Gonga

Gonga is a Bristol stoner metal band formed in 1998. The group begins as an instrumental project under the name Octane Bud, with Will Smalley, Thomas Elgie and George Elgie as the original members. Its sound sits within stoner rock, stoner metal and doom metal, and the band cites influences including Iron Monkey, Earth, Jimi Hendrix, Melvins, The Who, Obituary, Kyuss and Burning Witch.

History

Gonga starts out as an instrumental trio before Joe Volk joins as a part-time vocalist, then becomes the full-time singer on the band’s debut album. Their self-titled first album appears in 2003 on Invada Records. In early 2004, founding member Will Smalley leaves and Hugo Morgan of The Heads takes over on bass, though he later departs because of commitments with The Heads. Hallam Kite then briefly holds the bass role in 2006, leaving later that year while the second album is being mixed. Chris West of Taint fills the position for a short period before Peter Theobalds, formerly of Akercocke, joins in mid-2007.

After recording II: Transmigration, Joe Volk leaves the band in 2007 and joins Crippled Black Phoenix.

Releases

As an instrumental three-piece, Gonga releases Concrescence in 2013 through ToneHenge Recordings. For Record Store Day 2014, the band issues the 12-inch single Black Sabbeth, which includes a version of Black Sabbath’s “Black Sabbath” with guest vocals by Beth Gibbons of Portishead.

Line-up

The current line-up is George Elgie on guitar, Thomas Elgie on drums and Latch Manghat on bass. H.O. Morgan is also listed among the group’s members.