Doomed Confessionary: Anjar (Ritus)
Photo credits: Misbachul Munir
Ritus is a progressive/sludge metal band hailing from Pandaan, Indonesia.
Zelos, Martius, Limos, and Moros – the symbolic Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse – have reemerged in a more aggressive and distorted incarnation. Now known as Ritus, this heavy/prog metal supergroup released their debut EP, »Ontran-Ontran«, on March 23rd, 2025 via Frekuensi Records.
That intensity isn’t accidental. Each member of Ritus brings serious pedigree from some of East Java’s most uncompromising underground acts, including Neurosesick, Strider, and Berbisa – names well-known among fans of aggressive music in and around Malang.
The EP’s title, »Ontran-Ontran«, is a Javanese term meaning uproar, chaos, or disorder – fitting for a release packed with sonic upheaval and sharp social commentary. The four tracks weave together elements of heavy metal, groove, sludge, and progressive rock.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
Ritus is a long-distance project band that was formed during the Covid-19 pandemic. It all started when I (Anjar – guitarist) posted a tweet expressing my desire to create a progressive metal band with a sound that blends elements of Mastodon and Tool. That tweet was responded to by Fajar (vocalist) via direct message.
At the time, I had already written two songs that would later become part of the »Ontran-Ontran« EP. We began communicating entirely online – I would send guitar riffs recorded on my phone, and Fajar would listen and give feedback from there. Initially, this was just a casual project – we simply wanted to record and release a few songs without any major expectations. As time went on, we felt the need to take things more seriously.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
One of the biggest challenges in creating Ritus was definitely the distance between band members. It’s extremely rare for all four of us to be able to jam together in person. On top of that, we all come from different professional backgrounds and have our own busy schedules.
Usually, when it comes to laying down the foundation of a song, it’s just me (Anjar) and Putra who go into the studio and work on ideas together. Coordinating full sessions with everyone involved has always been tough.
Another major challenge was when Fajar left the band – right after the entire recording and production process had been completed. That was a pretty heavy moment for us.
What can you be most proud of so far?
One thing we’re proud of is the release of our »Ontran-Ontran« EP, which is now available on all major music platforms. The release happened even after Fajar had already left the band, which made it a bittersweet milestone.
Despite that setback, Ritus has managed to survive and continue with the remaining members – and that alone feels like an achievement worth being proud of.
What was your biggest regret?
Our biggest regret was when Fajar left the band right after we had completed the production of our »Ontran-Ontran« EP. It was a tough moment, especially after putting so much energy into the process together.
Another regret is that we haven’t had many opportunities to perform live. Each of us has demanding day jobs, which makes scheduling difficult. Also, the kind of music we play is still quite new and uncommon in our local scene, so we’re still waiting for the right momentum – the right opportunities – to go on tour or do a proper showcase.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We haven’t played many shows yet – maybe twice a year at most – since not many people know about Ritus at this point. So honestly, there hasn’t been a show that really stood out to us in a big way so far.
But what we do enjoy the most is the time we spend after the gigs – drinking, talking, and joking around with friends. That part has always been memorable for us.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
The biggest surprise for us was probably Fajar leaving the band. It was something we didn’t really expect, especially after finishing the recording process for our EP. That moment definitely hit us hard.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Lately, I’ve been listening a lot to Mastodon – from their first album all the way through »Emperor Of Sand«. I also still keep a few tracks from Tool’s »10,000 Days« in my main playlist. And one album I never get tired of is »Hemispheres« by Rush – it’s progressive, rich in detail, and always manages to inspire me every time I listen to it.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Honestly, I haven’t really received any deep advice so far. But if I had to say something – maybe the most important thing is just… having money. It helps a lot in making things happen.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Maybe the kind of music that Ritus plays itself could be considered a guilty pleasure – at least for people in the scene where we come from. It’s not the usual sound you hear around here, so it often feels like we’re the odd ones out. But that’s part of the fun.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Pandaan?
The music scene in our city is doing quite well. We’ve been seeing more and more bands emerging lately, especially in the hardcore genre. There are also a few new organizers coming up – part of a younger generation who are starting to build their own momentum. It’s exciting to see things grow from the ground up.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We haven’t really planned any tours or shows at the moment, mainly because each of us is busy with our own work and personal schedules. But we do have an idea in mind – we’re thinking of putting together a small showcase called »Ontran-Ontran«, and inviting some of our friends’ bands to join and celebrate the chaos together. It’s still in the planning phase, but hopefully we can make it happen.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We’re planning to create our own showcase – »Ontran-Ontran« – and also play at a few shows if our friends invite us. Most of all, we’re really excited to work on a new release, especially now that we have a new vocalist who just joined Ritus. There’s a lot we want to explore together musically.
How can people best support your band?
The best way to support Ritus? It’s simple: listen to our music, buy our releases and merchandise, and share it with your friends. But what we appreciate the most is when people invite us to play – because on stage, that’s where all the energy and message we carry truly come to life.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Keep listening to Ritus, even if you think our music sounds weird.
We appreciate every single person who gives us their time – thank you for being curious and open.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well