Description
Kong – Phlegm – Cassette
Kong’s Phlegm (1992) is the second album by the Dutch experimental rock band Kong, known for their distinctive blend of progressive rock, metal, industrial, and electronic music. Kong is a highly instrumental band that pushes the boundaries of genre with complex, dynamic compositions and innovative soundscapes. Phlegm continues the band’s experimental approach, offering a mix of heavy guitars, intricate rhythms, and electronic textures.
Phlegm is heavily rooted in progressive rock, but Kong’s style is difficult to pin down, as they incorporate elements from a wide range of genres. The album features long, instrumental compositions that evolve over time, with shifting tempos and moods. The music is complex and layered, combining metal riffs with ambient electronic elements.
Kong often blends their rock sound with electronic and industrial elements, creating a futuristic and sometimes mechanical atmosphere. The band uses samples, synthesizers, and looped effects to create soundscapes that feel both heavy and experimental.
The album is marked by heavy, groove-oriented rhythms, with driving drums and bass lines that provide a solid foundation for the swirling guitars and electronics. Kong’s music often features odd time signatures and intricate drum patterns, giving the songs a sense of unpredictability.
Key Tracks
‘Stockhouse’: A standout track on Phlegm, ‘Stockhouse’ combines heavy, distorted guitars with atmospheric synths, creating a dynamic piece that shifts between aggressive riffs and more melodic, experimental passages.
‘Slur’: This track has a slower, more groove-oriented feel, with a repetitive, hypnotic rhythm that builds gradually over time. The interplay between the guitars and electronic elements is key, creating a layered, evolving sound.
‘Wrong’: One of the heavier tracks on the album, this song leans more into the band’s metal influences, with pounding drums and thick, distorted guitar riffs. It’s an intense, energetic track that showcases the band’s ability to create complex, powerful music without the need for vocals.
Kong’s music is largely instrumental, with the band focusing more on creating soundscapes and moods rather than telling stories or conveying specific lyrical themes. The title Phlegm suggests a visceral, raw energy, and the music reflects this with its heavy, dense sound and relentless forward momentum. Much of Phlegm feels cinematic, as if the music is designed to evoke images and emotions without the use of words. The mix of heavy riffs, electronic textures, and dynamic shifts in tempo creates an immersive listening experience that feels both futuristic and primal.
The guitars play a central role in Kong’s music, providing both the heavy, distorted riffs and the more melodic, experimental lines. The guitar work on Phlegm is intricate and varied, moving between metal-inspired riffs and clean, atmospheric playing.
Synthesizers, samples, and electronic effects are used throughout the album to add layers of texture to the music. These elements are integrated seamlessly into the band’s sound, enhancing the progressive and experimental nature of the compositions.
The bass and drums are essential to Kong’s sound, providing the driving, rhythmic backbone of the music. The use of odd time signatures and complex drum patterns gives the album a sense of unpredictability, while the bass lines often anchor the songs with a solid groove.
Phlegm was released at a time when progressive rock and alternative metal were gaining popularity, and Kong’s music fits well within this experimental space. Bands like Tool, Primus, and King Crimson were pushing the boundaries of rock music, and Kong’s mix of metal, electronics, and progressive elements made them a unique part of this movement. While Kong never achieved mainstream success, they have a cult following among fans of progressive and experimental music. Phlegm is an album that appeals to listeners who appreciate complex, instrumental music that challenges traditional genre boundaries.
Kong’s Phlegm (1992) is a bold and experimental album that blends progressive rock, metal, and electronic music into a dynamic and complex sound. With its heavy, driving rhythms, intricate guitar work, and atmospheric electronic elements, the album offers a unique listening experience that is both intense and immersive. Phlegm showcases Kong’s ability to create powerful, instrumental compositions that push the boundaries of genre, making it a standout release in the world of 90s experimental rock. For fans of progressive and instrumental music, this album remains a compelling exploration of heavy, abstract soundscapes.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal
Caroline Records
Track Listing
1. Horse L.
2. M. O. N.
3. ? (P.D. Part 17.239)
4. Thread
5. Stockhouse
6. Yak
7. Wrong
8. Bela Soul
9. Slur
10. Pulse
11. My Heart Soares Like A Hawk – (remix quiet!)
