The self-titled debut by Nairobi duo Duma is an incredible industrial electronic album, and perhaps the most essential trap metal record to be made outside of America. Producer Sam Karugu and vocalist Lord Spikehart have made this wonderful record that’s so many things. There’s a lot of pure noise that will satisfy even the most jaded noise-head. Contemporary afrobeat and electro industrial rhythms are delivered skillfully with little bits of high speed hardcore/cybergrind peppered in. There are some slower, mournful sections that recall older industrial metal and invoke a more doomy heaviness. And of course Lord Spikeharts vocals (which have since become a much in demand feature) are ghastly, shredded perfection.

This really hits the spot for me in so many little ways, it’s just an intersection of so many great new styles of music explored with real creativity and skill. Duma won’t fatigue your ears like some newer industrial. Rather the heaviness and extreme nature is present everywhere from the composition to performances to mixing- it doesn’t need to beat the vibe into you with overwhelming speed or volume. I saw Duma on this tour and it was just as energetic and physical as you would hope. Massive overwhelming sound delivered from the heart like a true punk. Fans of heavy music- literally any kind- shouldn’t let this record be lost to the very long and eventful 2020s.