Doomed Confessionary: Mike, Marci & Laci (Boru)
Boru is a four-piece sludge/doom/post-metal band from Szeged, Hungary. Formed in 2017, Boru consists of Mike (guitarist, songwriter, producer, mixing engineer of the band), Marci (vocals, synth), Laci (bass, drone) and Lali (drums).
The band’s latest full-length album »Self-dealer« was just released independently on September 11th, 2024. Available now on all major streaming platforms!
Can you say a few words about your band?
Mike: BORU was formed in the spring of 2017 in Szeged, Hungary. Initially, we didn’t have any serious plans for the band; we just wanted to play something slow and heavy. Before BORU, we were in a fast neocrust band called Tomusz. My idea was to create music that sounded like Sunn O))) but with drums and a bit faster. Since then, the band has undergone several changes in both members and musical style. Our main musical influences were Sunn O))), The Secret, Primitive Man, Russian Circles, and Death Engine and also some hungarian bands like Rivers Run Dry, Oaken. However, we were also deeply inspired by old black-and-white Hungarian movies, aiming to capture that gloomy, cinematic vibe.
Currently, we describe our music as avant-garde post-metal, though we don’t strictly adhere to labels. We love heavy music, but we don’t necessarily want to be confined by it. We simply play music that we enjoy, without worrying about genre boundaries. Our influences are constantly evolving. We started with sludge, doom, and post-metal because we enjoyed that sound, but if we find a synth more interesting than a distorted guitar, we’ll use the synth. This is why we used cello bows on our first LP – it was weird, interesting, and added a unique vibe. Similarly, we included techno elements in our second LP. Lyrically, our themes are mainly abstract, existential, and philosophical.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Mike: The biggest challenge was keeping the band active and alive. Initially, we all lived in the same city, but then our bassist moved to the countryside and our singer moved to Budapest. We faced a tough time when our original drummer quit the band and moved abroad. We had no idea what the next step would be. Keeping the band together and consistent was difficult.
Another big challenge was overcoming the tendency to second-guess the songwriting process. It was hard to get over not wanting the band to sound like another XY band, it just leads to disappointment. You have to embrace new, original, and slightly unconventional ideas because they bring real authenticity.
Marci: I also agree with Mike that the recent period has been the most challenging in the band’s history. The unity we had, being just a half-hour drive away from Baks, where our rehearsal space and Mike’s studio were, was completely disrupted when our founding drummer left. The new drummer lived in Budapest, which is significantly farther from Baks than Szeged. Not long after that, I also moved to the capital, and then our new drummer went to South Korea for almost half a year. While he was away, Mike also moved to Budapest, so the dynamics significantly shifted. Laci is the only one who, so to speak, stayed at the “stove” in the Great Hungarian Plain.
You have to know that back when the band was based in Szeged, we used to rehearse actively, every week or two, and we met quite often. However, this way of operating went out the window due to the challenges posed by the distances mentioned above, and we had to figure out a new way to work efficiently. We rehearsed much less frequently, about once a month, but those were usually songwriting sessions that lasted the whole weekend. But, like with any transition, this one was difficult, and several times, many of us questioned whether it was worth continuing this way.
Now, however, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, as the album has been released, and soon we’ll start performing live again. I think this will be an important mental reinforcement for the band, showing us that there’s a reason to keep doing this.
Photo credit: B42 – DiY
What can you be most proud of so far?
Mike: I don’t like to focus on pride, but what makes me content is the fact that the band is still active, and that we’re a group of guys with zero drama, all on the same page. Also, the new record is something that we can look up to.
Marci: What makes me the most proud regarding the band is that we had the opportunity to play with one of our favorite bands, Amenra, in Košice. Moreover, they are known for not liking to play with random local or nearby bands. Because of this, their management asked us to send a few of our songs in advance. They listened to them and approved us to play before Amenra. So, probably, they didn’t think we were bad, even if they didn’t think we were great either – or at least it feels good to believe that.
