Kurokuma - Born of Obsidian
Who are Kurokuma? The psychedelic, sludgy Sheffield trio first emerged eight years ago, although Born of Obsidian is their first full-length, following a demo and a series of EPs and singles. Any quick inspection of their back catalogue tells you that they're far from just another run-of-the-mill sludge band. Bubbling with ancient civilisation, nature and psychedelia, they push doom metal expansively with hypnotising power. They appeared on the New Blood Stage at Bloodstock 2021, starred in 'The Doom Doc', were the first metal band to launch their own cannabis seed (KuroKush) and vowed to make sludge grim again. So, what's happening on this new album? Recorded at Narcissus Studio in London, it interestingly marks Sanford Parker's first time producing an album in the UK, who's well-known for his work with the likes of YOB and Eyehategod. The album begins with the glorious sludge/doom of 'Smoking Mirror'. The guitar and bass pattern has a distinct mystic q