Allow yourself to indulge in a hefty dose of riffs; because it is time to present 16 of the best albums from August & September, it is time for yourSOUR 16.
You know the drill by now, every couple of months you the reader are unwittingly compiling a list of the top16 records, covering all genres of metal. Is it not a chart, in which reviewers or contributors extol their opinion about their favourite music. To put it simply, THE SOUR 16 are the records that have been trending the most at SLUDGELORD HQ.
The results are compiled based on the amount of page views the reviews have received and are then calibrated into the list below. All reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and we have included album streams wherever possible. (Total views since their publication are highlighted brackets)
16). Craft, “White Noise and Black Light” (387)
15). Clutch, “Book of Bad Decisions” (399)
14). Satan, “Cruel Magic” (425)
13). 1968, “Ballads of the Godless” (437)
12). Organ Dealer/Nerve Grind/Invertebrate, “Split” (442)
11). Allfather, “And All Will Be Desolation” (481)
10). Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters, “Come & Chutney” (503)
Kurokuma prove once again, that trends in heavy music never last, but creating something unique and personal within the boundaries of heavy music, undoubtedly will.
“Dope Rider” CD//CS//DD//LP track listing:
1). Dope Rider Part 1
2). Dope Rider Part 2
The Review:
I'm always drawn towards bands that tread their own path, so it's rather fitting that I get to review the phenomenal Kurokuma's latest EP, 'Dope Rider'. While the concept maybe based on a comic strip from marijuana themed publication High Times, fans of traditional stoner will be shocked at the lack of copy and paste pentatonic riffs and banshee wails.
Part one of this 2 part release teases the eardrums with Joe E. Allen's always hypnotic, tribal drumming while feedback and droning guitars build slowly. The verse riff is superb showing just how unique the band are in their approach to song writing and riff crafting. Driven by Allen's drumming, vocals are traded back and forth between guitarist Jacob Mazlum and bassist George Ionita to accentuate the rhythmic flow and as the track draws to its natural conclusion, awash with gritty psychedelic textures, it's Allen's use of the mighty cowbell that closes.
Part Two starts off meatier than a caveman barbecue with devastating, muted riffs amid drumming that seems off kilter but is nevertheless absolutely on point. The tremolo riffing caught me off guard and had me gurning and nodding in definite approval. By the time the most accessible closing riff bleeds out to some droning, notes, listeners will want to press play all over again. At least I did...about 6 times...
Kurokuma prove once again, that trends in heavy music never last, but creating something unique and personal within the boundaries of heavy music, undoubtedly will.
“Dope Rider” is available digital here. Cassette and CD available at www.doomstew.com/store/. Vinyl coming September 2018.
Blowing brains wide open since the release of an early two track demo in 2014, Sheffield based atomsmahers Kurokuma have made quite the impression on the doom scene, supporting the likes of Crowbar, Trap Them, Conan, KEN Mode, Skeletonwitch, Goatwhore and Samothrace. As well as tours with Dvne and then Vinnum Sabbathi in 2017, it seems that despite the gap of almost two years since the release of their acclaimed debut EP “Advorsus” Kurokuma have built a solid foundation based upon their devastating lives shows and unrelenting work ethic. Now as we begin to the enter the second half of 2018 and although they have never been away, Kurokuma are set to make some big announcements and we felt it was appropriate to get the scoop. I recently hooked with Kurokuma drummer Joe E. Allen to chat about the roots of the band and what the future holds. Check it out below
Can you give us an insight into how you started playing music, leading up to the formation of Kurokuma?
Joe: Jake and myself have known each other since we met a long time ago at Corp in Sheffield. After I moved back from Japan more recently we were hanging out, smoking, listening to Electric Wizard, jamming, you know. Isn’t that how all doom bands start? We also wanted to make sure we were adding more exotic instrumentation and rhythms into the mix. We found our exotic bassist, George through an online ad after our original one left.
For those people unfamiliar with your band, are there any bands on the scene past and present that you would use as a reference point bands to describe your band, and who or what continues to inspire you and push you to try new things?
Joe: It was originally Black Tusk, Black Breath and other bands that start with Black. The more primal, rhythmic elements came from listening to “Battle Against Clown” from the Akirasoundtrack, me playing the taiko drum in Japan and a shared appreciation of South American electronic music. Also George being a percussionist as well helps.
We have pretty high and adventurous standards when it comes to what passes as worthwhile music. Seeing off-the-wall bands like Granuleand Birushanah recently in Japan feeds the creativity. Our music is meant to represent raw power at its core. All music is an inspiration. In fact, anything at all is - you can draw that power from anything and anywhere and then put it back out for the people.
Since the release of your well received debut “Advorsus” in September 2016 can you summarise what you guys have been up to over the last 18 months or so. Any highlights you’d like to mention and any forthcoming announcements you’d like to share with our readers?
