ALBUM REVIEW: Imperfection – Hebi Katana
Tokyo trio HEBI KATANA are purveyors of a unique fusion of doom metal and the Japanese ideology of wabi-sabi, the traditional acceptance of the transient and imperfect nature of life. The band themselves have coined the term ‘Samurai Doom’ to describe their music which is an enthralling blend of 70s psychedelic rock and modern heavy grooves. Formed in 2020, the band has released three critically acclaimed albums which have made a huge noise on the Japanese underground scene and won them fans overseas too. Fourth album Imperfection sees them making their debut on renowned American label Ripple Music and looking to gain even more admirers around the globe.
The album opens with Bon Nou, a two and a half minute blast of fuzzy 70s garage rock fury. It’s a completely unhinged opening and, while frantic and a lot of fun, proves to be something of a red herring as far as what comes afterwards. The majority of the material here is slower in tempo and groovier in sound, although no less unhinged. Second track Dead Horse Requiem is perhaps a better taster for the seven tracks on the album overall, starting as it does with a killer slowed down riff straight out of the PENTAGRAM playbook, all spooky grooves and stomping drums. The 70s psychedelic vibes are strong with this one too, thanks to the slightly off-kilter harmonies on the chorus (we call it a chorus but, like a lot of things on this album, it only happens once before veering off on another path entirely) and the proto-prog metal middle eight, before returning to that doomy opening riff at the song’s conclusion.
Praise The Shadows has an occult NWOBHM feel, tipping a cap to the likes of ANGEL WITCH and WITCHFINDER GENERAL. The mix here, and elsewhere on the record, along with the frequent tempo changes, suggests that these tracks were recorded almost entirely live and this only adds to their weird allure. The dual vocal harmonies of bassist/vocalist Laven and guitarist/vocalist Nobu make another appearance on the brilliantly titled Doomed Echoes From Old Tree and again there is an almost naive charm to them, constantly wandering around in terms of pitch but never quite enough to sound out of tune and, combined with the trebly mix, this gives you the impression that you’re listening to an obscure mid-70s occult-rock classic that’s just been rediscovered. As if to highlight this, the song ends with two minutes of pure BLACK SABBATH IV-era riffs, T. T. Goblin pounding the drums like Bill Ward at his most topless.
The three songs that close the album are perhaps the highlights of the wonderfully odd musical journey this record takes you on. Blood Spirit Rising is the most full-on SABBATH the band gets here, coming across like a more psyched-out Children Of The Grave, while Yu Gen blends light and dark perfectly, its laid-back, grungy verses giving way to an almighty doom metal groove in between. Final track Yume Wa Kareno is another blend of occult psychedelia and proto-metal, sounding almost like a rougher SERGEANT THUNDERHOOF with its mountain-sized riffs interspersed with sparkling melodies that nod to 60s West Coast legends like SPIRIT and LOVE.
Imperfection is, ironically, the perfect title for this album. At the end of your first listen, you’ll likely wonder what on earth you’ve just listened to and will find yourself reaching for the repeat button just to double check. On that second listen, you’ll realise you remember the hooks from the first time around and find yourself slowly sinking into the weird and wonderful world of HEBI KATANA and pressing repeat again. On the third listen, you just won’t be able to stop.
Rating: 8/10
Imperfection is set for release on July 25th via Ripple Music.
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