The hourglass, itself being one of the track titles on Kurokuma’s second record, Of Amber and Sand, is the best possible metaphor for said record by now-international group formerly based in the UK, now spread across Europe. This difference between “then” and “now” also defines their new work, as it is its main focus thematically; however, their new-found lifestyle also largely influences and diversifies their sound still mostly channeling the ideas of Sludge, Death and Doom Metal. Behold the behemoth Kurokuma coming at you.

Is there anything like the “past” or the “future” when it comes to life in its purest form? The past might have brought us to where we are at that very moment, it even has brought you here as you are reading these words and lines. In the past you clicked on a link and now you are here, stuck with me. Wait, stuck? No, you are not, you are a being with free will and choice and thus open to leave whenever you want. “Whenever”, wonderful term, right? Implying the infinity of time, even though many scientists and philosophers are debating that very idea at the moment. The notion of the past as an entity that we all lived through is highly controversial as it definitely depends on our own perception as there is hardly anything like a “definite”, neatly “defined” past. There might be historical facts, yes, but those in themselves are not “the past”. And don’t even get me started on the myriad multitude of possible “futures”.

Kurokuma contribute to that ongoing debate by devoting a whole album on the idea and concept of time. One encounters many track titles that show that connection: ”I am Forever”, “Sandglass”, “Bell Tower”, “Time Keeper” or also the final ”Chronoclasm”. Time is of the essence and the guys even have problems with “time” - only one of them remained in the UK, bassist Zakk, while the other two live in Europe, thus in another time zone, and even if it’s only an hour difference, it already shows the difference here. When thinking about the way that the cultures around us influence our notion of time and space, that makes for an even more interesting conversation as guitar player Jake lives in Bulgaria and drummer Joe lives in Albania for the moment as he prefers to move around. Thus we now have two time zones and three different countries.

Somehow one can even identify these influences on the music on Of Amber and Sand” as one can find soundscapes from Muslim or even Arabic regions on tracks like the, I guess, tabla sounds in the middle passage of the opener ”I am Forever”. The record is divided into six tracks (with ”Neheh” being an instrumental powerhorse) and five interludes which are dominated by feisty Death Metal vocals, pumping bass lines and harsh, powerful riffs that will bring a smile onto the face of everyone loving the slowed down version of Death Metal or the somewhat faster version of Sludge Metal. When Kurokuma take a step back they resemble a very muscular kind of Doom but that doesn’t happen too often. Though sometimes, the interludes are very ambient, somehow even more dangerous than the tracks they are placed in between. Oftentimes, it is hard to identify the borders between the tracks resulting in the experience of something resembling one long track. And when ”Chronoclasm” brings the whole house down with its Psychedelic noise parts that seem to have Tom Morello spelt all over them, the whole record gains another level making for a perfect ending to a really great record.

You see, Of Amber and Sand provides a lot of things - food for thought, endless thought maybe? But one can also simply spend a lot of time with enjoying the riffs. Is time standing still in that period? Maybe, depending on your perception, and remember yours is as good as anyone’s. Your time is now, maybe with Kurokuma. Certainly well-spent, if you ask me.