ALBUM REVIEW: Ryujin – Ryujin
A brief timeline: in 2011 GYZE formed, a band delivering self-styled Samurai metal, going on to release four acclaimed albums and make multiple festival appearances and performances. 2024 sees a change, as GYZE gives way to RYUJIN, taking their identity a step further by incorporating more of the traditional Japanese influence that had been part of their initial sound and coupling this with blistering, high-octane guitar-led metal. The self-titled album holds a lot of promise, and there’s a lot to be said for bands incorporating the musical styles of their native heritage. Artists such as THE HU and BLOODYWOOD have nailed their respective cultural background being matched with powerful metal and helped spread these styles to a wider audience. RYUJIN treads this same path and delivers with mastery.
After a scene setting introduction courtesy of Hajimari which introduces delicate themes and lush traditional instrumentation, the album crashes into a full-blown metal onslaught. The power released by Gekokujo is intense, yet there is still enough of the thematic introduction laced throughout the melody so as not to cause too much of a juxtaposition. It’s testament to the creativity of the band that they’ve been able to incorporate so much in a tight time scale and set the tone for the rest of the album perfectly.
Every which way one would care to turn there is something new and different being blended together within the confines of Ryujin. The musicianship is blistering with a cascade of intricate lead guitar work driving the tempo and pushing the melodies. All the while the rhythm section is more than up to the task of propelling each track. The intertwined traditional instrumentation and melodic construction offers up something new. While this may sound chaotic, the whole album and each track ebbs and flows superbly. There’s enough room for each element to flourish while still serving the music. Nothing comes across as overblown, rather the mix and production allows for a truly bombastic power metal style to thrive, which is exemplified on the track Kunnecup.
Several tracks feature the creative input of TRIVIUM’s Matthew K. Heafy. Those familiar with Heafy’s social media presence and persona will know that he is rightfully proud of his heritage and his style fits seamlessly with that of RYUJIN. Tracks such as Raijin & Fujin and The Rainbow Song showcase Heafy’s undeniable guitar and vocal attack. However, at no point does his presence overpower that of the band. It’s a partnership that dutifully services the music and comes across that collectively they had a lot of fun with these pieces. The whole album itself is laced with a joyous atmosphere.
If you’re looking to blast away the January blues, then RYUJIN with provide the tools for that, with soundscapes that provide an underpinning of rolling seas forming an enticing backdrop before riffs and rhythms kick in with all the power and might of crashing waves breaking in the surf. It’s high energy power metal combined with precision death metal aggression, yet the tasteful and expertly woven elements of traditional Japanese instrumentation and phrasing offer up a whole new level of enchantment. As an album, Ryujin will see much acclaim from many quarters of the metal scene as well as seal the arrival of the band on the international stage. If you’re not grinning by the end of the album, you’re wrong.
Rating: 8/10
Ryujin is set for release on January 12th via Napalm Records.
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