Klokotor - Riziko úhynu (Risk of Perishing) (2026)
By Flork
Seeing as Klokotor is a one-man band project, I had to admit that I was curious from the get-go about how Riziko úhynu (Risk of Perishing) would sound. Honestly though, it‘s one of those rare albums whose concept might sound absurd on paper, but actually proves remarkably effective in execution. I would never guess that there is only one performer, since the the album sounds like a full band, especially with its intricate layers of guitar changes and vocal harmonies (goblin and deep growl). The mastermind behind this album is Martin Huba. He occupies a unique space between tribute and parody, with compositions that he himself describes as parodies of the world around us (he also mentions that the lyrics are funny, although I can’t really make out a word he is singing). Nevertheless, rather than filling his songs with tales of ancient evil, cosmic destruction, or serial killers, Huba finds inspiration in the overlooked texts that surround us every day, such as notices taped to apartment doors, warnings in elevators, signs on fences, announcements at clinics, and handwritten messages left by frustrated neighbors (much like where I live in Bratislava). These fragments of public communication become the foundation for ten songs united by a common theme - the omnipresent possibility of illness, injury, conflict, contamination, and death. Tand so, the album‘s title is entirely fitting. Whether the subject is bedbugs infesting an apartment building or questionable drinking water, every track reflects some form of threat to health, safety, or social harmony.
Beginning with Asanačný zásah (Sanitation Intervention), a track about a notice of repeated bedbug infestations, listeners are treated with an assault of guitars that translate communal panic and the fear of contamination. I’m intrigued by the sound immediately. This is followed by Nepiť, len úžitková (Don‘t Drink, Utility Water), more pandemonium building an entire narrative around a warning sign informing visitors that the water is unsuitable for drinking (apparantly a deer regularly urinates in the reservoir). Po deviatej hodine (After Nine O‘Clock) derives its tension from the cold bureaucratic language of a dental clinic sign, while Šedý osol hryzie (The Gray Donkey Bites) elevates a simple zoo warning into something unexpectedly memorable. Elsewhere, tracks such as Slušný človek (A Decent Person), Špiny (Piece Of Dirt!) and Vážení susedia (Dear Neighbours) document the passive-aggressive battles that emerge within shared living spaces, where anonymous notes and public accusations become weapons in neighbourhood disputes. But Huba approaches these subjects with affection rather than ridicule. The humour comes not from mocking ordinary people, but from recognising the inherent strangeness of everyday reality. In many respects, the album functions as a collection of miniature social documentaries, which preserve voices that would otherwise be filed away in the trash bin. Each complaint and warning hints at a larger story, and Klokotor exceeds at imagining the human drama concealed behind these seemingly insignificant scraps of text.
And Flork‘s prognosis? Surprisingly positive, despite being surrounded by bedbugs, contaminated water, dental bureaucracy, biting donkeys, angry neighbors, and countless reminders of mortality. What prevents Riziko úhynu from becoming a mere novelty record is the quality of the music itself. Drawing from death metal, thrash metal, and progressive metal, Huba delivers compositions that are engaging even without the lyrical concept. The riffs are sharp and energetic, balancing aggression with memorable hooks, while the arrangements demonstrate a progressive sensibility that keeps the songs dynamic and unpredictable. Most impressive of all is the guitar work. Throughout the album, Huba unleashes a series of extended lead guitar passages that frequently become the emotional centerpiece of the songs. Many of these solos soar high on the guitar‘s top strings, producing a piercing, expressive tone that contrasts beautifully with the heavier rhythm sections beneath.
And rather than serving as displays of technical excess, these melodic excursions add depth and atmosphere, giving the music a surprisingly emotional dimension. Klokotor clearly loves heavy music and understands its language intimately, allowing the humour to coexist naturally with genuine musicianship. More importantly, Riziko úhynu reminds listeners that some of the strangest, most revealing stories are not hidden in history books or horror novels, but are instead found in the handwritten notes, warning signs, and public announcements that most of us pass by without a second glance. The result is an album that rewards repeated listening long after the novelty of its premise has faded.
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Links:
https://klokotor.bandcamp.com/album/riziko-hynu-risk-of-perishing
https://www.facebook.com/klokotor/
https://www.youtube.com/@klokotor
Martin Huba @ JDØS
https://jablkadaleko.blogspot.com/2024/05/241-ucholak-dark-ambient-noise-martin.html
https://jablkadaleko.blogspot.com/2025/04/dsw18-mimo-mimo-2025-martin-huba.html
Flork's Reviews
https://jablkadaleko.blogspot.com/search/label/Flork
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