Boris — Akuma no Uta
Akuma no Uta was originally released in Japan through Diwphalanx in 2003, a few months before their masterpiece Feedbacker (musically very different, check the review –as well as reviews of other Boris’ reviews- in our archive). As ever, it was not the easiest –and cheapest- thing to get hold of. Things should be better now, with Southern Lord re-releasing it worldwide. Noteworthy (?): the original CD release had a pretty minimal cover art, and SL decided to change it and use the vinyl release cover art instead, a nice Nick Drake tribute
Rumour as it that on entering the studio, Boris wanted to have a Venom sound. In this, they really succeeded: everything is in the red. The introduction is about 10 minutes of a mix between Amplifier Worship’s style drone and feedbacker’s psychedelic …feedback. Really good, but next up is a real headbanger as some would say. Ibitsu, just over three minutes, is full-on hard boogie rock, straight from the 70’s, with a punk attitude. Bound to make you jump all over the place like a fucking maniac, tearing the bleedin’ house down. Same style with Furi (Free / Flee), sounding like a mix between The Stooges and a faster version of The Melvins.
After six minutes of storm, Naki Kyoku (Nothingness song) starts very gently, a very nice and melodic, even soothing moment of psychedelic rock, until Boris decide they have had enough and bring back the distortion. It’s slower than on the previous two tracks, making more space for blues-tinged moments, Wata’s beautiful solos and great fuzz-guitar, and Takeshi’s passionate vocals. After such a great song, is always hard to keep the attention of the listener. Ano Onna no Onryo (Tonal volume of that femme) is not a bad song, but it’s less gripping than what we’ve heard so far. It’s a rather mid-tempo, very boogie-sounding track, good solo duels, but not the best track by a long shot. Album closer and title track Akuma no Uta (Evil Song) starts with a gong blast and then is made of very heavy, dronesque riffs. This is the song they started their gigs with on their recent European tour, and bloody hell this was impressive and loud as fuck. After two minutes, things get pacier, great riffs, and Atsuo hitting as a nutcase on his drumkit. Classy ending.
Akuma no Uta is far from being the best Boris release. However, it is absolutely necessary that the fans pick up this one, to get a better picture of the band. Actually, not only the fans: every Boris release is a must have. You should know that by know, cockscukers.
Photo by Dennis Van Esser