Kultur Shock

All who follow Kultur Shock since their inception in 1996 in Seattle, or is familiar with their 18 years of touring and 10 records, knows that the band is in a league of its own. Frequently compared to SOAD or Gogol Bordello, the band is musically richer than both, since it unabashedly seeks influence in the wealth of Balkan folk music, as well as rock, metal, and punk in their best traditions. Or, as Darek Mazzone (WoPop, KEXP) exclaimed at their record release show in Seattle: “Kultur Shock is currently the best band in America. Period.” ‘Cause they are.

Gino’s current lyrics is directed outward, it is a sassy political and social commentary of the current world where lies parade as truth, and reality, facts, science, education and expertise go grossly disregarded. The band matches the message with aggressive arrangements of traditional Kultur Shock prog-metal-punkery with distinct Balkan flavor which has become a signature for the unit since its beginning. The band took a non-traditional approach to production, too. Recorded at their personal studios (jokingly referred to as the “La Toilette” in Brooklyn, New York, and Seattle, mixed by Oggi Kiossovski in Sofia, Bulgaria, and mastered by Chris Hanzsek in Seattle, the record sounds relaxed in its writing, contemporary in its sound, and doesn’t pay homage to any existing rules.

Kultur Shock will be on the road in Europe in April, dedicating their appearances to club audiences almost exclusively – a medium where the band feels at its best. The road will lead them through Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Bosnia i Herzegovina, and Greece.