#coroza

~By Tom Hanno~

Do you like sludge? Do you also like doom? How about a little stoner metal? Would you like all those elements with deep, swirling grooves that wrap themselves around you like a long lost lover? Then today is your lucky day, because the Irish lads in COROZA are releasing their debut album, 'Chaliceburner' (2019), on August 31st -- and it has all that and much, much more.

While listening to Coroza's Chaliceburner I was able to hear the influences from Sleep, High on Fire, Mastodon, the almost obligatory Sabbath sound, and many others. I found that some of the longer musical sections shared a lot with Brooklyn-based band Clouds Taste Satanic. They both apply that heavy, heavy riffing and huge tone. Now that the release date is quickly approaching, I thought this would be the perfect time to talk about Coroza's incredible debut album.

A powerful intro to the rest of the album begins with the title track, "Chaliceburner." Coming in with a barrage of pounding drums, Coroza then drop in with some long notes that are flavored with a wah-soaked guitar playing a series of quick notes -- all fitting together beautifully. As the band comes together, we get a nice slow groove with some bluesy undertones, which is exactly when my head started bobbing.

One thing I noticed during this instrumental build-up is that the sweet guitar tones are matched by an equally warm, fat bass sound. I really like the music they produce together, which is as heavy as hell in itself. When we get some vocals, they are that mix of clean, harsh, and awesomeness that we all dig into so often. The clean vocals have a wail to them that I feel adds an aura of anguish to the sections that they're used in.

Chaliceburner by Coroza

The third, and my favorite, track is called "Scaltheen." Why is it my favorite? That's because it's as heavy as fuck and still includes a saxophone spot! Stoner-doom metal and smooth jazz mix together so well that's it's crazy. Besides, I like experimentation in music.

An element I hear quite a bit of is the influences of Tony Iommi. These riffs bear the sounds he left on records throughout his career, and even when those riffs are slower that sound comes through. A really sweet lead breaks out, and the riff that follows its probably my favorite of the song. There's a progressive type of feel to it which leads into another heavy solo section. And this is all before the song is even half over!

When things slow down again, you will know that the saxophone is coming soon. When it does come, it swirls from ear to ear in an oddly jazzy psychedelic fashion. The sound is pleasing and the parts are deftly written pieces of perfection. The band then closes out the song with pulverizing riffs.

Coroza is an act to keep an eye and an ear on. Their upcoming album Chaliceburner is fantastic, especially considering that it's their debut. It will be available on August 31st and I highly suggest that you grab a copy to play as loudly as you can!

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Their combo of doom, sludge, stoner, and blues results in a cavernous level of noise that hits with an insane amount of force. All while having a groove that might be utter filth, but will make you move, albeit slowly and methodically.

Formed in Cork, Ireland in mid-2015, Coroza spent the first few years of their existence honing their sound into a devastatingly heavy form, which encompasses heavy blues, metal, sludge, doom and stoner elements, leading to the release of their well-received self-titled demo in 2017. Extensive gigging cemented them into the local scene and soon Coroza began appearing on bills around Ireland,…

~Doomed & Stoned~

By Billy Goate

Some years back, we introduced you to progressive sludge foursome COROZA from Cork, Ireland. Tom Hanno wrote an excellent review of their debut LP, 'Challiceburner' (2019), in which he lauded the band for their "heavy, heavy riffing and huge tone." The band also contributed a track to our compilation Doomed & Stoned in Ireland before the pandemic. In the years since, Coroza has earned a reputation as a firebrand live act.

Today, Doomed & Stoned brings you brand new material from Coroza with the single "Scorched Earth," an apocalyptic number from their upcoming second full-length 'As Within' (2024). Here mysterious monastic singing meets deranged howls and mighty roars. Riffs are nothing short of crushing, the rhythm section a windstorm. You'll certainly want to listen with a good pair of speakers or headphones for full effect.

The nine-minute monolith seems to me like the ebb and flow of crashing tidal waves in the Celtic Sea. There is something both beautiful and chaotic afoot, and one can picture a great asteroid of impending doom not far from view. Perhaps we will self-destruct beforehand in our own man-made funeralopolis. Let Coroza take you for a ride to the End of Days.

Coroza's As Within releases May 20th on vinyl, CD, cassette, and digital formats via Cursed Monk Records (pre-order here). Stick it on a playlist with Yob, Ahab, and Zirakzigil.

Give ear...

SOME BUZZ

Coroza was formed in Cork, Ireland in mid-2015 and over the course of two years honed their sound into a devastatingly heavy form, which encompasses heavy blues, metal, sludge, doom and stoner elements, leading to the release of their well-received self-titled demo in 2017.

Extensive gigging cemented them into the local scene and soon Coroza began appearing on bills around Ireland, landing support slots to international touring bands such as Conan, Bolzer and Tusker. 2019 saw the release of their debut album Chaliceburner which was met with positive reviews.

Coroza's second album titled 'As Within' (2024) was recorded and mixed by renowned producer Aidan Cunningham and mastered by Magnus Lindberg (Cult of Luna).

Coroza are:   • Ciarán Coghlan (guitar/vox)   • Jack O’Neill (lead guitar/vox)   • Ollie Cunningham (drums)   • Tomás O’Brien (bass)

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ni Michael Coroza

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