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Cromok

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Cromok
Cromok performing live in the late 1980s
Cromok performing live in the late 1980s
Background information
OriginShah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
GenresThrash metal
Years active
  • 1987–2006
  • 2010–present
LabelsEMI Music Malaysia
MembersShamsuddin Ali (Sam)
Khairul Anuar Shariff (Karl)
Past membersHillary Ang (Hill)
Kharuddin Muhammad (Din; deceased)
Che Dean (Denan)
Muhammad Fadhil (Mat Puck)
Nik Ramzee (Ji)
Tarmizi Mokhtar (Miji; deceased)
Websitewww.cromok.my

Cromok is a Malaysian rock band. They are known to be the pioneers of Malaysian thrash metal music.[1][2] Formed in 1987, original and current members consists of Shamsudin "Sam" Ali (vocals and bass) and Khairul Anuar "Karl" Shariff (guitarist).[3] The band best known for their songs "Misty", "Another You", "I Don't Belong Here" and has released 8 studio albums to date.[4] Fans of Cromok were dubbed as 'Cromers'.[5]

History

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Cromok was formed in April 1987 by four young students, Kharuddin Muhammad (Din), Shamsuddin Ali (Sam), Khairul Anuar Shariff (Karl) and Tarmizi Mokhtar (Miji). Din who was the senior among them, was instrumental in developing the musical and visual style of what is to be Cromok. They were studying at the University of Wollongong in New South Wales, Australia.[6][7][2] While in Australia, to past extra time, they decided to form a thrash metal band and they frequently perform their music in small concert and gigs primarily in Sydney Metal Scene. They got positive responses and steadily gained their fans, made their name within the Australian Underground Thrash Metal scene rising the ranks along with Australian Godfather bands, the likes of Enticer, SSDC, Mortal Sin, Frozen Doberman, White Trash, Addictive and Detriment.[8] Their single, "Misty" was their most popular song among their fans in those days.

In 1992, Sam, Karl and Miji returned to Malaysia meanwhile Din had already returned to Malaysia the previous year due to an unavoidable personal issue,[9][10] causing them to loose the spot as Motorhead opening act. After Din went back to Malaysia, they employed the sessionist service of some of their friend. The rhythm guitarist one of them is a guy named Erwin and the lead guitarist is called Oggy. After returning from Sydney, Cromok performed four concerts at Life Centre in Jalan Sultan Ismail on July 10 to 12, 1992. It become their first major shows since moved back to Malaysia. However, unfortunately and to the chagrin of many early Cromok fans, Din was never invited for the performance and eventual studio recording. This was despite his deep involvement with the Band and instrumental effort in developing the Cromok Bay Area/Nusantara Thrash Metal sound.[11][12][13] Their first album/demo which was recorded during their studies, Image of Purity were released in 1990 and were distributed among the tape traders of Australian metal scene and later picked up by Valentine Sound Productions Sdn Bhd to be distributed in Malaysia.[14] They receive positive responses, mostly among the teenagers, and build a huge local fan base in a short period of time. Their songs such as "Another You", "I Don't Belong Here", "Misty", "Metallurgical" and "Memories" were highly praised by their fans. However their success was limited due to limited reception of mainstream media by the Malaysian government at the time (Rock/Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal was unacceptable. Always being discriminated, and banned during late 1980s and early 1990s in Malaysia by Malaysian government and media). Instead, they keep expanding their musical growth, releasing seven more stellar albums; Forever In Time (1993), Yours Truly (1996), Mean, Meaner, Meanest (1999), What's Left? (2000), Deafening Silence (2002),[15][16] Untitled (2004)[17] and a few special edition compilation. Forever in Time was their most successful album to date, sold over 100,000 copies in Malaysia.[18][19] A digitally remastered version of their debut album was reissued in 2000.[20]

Khairuddin Muhammad, Din of founder singer-songwriter of the Thrash metal band Cromok and D'Cromok fame died on September 27, 1997, due to Malaria in Mersing, Johor. His remains were buried in Kampung Getting, Tumpat, Kelantan. He was survived by his widow and daughter.[2] Due to some friction between Din and the three others (based on the inlay notes in D'Cromok 7 Years and 7 Days Part 1 and Part 2 albums), the band then continued as a trio.[21] However, in 2001, Karl was seceding from Cromok because he wants to concentrate on his professional career and his family. Karl then was replaced by renowned Malaysian guitar maestro, Hillary Ang from iconic Malaysian rock band, Search.[22][23]

In April 2005, Cromok performed live at the Planet Hollywood Kuala Lumpur.[24] At the end of 2005, Hillary returned to Search, leaving Sam and Miji as the remaining members in Cromok. Sam then announced that they were going on sabbatical hiatus and all band activities were suspended.[25] After almost five years of sabbatical hiatus from music scene, on April 8, 2012, they held a Reunion concert in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at KLive, consisting of three original members (Sam, Karl, and Miji with Shah Ziri from Nrocinu as rhythm guitar sessionist), which also celebrated the band's 25th anniversary.[26] This was one of the latest concert of Cromok, after their last performance in Hard Rock Cafe, Bangkok.[27][28] On August 21, 2013, Cromok performed as an opening act for Metallica LIVE concert in Malaysia.[29]

