This Friday, January 12th, Samurai Metal band RYUJIN will reveal their anticipated new self-titled album through Napalm Records. Formed in 2011 as GYZE, the band delivers Heavy Metal and blazing guitar wizardry from Japan, blending both Japanese and English lyricism and featuring production and several guest features by Matthew Kiichi Heafy (TRIVIUM).
Today, the band provides fans with a final early taste of the album with their very first ballad, entitled “Saigo No Hoshi”. The massive track features backing vocals by Matthew Kiichi Heafy and cello expressions by Mukai Wataru of the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra and excels with an emotive chorus, a rock-opera-worthy guitar solo and traditional instrumentation.
RYUJIN frontman and mastermind Ryoji Shinomoto says about the track: “This is our first ballad, so it’s very special for us. This song is about a samurai who was about to die after the war, thinking about his family and praying for peace. A lot of very sad wars are currently happening on the planet too, families are being separated, and so on. I put that feeling into it. Also, I am inviting everybody to enjoy Mr. Mukai’s outstanding cello performance. The album also includes a version sung by Matthew in English, so I am curious which version people are gonna like more!”
After four highly acclaimed albums and worldwide appearances at large festivals, RYUJIN have developed their own identity, expressed with accents of traditional Japanese instruments and lead guitarist Ryoji Shinomoto’s incredible shredding technique and ripping vocals.
RYUJIN‘s high speed riffs and breakneck guitar descents pair with traditional Japanese elements on their upcoming self-titled album, delivering a sound influenced by everything from ancient orchestral Gagaku to even modern anime themes. RYUJIN features production by Matthew Kiichi Heafy and mixing/mastering by Mark Lewis, with guest appearances by Heafy (vocals and conducting on various tracks) and Mukai Wataru of the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra (cello). RYUJIN’s tracks feature titles based on the words of the Ainu people of Hokkaido (RYUJIN’s home region), as well as famous Japanese paintings and idioms.
The name RYUJIN comes from the Japanese Dragon God King with the same name. In Japanese lore, Ryujin freely moves heaven and earth, moves the clouds, blows the wind, and makes it rain. The Dragon God King also controls the flow of weather, ocean currents, and geothermal heat.
“Ryujin” track listing:
- Hajimari
- Gekokujo
- Dragon, Fly Free
- Raijin & Fujin
- The Rainbow Song
- Kunnecup
- Scream of the Dragon
- Gekirin
- Saigo No Hoshi
- Ryujin
- Guren No Yumiya (feat. Matthew K. Heafy)
- Saigo No Hoshi (feat. Matthew K. Heafy) (Single Edit)
You can watch the official music video for “Saigo No Hoshi” below:
