Kansas City Death Metal quintet Kohnerah have been pretty silent in their seven years of existence. Three single releases are all that the band have put out thus far, but that has now changed. ‘Ominous Ubiquitous’ is their self-released debut opus, put out on Friday 13th and packaged in a spectacular looking Digipack, with stunning cover art from renowned surrealist artist Mariusz Lewandowski.
I love that Kohnerah have gone the polar opposite route of a concept album and fit in as many varied and bizarre lyrical themes as possible, from the usual suspects of death and destruction, to more outlandish themes such as mind control, aliens, demons, and even a touch of historical perspective with the fall of ancient empires thrown into the mix. My favourite track in terms of lyrical themes has to be the black helicopter toting, cattle rustling and dissecting chaos of ‘Bovine Excision’.
Kohnerah have created a savage modern sounding style of Death Metal with just a touch of Black Metal influence in some of their colder guitar rhythms. Chris Thorpe behind the kit certainly works up a sweat in this thirty-minute opus with a tireless display of pummelling, frenetic drum barbarity. He keeps this album moving at breakneck speed but does get the chance to show off his softer, more subtle licks during the more technical interludes of ‘Eye of the Panopticon’, which also allows bassist Spencer Halstead his time to shine also.
For the most part though ‘Ominous Ubiquitous’ is an unrelenting beast of high-octane riffage and menacing guitar leads, all topped off by the gravel filled growling menace from front man Stephen Babcock. It’s been a hell of a long time in coming, but the Kohnerah lads have created a very decent debut album they can be proud of.
(7/10 Marksson)
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