ANGHERR SHISSPA

Koenji Hyakkei

Zeuhl

4.00 | 177 ratings

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OpethGuitarist
Prog Reviewer

Hyper-active, highly stylistic Japanese Zeuhl.

Thanks to the kind recommendations of Assaf, I have found this odd and peculiar album. Wild and eccentric vocals combine with often colorful instrumental combinations that may initially leave you perplexed. Gears are switched frequently as if the band were race car drivers. We go from intense, off the wall sections to a more laid back jazz approach almost instantaneously with no sign of a transition coming.

Despite all this, there are some melodies which can be followed and are intriguing in their own right. Perhaps one of the more interesting tracks is Grabhem Jorgazz, which sounds at some parts like part of a Japanese video game, but it is extremely interesting nonetheless, especially with the heavy jazz sections and multitude of instruments.

Qivem Vrastorr starts out more folksy, and is much "calmer" than what else is found here, yet it's anything but. The next track begins with tribal chants and a start/stop bass solo, the bass is strongest and most accented here. The end is extremely wild as well, and the wailing becomes even more pronounced, now often with no words but just emotion. We also have lots of cohesion between the piano and the sax which is done well to show the band members talents.

Overall the compositional choices are extremely odd, to say the least, but if you can get through it a few times, you will be able to have a very unique listening experience. I enjoy this quite a bit, but often the "weirdness" is just too much for me. Too many parts going all at once, and while some are extremely captivating, others are just a bit off the mark. If you are open-minded musically, you might give this a try. Better than sticking in Relayer for the thousandth time.

OpethGuitarist | 3/5 | 2006-11-13

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