Heavy metal music has a home in Indonesia

Indonesian heavy metal band Sisi Selatan performed songs about love and social activism. (Dave Grunebaum/VOA) Pri Ario Damar, dean of the performing arts faculty at the Jakarta Institute of Arts. (Dave Grunebaum/VOA) During the six pm prayer break, these fans simultaneously show their Muslim faith and passion for heavy metal music. (Dave Grunebaum/VOA) Indonesian singer and song writer Denisa Dhaniswara performs at Hammersonic, Southeast Asia’s biggest annual heavy metal music festival. (Dave Grunebaum/VOA)

The sounds from guitars strumming and drums beating sears through the air. Crowds dance in circles while thumping their heads back and forth.