The dog days of summer have arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, meaning the days are slowly getting shorter while autumn and winter lurk in the shadows. Perfectly timed, Kurokuma has released Of amber and sand (self-released), which deals with the concept of time in ancient civilizations. The use of Middle Eastern influences and a baglama solo combine everything in this 38-minute journey through the ephemeral and the permanent.
A rooster crows and then Kurokuma jumps straight into a wave of psychedelic-tinged death metal and sludge known as “I Am Forever.” As advertised, just before the three-minute mark, a baglama solo hits, taking you on a drug-induced trip through the sands of the Middle East. The final minute ends with a heavier riff and the baglama returns for a short time.
“Fenjaan” is another example of a track on Of amber and sand tHat mixes psychedelia
influences, Middle Eastern/ancient Meso-civilizations, and finally, about halfway through, the sheer force of Sludge Metal spills over the surface. At the same time, the harsh/roaring vocal tandem of Jake Mazium and Zakk Wells hits like a ton of bricks, as if to interrupt time itself. The intro riff returns with a bit more distortion to close out the song.
“Crux Ansata” is perhaps my favorite track on the record. The intro features drummer Joe E. Allen Ability to sound like time passing as the riffs slowly find their way. Not long after, a full-fledged doom/sludge riff breaks in, which runs throughout the whole track. The solo in the second half of the song sounds like the guitar is trying to imitate the baglama from the beginning of the album, which really brings the album full circle.
Of amber and sand makes me pause for a few moments to reflect on my age, my time here at Ghost Cult as a writer, and just life in general. I found myself lost in this album quite often, which was certainly Kurokuma’s guiding principle. This album will be played quite often, between melting in the late summer sun and then when the leaves and temperatures drop to repeat nature’s cycle of life and death.
Buy the album here:
https://kurokumauk.bandcamp.com/album/of-amber-and-sand
7 / 10
TIM LEDIN
