Founder Tuska Metal Fest Mengenang Robin ‘Noxa’ Hutagaol

Founder Tuska Metal Fest Mengenang Robin ‘Noxa’ Hutagaol

Oleh Wenz Rawk

Tahun 2009 ini kami para editor Rolling Stone Indonesia untuk ke-4 kalinya selama eksistensi majalah ini di tanahair kembali memilih tokoh-tokoh atau entitas kreatif yang memiliki pengaruh sangat besar dan menjadi buah bibir masyarakat selama setahun belakangan ini.

Salah satu trofi penghargaan Rolling Stone Editors’ Choice Award 2009 ini untuk pertama kalinya akan jatuh ke seorang legenda baru musik metal tanahair yang telah meninggal dunia, namanya Robin Hutagaol (RIP).

Robin memang telah mati namun kami berharap geliat spirit dan dedikasinya terhadap musik cadas khususnya mampu memberi inspirasi bagi generasi metal selanjutnya. For those about to rock we salute you!

Sudah cukup banyak kami membahas kontribusi serta dedikasi Robin bagi perkembangan dan kemajuan scene metal di tanahair, sepertinya kini saat yang tepat bagi kita untuk duduk mendengar secara seksama apa komentar orang luar nun jauh di belahan dunia sana tentang kiprah almarhum Robin.

Dan orang itu adalah Tony Taleva asal Helsinki, Finlandia, negara yang belakangan cukup sering dikunjungi oleh almarhum ketika traveling keliling dunia dengan backpacknya. Orang ini boleh dibilang setara dengan Thomas Jensen, founder Wacken Open Air, Jerman.

Melalui Facebook saya mewawancarai Tony Taleva, penggagas sekaligus promotor Tuska Metal Fest asal Finlandia. Tuska merupakan sebuah festival metal terbesar dan tersukses di kawasan Skandinavia yang digelar sejak 1998 dan telah disaksikan total 1 juta penonton sejak pertama kali digelar. Venom, Testament, Slayer, Bruce Dickinson, Dimmu Borgir, Kreator, W.A.S.P, Children Of Bodom, Soulfly adalah sebagian nama besar yang pernah sukses tampil di sana.

Pertengahan tahun 2008 lalu, tanpa ada publikasi, sebuah band grindcore dari negeri antahberantah dunia ketiga tiba-tiba bisa tampil di Helsinki dan mendapat perhatian yang sangat besar dari publik metal di Skandinavia. They’re Noxa. Saat itu sebagian artis-artis besar Indonesia sedang sibuk berkoar-koar di depan infotainment tentang sukses “go international” yang ternyata hanya sekadar diundang manggung di luar negeri oleh WNI dan penontonnya WNI juga.

Kenyataannya, band kecil bawah tanah yang bahkan tidak terkenal sama sekali di dalam negeri seperti Noxa ini malah benar-benar mengharumkan nama bangsa dan negara. Mereka ternyata memiliki fanbase sangat besar di kawasan Skandinavia sana dan terbukti dengan, mengutip Tony Taleva, hadirnya 9.000 massa penonton untuk menyaksikan Noxa manggung! Hebatnya lagi seperti diakui oleh anggota Noxa yang lain, semuanya itu sebagian besar adalah berkat lobi-lobi intensif dan kerja keras almarhum Robin.

Awalnya saya mewawancara Tony sebagai bahan artikel tentang Robin Hutagaol yang saya tulis bagi edisi ulang tahun Rolling Stone bersampul God Bless. Namun karena kesibukan dan banyaknya message yang masuk Tony mengaku tidak sempat membalasnya dalam waktu cepat. Ia dengan rendah hati memohon maaf karena berkat telatnya jawaban maka saya urung memasukkannya ke dalam artikel yang dimaksud.

Berikut ini saya share hasil wawancara saya dengan Tony Taleva yang juga merupakan founder dari Stay Heavy Records, indie label musik cadas yang menjadi rumah baru bagi Noxa.

1) When did you first met Robin Noxa? What was your first impression about him?

I met Robin at Tuska Festival several years a go when he is hangin there. We met our Stay Heavy Record store tent & he gives me a Noxa’s first selftitled album to listening.

He was warmful, laughs alot & sharp!

