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Writing this at 0420 hours, cloistered at home. Southeast Los Angeles rumbles outside the window. Waking up to a new day produces some anxiety. Always does. MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) is not something one lives with in a vacuum.
One thing that helps ease symptoms, and always has,is music. So, delving into a review of one of the most amazing acts in the world, Arka’n Asrafokor and their album Zã Keli, is a great idea. Let’s do this.
Hailing from Togo, West Africa, Arka’n Asrafokor (sometimes referred to as Arka’n) is an absolute leviathan of metal. The band explores a wide range of musical influences --- folk music, nu-metal, alternative metal, thrash, etc. --- combining it all into a whole that goes harder than most.
This alchemy of genres pays off in so many ways that it isn’t to be ignored. Members Rock Ahavi (guitar/vocals), Francis Amevo (bass guitar), Richard Tamakloe (drums), Mass Aholou (percussion/vocals), and Enrico Ahavi (keyboard/vocals) bring it, full-bore and unrelenting.
Track by track, the band flexes their considerable muscle. The opening number, “Warrior Song”, eases into a nice guitar groove at the beginning, and then slams the listener with a wall of riffs. This song is no sleeper. Gorgeous harmonies and raging gutturals and smooth hip-hop flows wend their ways throughout. Ameyo and Tamakloe lay down a fantastic groove, with percussionist Aholou accenting with grooves that make the listener’s jaw drop.
“Les Peuples de l’Ombre” follwos, and jumps at one’s awareness with a fantastic percussion/vocal opening, leaps right into the heavy. Crushing the ears in all the best ways, Arka’n moves through this complex groove with ease.
The new neighbors regret moving in, already, as the thunderous guitar work laid down by Rock Ahavi on “Lost Zion” reverberates through the walls. Thrashy. Groovy. Heavy. A bit of Gojira can be heard in some movements. It just keeps getting better.
“Awala” slides into the playlist. A grand mix of groove and thrash and power. Out of nowhere, a beautiful breakdown and Rock Ahavi hits us with a brief bit of jazz, then full-blown metal during his solo. And there’s this Alice In Chains vibe that is unmistakable and brilliant. Blown away, and then the next song hits.
“Return of the Ancient Sword” is the featured track on Arka’n’s Bandcamp page, and with good reason. It induces chills with its intricacies. Complex time signature changes. Dissonant guitar work mixed with angelic chords. Rhythm section so in sync that one can only wonder how it’s possible. And the vocal work is simply world class.
Just when one might think that this sonic attack is over, Arka’n fly right into “Tears of the Dead”. A personal favorite, this track is relentless. Rock and Enrico Ahavi switching off on lead vocals is a thing to be awed and inspired by. The folk music breakdowns that lead into killer riffing and then Rock Ahavi’s solo are mindblowing. Aholou’s backing vocals and percussion work are brilliant. Ameyo and Tamakloe lay it down in serious fashion. This track is so damn good…
“As I Can Breathe” allows us to take a moment and reflect for about two nanoseconds. It’s an anthem of funk metal, hip-hop, and nu-metal that is second to none. This track showcases just how diverse and flexible Arka’n are. Reminiscent of Bad Brains’ “Quickness” LP and everything awesome about early Linkin’ Park, this track takes a whole new and refreshing direction from the sheer volume of heavy and allows the band to really explore their musicality.
And then “Viviti” comes on and takes the listener on a whole new journey through the prowess that this band commands. Soaring vocal melodies. Beautiful folk breaks. Percussion that commands without overwhelming. Fantastic rhythm work. Another world-class performance.
“Escape” ups the ante yet again. Some of the best mixture of folk metal and nu-metal that can be found anywhere. Some brilliant power metal is thrown in for good measure, and Rock Ahavi’s vocals are so on point that it makes me wanna quit vocal work entirely. Aholou is brilliant yet again. His percussion is superb. His singing is amazing. And Ameyo and Tamakloe are nothing short of perfect.
Listening to “Prince of Fire” makes me throw my hands up in defeat. This song is perfection personified. The groove is the kind of thing that most bands aspire to, and Arka’n lay this kind of awesome down throughout their LP. Brilliant percussive and folk breaks, yet again. A great guitar break, and then another amazing display of musicianship. Commanding. That’s the word. Commanding.
Jazzy and groovy, “Got To Break It” takes us on yet another musical journey. The combination of funk-jazz and groove metal is so mind-blowing that my neighbors stopped pounding on the walls to give a listen. The level of playing and singing skill over that first verse shows how awesome Rock Ahavi really is, and he keeps it rolling through the song. His solo is a masterclass, as is the riff behind it. The backing vocals are perfect. Every instrument at work in this tune is sheer splendor. Don’t know how else to describe it.
The final track, “Welcome”, is the perfect closer. Extraordinary barely even starts to describe it. Mellow, inspirational, tasty throughout. Tears of joy threaten. Again, Arka’n showcase their versatility and virtuosity. Vocal melodies so perfect that one’s faith in humanity should be restored. Excellent guitar work. Bass melody consumes the listener with how amazing it accents and fits the groove. Drums and percussion are spot-on --- by that, I mean godly in their execution, placement, mix, just… EVERYTHING!
The sun is almost above the horizon, now, and the world is a better place this morning. I had not heard this LP in its entirety before today. And even though my illness still lingers, it’s been pushed far to the rear of existence.
Thank you for this thing of beauty, Arka’n Asrafokor.
Zã Keli is available on Bandcamp.