Arka’n Asrafokor – Dzikkuh

Label: Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), Release: 19 July 2024

Extreme metal outside the “usual suspects” of origin nations is always particularly exciting, as you rarely get to hear African metal bands in Europe, for example. And it’s been a loooong time since Tribe After Tribe* … Hopefully this will change soon, for example because of this band and their latest longplayer Dzikkuh: Arka’n Asrafokor happily sweep through various genres (thrash, death, -core, hard rock, power ballad) with creative versatility, yet sound absolutely coherent and unique. It is the unbridled drum / percussion elements and the vocals that characterise the sound of Arka’n Asrafokor, to illustrate their West African roots and to express the band’s spirituality. I am delighted to once again be able to enjoy an album full of raw energy and creativity off the beaten metal track. So anyone who still considers Sepultura’s “Roots” as brilliant or celebrates bands like The HU and Alien Weaponry as a breath of fresh air in the scene simply cannot ignore this band and this album.
Recommended tracks: The Truth, Angry God of Earth, Mamade

Arka’n Asrafokor, founded in 2010 in Togo, belong to a new generation of African artists who mix tribal art, rituals and history with the artistic visions of a new generation that has a different self-image and world view. What’s more, the band around singer/guitarist/songwriter Rock is the figurehead of the entire African scene in the metal sector. Their innovative sound is unique and mixes intense metal with an attitude characterised by African tradition and wisdom.

Bandwebsite

* you can find several Tribe After Tribe clips online and I recommend especially “Hold On” and “Ice Below” – because great music does not age.