The surfers see him coming in the distance and take heed behind a burning bonfire on the beach. The skaters feel a rumble, hop off their boards, get onto their motorcycles and start to book it. The one-eyed sludge monster Cyclops have been lurching around the island of Bali for the past number of years, but there’s no need to run for this monster brings the gift of sludge to the tropical paradise.
Starting in 2016, Cyclops are one of the few bands practicing the art of slow, doomy heavy metal on the island. They released their first record the next year and have built up a steady band of followers since, which led them to be able to open for Eyehategod during their 2019 Bali stop. I spoke with drummer Gungyoga about the state of sludge in Bali.
Cyclops started in 2016. Tell me how it all happened!
Yes, Cyclops started around mid 2016. At that time, Black FR (guitar/vocal) and myself were high school mates sitting together in class talking about music and soon decided to make a stoner/doom band. Then we started jamming in the studio with our former bassist, played our first gig in June 2016, and made our first album, The Worship, in August 2017. In 2020, we recruited Yande Astika to play bass in Cyclops.
I came across a type of Leyak in Bali mythology which has one eye. Did the band take its name from this supernatural demon?
Ah the name—Back then, we searched about goddess, demon, or whatever names. The name “Cyclops” just came up. We thought the name Cyclops was interesting because in Yunani mythology there are three Cyclops: Brontes, Steropes, and Arges. There are three people in the band, so it resembled this trio.
How is the stoner/doom/sludge scene in Bali? I have come across a few bands—Mound, Shankar and yourselves. Are there many fans into this style there?
In Bali, especially in Denpasar, doom/stoner metal was a big scene around 2017 and 2018, and then new music genres came up, so it fell in popularity. But we still play doom anyway. Whenever we play in Jakarta, there are many more fans compared to when we play in Bali.
Who are Cyclops’ main influences?
Cyclops’ influences are not only doom/stoner/sludge bands —We are also influenced by hardcore punk bands like Doom, Disrupt, Baptists etc. Our main influence was Eyehategod, and a big moment for us was having a gig together with them!
The song “Dozer” is one heavy motherfucker. What is it about?
“Dozer” is talking about Black FR —He likes to “doze” our friends with alcohol or something else (laughs).
You have a song called “A.C.A.B.” Are the cops in Bali bigger bastards than ones in other places?
We think cops are bastards in every country.
You performed a set for Pelatar Live, who I discovered through BLCKHWK, who also played there. How is this experience? The quality is great, but no audience?
Yes, we glad to be able to play in Pelatar Live. There is no audience there because it’s a taped show, and the place is small and private. We enjoyed playing there.
I went to Bali once a few years ago and noticed a big skateboarding and surfing community. Do any of you do these activities in your free time?
Black FR and myself skateboarded together in high school. I grew up in the skateboarding scene in Bali. Black FR also surfs sometimes.
Tell me about Skullism Records.
Skullism Records is a small, independent records label in Denpasar that I founded. Skullism is trying to accommodate local underground bands, especially in Denpasar. Skullism was made with the premise of friendship—we help each other here.
“Dozer” is your latest song—What other topics do you have in store for your next full-length album?
We still have no idea about the next LP, but we already made two new songs and there’s more to go!
What are your aspirations for the band—Where do you want to play, and with whom?
We hope we can be in this band forever. We want to keep going. Play with EHG in New Orleans, maybe?
Follow Cyclops on Instagram.
Photo courtesy of Cyclops
