact the label for more info. Distributors also can contact them directly for wholesale. Please don't contact Kekal regarding these items.

Digital download version will also be available in December on Kekal's Bandcamp page, and it will replace the current 2014 re-mastered version. Streaming on mainstream platforms will NOT be available for this album.

Stay tuned for more post about this!

If you just discovered (or re-discovered) Kekal recently, this is to inform that you can download 7 Kekal digital releases for free on Bandcamp (name-your-price), incl. 6 full-length albums!

Eternitarian (2023)
The Essential Kekal 1995—2022
Feat. 31 tracks taken from 13 full-length albums + 3 EPs
Almost 3 hours of music
https://kekal.bandcamp.com/album/eternitarian

1000 Thoughts of Violence (2003)
4th full-length album. Kekal's most-selling album to date.
2017 re-mastered version
https://kekal.bandcamp.com/album/1000-thoughts-of-violence

Acidity (2005)
5th full-length album. Kekal's 2nd most-selling album.
2021 re-mastered version
https://kekal.bandcamp.com/album/acidity

The Habit of Fire (2007)
6th full-length album. Kekal's 3rd most-selling album.
70+ minutes of epic concept album. Original master.
https://kekal.bandcamp.com/album/the-habit-of-fire

Audible Minority (2008)
7th full-length album.
2018 re-mastered version
https://kekal.bandcamp.com/album/audible-minority

Multilateral (2015)
10th full-length album.
Original master.
https://kekal.bandcamp.com/album/multilateral

Quantum Resolution (2020)
12th full-length album.
2023 re-mastered version.
https://kekal.bandcamp.com/album/quantum-resolution

Lyrical presentation of the song Conduit Of Light, from 2022 album Envisaged. Watch/listen to it on IG Reel 👇
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzhbZ8Eqqdn/

Just a bit of knowledge of sacred geometry here.

The so-called "Star of David" (which isn't originated from David - connecting that hexagram star to David is a pure propaganda/dogma bu****it) is actually the Star of Remphan which use can be traced back to the ancient Babylon empire. That hexagram pattern is actually comes from the Metatronic's Cube, which is the false-matrix holographic template, or the fallen / anti-Christic template of sacred geometry that laid the foundation for our current third-dimensional (3D) matrix of reality, or the fallen matrix. This geometric pattern is finite, or in energetic term called entropic upon fractalization (the fibonacci spiral). The more it fractalize from marco to micro or into smaller elements, the less "resolution" it becomes, just like a holographic film is being cut into smaller and smaller pieces. Each piece will still maintain the whole image in the hologram but in lower & lower resolution. So in other word, it is not sustainable, not eternal.

Our current reality matrix (the 3rd-dimensional reality) is based on this Metatronic template, the reason why in order to sustain itself, each component needs to take energy from each other (vampyric/predatorial), because it can't sustain energy from Source directly. This reflects to how living beings on this realm have to devour one another for the source of energy (such as food, etc.), and also there is the process of aging and dying.

This fallen matrix will very soon overlaid by the eternal Krystic/Christic template, which is the organic matrix template that is sustainable, and any holographic reality that follows this template will not need to take other life-forms as source of energy, because the pattern enables the so-called back-flow to and from source, no matter it is fractalized into smaller elements. It has the ability to perpetually self regenerate because it is constantly connected to the original Source where all life emerges from. This means the infinite life force energy from Source is flowing through these particles constantly without the need to take from others. Everything is given constantly from the infinite flow of abundance.

The Kryst code was deactivated from the human DNA a long time ago, during the humanity's fall. The evil one managed to hack it using the Metatronic false matrix template in place, but that is currently at the end of its reign on Earth as the Earth is currently in the process of ascension. The main reason why "those" who embody and worship this template tend to utilize maximum suffering of people (killing innocent lives, etc.) like crazy, because they need to feed-off or harvest human energy for their sustenance. That's how the satanic system works.

With the beginning of the Aquarian age (right now), the codes sent out through the light coming from the Sun, is giving us the information to return to our original Krystic template, in order to ascend to our Divine Self. Soon, as the false-matrix crumbles, we will return to the original template of creation, the eternal and organic Krystic template.

Watch the Official Lyric Video of "The Ascending Collective" 👇
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtZ9rftOGg4/

It has been more than one year now since the release of Kekal's latest album "Envisaged" in July 2022. There are 3 music + lyric videos from this album that have been published on YouTube, one of them is "The Ascending Collective". This lyric video is re-published on IG as an IG reel.

All info about the album (how to order CD + Cassette versions, digital download, etc.) are on Kekal website 👇
www.kekal.org/envisaged

28 Years KEKAL. Now we dive into the 2nd Kekal album "Embrace The Dead" (1999). Featured here is "Longing For Truth", the first track from the album. Listen to the song as IG Reel video here 👇
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cy6WjXNqzn2/

Despite of it being one of the band's listeners' favourite albums even until today, "Embrace The Dead" is known as one of the "difficult" albums from Kekal, plagued with technical issues during recording, up to various issues like a lack of promotion and distribution, and the so-called directional mistake the band took in choosing the music styles for the album that didn't quite reflect the band's inner core.

