Emerging Artist Reviews

Album Review: Voodoo Monk "K.O.K.A"

by The Metalverse

Updated August 07, 2025

Tracklist

Bite My Wound
New Number 1
Knife You
No Matter
Speed
No Way
K.O.K.A

Metal act Voodoo Monk released their latest album K.O.K.A in April of 2025. The album begins with Bite My Wound, which starts with sludgy, distorted guitar leads before introducing slamming drums and explosive screams, quickly forming a raw sound that reminds of sludge, doom, and psychedelic metal genres. Bite My Wound soon takes a heavier turn, with death metal elements that remind of early Gojira.

New Number 1 bursts into action with hard-hitting guitar riffage and speeding tempos that have a thrash feel, while heavy distortion and effects create a more psychedelic or stoner effect that keeps things interesting. New Number 1 is a fully instrumental track filled with crushing riffs and a fuzz-ridden sound, creating an intense and dynamic sound.

Next up is Knife You which starts with even faster pacing and a more dramatically heavy guitar that instantly shows that Voodoo Monk isn't pulling any punches. Percussive screams slash through the mix before the song makes way for an ambient bass tone that creates a powerfully atmospheric soundscape as soaring clean vocals transition into heavier instrumentals and booming growls. In a bridge filled with screeching guitar, racing blast beats, and thumping bass lines, Knife You makes a visceral exit.

Track 4, No Matter starts with a dark, clean guitar that reminds of '90s grunge as a lofi tape filter creates a classic radio sound. Echoing vocals soon create the most psychedelic and experimental sound of the album so far, building a sound that has a futuristic sound that reminds of the style of unique artists like David Bowie. The track has a slower pacing at first before eventually launching into full band destruction that alternates with experimental, ambient sections.

Speed doesn't betray its moniker–introducing itself as a fast-paced, thrashing track filled with galloping riffs, rapid drum grooves, and overall heavy-hitting instrumentals. As the 2nd instrumental-only song of the album, Speed acts as an aggressive interlude that leads into the next track.

No Way begins with stand-alone sludgy guitar leads that soon introduce deep bass lines and crashing cymbals. Voodoo Monk create a powerfully experimental sound with guitar tones that have thick reverb, delay, and effects creating a trippy and creative sound. The song doesn't stay slow for too long, eventually catapulting into an extreme metal sound with sharp screams, and blasting riffs.

The final track of the album K.O.K.A starts off with melancholy harmonies between guitar and bass melodies as gentle hi-hats create a catchy groove. With a runtime of just under 8 minutes, K.O.K.A brings psychedelic influences to the forefront as a mixture of sludge, doom, thrash, and death metal is molded into a sound that is distinct to Voodoo Monk. The track is fully instrumental yet still tells a tale through drastic changes in pacing and musical style that keep things interesting.

Voodoo Monk's latest album K.O.K.A showcases the band's signature psychedelic and fuzz-driven touches on heavy metal, ranging from aggressive tracks to grooving instrumental songs. You can stream K.O.K.A out on all platforms now!