Posted on

Out Now: Tumenggung – Back on the Streets

Imagine being given a time machine by the higher entities—those we can only assume blessed the world with the existence of heavy metal. Now, this time machine takes you back to the early to mid-80s, where metal was an experimental genre in the UK and Sweden, a melting pot of sounds and influences. But instead of Europe, take the scene you find there and place it in modern-day Indonesia. Think of bands like Judas PriestThundersteel-era Riot, maybe even a touch of DokkenLizzy Borden and also of modern day bands like Ambush and RAM —combine their essence, stir in some Indonesian spirit, and you’ve got Tumenggung’s unmistakable style. The group’s new album Back on the Streets, set to release in January 2025, is a collection of everything an 80s metal heart could long for. From headbanging riffs to sing-along choruses, melodic song structures, and pit-opening anthems, Tumenggung delivers with force. They may draw clear inspiration from their 80s metal predecessors, but their unique sound is what truly makes them stand out.

Having started as a quartet back in 2007, Tumenggung has since slimmed down to a power trio, and their upcoming album shows a band that has matured musically. They’ve grown beyond the subgenre they were founded upon, noticeably adding dynamics and delving more into the raw energy of heavy metal, but still embracing their influences while crafting something uniquely their own. Back on the Streets showcases the band’s melodic side like never before with guitar leads right out of the 80s metal dream. Its analogue recording style gives the riffs and raw, unpolished vocals an organic, visceral edge. The 9 tracks on the album are bound to surprise you, taking you from soulful melodies to the kind of thrashing speed metal that gets your adrenaline pumping.

Fans of Judas PriestRiot, RAM and anyone with a love for authentic, unfiltered 80s metal will find Tumenggung’s latest work a journey worth taking. Back on the Streets is out now!

Posted on

Happy New Year!

Anno 2024 has come to an end, and what a year it was! The furnaces in the Jawbreaker factory have been burning hot while the goblins have been working day and night at the forges to produce no less than 7 LPs, 6 CDs, a whooping 19 tapes, and our first two 7″ singles. And since Jawbreaker Records was founded in December 2014, this now means that the label has been active for 10 years! Wow, time flies!

Below you’ll find the full list of this year’s releases. Which one is your favourite?

  • Midnatt / Overture – Swedish Metal I (LP)*
  • Command – Resver (LP/CD/MC)
  • Writhen Hilt – Ancient Sword Cult (LP/CD/MC)
  • Amethyst – Rock Knights “Black Knights Edition” (LP/MC)
  • Mechanic Tyrants – St. Diemen Riots (LP/CD/MC)
  • Speedrush – Division Mortality (LP/CD/MC)
  • Disarray – Religious Disease (LP/CD/MC)
  • Dunwich Ritual – The Weird Tapes Sessions (CD/MC)
  • Trastorned – Into the Void (MC)
  • Templar – Black Knight (MC)
  • Kontact – Full Contact (MC)
  • Meurtrier – Le Visage Du Mal (MC)
  • Iron Curtain – Savage Dawn (MC)
  • Tröjan – Chasing the Storm (MC)
  • Manace – Mischievous Dreams (MC)
  • Mindless Sinner – The New Messiah (MC)
  • Mindless Sinner – Keeping it True (MC)
  • Mindless Sinner – Poltergeist (MC)
  • Sinner Rage – Chained by Night / Power Strike (MC)**
  • Writhen Hilt – The Iron Sparrow (MC)
  • Eaglewing – Eaglewing (7″)***
  • Templar – Treacherous Beast (7″)

* Co-release with Gates of Hell.
** Co-release with several underground labels.
*** Co-release with King Volume Records.

A big thanks to all the bands, all our loyal customers, and to our amazing business partners who have supported us during the year. Together we keep the flame of underground metal alive! Now onwards into 2025, Jawbreakers, glory awaits!