Bong-Ra - Esoterik (2026)

Bong-Ra recent music is often described as "doomjazz", which is relevant, but I'd say "Godflesh with sax" would give you a more accurate idea of what Esoterik sounds like. What's different in Esoterik from the previous album Black Noise is that the jungle beats are gone, while the music gets more atmospheric, especially those ritualistic ambient with saxophone parts. Godflesh meets Painkiller could be another good description. In any case, Esoterik is an excellent piece of dark and heavy music somewhere between doom metal and industrial. And I'm looking forward to what the next Bong-Ra evolution will be.

 

The BC page. 

 

Bong-Ra - Black Noise (2025)

Bong-Ra (Jason Köhnen) has first been known as a breakcore producer, but his love for underground metal is well known and not new (albums filled with samples from metal bands, collaborations, recent doom albums, etc.), so this Black Noise album, worshipping Godflesh through and through, even if it wasn't expected (you never really know what to expect from Bong-Ra!) isn't such a big surprise. But a pleasant one it is, since it's really well done, faithful to its inspiration but also including the Bong-ra touch  (yes, there are of course some jungle elements evoking Godflesh US and Them time, but the album is evoking everything Godflesh did, not only Godflesh at his most electro). Recommended!

 

The BC page.