Laci: The concert in Košice with Amenra, as Marci mentioned. I’m also very proud the fact that people are waiting our new releases, merch etc. I always dreamed about this when I first picked up a guitar as a kid.
What was your biggest regret?
Mike: My biggest regret is that we didn’t create a music video for the new record, as we didn’t have the time or money to make one. I had so many ideas for it. Otherwise I don’t have too much regrets, everything happens as it should happen.
Marci: I also really regret that what we were previously quite strong in and received a lot of praise for, like our music videos, has taken a backseat with the last album. We didn’t release a video for any of the songs, and it’s quite likely that nothing will come out for the new one either. This is quite sad, especially for music like ours that contains such cinematic elements.
Laci: For me, the fact that we didn’t make a video(s) for the second album. We had a concept for a 3-chapter short film. We do everything completely DIY, I do most of the filming and the period when the album came out was quite stressful for me. I think it was more my fault than not having enough money or whatever.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Mike: Actually, we’ve never been on tour yet. Probably our best show was Fiesta De Corbata 2023! We really enjoyed the event, the people, the bands, and the backstage. For some reason, it had an ‘ancestral community’ vibe, and it was very inspirational.
Marci: Phew, that’s a tough question—there have been quite a few, fortunately, and each for different reasons. I really love the small clubs too, where there’s no room for me on stage, so I have to perform from within the crowd. That somehow always gives me an extra boost of energy. But the bigger stages have their own vibe as well. So there have been many, and I can’t pick just one.
Laci: Amenra in Košice, and all the Desszert Feszt Budapest Parádé, we played at.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Mike: Linkin Park’s new singer and the reunion of Oasis! Just kidding, I don’t give a fuck. In the realms of the underground music scene: Frankly, I’m not really the type of person who is always looking for new bands. I keep listening to the same records, so I’m not very up-to-date with new bands. However, I do have a few thoughts on this. In the metal scene, the biggest surprise for me was Plebeian Grandstand from France; to me, they represent the future of heavy music. Another notable band was Fange (also French). There seems to be something special about these French bands. Honorable mention: Genghis Tron! that band captures that warm mid 2000’s vibe. Outside of the metal world, the biggest surprise was Brutus; they’re probably one of my all-time favorites. Other surprises from different genres include Bones, Crystal Castles, Sidewalks and Skeletons, and I Hate Models etc.
Apart from the fact that old school death metal and nu-metal is making a comeback, it’s also very surprising that there’s not so much of a gap between genres anymore, metal musicians are getting inspired by dark hip-hop/electronic music and vice versa, I think it’s a cool trend for example. It’s creating new, original and interesting vibes.
Marci: For me, the musical surprises of the past few years were as follows: Agriculture, who, by their own definition, play ecstatic black metal. I saw them live in Prague just a few days ago, and they were great even in that setting. I was also surprised by how active the emoviolence scene is in Asia. From there, I would highlight the Malaysian band Piri Reis, who really nail that heart-wrenching yet raw screamo sound. I have to mention Chat Pile as well, which is probably the greatest discovery in recent years. It’s simply brilliant how they process the misery of everyday life in their unique noise rock. The whole thing is very visceral and honest, never forced for a moment. As for the fourth, I’d say The Armed, although I liked their previous album, “Ultrapop,” better. If anything lives up to its title, it’s that -pop music has never been this chaotic and fast.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Mike: Plebeian Grandstand – Rien Ne Suffit
Portrayal Of Guilt – Evil Music
Converge – The Dusk In Us
Morbid Angel – Gateways to Annihilation
Marci: At the moment, I would highlight the following five (though I should add that if you ask me again in a week, I’d probably mention a completely different set of five albums):
Gorgoroth – Under The Sign Of Hell
Pokolgép – Éjszakai bevetés
Agriculture – Living Is Easy / The Circle Chant
Coltaine – Forgotten Ways
Plebeian Grandstand – Rien Ne Suffit
Laci: Oathbreaker – Rheia
Amenra – Mass IV
Converge – The Dusk In Us
Birds in Row – We Already Lost The World
Apostate – Against All Odds
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Mike: Should I start with the boring ones? Always warm up before the show, drink enough water, and don’t get too drunk, but the only one you ever gonna need is: “Always take a shit before the gig.”
