Artist: Yakuza
Label: Century Media
Release Date: 10/15/02
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Title: Way of the Dead Artist: Yakuza Label: Century Media Release Date: 10/15/02 |
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
Yakuza's album Way of the Dead really pissed me off. This band is amazing, they have a sound that is truly all their own, mixing jazz, hardcore, and metal, with the more attractive parts of alternative. It never comes across as brutal or fierce, but it is also never tepid, well, that is until the final track. So Abyss, you say, how can one bad track piss you off? What's the big deal? The big deal is that on a 70-minute album, that tepid, annoying track is over 43 minutes long. It contains nothing more than an experiment in atmosphere that is boring after one minute, irritating after three minutes, and downright maddening after five. It's less a musical ambition, and more an endurance test for the listener. If I wanted to test my endurance I'd run a fucking marathon, not put on headphones. The track's name is "01000011110011" and single-handedly dropped this album from a 5 to a 3 skull effort in my book. But Abyss why don't you just pretend the album is only thirty minutes long and give it a 5, you ask? Because deep down inside I'd still know that this track was there, and although it's sad to say, the world is simply a worse place for it.
"So Abyss, you say, how can one bad track piss you off? What's the big deal?" That frustration aside, the rest of the album is genius. Yakuza have tapped a unique sound that can't really be classified, but contains bits and pieces of Neurosis, Jane's Addiction, Mr. Bungle, and a singer who sounds a lot like the guy from Filter. When it all comes together, it perfectly melds the worlds of experimental and mainstream. This album could easily find a large audience, due to the fact that it's so accessible, but unlike most music that makes it in the alt-rock world, this is unique and fresh, not just a distorted version of the Beatles or Stones.
"Yama" is my favorite track at the moment, but there isn't a disappointment in the first seven. The songwriting talent just makes the final track all the more disappointing, however, because we could have had seventy minutes of this stuff rather than just thirty. The music never really gets fully into the realm of metal, but it often flirts with it along the edges as the vocals grow guttural and the guitars begin to take control. But the music will then restrain itself, pulling back in a beautiful game of ebb and flow.
"I can't wait until they come out with a more complete album." This band is going to be something special, hell they already are. I can't wait until they come out with a more complete album, relying solely on their strength as songwriters and talent as musicians, and avoiding the bland experimentation that closes out this record. One word review: Incomplete.
Death's Review:
I am not too into Yakuza, although I recognize their artistry. Yakuza should be played by late-night college radio across the land, and the Spin and Rolling Stone magazines of the world should take note of this eclectic metal-jazz-hardcore-punk outfit. The band simply sounds unique when compared to a lot of the other stuff that is out there right now. With its lo-fi riffing and alternative rock sensibilities interspersed with aggressive metal-styled riffing and the occasional saxophone run, Yakuza are definitely serving up something different and should be applauded on that ground alone.
"This one is for those who care more about being musically adventurous than just plain banging your head to glass-shattering screams."
Still, in the end, they are not for me. The singer's voice can be annoying, and while on the opening track it sounds like a warped and beaten Perry Ferrell, by track two he's just a whiny, alternative punk (although I must stop and think for a moment about whether there is really any difference between the two). The 45-minute closing instrumental track is annoying from a reviewer's perspective ('cause I need a full 45 minutes of focused listening just to make sure I hear the whole track so I can report on it to you!) but I honestly kinda enjoy its laid back, sax-driven vibe. The other songs before it do have their moments (the great tom-heavy drumming is especially apparent), but all in all, there are a lot of other records out there that I would rather be listening to.
"Still, in the end, they are not for me." So Century Media has branched out a bit with Yakuza and that is a good thing. Still, I'd rather hear Iced Earth, Nevermore or Dark Tranquillity. This one is for those who care more about being musically adventurous than just plain banging your head to glass-shattering screams.
Hel's Review:
Calling this record "quirky" certainly wouldn't be the craziest thing I've ever done. In fact, it may be one of the most reasonable things I've ever done. This album contains a little bit of everything, and a hell of a lot of soft jazz. Well, ok, so it's one 43+ minute track, but that still is a hell of a lot of soft jazz, particularly for an ostensibly metal album.
"That is a hell of a lot of soft jazz, particularly for an ostensibly metal album."
"The level of musicianship is admirably high, and their spirit of experimentation suffuses every note." The jazz influence is all over this record, but the squishy-soft stuff is mostly contained in the last track, "01000011110011," so you could always hit "stop" and have a rather metal listening experience. Personally, I've got a soft spot for jazz, and this track is pretty good from that standpoint, but it's more suitable for mood music on a first date, than for a metal album.
From their jazz roots, Yakuza takes the improvisational side of music to heart. Even when the music is not obviously jazz, those driving principles are present. The level of musicianship is admirably high, and their spirit of experimentation suffuses every note. This is what Yakuza is truly all about. So ponder this question: Do you want to hear a metal album full of jamming and experimentation? Then you might want to check out Yakuza. So skip the last track if you're not in the mood - but check out the rest of the record if you want something a little different then the usual metal fare.
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