Kobus!
| Kobus! | |
|---|---|
 Kobus!, 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Cape Town, South Africa |
| Genres |
Heavy metal Black metal, Extreme metal |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Website | http://kobusmusic.com/ |
| Members |
Theo Crous Francois Breytenbach Blom Werner Von Waltsleben Pierre Tredoux |
| Past members |
Rob Nel (2004–2007) Paul André Blom (2004 - 2007) |
Kobus! (or K.O.B.U.S!) is an Afrikaans extreme metal band formed in 2000 by ex-Springbok Nude Girls guitarist Theo Crous and ex-Voice of Destruction vocalist Francois Breytenbach Blom. They performed as a duo until 2004 when they were joined by Rob Nel on bass and Paul André Blom on drums.
In 2007 Rob Nel was replaced on bass by Pierre Tredoux and in 2008 drummer Paul Andre Blom was replaced by Werner Von Waltsleben.
The band has released three albums: The self-titled debut Kobus! in 2002, 100% Skuldgevoelvry' in 2004, and Swaar Metaal in 2007. The first two releases contained an eclectic mix of styles, crossing genres from track to track. The album Swaar Metaal, which won the 'Best Afrikaans Rock Album' award at the 2008 South African Music Awards, is sonically more uniform than its predecessors, an Afrikaans-language Heavy Metal album, regarded as a first in Afrikaans music.[1]
Background
Initially formed as an experimental Afrikaans-language project in 2000 by vocalist Francois Breytenbach Blom & guitarist Theo Crous, South African band K.O.B.U.S!’ first release, Kobus! in 2002, through ENT Entertainment displayed a flagrant disregard for uniformity. Straying from the respective styles of their previous bands the album zig-zagged between moods, blending surreal comedy with dark ballads and Afrikaans rock psychedelia[2] on 12 tracks of electronica and electric guitar. The song "Hoenderman" has since become a fan favourite.
Their 2nd release, 100% Skuldgevoelvry in 2004 again follows the "no recipe" route, a bold companion-piece to their genre-busting debut. Almost twice the running time of its predecessor and comprising 16 genre blending tracks, this album includes a number of heavier songs, a sign of things to come on their next album.
In 2006 K.O.B.U.S! joined the independent South African label Rhythm Records. Swaar Metaal (Heavy Metal) Kobus!’s third full-length album, departs from the previous two in it being a straight Heavy Metal album. The lyrics, dark in theme, deal with topical South African issues. Tracks like Witman which describe frustrations from some white South African's perspective, Kinderhel, a song about child abuse and Doodstraf, which calls for the implementation of the death penalty, deliver very unapologetic political commentaries and deal with decaying moral standards in society. Other lyrical themes include the Apocalypse.
K.O.B.U.S! was invited to perform at the gargantuan Magic Circle Festival in Germany during July 2008. Headlined by the legendary Manowar, it featured the likes of Alice Cooper, Stormwarrior and W.A.S.P. The festival ran over four days in Bad Arolsen, Germany.[3]
Swaar Metaal won in the category for Best Afrikaans Rock Album at the 14th annual South African Music Awards in 2008.[4]
In March 2008 Werner Von Waltsleben replaced Paul Andre Blom on drums.[5]
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Discography
- Kobus! (2002)
- 100% Skuldgevoelvry (2004)
- Swaar Metaal (2007)
References
- Tromp, Peter (23 April 2004). "More than just another Afrikaans rock band". Tonight (Independent News & Media). Retrieved 2007-05-13.
- Mayne, Jane (4 May 2007). "Swaarmetaal-K.O.B.U.S". Tonight (Independent News & Media). Retrieved 2007-05-17.
- ↑ Sabrina Dean (2007-04-24). "Best Afrikaans band in the universe?". The Citizen.
The new album puts Kobus! on the map as the first band to do heavy (I mean real heavy) metal in Afrikaans.
- ↑ , Sovereign Express . Retrieved on 7 April 2013.
- ↑ , LitNet. Retrieved on 13 January 2013.
- ↑ The 14th Annual South African Music Awards. , T.V.S.A., 3 May 2008. Retrieved on 13 January 2013.
- ↑ , Entertainment Africa. Retrieved on 13 January 2013.