Electronic Metal pioneers BONG-RA unleash a haunting second single from their forthcoming new album “Black Noise“. ‘Death#2‘ symbolises the turbulence of contemporary existence, weaving electronic textures and metallic defiance into an unyielding anthem of resistance, driven by the band’s unmistakable high-octane energy.
Check the video on DMP’s YouTube channel and listen to the song via Bandcamp and all streaming platforms:
Band mastermind Jason Köhnen (THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE, THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET) describes the new single:
“The song ‘Death#2‘ is a very minimal nihilistic grasp on death. Where no further explanations, philosophical or spiritual need be applied but a simple rational view of life passed and death following.“
‘Dystopic‘ – the first unveiled track from “Black Noise” (listen here) – is the new album’s powerful opener. ‘Death#2‘ is the next track on the record and shares a connected narrative, as Jason relays:
“These are actually also the first two tracks composed after the long hiatus. Hence the ‘#2‘ in the title name. They’re not connected really except for the general dystopian concept that hangs over the album. Both tracks do contain the key elements that represent the album. One of the creative goals was to work towards ‘song’ structures, mostly electronically composed music or songs stray from traditional verse/bridge/chorus templates and are more focussed on repetitive/hypnotic structures, withing breakcore there were no rules at all and the polyrhythms set the tone for the chaotic song structures. With “Black Noise” I chose the more traditional path and wanted to experiment how that would work out as part of the album concept. Who knows if future compositions will dive into the more chaotic experimentations, but for this album I think these songs work out really well.“
Find all album details here!
“Black Noise” will be released on CD, vinyl, and digital on February 21st. The vinyl version is released in partnership with Netherland’s Tartarus Records who’s also doing a tape version of the album. Two specially designed t-shirts will accompany the launch. Pre-orders are possible via the label’s EU, US, and Bandcamp shops.
BONG-RA live dates – playing alongside THE ANSWER LIES IN THE BLACK VOID – are already confirmed for 2025:
07.03 Budapest, HU [Durer Kert]
13.03 Timisoara, RO [M2]
14.03 Cluj, RO [Hardward Club]
15.03 Bucharest, RO [Soundart Fest]
26.03 Utrecht, NL [DBS]
27.03 Drachten, NL [Iduna]
28.03 Deventer, NL [Walhalla]
29.03 Terneuzen, NL [De Pit]
30.03 Tilburg, NL [Little Devil]
Jason Köhnen began his musical journey in 1988 as the vocalist/bassist for BLUUURGH…, an underground Dutch Crust/Death Metal/Grindcore band. Following the release of an EP and LP, in 1991 he founded the Death-Doom band CELESTIAL SEASON, gaining widespread recognition as a prominent name in the genre outside the renowned ‘Peaceville 3′.
In 1996, Köhnen shifted from Metal to electronic music, creating the project BONG-RA and pioneering the intense Breakcore genre of electronica. His 1998 debut album led to a Peel Session in 2002, and established BONG-RA as one of the first acts to fuse Extreme Metal with electronics. The experimentation deepened with releases like the 2007 “Grindkrusher” EP, featuring BOLT THROWER samples, and collaborative releases with noise artist Maruosa in DEATHSTORM and the neo-classical Doom project WHITE DARKNESS.
Beyond BONG-RA, Kohnen co-founded THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE and later THE MOUNT FUJI DOOMJAZZ CORPORATION, releasing a series of cult albums up to 2013. Over his 30-year career, he has collaborated with notable artists such as VENETIAN SNARES and IGORRR, performed at major festivals including Glastonbury and Dour, and toured globally, sharing the stage with legendary acts like APHEX TWIN, MINISTRY and THE PRODIGY.
After a brief hiatus, during which BONG-RA explored Doom, Electronica and Jazz – including via 2018’s “Antediluvian” and 2022’s “Meditations” – Köhnen is now returning to his Metal and Grindcore roots. A deal with Debemur Morti Productions, also home to his Doomjazz project THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET, has been reached.
BONG-RA now prepares for a new era as a live three-piece featuring guitarists Attila Kovacs and Botond Fogl. This freshly rejuvenated vehicle for Metal/breaks fusion will debut in early 2025 with a new record “Black Noise” and an upcoming tour.