Release
date: May 03rd 2019. Label: Off
Me Nut
Records. Format: Cassette/DD
Sheffield's
Best Metal Bands Vol 1. – Tracklisting
1.RVN
06:52
2.Wasp
Nest 04:41
3.Deeper
Underground 10:22
4.Wasp
Nest (Memphis Edit) 02:29
Review
I'm
a huge fan of Sheffield Avant-Garde Sludge Metallers Kurokuma. I've
seen them a few times over the years and their live performances are
always wonderfully loud, weird and downright original. The band have
never been the easiest band to categorize with their previous
releases. As they switch musical genres all of the time. Sure they
can be classed as primarily as a Sludge Metal band. However, that
only gives you a brief glimpse into Kurokuma overall sound. As they
play elements of Ambient Music, Doom Metal, Psych, Drone Metal and
even Stoner Metal if they think the mood calls for it.
So
I was hoping to see what Kurokuma bring to the party with their
latest EP and the brash, bold and brilliantly named - Sheffield 's
Best Metal Bands Vol 1. The band offer four songs on this release
though one of the songs is an actual remix of one of the songs.
Kurokuma never play by the rules and you have to "Expect The
Unexpected" with this EP and the bone-crunching experimental
style heavy sounds the band have committed to this release.
The
first two songs RVN and Wasp Nest offer an experimental style of
Sludge Metal, Ambient and Avant-Garde music we've come to expect from
the band. However, the songs are still quite a violent delight to
listen to. Maybe Kurokuma have followed The Melvins and BORIS style
of experimenting with different sounds to create a weird and warped
atmosphere. It's still wildly addictive with the different heavy
progressive sounds that Kurokuma offer here.
The
band really blew my mind with the third song - Deeper Underground.
Yes, folks. Deeper Underground by Jamiroquai and what fun they have
on this song. I was never a fan of that song or the band in general.
However, I admire Kurokuma's take on this song. It's a cool cover
with heavy distorted and devilish grooves. One of the more fun covers
I've heard recently.
The
final song is a remix of Wasp Nest and it's a slightly different
version of the original song. It doesn't offer much but I did
appreciate how both versions sound different to each other. Overall,
Kurokuma prove they're not only one of Sheffield's Best Metal Bands
but one of the UK's Best Underground Metal Bands with this release.
Kurokuma
have released another excellent record with this EP.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks to Lisa at Hold Tight PR for the promo. Sheffield's Best Metal Bands Vol 1 is available to buy on now on Cassette/DD via Off Me Nut Records.
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