Here's an interesting little nugget from Japanese sludge/stoner/drone rock band Boris. Don't let their take on the Nick Drake cover concept (Bryter Layter!) fool you-this is raw, heavy, unadulterated rock music that is brutal in its delivery, with just enough psychedelic attitude to appeal to fans of a few different genres. The opening bass drones on the otherworldly "Introduction" are as creepy as they are powerful-I mean, it sounds as if the speakers are going to blow up at any second! This segues into the manic rocker "Ibitsu", which is like a cross between Blue Cheer and Grand Funk Railroad, with a touch of punk/metal for good measure. Sure, the production is muddy as all hell, and the vocals (sung in Japanese) have an odd processed sound to them, but that is what kind of gives this CD its charm. Pounding drums, distorted slabs of power chords, and fuzzed bass rumblings make up much of the delivery here. "Furi" sees the band pick up the pace a bit, as they throw in some intricate guitar and bass licks, then slow things down with some atmoshpheric and pastoral sounds on "Naki Kyoku", a song also noteworthy for an intense and emotional guitar solo that gives way to some neat and trippy sound effects. To say that this song would have gone over big time during the late 60's-early 70's would be an understatement. The band returns to heavy rock sounds on the searing "Ano Onna No Onryou", a psychedelic rave-up that will appeal to fans of Jimi Hendrix, and ends the CD with the distorted and feedback laden title track, a real monster cut of ugly yet delicious sounds. I haven't heard thick, distorted guitar/bass sounds like this in years!
If you dug the early sounds of Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, The Stooges, Grand Funk Railroad, Atomic Rooster, and Jimi Hendrix, there's no reason in the world not to seek out this record. I think I just might be exploring the rest of their discography as well!
Track Listing
1) Introduction
2) Ibitsu
3) Furi
4) Naki Kyoku
5) Ano Onna No Onryou
6) Akuma No Uta
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