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
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 Akira
soundtrack, 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 Granule
and 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, Dvne
and 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 Converge
twice 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.
The End
