Black metal can take many forms; one of these forms is definitely embodied by Muka, a black / death metal act from Zagreb, Croatia. This band was formed in 2012 and released in 2013 a single entitled Sumpor i sol. In this review I would like to introduce you to their EP Svi šute from 2014, which immediately struck me for the unusual, completely white cover.
The Croatian act delivers an atmospheric death / black metal much influenced by doom and generally slow-paced. With the exception of “Smrdi mi na klopku”, the listener will hardly find fast tempos and even fewer blast beats on this album; even the use of electric guitars is not extensive, while a lot of space is given to arpeggios. The hoarse growl of singer Boro is often delivered against the background of these arpeggios, sometimes without any instrumental accompaniment, as in the beginning of “Sumpor i sol”. The purpose of Muka is to create an eerie atmosphere by making use of different elements derived not only from metal music, but also from “unorthodox” genres, such as progressive, blues, and blackened psychedelia. For this reason Svi šute is an important creative effort, which I appreciate very much; it can’t be denied that Muka have a very personal style. On the other hand, a drawback is that Svi šute in the long run fails to be really catchy; furthermore, the hoarse and monaural growl contributes to make the whole a bit dull.
The production is raw but overall not bad, though perhaps a better mixing of the instruments would have helped. This band is further confirmation of the increasingly widespread tendency within black metal to return to the native language; Muka write their texts in Croatian.
In short Svi šute is an EP that shows that many solutions are still possible within the black metal. Very good!
Notes:
Self-released on March 8 2014.
Tracklist:
1. Daj mi
2. Sumpor i sol
3. Smrdi mi na klopku
4. Bog s tobo
5. Ostani u blatu
Personnel:
Stjepan Dianić: Bass
Debason: Drums
Edin K.: Guitars
Goran Tatalović: Guitars
Boro: Vocals
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
The Croatian act delivers an atmospheric death / black metal much influenced by doom and generally slow-paced. With the exception of “Smrdi mi na klopku”, the listener will hardly find fast tempos and even fewer blast beats on this album; even the use of electric guitars is not extensive, while a lot of space is given to arpeggios. The hoarse growl of singer Boro is often delivered against the background of these arpeggios, sometimes without any instrumental accompaniment, as in the beginning of “Sumpor i sol”. The purpose of Muka is to create an eerie atmosphere by making use of different elements derived not only from metal music, but also from “unorthodox” genres, such as progressive, blues, and blackened psychedelia. For this reason Svi šute is an important creative effort, which I appreciate very much; it can’t be denied that Muka have a very personal style. On the other hand, a drawback is that Svi šute in the long run fails to be really catchy; furthermore, the hoarse and monaural growl contributes to make the whole a bit dull.
The production is raw but overall not bad, though perhaps a better mixing of the instruments would have helped. This band is further confirmation of the increasingly widespread tendency within black metal to return to the native language; Muka write their texts in Croatian.
In short Svi šute is an EP that shows that many solutions are still possible within the black metal. Very good!
Notes:
Self-released on March 8 2014.
Tracklist:
1. Daj mi
2. Sumpor i sol
3. Smrdi mi na klopku
4. Bog s tobo
5. Ostani u blatu
Personnel:
Stjepan Dianić: Bass
Debason: Drums
Edin K.: Guitars
Goran Tatalović: Guitars
Boro: Vocals
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com