The festival took place on May 2 and May 3 at the Nusantara International Convention Exhibition (NICE) at PIK 2 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Celebrating its 10th anniversary edition, Hammersonic Festival 2026 featured SOG for the first time, with the band comprising Raja Nazrin Shah on vocals, lead guitar, and flute; Raja Nazmin Shah on drums; and Buck Hakimi on bass.
SOG gained widespread online attention after clips of their Day One performance circulated on social media, including a widely shared video posted by Indonesia’s heavy metal platform Paling Berisik on Instagram. The clip featured a standout moment during their performance of “Kudrat,” when the band’s sound engineer joined in vocally from his technical station, intensifying the live experience.
The sound engineer was identified as Amirul Hazmie, who is also the frontman of Malaysian modern rock band Nemesys. His participation became a focal point of the viral moment, reinforcing SOG’s performance identity rooted in close collaboration between crew and artists.
“We are a band that believes in taking care of our own. Our crew are our friends, and we live like a family — sharing the work, the home and the rewards. It is that all-for-one brotherhood that keeps the energy high and the bond real,” said Raja Nazrin Shah.
Nazrin confirmed that this was not the first instance of such collaborative stage participation, noting previous appearances at Baybeats 2025 in Singapore and Rock The World 2023. He added that Amirul Hazmie had previously joined performances of “Kudrat” at earlier shows, but the Hammersonic appearance gained unexpected viral traction due to his vocal performance quality.
“It went viral because Amirul’s voice is on another level. If he could not sing, this would not work, but he delivered. He is a skilled engineer, a powerful vocalist, and a great friend,” Nazrin stated.
Beyond the performance itself, Nazrin highlighted significant differences in production systems between Hammersonic Festival and events in Malaysia. He noted the absence of traditional physical soundchecks, replaced instead by a “plug-and-play” model.
“We still rely heavily on physical soundchecks, whereas there they do not do them at all. You get on stage and you play,” he said.
The festival implemented a silent stage configuration supported by digital modelers, In-Ear Monitor systems for personalized audio delivery, and automation software such as Ableton Live to manage backing tracks and transitions. This system enabled rapid stage transitions within a 30-minute window, during which no soundchecks were permitted and the first played note served as the official live sound.
“Even as the biggest metal festival in South-East Asia, with global acts performing together, everyone from SOG to headliners is treated equally,” Nazrin said.
He further explained that the system minimized equipment usage, eliminated traditional amplifiers, and relied on pre-programmed performance presets prepared in advance. SOG has reportedly utilized this system for years, although Nazrin noted resistance to its adoption in some local environments.
Nazrin also referenced past logistical challenges involving traditional setups, including a festival where the band waited three days for a soundcheck that was repeatedly delayed due to rain and power outages. He emphasized the need for modernized technical approaches across the live music industry.
“We need to stop these bad habits and embrace modern technology. This is not just for bands; the entire crew and engineers need this expertise so we are not left behind,” he said.
Despite its successful execution, Hammersonic Festival 2026: Decade of Dominion faced major disruptions following a lineup crisis. Several international acts, including headline artist My Chemical Romance, withdrew from the event. Other withdrawals included New Found Glory, The Story So Far, and The Haunted, reportedly due to global geopolitical disruptions affecting flight schedules.
In response, organizers Ravel Entertainment introduced replacement acts including The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Senses Fail, Lich King, and Dashboard Confessional.
According to Indonesian media reports, the lineup disruption led to refunds being issued to attendees and a revised “private festival” format, where entry was restricted to invitation-only access. Ticket pricing was also adjusted from Rp1,099,000 (approximately RM246) to Rp550,000 (approximately RM123) for a two-day pass, while early-bird ticket holders were granted entry for two individuals using a single ticket.
Since its establishment in 2012, Hammersonic Festival has grown into the largest heavy metal festival in South-East Asia, hosting globally renowned acts including Slipknot, Megadeth, and Lamb of God.
Following the 2026 edition’s operational and lineup challenges, festival founder Ravel Junardy issued a public apology via Instagram and confirmed the festival’s return for future editions.
The event underscored both the evolving technological transformation of live heavy music production and the volatility of large-scale international festival logistics in a rapidly changing global environment.
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