Japan – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Invictus – Nocturnal Visions

Metalcatto

When I think of Japanese Old School Death Metal, my first thought is Intestine Baalism. I know that’s not entirely fair to Invictus, a band that comes from a musical culture renowned for taking something that works and refining it to an even higher standard. Hence, I held onto a sliver of hope that their new album, Nocturnal Visions, wouldn’t be another generic entry merely trying to catch Tomb Mold‘s fiery momentum. I was cautiously optimistic, yet acutely aware that this style is arguably one of the most stable and traditional niches in Metal, rivaled perhaps only by the steadfast formulas of Power and Symphonic Metal. But let’s dive in.

Enterré Vivant – Akuzaï

Metalcatto

Whether you like it or not, we live in an interconnected world, where people end up being or living in places they didn’t plan to be in the first place. Enterré Vivant is a French project. However, its creator has been living in Japan for 25 years, so it wouldn’t be wrong to call him at least part Japanese—which is why Akuzaï got my attention. How would French/Japanese Black Metal sound? Is it going to be a cheap gimmick, or is it going to take the best of both worlds? Let’s see.

Retro-review: Galneryus – Resurrection

Elyna Kahn

Today’s journey takes us back to 2010, a year marked by a memorable musical landscape. Epic albums like The Wicked Symphony by Avantasia, At the Edge of Time by Blind Guardian, What Lies Beneath by Tarja Turunen, and The Frozen Tears of an Angel by Rhapsody of Fire emerged, becoming essential cornerstones in Power/Symphonic Metal. At the same time, 2010 saw devastating natural disasters. On February 27th, a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake followed by a mega tsunami claimed hundreds of lives in Chile. Just two weeks later, Japan was struck by another powerful earthquake, leaving destruction in its wake.

MONO – Oath

It was a night in the distant past—I can’t recall the exact year—but one thing was certain: I didn’t go to that concert to see MONO. My main interest was probably to see The Ocean or Sólstafir. Either way, when MONO took the stage, I expected nothing. But then it hit us: the overwhelming and mesmerizing emotion of its performance. Without a single word, MONO showed so much courage and vulnerability at the same time that I was touched as I had never been at a concert. Hence, when Oath fell into my hands, I knew it had to be reviewed immediately. Do I still have it in my heart to understand this band? Let’s find out!