Rotor

Rotor is an Indonesian thrash metal group from Jakarta, active from 1991 to 2014. The band is known for technical thrash metal and for becoming one of the first Indonesian thrash metal acts to release an album through a major label.

History

Rotor forms in 1991 and builds a reputation in Indonesia’s metal scene through its live shows and recordings. The group opens Metallica’s concerts on two consecutive days at Stadium Lebak Bulus, a period that leads to wider attention for the band. After those shows, Rotor releases Behind the 8th Ball, its debut album and the first thrash metal album released by a major label in Indonesia.

The band then travels to the United States to promote the album, following encouragement from Metallica’s tour manager and the payment it receives for the Metallica support slots. Rotor records four full-length albums in total: Behind the 8th Ball, Eleven Keys, New Blood, and Menang.

After the death of the bassist, the group splits up. In 2010, Irfan Sembiring announces that Rotor will perform and record again under the alias IRS, short for Irfan Rotor Sembiring. A remastered CD also appears, collecting the band’s four full-length records across two discs.

Discography

Albums

Behind the 8th Ball (1992)
Eleven Keys (1995)
New Blood (1996)
Menang (1997)
Remastered (2010)

Tribute album

A Tribute to Rotor (2002)