Dukkha Dukkha cassette
The term “dukkha” refers to discomfort, unease, or something that causes pain or sadness in Buddhism, probably a bit like MTV skacore or dad jokes in secular life. I had never heard of either this genuinely interesting concept, or of the band DUKKHA from Ohio, but I will try my best to remember both. This recording is the first offering of the young three-piece and stands as a very convincing effort. It just sounds effortlessly honest and genuine, and there’s nothing flashy or fancy in DUKKHA’s music. The production is raw and punky, almost organic, and fits well their primitive crustcore style. I am reminded of the classics of fast, gruff crust like early DISRUPT, BATTLE OF DISARM or EMBITTERED, with whom they share a taste for crunchy mid-paced moments. DUKKHA’s recipe is also infused with a HELLHAMMER (if not VENOM) influence, which works with both the style and the textures, helps build a creepy but still angry atmosphere, and provides dark and heavy slower moments. I like this one a lot.