Excerpt from Jeff's own words:
"We were dealing with a few aspects during the songwriting and recording the album, in which I consider to be our least 'honest' album that we've recorded, because we wanted purposely to record a melodic album with typical black metal and power metal riffs and adding some gothic romanticism with the keyboards, but not because we really like the music styles, but more to get away from the shadow of "Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams", to appeal to a more 'normal' mainstream audience in metal. I thought that was a mistake, because the album then became less-Kekal in direction, but technically as well as the songwriting, it was a huge jump over "Beyond The Glimpse", and I like the guitar sounds. We used a 1969 Fender Bassman amp the studio had at that time. It sounds amazing. Let me set it straight: "Embrace The Dead" is a pretty good album from what it is, and it is still a solid Kekal album. The only problem was because everyone was confused... Music genres play the biggest role to "Embrace The Dead", and we talked about genres more than basic ideas or moods for the musical references, and started to listen to what's 'hot' in either mainstream melodic black/death metal and gothic metal music around that time, tried to incorporate all the interesting pieces from those genres with hope that more people will buy the album. That's what I call a mistake or misstep if you wanted to be honest with your music. Music is not like selling cupcakes, it should be based from the inside rather than from 'what's currently in'. Also, the recording session was very chaotic and disorganized, so everything just fell all over the place.

"Embrace The Dead", to me, is just another classic example of a new band in the late 90's with no money trying to record a self-produced album, independently. It was a year before we actually used our computer to record the music digitally, so we had to rent a studio to record the album using analog tape. It was started with almost no budget, we entered the studio in February 1999, and right from the first hour there were problems with the 16-track analog tape recorder. It was working at unstable speed that resulted with constant changes to the tune and pitch of the recorded instruments. After hours of putting down guitar tracks and hearing the terrible results, almost frustrated, we gave up and quit recording that day, as the machine needed some rest. Due to the lack of steady budget, we couldn't even book the studio beforehand. We had to use the studio during off-time sessions between the other customers' booked days of recording sessions. Like when they already finished their recording sessions before their final reserved days, they would leave some time off, and that was the time we should enter the studio! Not only we had to be ready with all things, we made a total uncontrolled chaos in production and sound settings as well. You can figure out how many sound engineers we used, and we needed almost 7 months to complete the album, that's because we only used the studio no more than 6 hours per week!! Imagine that we needed to set the mixer and sound settings every time we entered the studio, and chased by time to record our tracks in few hours.. We even left some small mistakes on the tape!"

This is a recap about the latest album from Kekal: Envisaged (2022).

Envisaged is the 13th full-length album from Kekal, with over 50 minutes of playing time. While it is not 'technically' a metal album by current standards (it goes beyond genre classifications), it is a 100% Kekal in terms of how the music is being presented and the energy contained within the music.

Envisaged is a unique album because it was composed during the recording process, and all the lyrics of the songs were written first before the music. The album is accompanied by a behind-the-lyrics written discourse called Recalibrating Destiny, a 120+ pages eBook document published separately in mobile-friendly PDF format.

All info can be found at 👇
www.kekal.org/envisaged

The album was released in July 2022 and is available in digital download, streaming, as well as physical CD and cassette tape formats. Merchandise related to the album is also available.

If you live in Indonesia, you can get the CD and/or cassette tape versions of the album through Tokopedia.
https://www.tokopedia.com/search?st=product&q=kekal%20envisaged

See the series of images related to the album here.

Eternitarian best-of compilation has recently been updated with the 2023 re-mastered versions of 6 songs from these 3 albums below, replacing the earlier masters:
Rotting Youth, Armageddon - from Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams (1998)
Mean Attraction, The Painful Experience - from The Painful Experience (2001)
Speed of God, Revealment - from Deeper Underground (2018)

The sound/audio quality of the 2023 re-mastered versions is better (more balanced & less-harsh) than the earlier masters.

If you have downloaded the compilation earlier this year (released in March 2023), you may want to re-download it again now on Bandcamp. It's a name-your-price download, meaning free-download is available. Visit 👇
https://www.kekal.org/eternitarian

Eternitarian: The Essential Kekal 1995—2022
31 Tracks. Almost 3 hours of music spanning 27 years of the band's entire discography.
Download incl. 12-page digital booklet in PDF format.

Thank You!

REPOST: To anyone new to the band or interested in knowing more details about KEKAL, we'd recommend to read the interview with Metal Storm. It was done in 2020, but it's still relevant to this date, and to be honest, it is still one of the most in-depth, uncensored, unedited interviews regarding Kekal that's being published online so far.
Click the link below. 👇
https://metalstorm.net/pub/interview.php?interview_id=814

T-Shirt of 25th Anniversary edition "Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams" is now available!

The 2023 re-mastered re-issue of the album itself will be released in December this year, both on CD and digital download formats. But while you're waiting for it, you can order the T-Shirt now and even wear it before the release date (or make this the coolest halloween costume).

