Scottish alt-metallers KURO have crafted a fascinating style that combines antoginising sounds, filthy riffs, pounding beats, electronic elements, “a whole lot of hype” and tenacity, which they describe as “chaotic, energetic and volatile.”
The Glasgow band formed during lockdown when their previous bands went through periods of inactivity. Frontperson K, bassist J.B. Storm, guitarist Robbie McAllister and drummer Ruffy set out to create music that packs a punch and creates a space for people from all walks of life to connect with a common unity.
As they tell us: “We got together to create something new and against the grain, starting off in a smaller formation initially but then growing to include drums, guitars to bring the way more In-Your-Face sound you hear today. (It’s) Hyped up angst-driven music that is so in your face you don’t need ears to perceive it. Especially if you’re at one of our live shows.”
Our latest taste of this is No Exit, which was released last month. It opens up with chilled drums and synth before blasting into chunky guitars with a piercing synth blasting through. Engaging vocals take over and the intensity builds towards a big chorus with cries of “There is no way out” giving way to the singalong lines “I’ve always wanted to die for this, I’ve always wanted to die for you, And it all comes crashing, Everything is falling down.” A second chorus ends with a fun pulsing high-pitched synth sound, then repeats of “You tell me there’s no way out but you’re killing me, Telling me there’s no way out” tees up a final blast of the chorus.
We’re overjoyed with the reception our newest single has received so far. It’s always incredibly validating to put music out into the world that comes from the heart and to have it resonate with so many people. No Exit and the subsequent EP (Circling The Drain) is where we think is our sound has been heading since our last EP (Social Venality). If you haven’t heard it, then obviously we think you’re missing out, but expect a song that’s going to make you feel badass as you walk down the street.”
No Exit follows on from the band’s aforementioned second EP Social Venality, which was released last March. It’s led by a banger in Wake Up And Choose The Violence and the more intense Doomscroll. The EP was also backed up by the subsequent single Closing In, which begins with building drums and a little call of “Bounce” giving way to an appropriately bouncy guitar riff. Lively vocals come in and give way to more bouncy guitars, and the track builds intensity through to a wild conclusion with heavy vocals and guitars supported by vicious drums and a variety of synth noises. And that’s since been followed by the equally lively Opium.
The latest tracks come ahead of KURO’s third EP Circling The Drain, which will be released in October. On the EP, they told us: “First off. We’re very excited for people to hear it. We think people might be a little surprised at where it’s going, but if you like No Exit, you’re gonna love the songs in Circling The Drain. If Social Venality was the direction, then Circling The Drain is a destination point. Don’t expect what you’ve heard before, but instead expect it to be even bigger and better.”
The KURO sound has been honed on the members’ wildly varying musical tastes. That includes everything from bands with an electronic edge like The Prodigy and Nine Inch Nails to nu-metal artists like Limp Bizkit, current metal bands like Lorna Shore and darker rock bands like The 69 Eyes.
And on what inspires them to write music, they told us: “It goes without saying we’re influenced by our love for doing this and performing (especially live). Lyrically though, with No Exit it focused around themes of confinement and struggle – it’s focused on the cycle that artists and individuals constantly go through just to try and even slightly thrive in the world and how it feels like there can be no way out. We explore a lot of similar themes in Circling The Drain – feeling claustrophobic, wanting to lash out and break out of cycles. Something we think a lot of people can relate to.”
KURO’s third album Circling The Drain is out on 3 October, and you can pre-save it here. You can also catch the band on their UK tour, which kicks off at Slay Studio in Glasgow on 13 September (tickets available here), before heading to AATMA in Manchester on 2 October, Corporation in Sheffield on 3 October, Fiddler’s Elbow in Camden, London on 4 October and The Old Salutation in Nottingam on 5 October. Tickets for the October shows are available here.
You can follow Kuro on Facebook and Instagram, and check out their music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
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