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ARKA’N ASRAFOKOR “Dzikkuh”
ARKA’N ASRAFOKOR “Dzikkuh”
By Iron Sheik
Hailing from Lome, Togo, Africa ,ARKA'N ASRAFOKOR offer up the bilingual English/Ewe album "Dzikkuh". Of all the styles of metal ARKA'N ASRAFOKOR cover on "Dzikkuh" I opted for the tag of Tribal metal. Being a tribal metal band they are set to make their mark. Band members are Rick Ahavi on guitar, Francis Amevo on bass, Richard Siko on drums, Enrico Ahavi on vocals, and Mass Aholou on percussion.
Tribal drums calling like a chant. Blast beats. Tribal chanting of spoken passages of African Ewe, the tongue of their native culture. They not only rage in English, but they sing in their native language Ewe of Lome, their home village. Incorporating African chanting and tribal drumming is akin to “Roots” era SEPULTURA (the only comparison of a similar style I could come up with) Heavy metal. Thrash metal. Tribal Metal. It's a lot of various styles to make a statement. Unlike us here in the USA these guys not only live in Lome and are of the culture speaking Ewe, but they are part of the larger community of Togo which is definitely an influence, to us, on their style. To them that influence is more than likely natural and organic.
Throughout the album the tribal drumming accentuates the music as does the chanting. I am sure the chanting helps convey the meaning of the songs, and I wish I understood it. Maybe that is part of the effect? Although it at times sounds familiar it is fresh and unique to the current metal scene. "Dzikkuh" does bog down part way through though, but that’s by no means is saying it is boring. It is not. It does pick up the momentum again until the album ends.
It is a brutal album, but at the same time not so extreme as to end up unaccessible. "Dzikkuh" is an album full of African character as well as a familiar metal styling. Hopefully ARKA'N ASRAFOKOR make it to the next step on their journey with this album, and that they do not abandon their African chanting and drumming for something more mainstream. A great listen. A great album. A great band. Give yourself a break and give these guys a listen. You'll enjoy it!
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