Review: “Golden Death” by KOH

“The term Golden Death, to me, means a different type of ‘end’. One that is more sacred and not as grounded in the physical end of something living and breathing. It is change, one so painful and great, ‘…It feels like needles deep in (my) skin… Whether it’s from a past of trauma and heartbreak, or a toxic pattern inhibiting your way of living; Golden Death is the painful transformation into something greater.” ~ Andy Kala

From humble beginnings as a bedroom project for vocalist Andy Kala and lead guitarist Kieran Pearce to becoming a full band and sharing stages across their native Australia with the likes of Justice For The Damned, Diamond Construct and Broken Earth to name but a few, Darwin Metalcore merchants KOH have come a long way since 2021. Joining Kala and Pearce are rhythm guitarist and programmer Lucas Sharp, bassist and backing vocalist Lachlan Linkson and drummer Luke Kohler, the bands current incarnation having been of growing concern since 2025. That same year they made their festival debut at Blacken Open Air and haven’t looked back since.

Exploring the idea of stripping back to allow for growth despite the hardship that may bring, KOH offer up “Golden Death” for our listening pleasure and at seven tracks for seven deadly sins it qualifies as an album on streaming platforms. Forty seven second introduction piece “Aurea Mors” sets the tone with ambient textured programming and a building drum pattern, allowing Kala to start his vocals within a few seconds of the opening riff of first track proper “Blasphemous“. That serves as a surprisingly captivating moment of Progressive Metalcore with a screamed verse and aching clean chorus over DJent fuelled guitars with a powerful mid-tempo crush. The introspective lyrical narrative is one which resonates and once the moshing is done, it may offer pause for thought. Its in a similar territory to what you might expect from the likes of Polaris or older In Hearts Wake but has that raw abrasive quality that you simply don’t get with over produced records. Spine juddering riffs designed for neck snapping and mosh pit activities open the minds eye with a crowbar as “River Mirror” takes hold, the band nailing nuanced moments of melody while offering up a huge chorus. Not only has the vocal layering been put to good use but the rhythmic dynamics also work really well as the DIY or DIE approach pays off handsomely.

A shorter, sharper system shock “Immolate” is more immediate, dropping a verse and chorus to clock in at under three minutes with all the staccato riff breaks and pounding percussion you could ever want. Hell’s teeth if you’re not screaming along with lines like “Burn it all… to the f***ing ground!” when this is taken to the stage then you’re going to be alone in the crowd because it’s as addictive as fentanyl. A wonderful blend of contrasting textures “Lightless” has a little bit of everything about it, from lush melodies to a spellbinding solo and some almost tribal percussive patterns. Soaring clean vocal lines are kept sparse to maximise their impact and the dull ache of the lyrical narrative isn’t lost on those who have suffered the same fate.

A barnstormer of a heavy hitting cut with some of the harshest vocals on the record “Follow Your Ghost” feels like it means more and when you throw in a handful of blast beats and some haunting programming with those weighty riffs you’ve got something of real grit and integrity you can hang your hat on. Grand finale “Golden Death” is the metaphorical cherry on top of the cake, the title track the culmination of everything that came before it. Soaked in weighty grooves, staccato riff breaks and blast beats it has that extra intensity that drives home the message like a wooden steak through the heart of a vampire. Make no mistake, for KOH the future is so bright its blinding [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Aurea Mors
2. Blasphemous
3. River Mirror
4. Immolate
5. Lightless
6. Follow Your Ghost
7. Golden Death

“Golden Death” by KOH is out 1st July 2026