Marci: No one ever gave me any advice; that’s why I’m where I am… Joking aside, I don’t remember much. They obviously said to smoke less and drink less beer—it makes singing easier. Oh, and someone once told me to drink whiskey because it helps, but unfortunately, I usually drink Unicum before a show, so I’m bad at following this kind of advice.
Laci: The singer of one of my old band said once: “Never play a show in shorts.”
What are your guilty pleasures?
Mike: Listening to 2000’s pop songs, “slut-techno”, Gutalax, slam metal with pig squeals, and 2010’s metalcore bands. Also eating out at Burger King or some kind of shit like that.
Marci: Hyperpop, blackened symphonic deathcore and junkfood. Oh yes, and last but not least, Bring Me The Horizon. 😀
Laci: Listening to Nightwish especially the Floor era, re-watching any Godzilla movie released by Legendary Pictures.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Szeged / Hungary?
Mike: Where we originally came from (Szeged), not really. It’s pretty much dead now. Maybe 10 years ago, it was much more vibrant. There was a show every weekend with foreign bands from Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, all over Europe, and even the USA. We had a lot of great shows there. Nowadays, 90% of the old concert venues are closed. It’s sad, but what can you do? Szeged was famous for its underground hardcore/punk scene and also its death/black-metal scene. When we started the band, there were a lot of places to play. In Budapest the music scene is much more active and vibrant, with a lot of cool bands to see. From the capital my favorite was Kytaro, our drummer’s previous band.
Marci: Unfortunately, as Mike mentioned, there’s not much to say about the Szeged scene. However, there’s a bit more to talk about regarding the Budapest scene. Our post-metal scene is quite strong, with bands like Black Particles and Hiraeth representing the younger generation, and Pozvakowski, who have been around for several decades. They play a mix of post-rock and noise rock and often tour abroad. They’re definitely worth catching live if you can, as they use a bunch of 16mm projectors to make the experience even more unique. The latest artist I got to know only a few years ago is Shum, a one-person project in harsh noise, drone, black, and sludge metal. Give them a listen!
Laci: I believe that in Hungary, as in so many things, is a bit capital-centric when it comes to bands. Of course, you can still find treasures elsewhere. Some of my favorites from the capital are: The Devil’s Trade, Oaken, Entrópia Architektúra, On Graves and I could probably list much more.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Mike: We haven’t been very active in this aspect lately. The past year and a half has been focused on writing a new record. We’ll probably have 2-3 more shows this year (all of them in Hungary), and then we’ll see what the future has to offer.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Mike: First of all, having some great shows with cool bands. Answering some interviews, designing new merch, making a video for one of our new songs, and spending more time together with additional rehearsals.
Marci: For now, what I’d like is to play a bunch of great shows (even abroad) and get back into the flow of the local underground scene. Even if we can’t tour for now, it would be awesome to play a few shows in the countries bordering Hungary, maybe as part of a 3-4 day mini-tour.
Laci: Making some new merch and playing a bunch of cool shows would be awesome.
How can people best support your band?
Mike: The biggest support is to listen our music really.
Marci: Yes, first and foremost, if you listen to our music and come to our shows, that’s the biggest support. However, if you’re a promoter or run a club, it’s also a huge help if you give us and similar bands the opportunity by booking us to play in your country.
Laci: The biggest support is when they listen to our music and it makes them feel something. If they purchase our merch or maybe help us get to their town to play. That’s why we are doing this band.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Mike: My advice would be try to live a healthy mental/physical life, try to be a self-conscious responsible human being, trust your faith. Behave in a manner befitting someone who stands at the top of the cosmic ladder. And of course… give BORU a listen!
Marci: Go to concerts! And support your local underground scene! Keep the fire alive!
Laci: Go to concerts and support the underground!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well