On February 3, 2018, Cromok performed alongside XPDC at the Konsert Cromok & XPDC Live in MAEPS, Serdang.[30][31] That same year, they announced that they will introduced a new concept of Malaysian thrash metal music, which known as Thrashditional, a portmanteau of 'thrash metal' and 'traditional'.[32][33][34]

On October 14, 2023, Cromok's "Forever in Time 30th Anniversary Concert" took place in Zepp Kuala Lumpur. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) is supporting this performance, which features thrash metal music in several tracks along with traditional instruments like gamelan, angklung, and flute. Slightly before the shows ended there was an appreciation speech by past band member daughter (Din's daughter), Kamelia Kharuddin to all the Cromok fans- the Cromers for continuously support and remembering of her late father. Tarmizi Mokhtar (Miji) announced his retirement from the band as a drummer, due to undisclosed health matters. It was later discovered he was battling Stage 4 cancer.[35] The band's song, Farewell, follows. This concert took almost 2 and half hours, with Memories song played as an opening.

On 6 March 2024, Tarmizi Mokhtar (Miji), drummer and co-founder of Cromok, died from liver cancer at 58 years of age.[36][37]

Style

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The band sings in English. They are also known to have at least one instrumental track in every album. Sam uses a teutonic thrash raspy vocal style, sometimes low guttural, while the band's music sounds similar to the Bay Area thrash metal with a touch of Malay/Nusantara feels. Cromok also often experiments with Malay cultural music elements and sounds, adding Malay elements to their artwork. They also known for incorporating unicorn on their album cover.[38][39][2]

Members

[edit]
Founding members
  • Kharuddin Muhammad (Din) - backing vocal, guitarist (1987–1992; died 1997)
  • Muhammad Fadhil (Mat Puck) - guitar (1987)
  • Che Dean (Denan) - guitar (1987)
  • Prof. Nik Ramzi Nik Idris (Ji) - bass (1987)
Current members
  • Shamsudin Ali (Sam) - lead vocals, bass guitar (1987–present)
  • Khairul Anuar Shariff (Karl) - lead/rhythm guitar (1987–2000; 2010–present)
  • Shah Sidious (formerly of tribute band Nrocinu)
Former members
  • Hillary Ang - lead guitar (2000–2005)
  • Tarmizi Mokhtar (Miji) - drums (1987–2023; died 2024)

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details
Image of Purity
  • Released: 1990 (demo), 1991 (studio album)
  • Reissued: 2000
  • Label: Valentine Sound Productions
  • Format: CD, cassette, digital download
Forever In Time
Yours Truly
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: EMI Music Malaysia
  • Format: CD, cassette, digital download
Mean, Meaner, Meanest
  • Released: 1999
  • Label: EMI Music Malaysia
  • Format: CD, cassette, digital download
What's Left
  • Released: 2000
  • Label: EMI Music Malaysia
  • Format: CD, cassette, digital download
Deafening Silence
  • Released: 2002
  • Label: EMI Music Malaysia
  • Format: CD, cassette, digital download
Untitled
  • Released: 2004
  • Label: EMI Music Malaysia
  • Format: CD, cassette, digital download
Untitled+Raw
  • Released: 2005
  • Label: EMI Music Malaysia
  • Format: CD, cassette, digital download

Live albums

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Title Album details
Image of Purity & Live
  • Released: 1992
  • Label: EMI Music Malaysia
  • Format: CD, cassette

Compilation albums

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Title Album details
Engraved In Eternity
  • Released: 2003
  • Label: EMI Music Malaysia
  • Format: CD, cassette, digital download
Anthology
  • Released: 2009
  • Label: EMI Music Malaysia
  • Format: CD, boxset

Other albums

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Title Album details
Mentera Metal
Cromok & FTG
  • Released: 2000
  • Label: EMI Music Malaysia, Pony Canyon
  • Format: CD, cassette
XPDC & Cromok
  • Released: 2018
  • Label: Universal Music Malaysia
  • Format: CD, digital download

Concerts

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Headlining
  • Cromok Reunion Thrashing Kuala Lumpur (8 April 2012)[26]
  • Konsert Metal Legends Cromok & XPDC (3 February 2018)[30]
  • Cromok Forever in Time 30th Anniversary Concert, Zepp Kuala Lumpur (14 October 2023)
  • Cromok & ACAB Clash of the Titans, Zepp Kuala Lumpur (9 March 2024)
Opening act
  • Metallica LIVE in Malaysia (21 August 2013)[29]

