Kurokuma are here to wake you the fuck up and as the cock crows it’s all systems go as the Sheffield-based stoner sludge titans spring to life, launching a relentless assault from the get-go with their explosive opener, “I Am Forever” it’s a masterful fusion of sludge, doom, and metal, all woven together with the rich textures of Middle Eastern instrumentation that seamlessly punctuate their heaviest riffs.

“Of Amber and Sand” is a grand exploration of the vast and intricate concept of time. Each track delves into different aspects of temporality and eternity, creating a complex tapestry of sound and theme. “Death No More” lures you in with its mesmerizing Balkan-style guitar work before unleashing a seven-minute odyssey of pulsating basslines and hypnotic riffs, dragging you down into the underworld. This album thrives on its disjointed, obscure nature, with riffs so wonky and infectious they compel you to nod along.

Just when you think you’ve heard it all, the filthy bass intro of “Fenjaan” hits, showcasing Kurokuma’s exceptional ability to blend these Middle Eastern influences into their heavy music so seamlessly and propell the album to new heights. Atmospheric interludes like “Bell Tower” and “Awakening” further enhance the album and really help it all flow while transporting you to a different realm.

Recently released second single, “Crux Ansata” contemplates the finite nature of time. It’s a profound meditation on the one resource we cannot share or reclaim before the album’s grand finale, “Chronoclasm” catapults you into a full-blown space alien invasion, complete with laser beams and relentless, trudging drums. This track revisits doom metal’s roots, closing the album with wailing feedback and an ethereal farewell.

Kurokuma return, stronger and more intense than ever. They defy categorization, transcending sludge, doom, and death metal. This is Kurokuma in their purest, most unadulterated form.

Pre-order now: kurokumauk.bandcamp.com