This T-shirt is a DTG (direct-to-garment) print, and made to order by TeeSpring, based in USA. All orders are also handled by TeeSpring.

To order the T-shirt, visit:
https://my-store-be98f7.creator-spring.com/listing/beyond-the-glimpse-of-dreams?product=46&variation=2742&size=425
Many sizes available.

Perhatian merchandiser Indonesia: Silakan menghubungi Kekal (email [email protected], jangan DM disini) jika berminat memproduksi T-shirt desain ini untuk dijual di Indonesia.

Dear friends,
We are pleased to inform you that we have already released Metallurg Music Magazine + CD Compilation.
Shipping: worldwide
Order: [email protected]
https://metallurg.bandcamp.com/merch/metallurg-music-magazine-cd-compilation

Interviews, reviews, articles, adverts + CD Compilation:
1914 Agathodaimon The Original Emissary Shroud of Bereavement
Beltfed Weapon Blood of Angels Lord of Horns UNZANE Fan club Divinist Band Marshall Beck Reign of Vengeance TTK Lenax CONVICTORS Premortal Breath Villes Ardentes Nihilo Minneriket W't'M - Italien / Danish Rock - Metal KEKAL Botolph Dissidents Tempest Rising (Official) Rage Unfold Arkayic Revolt PORAZIUM Death Pigeon DareWolf Fallen Outcast Noisecide GO Design Studio Diana Bastet Thy Despair HELL:ON Mental Torment Black-Roos Entertainment
WillowSoul productions Debemur Morti Productions MEGA METAL MANIACS Agata Paweł Grabowscy Maria Tymoshenko Jakub Szczęsny Czarnecki and more

28 Years Kekal! Today we dive back to the early years of Kekal. Featured here is "The Day The Hatred Dies" from the 1998 debut album "Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams", the album that was recorded in 1997 and the only album that features original vocalist Harry with his distinct voice.
Listen to the song as IG Reel video here 👇
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx0mkRdqvTM/

Most of the material from "Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams" was written back in 1995 and 1996 during the demo period of the band, where Kekal shaped themselves to find their own music style, by combining punk-influenced 80s extreme metal such as Bathory with the dual-guitar melodic approaches from Iron Maiden & Judas Priest, and combined with the slow tempos of doom metal from bands such as Trouble (which also directly influenced Kekal lyrically in the early years). Guitarist Leo joined in 1996 and brought his personal influences from mainstream american thrash and psychedelic rock as well. Jeff also brought in his own interest in gothic and darkwave music at that time which made "Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams" a quite diverse album.

Original versions of "Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams" CD and cassette tape sold for 5000 copies within 4 years - and reached Europe, North + South America and of course Asia, aided by only underground distros & mail-orders with the help of underground fanzines covering the band. The album was completely sold-out for over 10 years (some used copies of original CD were listed on eBay for around $70 at some time) up until the year 2014 where it was digitally re-mastered and re-issued on CD with the new artwork, as well as started being offered digitally on Bandcamp. This album is not (and will not be) available on major streaming services like Spotify, etc.

"Beyond The Glimpse of Dreams" is now 25 years, and the 25th Anniversary edition re-issue will be released by the end of 2023. Stay tuned!

28 Years Kekal! Today, we highlight the song "Characteristicon": the first track from the band's 5th album "Acidity" (2005).
Watch it as IG Reel here 👇
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cxgm8ikqiuG/

"Acidity" is Kekal's 2nd most-selling album (after "1000 Thoughts of Violence") with around 7000 physical copies sold worldwide (CD + cassette tape formats combined), plus over 2000 legal downloads from Bandcamp (set as a free/name-your-price), and it is also one of the 'most-loved' albums from Kekal. The album currently has the highest listeners' ratings compared to other Kekal releases on Rateyourmusic site, even topping other listeners favorites such as "1000 Thoughts of Violence", "Embrace The Dead" & "The Habit of Fire" albums.

Many of the songs that were chosen for "Acidity" were actually written and demoed years before, even one as early as in 1996 ("Blessing in Disguise"), and some riffs and sections were taken from Jeff's previous band (Inner Warfare) back in 1994 ("Thy Neighbor's Morality" & "The Way of Thinking Beyond Comprehension") before he joined Kekal.

This version of the song "Characteristicon" is the original mix, released in Indonesian market on March 2005. There's also a different version with harsh vocals delivering the verse sections (as opposed to melodic clean vocals on this one) that appears on the European version (Fear Dark label release, June 2005), because the label wanted more brutal and punishing extreme-metal presentation for the album opener.
"Characteristicon" also features 3 guitarists playing solos:
01:51 (intro solo) - Jeff
03:04 (interlude solo) - Didi Priyadi
04:28 (main solos #1) - Jeff
04:40 (main solos #2) - Leo

"Acidity" was recently remastered in 2021 with enhanced audio, and published digitally on Bandcamp with 2 hidden bonus tracks (cover tunes of Voivod and Celtic Frost), although it wasn't being re-issued physically. https://kekal.bandcamp.com/album/acidity