DUMA
KEZ WHELAN
Duma
NYEGE NYEGE TAPES
Cranium-rattling cybergrind adventures from the Kenyan capital
Fusing cybergrind, breakcore, trap and noise, Nairobi duo Duma are a pretty unique proposition and certainly not for the faint of heart. Despite the pounding, blasting drum machine and Lord Spike Heart’s terrifying vocals, which range from larynx blowing highs to deep, resonant gutturals, this debut is more electronic than metallic. Omni fuses blistering gabba beats with black metal-esque shrieks before breaking into a lo-fi, detuned hip hop bounce, like a severely warped early Three Six Mafia cassette, while Lionsblood speeds up tribal drum samples atop a backdrop of fluctuating, textured noise, like a more authentic version of Cut Hands. It’s rough around the edges, but this rawness combined with Duma’s fearless, boundary-defying style makes for a thrilling experience.