By: Chris Bull
Album Type: EP
Date Released: 30/07/2018
Label: Doom Stew Records
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.
