Scoring: Journal of Film Music
Vol 4, No 1 (2026): Scoring

The Resonance of Saluang Sirompak in Deathcore: A Fantasy Composition that Bridges Minangkabau Magical Tradition and Contemporary Extreme Music

Muhammad Fadlan (ISI Padangpanjang)
Ibnusina Ibnusina (Unknown)
Weldi Syaputra (Unknown)
Yasril Adha (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
03 Jul 2026

Abstract

The Sirompak tradition from Minangkabau, West Sumatra, is a distinctive magical ritual that integrates mantra poetry with saluang (bamboo flute) music, historically used to influence individuals in romantic disputes. Despite its transformation from a magical practice to a performing art, the tradition faces critical sustainability challenges due to the decline in practitioners and the lack of youth engagement. However, Sirompak's distinctive musical characteristics hexatonic scales, repetitive chants, emotionally intense melodies show significant potential for contemporary compositional development. Based on its harsh and performative vocal character, the tradition bears a striking resemblance to deathcore's extreme vocal techniques (growling and screaming). Using art-making methods, this research developed a two-part fantasy composition that transposes Sirompak's musical material into a deathcore idiom. Through systematic experimentation with repetition, sequencing, addition, subtraction, imitation, and countermelody, the composition (10 minutes, 46 and 141 measures per movement) successfully integrates traditional Minangkabau aesthetics with contemporary extreme music for piano, string section, choir, combo band, and saluang. This research contributes: (1) documentation and analysis of the characteristics of Sirompak music; (2) a replicable methodological framework for transposing oral traditions into contemporary compositions; (3) an expansion of the contemporary cross-cultural repertoire that integrates Southeast Asian and Western extreme metal idioms; (4) a challenge to assumptions regarding the incompatibility of magical traditions with art music; and (5) a model for heritage preservation through artistic creation, which has the potential to inspire youth engagement with traditional practices.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

JPMF

Publisher

Subject

Arts

Description

Scoring: Journal of Film Music, an academic journal published by the Department of Film Music, Faculty of Performing Arts, Institut Seni Indonesia Padangpanjang twice a year. This journal publishes original articles focusing on the results of studies in the field of film music. The coverage of ...