Kurokuma - Of Amber And Sand

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 09 Aug 2024

Tracklist:

1. I Am Forever

2. Sandglass

3. Death No More

4. Clepsydra

5. Fenjaan

6. Bell Tower

7. Neneh

8, Timekeeper

9. Crux Ansata

10. Awakening

11. Chronoclasm

Reading that a member of a heavy band considers their music to be 'too avant garde to get coverage amongst any blogs or printed magazines' left me quite sad. That sadness was short-lived though as Kurokuma's newest album Of Amber And Sand has recently garnered well-deserved coverage from both Decibel and Kerrang, alongside other platforms dedicated to good music. 

For those who might be stumbling across Kurokuma for the first time; they're a psych/sludge/stoner band from Sheffield (UK) who have released a demo, three EPs, two splits and two full-lengths since their inception in 2014, not to mention a standalone Kraftwerk cover (according to Metal Archives). 

I’m still getting used to having more time in the evenings. I don’t think I’m any more productive because of it but it’s still early days. One thing I do know is that I’m not forever, which may be an odd thing to say but Kurokuma’s music should (and will hopefully) be immortal, as album opener ‘I Am Forever’ proves. It contains probably the heaviest intro I’ve heard from the trio, let alone their most psych-laden/intense musical and vocal delivery. It’s an utterly brilliant first song, containing element of death (and even black) metal as well as an excellent Baglama solo from Babak Sharifimajd, providing a loverly and warm Middle Eastern tone.

The album is made up of six songs or “meditations’ as they’re described by Kurokuma and they’re separated by five interludes that are performed by Empyrean Silence (a mysterious entity that also resides in the Steel City). ‘Sandglass’ is the first interlude and it continues along the Middle Eastern path, leading to ‘Death No More’. By now, you may well notice a theme flowing through this album; one which definitely plays true to the avant garde description. ‘Death No More’ is off-kilter and it majors on the instrumental strengths of the band. It’s mid-paced at first before moving through many different tempos and transitions. The vocals add to the exhilaration even more so.

Following the album’s second longest song with the haunting interlude of ‘Clepsydra’ is a genius move as it briefly settles the mood in time for the groove-laden ‘Fenjaan’, which feature one of the most infectious bass/guitar riff combos I’ve ever heard from Jake and Zakk, whose dual vocals once again shine bright alongside Joe’s epic and controlled drumming. Kurokuma have really matured over recent years and it really feels like this album could truly be their coming of age.

I’m not one for multi-tasking but I am keeping one eye on the football scores this evening. Thankfully, my attention is drawn straight back to this album by atmospheric interlude ‘Bell Tower’, which flows effortlessly into ’Neneh’. It’s an uncharacteristically short song compared to the rest here but it cuts a nice groove once again, pulling you into the album’s second half in solid fashion. 

’Timekeeper’ drifts quietly into ‘Crux Ansata’, which begins oddly in almost mainstream fashion before dispelling any such falsehood thanks to sheer heaviness. It’s a side of Kurokuma that properly hits the spot, especially if you surround yourself with heaviness. Add in the bridge-riff from guest musician Bing snd you can’t really go wrong. At this point I have to mention the ace recording/mixing/mastering of Ian Boult (at Stuck On A Name, Nottingham), as it helps to elevate this record.

Final interlude and penultimate track ‘Awakening’ is brief yet startling, leading into album closer ‘Chronoclasm’, which is the album’s longest song. It harnesses everything that’s great about Kurokuma’s psychedelic sound thanks to the instrumentation and it’s quality. Nearly four minutes pass by before the vocals kick in and when they do, they add an even greater layer to the song, as does the breakdown that was written specially by Thomas Wesley Pentz.

The thing I love above all else about the music and bands I’m lucky enough to cover here is that they’re always looking to push themselves, and their boundaries. The UK music community (away from what’s considered to be mainstream) is a shining example and Kurokuma deserve to be at it’s forefront with Of Amber And Sand.