Joe: A lot has happened since that. UK tours with Under, Dvneand then Vinnum Sabbathi from Mexico. “Siege of Limerick” in Ireland last year was our first show abroad, then earlier this year we did Japan with Conan and Granule, then Iceland for the 4/20 weekend…
Japan was just as dope as you’d expect. Probably more actually. The fans were receptive to us and Conan, especially cos it wasn’t a kind of music they were necessarily used to. We had a team of people linked to “The Doom Doc”following us round and they’re working on a short film. I’ve seen clips and it’s gonna be a nice piece exploring touring, as well as Japan’s metal scene and cannabis culture there. It’ll be out later this year.
And we’ve got a video diary we filmed ourselves in Iceland coming out very soon. We were there for a 4/20 event with the Icelandic premiere of “The Doom Doc”. A lot happened that weekend, including one of the members of Morpholith getting arrested haha. So that video diary will be out at the start of June along with the release of “The Doom Doc” on DVD, finally.
Soon we’re playing in an actual cinema down in Bristol soon for another screening of “The Doom Doc”. That’s with 11paranoias, Under, A Horse Called War and Shrykull - five bands all featured in the film. That will be sick, visuals and the lot
Then we have our first release in over a year and a half coming out in August on Doom Stew Records. They’re based in San Francisco and run by the drummer from Brume.
Does anything spring to mind when you think about the completion of your upcoming record and how is the mood in the camp at present?
Joe: We’re enjoying everything that’s happening right now, soaking it all in. But we’re very pleased to finally have some new music to put out, and on vinyl this time. Feels like a very long time since “Advorsus”came out and we don’t really play those songs much anymore. We’ve gone to town with this new release - it’s a concept EP and it’s pretty special. I mean, check the artwork for a start.
It’s all based on the Dope Rider strip from High Times in the 70s. We got in touch with Paul Kirchner - the creator and artist - and he was very into the idea so he let us use any of the art. The lyrics in one of the tracks are from one specific Dope Rider story, and that whole story is printed in full on the lyric sheet insert. It’s gonna be a very nice thing to hold in your hands, especially for fans of beautiful and surreal art.
What stands out as your overarching memory from the recording sessions?
Joe: We recorded it with Sam from Slabdragger down at “The Cro’s Nest” in Croydon. It was a funny few days for a few different reasons which I won’t go into, but looking back on the positives Sam has a really nice place where we stayed and the weather was hot so it was a good, sweaty time.
One thing that sticks out was having to dash to see this guitar tech guy after Sam was hearing some weird notes on George’s bass during recording. This guy has a little shop and has worked with bands like Judas Priest. After getting it reset the bass was sounding perfect. We did a couple of experiments with South American instrumentation as well, some of which made it onto the final mix.
We ended up taking the tracks to Chris from “Skyhammer Studio” and he did a mix that left the two tracks sounding nice and big. It’s been a very long process up until the release but that’s what can happen, ya know.
With you new record in the bag, how is your schedule shaping up over the next 12 months?
Joe: This August we hit up Eastern Europe on tour, including Rockstadt in Romania and Brutal Assault in Czech Republic. We’re playing with Convergetwice so I’m gonna ask Kurt Ballou if he wants to record our next release. Also gonna get a photo with Danzig.
We have a split EP planned with some friends of ours on a notorious Sheffield label. We’re recording a cover we’ve been working on and some deep, dubby cuts.
Then we do a UK tour with a dope powerviolence band from Japan, announcing that officially soon. Then a handful of dates with Boss Keloid. We’re on about going back to Japan, maybe Ireland again. We might be just about ready to record an album at some point next year...
We also have one more track left over from that last studio session so we’ll be putting it out on a split with a certain Mexican band - you can probably guess who if you think hard enough.
Finally, do you have any last words?
Joe: Big up THE SLUDGELORD and the Sheffield sludge crew.
Under are a trio from Stockport, Greater Manchester. Though rooted in the blueprints of sludge and doom metal, their sound is harder to pin down with elements of prog, noise and avant garde creeping in. Under play with jagged, slow, off kilter riffs that tease the listener into a false sense of security. With dark and abstract lyricism evoking a trippy and sinister unease, the trio cite Swans, Mr. Bungle, Melvins and Radiohead as prime influences.
After the success of their debut EP 'First Attempt', Under built up a solid reputation playing frequent live shows in and out of Manchester and in 2016 they embarked on a successful UK mini-tour with Kurokuma.
'Slick' is their highly anticipated debut full length album, completely self produced and recorded by the band themselves. The trio have successfully built on everything they have been working towards, carefully fine-tuning every detail on the record. This eclectic listen is chock full of crushing riffs, odd time signatures, and a mixture of aggressive screaming vocals juxtaposed against a backdrop of more relaxed tripped out clean sections. With all three band members providing vocals, often harmonising together to create epic melodic textures. The record's bizarre lyrics, out there vibes and unpredictability will surely pull in listeners for repeat listens.
'Slick' is destined to be one of those special records where you hear something new with each listen and today we’re excited to premiere a track from the album ahead of its official release via APF Records, ahead of its official release on May 31st 2017. So if you’re fan of Melvins, Big Business, Swans, Faith No More, Dillinger Escape Plan, Mr. Bungle, check out the track “Innards” below. 'Slick' will be initially released on CD and Digital formats. So be sure to preorder a copy here
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