References

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  1. ^ "Cromok terus dengan thrash metal". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 25 December 2000. Retrieved 4 July 2018.[dead link‍]
  2. ^ a b c d "(Kumpulan pertama yang memperjuangkan...)" (in Malay). Berita Harian. 28 May 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  3. ^ "Cromok terus popular tanpa publisiti". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 28 October 1999. Retrieved 4 July 2018.[dead link‍]
  4. ^ Meor Aziddin Yusof (23 October 2014). "Cromok, underground dan kehidupan" (in Malay). The Malaysian Insider. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  5. ^ Sabariah Salleh (10 October 2004). "Just for Cromers". New Sunday Times. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  6. ^ Akyem Samad (21 March 2019). "Bercakap menerusi muzik, lagu lama Cromok masih syahdu didengari zaman ini" (in Malay). Maskulin. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  7. ^ "Our boys from Australia". New Straits Times. 28 May 1991. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Karl Cromok The Interview". The Bullet Belt. August 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  9. ^ Khairunnisa Hussin; Azhariah Kamin; Jad Mahidin (6 March 1992). "Cromok crew cut out of question". New Straits Times. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  10. ^ Suraya Al-Attas (9 March 1992). "Cromok plays for own satisfaction". New Straits Times. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  11. ^ Rosidi Daud (3 July 1992). "It's Cromok". The Malay Mail. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  12. ^ Kharleez Zubin (7 July 1992). "Cromok out to woo local folks". New Straits Times. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  13. ^ Nur Hajar Mohamed (10 July 1992). "Cromok concert at Life Centre". The Malay Mail. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Cromok set to perform here". New Straits Times. 3 June 1991. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Kumpulan Cromok bernasib baik". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 22 June 2002. Retrieved 4 July 2018.[dead link‍]
  16. ^ Aizawati Ahmad (7 July 2002). "Dunia muzik dari kaca mata Cromok". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Retrieved 4 July 2018.[dead link‍]
  17. ^ Khairull Azleyana Ishak (20 October 2004). "Cromok kembali dengan Untitled" (in Malay). Berita Harian. Retrieved 4 July 2018.[dead link‍]
  18. ^ Samsor Junet (29 March 1993). "Album Cromok untuk pasaran dunia". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  19. ^ Seri Intan Othman (28 March 1993). "Cromok guna muzik Malaysia" (in Malay). Berita Minggu. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  20. ^ "Cromok rakam album guna teknologi terkini". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 6 September 2000. Retrieved 4 July 2018.[dead link‍]
  21. ^ Lim Jin Aun; Harris Iskandar Taib (21 May 1993). "Cromok undecided on fourth member". New Straits Times. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  22. ^ "Cromok mendapat sentuhan Hillary". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 5 December 2000. Retrieved 4 July 2018.[dead link‍]
  23. ^ Julia Jaafar (18 December 2000). "Ang joins Cromok". New Straits Times. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  24. ^ "Cromok - Pecah tradisi Planet Hollywood". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 6 April 2005. Archived from the original on 10 September 2005. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  25. ^ Abdul Aziz Itar (10 May 2005). "Cromok terus 'hidup' tanpa publisiti". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Archived from the original on 14 May 2005. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  26. ^ a b Faten Saphilla Mohamed Isa (13 March 2012). "Konsert reunion Cromok" (in Malay). Kosmo!. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  27. ^ Azhariah Kamin (4 April 2012). "Living the memories". E-Central. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  28. ^ "Cromok to perform in concert after 20 years". My News Hub. 8 March 2012. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  29. ^ a b "Metallica: Live in Malaysia (21st August 2013)". Sputnik Music. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  30. ^ a b Hasnurul Mohamed (25 January 2018). "Cromok, XPDC dalam Live Concert 3 Februari". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  31. ^ Zaidi Mohamad (3 February 2018). "XPDC, Cromok bertarung aksi di MAEPS" (in Malay). Berita Harian. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  32. ^ Ardini Sophia Sina (20 August 2018). "Nantikan Thrashditional Cromok..." (in Malay). Harian Metro. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  33. ^ Chris Mohan (28 August 2018). "Cromok to unleash new concept of thrash metal dubbed Trashditional". The Malay Mail. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  34. ^ "Cromok perkenal genre 'Thrashditional' sempena konsert di Pasir Gudang". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 20 August 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2019.[dead link‍]
  35. ^ Alhamzah, Tahir (2024-03-04). "#Showbiz: Miji of Cromok fame battling Stage 4 liver cancer | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  36. ^ Victor, Mark Mathen. "Cromok loses another founding member". thesun.my. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  37. ^ Entertainment, N. S. T. (2024-03-08). "#Showbiz: Former Cromok drummer Miji dies | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  38. ^ "Sesi diskusi dengan Cromok". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 20 January 2001. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  39. ^ Jad Mahidin; Khairunnisa Hussin (3 July 1992). "Going under the scissors with Cromok". New Straits Times. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
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