You can stream and purchase Of Amber And Sand digitally below, where it's also available on cd and vinyl formats:-

Kurokuma - https://www.facebook.com/kurokumauk

2020 Year End List: Joe Allen (Kurokuma/Bible Basher)

Here's the second 2020 year end list, this time from Joe Allen of Sheffield based sludge/doom bands Kurokuma and Bible Basher. As with Mikey previously, Joe's got a much more eclectic taste in music than I have. His year end list; however, is very much focused on heavier music and it's a great read. Check out it out below and my thanks go out to Joe for sending this across for me to publish:-

Ummon by Slift

Coming out in February, as soon as I heard this I knew it would be one of the best things all year, and here it is sitting pretty on my list. This is superb, playful psychedelic rock from the power trio from France. One of those releases where each song is a unique creation in its own right but the flow and overall feel of the album is unified. The cover art is also spectacular and vibes perfectly with the tunes. I can see this becoming a cult classic in years to come.

Endless Detainment by Serpent Column

One to rearrange your head when you're in the mood. The drummer snakes in and out of time and the whole band coalesce around this; it's not rhythm but absolute chaos. There's not too much else like it, but its soul is black metal; it's truly evil and rabid. When the release crescendos around the titular track, you're rewarded with one of the hardest riffs of the year, confidently hammering itself into your skull like a galvanised nail.

Intermittent Damnation by Ona Snop

Slick Leeds fastcore from the guys with the primary colour logo. This band don't look serious, but the music is seriously good. Catchy, pit-friendly riffs that mostly last for 4 seconds interspersed with blast beats and vocals that are tortured/fun. It's great. Mosh and smile at the same time. Makes one long for gigs to come back.

Lesions Of A Different Kind by Undeath

The OSDM revival is in full swing, emphasis on the swing - this album grooves. The production pops hard and it's all kinda danceable to be honest. The title track opens with a rototom fill, then drops into a riff that has insane energy and drive. The guttural vocals never let up. Backed by the Maggot Stomp label as well as Prosthetic, these guys have been everywhere this year and for good reason.

Opulent Decay by Spell

I came to this band via For None And All released in 2016; reverb-soaked occult rock à la Blue Oyster Cult with touches of Rush and Hammers of Misfortune. The production is vintage and the playing not what you'd call tight, but it creates an amazing fluid/lucid feel. The riffs often feel straight out of the 70s, and I fully appreciate how spot on the artwork is. Also the way the tracks don't stick to just one style - the accapella ‘Ataraxia’ is one great example of that. Love it.

Terminus by Jesu

Justin K Broadrick has always been a genius but by now he's a master. His music bleeds feeling, strong and direct. Every instrument and effect wielded like an artist at the height of his powers. Jesu takes the emotion and effects/electronic manipulation of shoegaze and adds dashes of the low-end of metal - some might call it doomgaze. Another collection of songs from Justin to get lost in; simply luscious escapism.

Mercy Machine by Maggot Heart

I was a big fan of this band's previous LP, Dusk To Dusk from 2018, and for some reason I missed this at its time of release. Via social media I realised it existed more recently and it's very similar to that previous album, but I'm not complaining one bit. Post punk mixed with old school heavy metal, fronted by the snarling vocals of Linnéa Olsson. She's been around the gig circuit for a while now, and it shows. Maggot Heart drips attitude. Quality through and through.

The Great Flood by Rope Sect

Love this band. Melodic death rock from Germany that's gothy and post-punky in parts. The production is restrained, using distortion minimally, for example. The result is a natural sound with a ruggedness and haunting ambience. There's a real depth and mystery here than many projects lack. A cult band that seem to be growing with each release and it's great to see.

Your Fault by Horse the Band

I have waited for over a decade for new material from Horse the Band, and listening to this EP it's like they never went away. Their music and lyrics resonate at a level far beyond pretty much anything else for me. Part of it is the history and the nostalgia I have with and for them and the hours and hours I've spent watching Earth Tour. This band mock anything other than true expression. Wild, experimental, synth-driven metalcore that's daft and deadly serious at the same time. This EP has whetted my appetite for more from them once again.

Training Resource #5 by Under

Another EP, and much like the above EP on this list, it feels almost like it mocks the listener through its confidence, talent and vision. Under are easily one of the most underrated bands operating in the UK, a true hidden gem. Their music exists outside of trends, obtuse but extremely rewarding. The angular sludge is maintained here, but with raw production from guitarist, Simon Mayo and a Black Flag cover, this has a hardcore punk instinct. It's what punk might sound like if it was played by truly talented musicians letting loose, and I love it.

