New additions to the Roadrunner family, Khoma, show their worth.
Khoma are something very different. That much is obvious from their haunting, menacing sound. This is Sigur Ros turned evil, perhaps. There's a wave of darkness that spills from under the bold guitarwork, but there's also something beautiful about the way that Jan Jämte delivers the silken vocals to round off this band into something near-on perfect.
This is a band in which power and beauty reside in harmony together, and although the Barfly remains somewhat subdued for the set (due to an older crowd than perhaps is normal in this pokey little venue), people do not look bored. Khoma are something very different to most of the bands in Roadrunners impressive collection, and everyone tonight is curious to see why such a different and as yet, almost unknown band has stolen the hearts of this mighty label.
From the beginning of 'The Guillotine', sounding much like a grim funeral march through to the pacier 'Stop Making Speeches' Khoma are able to show off a diverse musical expanse that is able to satisfy all who listen to them. There's soft vocals, loud guitars, a bass that cries out for the sound system to be cranked up one more notch to increase the vibrations in your chest and the band even sport the looks to satisfy even the most scene obsessed listener.
If you're finding the music scene at the moment slightly tedious, then perhaps it would be wise to invest in the second album of this highly talented Swedish collaboration. With its three founding members coming from acts such as Cult Of Luna, Refused, Meshuggah, International Noise Conspiracy, it's not a surprise that the result, 'The Second Wave' is a delicious trip through what makes Sweden so special. There's room to move, to grow in this music and you can be sure that Khoma are a band that are soon to be held dear to all who know of their deliciously dark and different music.