The godfather of spin kicks, Mike Couls aka Gook— now going by Chino Noir (formerly of Cold as Life, Sworn Enemy, Merauder, Terror, and Cro-Mags Jam among others) — has resurfaced with a new project, Supreme Mystic, and their debut record Kala Rupa. It’s the first release on MahaVishnu Records, and it’s a surprisingly strong entry from a guy who’s been through the wringer.
Ever since that infamous incident with Harley Flanagan — yeah, that one — rumors floated around about him diving into Krishna Consciousness, and Kala Rupa proves it’s more than talk. The album dives deep into themes of karma, mortality, illusion, and rebirth, weaving Sanskrit mantras into its hardcore and metal DNA.
The lineup is features former Universal Stomp/Earthmover drummer Jeff Shanken, guitarist Alfredo Riojas, and keyboardist Luis Ulloa fill out the mix. The result? A hybrid of hardcore energy and spiritual introspection that somehow works. You get bursts of aggression, moody grooves, and even moments of melody — but thankfully, it never falls into full-on chanting territory.
Tracks like “Stealin’ Beauty” (check the video below) hit that sweet spot between metallic crunch and melodic grit. Kala Rupa clocks in at nine tracks, just over 41 minutes, and while the six-minute cuts (“Kalarupa,” “Transmission of the Soul”) stretch my attention span, they earn their keep with dynamics and atmosphere.
The production is tight, with some serious guitar noodling and crunch to go right along with it. And damn, I didn’t know the guy could sing. He still brings the bass thunder, still does his wild spin kicks, and somehow pulls off melodic vocals without losing any of the menace.
This record came completely out of left field — not something I ever expected on my 2025 bingo card — but Kala Rupa delivers. It’s heavy, heartfelt, and rooted in something real.
Kala Rupa was officially released on October 3, 2025 through MahaVishnu Records and Third House Communications.
Kala Rupa track listing:
01. Stealing Beauty
02. Whispers Of A Nameless Fear
03. Halo Of Vultures
04. Colorblind
05. Invoking Auspiciousness
06. Supreme Mystic
07. Transmigration Of The Soul
08. Jewels On The Hood Of A Serpent
09. Kala Rupa
Rod Orchard is a veteran music journalist and photographer with 35+ years documenting metal, punk, and hardcore. His work has been featured in publications, films, documentaries, and record artwork worldwide, capturing the raw energy of live shows and backstage life.