Kurokuma/Under - Kurokunder Split 7"

Labels: Astral Noize Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 15 Nov 2019

Tracklist:

1. Kurokuma - The Tides Of Time

2. Under - Abyssal Gigantism

Here's something that's not even out yet! I'm covering something before it's release for the first time in ages, as a I combat the usual humdrum of real life. This little split 7" features Kurokuma and Under, who once led you to believe they had actual band beef. As it turns out they don't and here's the proof. It's going to be released by Astral Noize Records in November and features an Ecco The Dolphin cover (originally a 1992 Sega Genesis video game) from Kurokuma and an original song from Under. 

A band covering a 16-bit soundtrack is at odds with the whole 16-bit/modular synth scene that exists outside of this sphere, but that’s not the point. The point is that it’s Kurokuma and they’re ace. Their take on The Tides Of Time (from the video game Ecco The Dolphin) is a re-imagining that to some might be unthinkable but to others will make complete sense. Their bass-heavy doom lends itself perfectly to the cinematic soundtrack and is a breath of fresh air in creative terms. Who’d have though it eh!

Haling from the other side of the Pennines to Kurokuma, Under don’t let county boundaries get in the way of their noise-making and Abyssal Gigantism is certainly noisy. It encompasses elements from a whole heap of musical tangents, from the experimental off-kilter vibes of Mastodon and TDEP to the grunge-like vocals and atmospherics of Deftones and Tool. There’s loads going on and it shows a hint of Under’s progression towards a UK prog/sludge/noise mainstay.

This split is fun but it’s also creative. Music needs people to be creative or it’ll fade into mediocrity like many a current pop act (sorry, I’m biased). Kurokuma’s groove has always been a big part of their appeal for me, while Under’s unapologetic noise is born out of true UK grit. Throw your support behind both the bands and Astral Noize Records now and when this 7” is released.

Here's a little video teaser for you:-

Kurokuma - https://www.facebook.com/kurokumauk/

Under - https://www.facebook.com/understockport/

You can pre-order this release both digitally and physically via Astral Noize Records here:-

https://astralnoize.bandcamp.com/album/kurokunder-split-7

Astral Noize Records - https://www.facebook.com/astralnoizerecords/

Also, if you feel that way inclined, please consider joining and/or sharing my Patreon -

https://www.patreon.com/thisnoiseisours. This has been set up to help me go beyond the blog, with projects to include a tape/cd release series and also charitable donations that will account for 50% of all pledges. Thank you.

Noise From The Northern Powerhouse #2: Kurokuma - Dope Rider

Labels: Doom Stew Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 50 Jul 2018

Tracklist:

1. Dope Rider Pt. 1

2. Dope Rider Pt. 2

My review series featuring bands from the North of England kind of got off to a bit of a false start. It began last month with a review of the latest EP from Lancashire one-man black metal/noise project Grimmness and then faltered. The whole point of the series was to focus on bands from Yorkshire, Merseyside, Lancashire, Lincolnshire and the North East of England. For this review I'm featuring Sheffield doom trio Kurokuma and their recent concept EP "Dope Rider". It's based on the 1970's comic strip of the same name and sees the band re-working it into musical form with two tracks. It's been released digitally by the band and on cd/tape via Doom Stew Records, with a vinyl release due to follow later this month.

Kurokuma has always been a great band in a live setting, as I’ve been lucky enough to witness on a couple of occasions. Its great to hear some new music from them, especially after their last EP “Advorsus” and Dope Rider Pt. 1 fills the whole since that release perfectly. They’ve always been adept at mixing traditional doom with psychedelic influences and this is no different. It’s heavy in all areas, from the riffing to the drumming and the vocals. The international touring has certainly helped them to build their sound.

The bruising bass and guitar makes Doom Rider Pt. 2 sound even mightier. There’s still the trio’s signature groove amongst it all but there’s also a progression that shows their willingness to take things in a more extreme direction. That extreme direction is one that’s truly engrossing and enjoyable right from the off and it doesn’t abate. Kurokuma are working a full-length and if this EP is anything to go by, it’s going to be epic. 

With it’s licensed artwork from original strip creator Paul Kirchner, “Dope Rider” is a fully immersive experience, which will look all the better in it’s physical formats. Sonically it’s the best music Kurokuma has written to date. 

You can stream and purchase "Dope Rider" digitally, on cd and tape below:-

News on the vinyl release will be released via Kurokuma's Facebook page here - https://www.facebook.com/kurokumauk/

Doom Stew Records - https://www.facebook.com/doomstewrecords/