Korukuma are a hard band to pigeonhole; it’s undeniably heavy music, but beyond that, it’s a bit of a melting pot. Their debut album, Born of Obsidian (self-released, 2022), introduced their distinct brand of heavy music—thick, fuzzy guitars and strong, rhythmic drums and bass—with elements of doom, sludge, and stoner metal, all tinged with an Eastern influence. Their 2024 release, titled Of Amber and Sand, sees the band flexing their creative muscles, expanding their sound, and leaning further into those Eastern vibes.
The album opens with ‘I Am Forever’ immediately confronting the listener with a powerful, rhythmic riff. The guitar then hands off to the bass, while the guitar veers onto a different path. Vocal duties are shared between guitarist Jake Mazlum and bassist Zakk Wells, both delivering heavy, gravelly performances. Midway through, the band introduces a bağlama (a traditional Turkish folk instrument), enhancing the Eastern/Turkish flavour and blending seamlessly with the main band to see the track through to its end.
Each main track is followed by a short transitional piece (or “liminal track”, as per the band’s press release) to aid in moving from one piece to the next. ‘Death No More’ starts with a far gentler intro: a solo guitar begins, joined by a minimal drum beat and a catchy bass riff. The guitars soon grow heavier, ramping up the track’s intensity. Vocals are sparingly used and sit low in the mix, but they help turn up the tension at key moments.
It’s clear that this album finds Korukuma more muscular and metal-oriented than on their debut. The bass is strong, grounding the songs and giving the guitar and drums more freedom to explore. Tracks are given space to build, often with long intros before vocals are introduced. ‘Fenjaan’ maintains a fairly sedate tone until about halfway through, where the vocalists use a call-and-response technique to kick the song into a higher gear. These tracks are richly layered, but they regularly return to a motif or riff to anchor the listener.
The instrumental track ‘Neheh’ starts with fuzzy bass and drums, accompanied by atmospheric guitar. Previous tracks lead you to expect something dramatic, but this one teases the listener, gently fading away while keeping them guessing. ‘Crux Ansata’ is a standout, featuring a short intro that leads straight into a pounding riff and full-throated screamed vocals. The track keeps a steady pace, with bass, drums, and guitar locked into a tight rhythm throughout.
Of Amber and Sand feels like the band have matured and developed their sound for their second album, their use of various dynamics and the increase of the Eastern influence add to the richness of their music whilst still retaining that heavy edge. Kurokuma are a band that had flown a little under the radar, which is a shame because they are doing something really quite interesting.
