Band: Chovu
Album: Ufalme Wa Mali
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Kenya
Label: Independent
Released: August 28, 2025
Introduction
Chovu is a Shamanic Black Metal band from Nairobi, Kenya. Formed in 2019, the band takes inspiration from ancient African mythology and fuses it with the sounds of raw black metal to craft something unique. They released their debut album What Sorcery is This? in 2020. After an EP; Moran and 3 split albums; Chovu is back with their follow up full Length album Ufalme Wa Mali.
Tracklist:
- Mali
- Mweta Hazina Ni Nani
- Nyakati Za Dhahabu
- Jehanamu
- Eloi Eloi Lemasabachtani
- Majanga
- Ogalo
Ufalme Wa Mali
It harkens back to the early days when Black Metal was still in it’s infantile stages. Possessing the do or die determination and spirit that helped form the attitude and DIY aesthetics and sound that would become synonymous with Black Metal.
Taking their own cultural myths and healthy dose of late first wave/early second wave inspiration and fusing it with a passionate drive to carve out their own name in the halls of Black Metal, Chovu has continued to push forward with their art through adversity and hardship.
Lyrically Ufalme wa Mali is a concept album whose story is set in the Great Empire of Mali during the Timbuktu era. The tale follows a mysterious figure on a journey to safeguard precious scrolls from the historical Timbuktu library and the tribulations he faces.
Sonically the album is reminiscent of Sarcofago. It’s raw and evil sounding, but is laced with elements and influences brought from their own culture. This is especially apparent on the track Majanga.
The album’s production straddles the line between raw and listenable very well. The musicianship is simple but satisfying, full of grooves that keep you hooked whilst listening. The vocals and overall style of black metal here is unique unto itself and worthy of taking notice.
The black metal scene from Kenya is tiny, and that’s probably an understatement. The fact that Chovu exists at all and is doing what they’re doing is amazing, let alone crafting an album as cool as this and putting it forth into the world to share their art.
Conclusion
This album isn’t some sort of technical masterpiece or crown jewel of modern production. But nor does it pretend to be. Rather it is a testament to the spirit of Black Metal itself and the mighty shadow it has cast upon the world from its early days. Spreading to all corners of the earth and inspiring countless bands to take up their instruments and put pen to paper.
BMZ Score: 7 out of 10
Support Chovu here: https://chovu5.bandcamp.com/album/ufalme-wa-mali
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