2) What makes you believe to give a totally unknown band like Noxa a slot in Tuska Metalfest and a record deal with Stay Heavy?

Honest I have to say first one thing. I'm loyal to underground music & I try to support good & interesting acts always as much I can with my knowledge & heart.

2nd, I just feel samekinda "soulmate" with Robin when I met him first time. Robin stands solid on the ground & was very realistic about music scene etc. And most of all Robin have big & understanding heart for this music scene. So when you hear oldschool grindcore with amazing attitude, you can’t turn your back for that kinda thing.

Me & Tero (other member from Stay Heavy Records, we just came to Noxa fan immediately. We thinking how we can bring Noxa to Tuska. The last nail to coffin came when Robin came once again to Tuska Festival & we sit down & talk things about music/touring/business/etc. and chance to play a Tuska someday.

In that one hour sesssion I have an idea to re-release Noxa’s Grind Viruses in Finland & perhaps bring the band to play at Tuska (that was summer 2007). So we have straight talking line to Robin and then things start rollin forward. Robin & i have common friend who start kickin things to forward too.

Actually we (Tero& I) didn't know how & where we can start bring the band to Finland next year (2008) Tuska festival. One by one problems solved. Of course without Noxa’s own effort & personal loans that whole thing might be never happened. 'cause its a suicide bring the band what no ones know to play at Finland.

3) Do the crowd there love their performance at Tuska?

That was amazing! We get Noxa's Grind Viruses (re-release) from CD factory 2 days before the Tuska.

When Tuska starts there’s lots of youngsters who buy Noxa CD! We were like, what the fuck? People digs Noxa! When they play in the tent was over 5000 people inside & outside the tent approx. 3000-4000 people more! It was blast!! So 8000-9000 people are pretty good for band from out of nowhere!!

There are watching & dig Noxa even NHL hockey players, Finnish celebs from TV/Radio/Mags etc! There's in the crowd 4 (four) moshpits & I have to say i haven't seen anything like that in my life. Great Show! Very intense & fun show!!

4) How do you remember Robin Noxa now?

It was shock when I heard Robins death in January.
I remember Robin very stands own feet guy with huge heart & lots of courage to do what he wanna do.

I have to say this, most important thing what people needs nowadays :
- Courage to do own things.
- You Need Big Heart to help another people.
- Respect Yourself & Friends.
- Share knowledge with people.
- Stay Humble even days when people try to put you down the gutter.
- And most of all: Never Surrender!!!

I think Robin have all those things which is very rare thing among people these days!! Robin's death is a big shame to world. I hope that Robin had a chance to enjoy life as much as he can. He is always on my mind. Even he died I think he wins anyway.

From your perspective, what is the biggest legacy from him?

I hope his legacy to Indonesian metal/punk/hc scene is huge and still continue even when he is dead.

Only what I have to say for the scene is:
Remember Robin & most of all, if you dont try, you can’t win!
Only years work, sweat, blood & respect is real cure to save scene and keep it alive & true.

Robin's style to do honest things break down the walls, I saw that in Finland summer 2008. Even now I see youngsters wearing Noxa shirts & speak about Tuska gigs. Robin & Noxa create something unique in those 3 gigs in Finland.

Hopefully Robin's dead bring out to scene 10 Robins more who have talent & courage to do same job!

6) Any chance for other Indonesian extreme bands to take part in Tuska Metalfest? How hard is the audition?

It depends which kinda bands are available & how D.I.Y they are.
I Dont see why not, but have to bee realistic. Flying tickets, accommodation, food costs money.

If someone are REAL interesting to play here they have to take loan & buy own fly tickets to Europe. I think there better way to try to book many gigs as you can around Europe. Like summer vacation with the band touring all over Europe & Scandinavia.

7) Any story to share for the Tuska Metal Fest 2009?
One of my many hopes & dreams come true this summer at Tuska Festival. My youth saviour SUICIDAL TENDENCIES playing at TUSKA, Finally!!!! I create Tuska Festival back in the days at I can see my own festival Suicidal & now it happens!!

OK, that's all for now, hope to hear a reply from you soon, Wenz.

Tony Taleva, founder Tuska Metal Fest & Stay Heavy Records