K.O.B.U.S. is Heavy Metal (Swaar Metaal)

If Theo Crous is not the biggest and most successful music producer in this country at the moment, then he is certainly heading in that direction. Not only has been such a huge success as a musician in his own right, with his input into the Springbok Nude Girls being of such major importance, but when you think that he has had a hand in the success of artists such as Karen Zoid, Chris Chameleon, Louise Carver, Paul Flynn and Flat Stanley, then we’re talking about some of the cream of South Africa’s crop! And I haven’t even mentioned K.O.B.U.S. yet…

K.O.B.U.S. has been around for a couple of years already, but one gets the feeling that this is where Theo’s true passion lies. It’s almost as if K.O.B.U.S. is a kind of pet-project - like rabid Rottweiler on steroids who has just discovered you hiding in its kennel… It’s the kind of musical group that seriously kicks some ass!

We were forwarded their latest album Swaarmetaal by Rhythm Records and its promptly almost blew my beautiful Blueroom speakers. But then I wouldn’t advise listening to it through headphones either, because coming face-to-face with that salivating Rottie can be scarey stuff!

It’s some of the heaviest metal music that I’ve ever heard coming out of South Africa, and by the sounds of things, its going to start building an overseas fanbase, after the group was invited to perform at the Magic Circle Festival in Bad Arolsen in Germany between 9 and 12 July 2008 – and K.O.B.U.S. was invited by none other than the infamous metal group Manowar.

The first Magic Circle Festival was held in 2007 and was attended by more that 25 000 metal fans, and 2008 is going to be oh-so much bigger and better, as the festival will mark the 20th anniversary of the classic Manowar album “Kings of Metal.” In order to commemorate this momentous occasion, the festival will construct one of the largest stages in Germany, and Manowar will perform all of their first six albums.

Theo Crous made contact with Ecki Scoltz from Magic Circle Music after hearing that Ecki regularly travels to South Africa, and was excited to hear about an Afrikaans metal album and asked Theo to forward a copy of K.O.B.U.S. `s latest album SWAAR METAAL to him. Shortly after sending the album, K.O.B.U.S. vocalist Francois Breytenbach Blom received a personal call from legendary Manowar bassist Joey DeMaio. Joey, who was also the founder of Manowar, said that he is very impressed with SWAAR METAAL, especially the tracks AMEN and KINDERHEL. During this conversation, Joey personally invited K.O.B.U.S. to perform at Magic Circle Festival 2008, and so K.O.B.U.S. has accepted the invitation and is booked to perform on the main stage.

SWAAR METAAL received rave reviews both locally and internationally.

These quotes reflect why it is currently being hailed by media as one of the most significant releases of 2007:

“But occasionally i hear a metal album and just think, man, no matter what you’re into you’ve got to acknowledge that that’s a nice heavy album, whether your usual thing be Dimmu Borghir or Seputura or Korn or whatever. Last time i felt that was with the new Slayer album and Swaar Metaal honest to god gives me that same feeling.” Clive’s Dominion.

“From the first listen it blew my socks off! Not only is it the best SA album I’ve heard in a long time it’s also the best damn metal album of the decade!” Dr Mullet.

“The sound is awesome, the musicianship spectacular, and the lyrics a masterpiece of social observation brilliantly conveyed in a language particularly suited to the harsh vocal quality of metal.” BD The Citizen

“Their heavy-metal packs a seriously lobotomising punch, with an idio-syncratic head-bangers ball appeal …ingeniously original satire” Miles Keylock, Mail & Guardian

“As we staggered out of the Bohemian in the early hours of the morning, I was convinced we had just witnessed a landmark moment in South African music. K.O.B.U.S! had just stormed the castle and proclaimed themselves King.” Loyd Gedye, Isolation – live review.

So I think we should all toast these guys, and of course especially an artist of Theo Crous’ calibre, for keeping the music alive and for taking it to new places! Who knows – we could see a big increase in Afrikaans language studies in the coming year, with the worlds biggest metal fans all trying to find new ways of swearing at you in our own Boere taal! Smaak dit stukkend!