Cromok

Legendary Malaysian thrash metal outfit Cromok actually formed in Australia, where the original four members were students. Founding member Din would leave Australia earlier than his compatriots (Sam, Karl, and Miji), and start a band of his own in Malaysia, called D'Cromok. Eventually, the remaining three returned as well, and carried on with out their fourth. Mixing Malaysian cultural and musical influences with bay area thrash and European metal style vocals won the hearts and minds of the Malay metal world, and the band's albums -- 1991's Image of Purity through 2004's self-titled affair -- were hits in the rock underground. In 2005, the band decided to hang it up -- in a way -- and put the Cromok moniker on permanent hiatus. One member even decided to return to his old band. Tragically, founding member Din passed away in the '90s. ~ Chris True