KOROG – Mumus

Black N’ Roll, that’s a very interesting item, the merging of Black Metal and Hard Rock or Rock N’ Roll Music. The real deal behind this unique type of Metal is structured by the growl vocals of Black Metal and the music of Hard Rock. Rock N’ Roll in most cases is barely noticed and the presentation of Rock is at its more modern state.

Korog, which means “It Rumbles”, from Budapest, Hungary are playing this unique sub-genre with various add-ons. They mix low, brutal Death Metal vocals with raspy, high end, demonic Black Metal growls and screams. The music is more associated with portions of 80’s Heavy Metal, dark modern Heavy Metal, modern Hard Rock and a few Stoner Metal elements. Rest assured that modern Hard Rock, played by this band, is not the new age Glam movement or other Hard Rock acts of recent years.

The band arose in 1995. In 1999 they made the first official release under the label, Bahia Records. Later, in 2001, they launched their second release under a different label, Nephillim Records. Both first releases were recorded in Hungarian. The change came in 2004 when they released their self titled album, which was released independently, that contained songs in English. This year the Blackened group demonstrates their abilities in their fourth album, Mumus. This album also introduces their new vocalist, Molnar Kolos aka MK Atorz.

The production and the performance of the players is quite good. Issuing the sound of rough dark guitar sound, low and high end demonic growls. Also stated here are the grooves and highly mastered solos. The music itself is not that melodic; most of the riffs and grooves are pretty basic and convey a mixture of sub-genres. Some of the riffs and rhythm pretty much sound like the late era of King Diamond which is present in albums such as: Abigail 2 and House Of God. Many of the band’s riffs are morbid and dark and draw a lot of attention.

This album could be much more than it is now. Most of the music is great but the synchronization and synergy between the vocals and the music is not as fitting as it can be and at times causes a lot of mix ups. For example the end of the second track, “Small Pieces” which at the end of it there is a lot of chaos that gives the listener a hard time on trying to understand what is going on.

The riffs, as was said earlier, are quite good but some of them repeat themselves in the album. For example tracks like the opener, “Password: Circus” and “Testing The Grave” whose riffs are somewhat alike.

The band demonstrates a great multitude of skilled performances on the songs but still there aren’t any shining stars among the members. They are all fulfilling the roles as profoundly as they can. One thing that should be recognized are the amazing guitar solos in tracks such as “Password: Circus” and “Encounter The Bogyman”, the solos that are truly missed in most raw Black Metal bands.

Although there is somewhat of a repetitive factor among the songs there are some that draw attention and have great potential. The best tracks of the album, “Be Quest” and “Kill Escargot” have heavy and simple guitar riffs, morbid melodies and great solos. Also the tracks are sort of catchy tunes made so by the vocals section. “Password: Circus” and “Testing The Grave” joins in as solid tracks that spark some kind of interest.

Mumus can be recognized as a fine release that could be a lot better. This band has a huge potential, not only evident by their years of experience and their 13 years of existence, but with a Metal style that is something that is not that common. Holding to this sub-genre is their key for prolonged success. The thing they have to do is to refine it more and they will keep their place as a promising group in the eyes of the Metal world.