Cromok
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Malaysia |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
| Website | www |
Cromok stands as a seminal Malaysian rock ensemble, widely acknowledged as trailblazers in the nation's thrash metal scene. Established in 1987, the founding and current lineup includes Shamsudin "Sam" Ali handling vocals and bass, alongside guitarist Khairul Anuar "Karl" Shariff. The group is celebrated for tracks such as "Misty," "Another You," and "I Don't Belong Here," having produced eight studio albums to date. Their dedicated followers are referred to as 'Cromers'.
History
In April 1987, four university students—Kharuddin Muhammad (Din), Shamsudin Ali (Sam), Khairul Anuar Shariff (Karl), and Tarmizi Mokhtar (Miji)—came together to form Cromok while attending the University of Wollongong in Australia. They quickly established a presence within Sydney’s metal community, sharing stages with local acts like Enticer and Mortal Sin. Their track "Misty" emerged as a standout favorite among fans.
By 1992, the band members had returned to Malaysia, which led to the loss of their opportunity to open for Motörhead due to Din’s earlier exit. They staged major performances in Kuala Lumpur and released their debut album/demo, Image of Purity, in 1990, which gained popularity across both Australia and Malaysia. Despite governmental limitations on metal music during the late ’80s and early ’90s, Cromok steadily expanded their reach, issuing seven additional albums including Forever in Time (1993), which achieved sales exceeding 100,000 copies domestically. A remastered edition of their initial album was also released in 2000.
The band suffered the loss of founding member Khairuddin Muhammad (Din) in 1997 from malaria. After experiencing internal disagreements, Cromok continued as a trio until Karl departed in 2001 to prioritize his family and professional life; Hillary Ang from the rock band Search stepped in as his replacement. In 2005, Cromok performed at Planet Hollywood Kuala Lumpur before entering a hiatus later that year.
Following nearly five years away from live performances, Cromok reunited for a 25th-anniversary show in Kuala Lumpur in 2012 featuring original members Sam, Karl, and Miji. The band also served as the opening act for Metallica’s concert in Malaysia in 2013. In 2018, they collaborated with XPDC to present "Thrashditional," an innovative fusion of thrash metal with traditional Malaysian musical motifs.
On October 14, 2023, Cromok celebrated the "Forever in Time 30th Anniversary Concert" at Zepp Kuala Lumpur with backing from Malaysia's Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. This event showcased a blend of thrash metal enriched by traditional instruments such as gamelan and angklung. During the performance, drummer Tarmizi Mokhtar (Miji) announced his retirement due to health concerns; it was later disclosed that he was battling Stage 4 liver cancer.
Tarmizi Mokhtar (Miji), the band's co-founder and drummer, passed away on March 6, 2024, at age 58 after succumbing to liver cancer.
Style
Cromok delivers their music primarily in English, consistently including at least one instrumental piece on each album. Vocalist Sam utilizes a raspy teutonic thrash style complemented by occasional deep guttural sounds. Their musical approach mirrors the Bay Area thrash metal genre while incorporating distinctive Malay/Nusantara cultural influences. The band frequently weaves elements of Malay traditional music and imagery into their work, often featuring unicorn motifs on their album artwork.
Members
- Original lineup
- Kharuddin Muhammad (Din) - guitar, backing vocals (1987–1992; deceased 1997)
- Muhammad Fadhil (Mat Puck) - guitar (1987)
- Che Dean (Denan) - guitar (1987)
- Prof. Nik Ramzi Nik Idris (Ji) - bass guitar (1987)
- Present lineup
- Shamsudin Ali (Sam) - lead vocals, bass guitar (1987–present)
- Khairul Anuar Shariff (Karl) - lead and rhythm guitar (1987–2000; 2010–present)
- Shah Sidious (previously part of tribute band Nrocinu)
- Past members
- Hillary Ang - lead guitarist (2000–2005)
- Tarmizi Mokhtar (Miji) - drummer (1987–2023; deceased 2024)
Studio albums
| Album | Details |
|---|---|
| Image of Purity |
|
| Forever in Time |
|
| Yours Truly |
|
| Mean, Meaner, Meanest |
|
| What's Left |
|
| Deafening Silence |
|
| Untitled |
|
| Untitled+Raw |
|
Live albums
| Album | Details |
|---|---|
| Image of Purity & Live |
|
Compilation albums
| Album | Details |
|---|---|
| Engraved in Eternity |
|
| Anthology |
|
Other releases
| Album | Details |
|---|---|
| Mentera Metal |
|
| Cromok & FTG |
|
| XPDC & Cromok |
|
Concerts
- As headliners
- Cromok Reunion Thrashing Kuala Lumpur (8 April 2012)
- Konsert Metal Legends Cromok & XPDC (3 February 2018)
- Cromok Forever in Time 30th Anniversary Concert at Zepp Kuala Lumpur (14 October 2023)
- Cromok & ACAB Clash of the Titans at Zepp Kuala Lumpur (9 March 2024)
- The Real Cromok at Zepp Kuala Lumpur (7 December 2024), featuring Man Kidal & Hillary Ang
- Konsert Kasi Gegar Cromok vs Amuk at N9 Arena, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan (26 April 2025)
- As opening performer
- Metallica LIVE in Malaysia (21 August 2013)