Korukuma is a band from Sheffield, UK that offers Doom and Stoner sounds with Dark traits and Latin influences. Their first full-length “Born Of Obsidian” was released on February 04, 2022 and contains 5 long tracks with themes related to the Mesoamerican myth and blood-soaked history. The opener, “Smoking Mirror” begins with drumming enriched by percussion and heavy guitar riffs with deep and driving bass lines. the vocal is aggressive and shouted, very intense and the rhythm in continuous evolution with tempo changes and accelerations. A track with a strong impact, focused on guitar works, with penetrating riffs that contain the essence of the disc theme. The second part opens with an edgy lead guitar insert, while the rhythm and bass lines are hypnotic, as the intensity increases the track closes. A heavy Doom Metal riff opens “Sacrifice to Huitzilopochtli” with references to the sounds of the genre’s past and a killer bassline. The vocal is enriched by the effects and gives a more modern touch to the sound, sometimes choral and very powerful. A track closer to the Metal sounds with very successful riffs that give that extra something to the track, closing with an acceleration. “Jaguar” opens with a typically Latin rhythm and a deep bass line with clean guitar inserts, moving sinuously. A mystical intro with ritual atmospheres, enriched by the deep percussive sounds of drumming, the ingenious blend of Latin traits, Doom riffs and the screaming vocal. When the band unleashes all the power of the amplifiers, it makes the body vibrate and the continuous changes of tempo captivate the listener bringing him with the percussion solos in the heart of Latin America. In the second part the guitar offers sharp acid cues like blades and heavy riffs in pure Doom style, truly a track that embodies the essence of the band’s sound. The percussion and a granite riff open “Ololiuqui” a track with dark atmospheres and repeated and hypnotic sounds, with a monolithic session. Another killer bassline that by raising the volume makes the listener vibrate pleasantly, the combination of heavy sounds and lysergic traits is excellent, with the guitar highlighted in the solo inserts. The screaming vowel interprets the track at its best, which develops between bands of intensity changes with energetic openings at maximum power. The album closes with the longest running track “Under the Fifth Sun” characterized by a rhythm with Latin flavors enriched by percussion with a crescendo of electric guitar and bass. The valuable use of distortions is the added value for the sound of the track, a mixture of mystical and dark atmospheres and exasperated sounds of guitar and bass. The rhythm session moves slowly but powerfully, accelerating in the finale where the guitar becomes sharp as a blade ending with heavy riffs at the center of the song’s theme. A band that offers a powerful album with finely crafted riffs, killer basslines and a solid rhythm session enriched by Latin percussion cues. The singing is aggressive and interprets the songs with dynamism, the themes are well developed and the tracks engaging. A listening recommended for all lovers of the heavier sounds of Doom and Stoner, with some percussion passages and acid inserts. I am very curious to listen to this band live, the sonic impact and power you hear on the album is truly remarkable.
Tracklist
01. Smoking Mirror (08:24)
02. Sacrifice to Huitzilopochtli (04:32)
03. Jaguar (08:30)
04. Ololiuqui (08:00)
05. Under the Fifth Sun (08:53)
Lineup
George Ionita / Bass, Vocals, Percussion
Joe E. Allen / Drums
Jacob Mazlum / Guitars, Vocals, Percussion
[…] their Sanford Parker-recorded debut, “Born Of Obsidian” (Read our Review HERE) dug deep into the ancient history of Mesoamerican civilisations, “Of Amber And Sand” […]