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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 known as pioneers of Malaysian thrash metal.[1][2] Formed in 1987, the original and current members are Shamsudin "Sam" Ali (vocals and bass) and Khairul Anuar "Karl" Shariff (guitarist).[3] The band is best known for their songs "Misty", "Another You", "I Don't Belong Here," and has released eight studio albums to date.[4] Fans of Cromok are known 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, the senior member, played a key role in developing the musical and visual style that would define Cromok. They were studying at the University of Wollongong in New South Wales, Australia.[6][7][2] While in Australia, they decided to form a thrash metal band to pass the time. They frequently performed their music at small concerts and gigs, primarily within the Sydney Metal Scene. They received positive responses and steadily gained fans, making a name for themselves in the Australian Underground Thrash Metal scene. They rose through the ranks alongside prominent Australian Godfather bands such as Enticer, SSDC, Mortal Sin, Frozen Doberman, White Trash, Addictive, and Detriment.[8] Their single, "Misty," became their most popular song among fans at the time.

In 1992, Sam, Karl, and Miji returned to Malaysia, while Din had already returned the previous year due to an unavoidable personal issue,[9][10] causing them to lose their spot as Motörhead's opening act. After Din's return to Malaysia, they employed the services of session musicians, including rhythm guitarist Erwin and lead guitarist Oggy. Upon returning from Sydney, Cromok performed four concerts at Life Centre in Jalan Sultan Ismail from July 10, 1992, to July 12, 1992. These shows marked their first major performances since moving back to Malaysia. Unfortunately, to the disappointment of many early Cromok fans, Din was never invited to perform or record in the studio, despite his significant role in the band's formation and instrumental contribution to the development of the Cromok Nusantara Thrash Metal sound.[11][12][13] Their first album/demo, Image of Purity, recorded during their studies, was released in 1990 and distributed among tape traders in the Australian metal scene. It was later picked up by Valentine Sound Productions Sdn Bhd for distribution in Malaysia.[14] The album received positive responses, particularly from teenagers, and helped them build a large local fan base in a short period. Songs such as "Another You," "I Don't Belong Here," "Misty," "Metallurgical," and "Memories" were highly praised by their fans. However, their success was short-lived due to the negative perception of metal music by the Malaysian government at the time, as Rock, Heavy Metal, and Thrash Metal were considered unacceptable and were often discriminated against and banned during the late 1980s and early 1990s in Malaysia. Despite this, they continued to grow musically, releasing seven more 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 compilations. Forever in Time remains their most successful album, selling over 100,000 copies in Malaysia.[18][19] A digitally remastered version of their debut album was issued in 2000.[20]

Khairuddin Muhammad, Din, the founding singer-songwriter of Cromok and D'Cromok, passed away on September 27, 1997, from malaria in Mersing, Johor. His remains were buried in Kampung Getting, Tumpat, Kelantan. He was found dead by his wife and daughter.[2] Due to some friction between Din and the other members (as noted in the inlay notes of the D'Cromok 7 Years and 7 Days Part 1 and Part 2 albums), the band continued as a trio.[21] However, in 2001, Karl left Cromok to focus on his professional career and family. He was replaced by renowned Malaysian guitar maestro Hillary Ang from the iconic Malaysian rock band Search.[22][23]

In April 2005, Cromok performed live at Planet Hollywood Kuala Lumpur.[24] At the end of 2005, Hillary returned to Search, leaving Sam and Miji as the remaining members of Cromok. Sam then announced that the band would go on hiatus and all activities would be suspended.[25] After almost five years of hiatus from the music scene, on April 8, 2012, they held a reunion concert in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at KLive, featuring 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 last concerts of Cromok, following their final performance at Hard Rock Cafe, Bangkok.[27][28] On August 21, 2013, Cromok performed as the opening act for Metallica's 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 would introduce a new concept of Malaysian thrash metal music, 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 at Zepp Kuala Lumpur. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) supported this performance, which featured thrash metal music in several tracks along with traditional instruments like gamelan, angklung, and flute. Shortly before the show ended, Kamelia Kharuddin, the daughter of past band member Din, delivered an appreciation speech to all the Cromok fans—the Cromers—for continuously supporting and remembering her late father. Tarmizi Mokhtar (Miji) announced his retirement from the band as a drummer, due to undisclosed health matters. It was later discovered that he was battling Stage 4 cancer.[35] The band's song, Farewell, followed. This concert lasted almost two and a half hours, with the song Memories played as an opening.

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

Style

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

[edit]
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

[edit]
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)
  • The Real Cromok, Zepp Kuala Lumpur (7 December 2024, featuring Man Kidal & Hillary Ang)
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 Thrashditional". 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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