The Onmyo-Za (literally "yin and yang union") are a Japanese heavy metal group formed in Osaka in 1999.
Their genre is a mix of classical heavy metal influenced mainly by Iron Maiden and Judas Priest but they also experience folk and Japanese pop influences, their lyrics are all written in classical Japanese and the themes of their songs are about mythology and Japanese historical figures. The members of the group use art names and wear the typical costumes of the Heian period (794-1185 d.c.).
The band is composed by bassist Matatabi (great fan of Judas Priest) who writes almost all the songs on Onmyo-za, the other members are Maneki guitarists, Karukan and vocalist Kuroneko. Supporting members are Daboshi Makoto on battery since 2011 (from 1999 to 2009 Tora / Atsushi Kawatsuka was the battery member of the band, he left the group for personal reasons in 2011, since 2015 is the official drummer of the Concerto Moon (Japanese Power Metal group) and keyboard player Abe Masahiro.
The album I'm going to review is called Kojin Rasetsu released in 2002. This record is the third in their discography and the first major with the record company King Records. Before this release, Onmyo-Za released two indie albums Kikoku Tensho in 1999 and Hyakki Ryoran in 2000. In Japan, Kojin Rasetsu is considered an important debut for the band, and also also got a good score on the famous magazine BURRN!. The disc is quite varied, we have direct and aggressive tracks like Rasetsu, Oboroguruma, Kirameki, already from these first three tracks we can notice the massive use of Japanese scales and the great vocal skills of Kuroneko, a j-horror atomosphere characterizes the whole disc. The fourth track is Ushioni Matsuri a Japanese-style doom piece with a ritualistic atmosphere, followed by Karasu Tengu a song featuring galloping riffs that gives this song a sparkling sound. Sixth song Kagero Ninpocho one of the best pieces, is a Judas Priest-style song characterized by prog elements, great test of Tora on drums. Then follows the main debut single Tsuki ni Murakumo Hana ni Kaze and Kumikyoku '' Kurotsuka '' suite divided into two songs Adachigahara and Kikoku Shūshū (in my opinion the best song of the album could be considered as the "Phantom of the Opera "Japanese style"). Closes the album an experimental and festive piece (apart from Kishibojin of 2011 similar pieces will close all Onmyo-Za albums) typical of the Japanese matsuri, Orabinahai characterized by a text written in the dialect of Ehime Prefecture from where Matatabi and Maneki come.
Sorry for my English.
