Indonesia’s hardcore underground has been on an incredible run in recent years, but one release I've had in repeat mode is Nightmare Streaming Station by the Medan band Pleasure and Pain. The album actually dropped last year, but after diving deeper into it over the past few weeks, I haven’t been able to stop listening.
What initially grabbed me was the band’s ability to balance metallic hardcore aggression with a bouncy, ’90s-hardcore flavor. The vocals especially stand out—high-pitched, unhinged screeching that immediately brought bands like Kickback to mind. My personal favorite track so far is “Ghira,” which perfectly captures the ugly intensity and chaotic energy that makes the record hit so hard.
Pleazure and Pain’s current lineup features members of several notable Medan bands, including Lasting Power, Somebody Fool, Chamber, Saint Ali, Martyr, and No One Cares. According to the band, those different backgrounds have heavily shaped the project’s sound and chemistry.
“Having everyone bring their own experiences from these different bands has really shaped our current dynamic,” guitarist Dolly explained in an email exchange with No Echo a few days ago.
Earlier Pleazure and Pain material leaned more heavily on thrash metal influences, inspired by bands like Megadeth, but Pleasure and Pain have increasingly shifted toward something darker and more hardcore-driven.
“Lately, we’ve been exploring a much heavier, grittier sound, leaning deep into the raw energy of ’90s hardcore bands like Death Threat,” said Dolly. “It’s a mix of metallic aggression and straight-up hardcore groove.”
That evolution comes fully into focus on Nightmare Streaming Station, which the band views as a major creative turning point. “It’s a huge step forward for us both sonically and conceptually,” Dolly explained. “Compared to our older material, this album captures a darker, more intense atmosphere while keeping the heavy energy alive.”
And they’re already planning to push things even further. “We’re aiming for a very bold, massive sound this time around,” Dolly said of their current writing sessions. “We are also experimenting with the vocal delivery, so it’s going to sound a bit different and more aggressive compared to our previous albums.”
Just as importantly, Pleazure and Pain want more eyes on Medan’s thriving underground. They specifically shouted out Lasting Power, Somebody Fool, Social Fact, Chamber, and No One Cares as bands deserving international attention.
“Our local scene has so much talent that the world needs to hear,” Dolly proudly stated.
After spending serious time with Nightmare Streaming Station, it’s hard to disagree.
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Pleazure and Pain on social media: Instagram
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