Reviewing Japan's Heavy Folk Metal Legends Onmyo-Za - Part 2: Hyakki Ryouran / Demon Horde Scattered Everywhere (2000)

Focused Balance of Doom, Heavy and Power Metal Influences

Hyakki Ryouran, which translates to Demon Horde Scattered Everywhere, is the second studio album by Japanese heavy metal quintet Onmyo-Za. The band made a significant step forward if compared to the chaotic, disorganized and unbalanced debut album released twelve months earlier.

This album is firmly rooted in heavy metal territory. The sound is domineered by gripping guitar riffs and melodic guitar solos as the two guitar players complement each other perfectly. 

The bass guitar is audible, dynamic, grooving, rhythmic, powerful and has numerous shining moments on this output. 

The drum play is creative, versatile and vivid as there are a lot of hidden details that come to life and grow with every single spin. 

The vocals certainly deserve a lot of attention. Lead singer Kuroneko has an enjoyably grounded yet melodic voice that distinguishes her from so many operatic female vocalists in the genre. Her natural style should certainly appeal to traditional metal fans as well. Male vocals are provided by her husband Matatabi who has a low and dramatic register that recalls popular Japanese singers like Kamijo or Toshi for instance. This approach might take some time to get used to for Western audiences but it complements and contrasts the female vocals very well. While the two vocalists often clashed on the debut record, their chemistry on this sophomore output is much more balanced, natural and organized. Backing vocals are provided by the two guitarists and the drummer as their shouts occasionally add some raw energy to the choruses. Guitarist Maneki even gets to perform some harsh vocals on one occasion that might not be technically impressive but very fitting in the context of the atmospheric tune. 

The instruments and vocals work very well with a raw and unfiltered production that however lets the different instruments and vocals shine and distinguish themselves from one another.

The songwriting has also improved a great deal. The band has reduced its use of folk sounds and experimental sections. This album is firmly rooted in heavy metal territory as the guitars are the domineering aspects of this release. The slower songs flirt with doom metal territories in the key of early Black Sabbath or genre colleagues Ningen-Isu. The faster passages recall thrash metal or even American power metal passages in the key of Savatage or Iced Earth. The songwriting is overall fluid, planned and structured. Even the longest tunes never repeat themselves and entertain from start to finish.

Highlights on this output are speedy, raw and heavy opener ''Shiki o Karumono'' which translates to ''The One Who Hunts Papers'', the variable, sinister and brutal ''Teitomakaitan'' which translates to ''Tale About Emperor's Plan to Overcome Evil'' and playful, epic and creative doom and heavy metal monster ''Ayako'' which translates to ''Strange Child'' and clocks in at nearly ten minutes.

A few songs in the record's first half as well as the experimental closer might need some time to grow but overall, Onmyo-Za's sophomore studio album Hyakki Ryouran entertains with an excellent mixture of doom, heavy and power metal that showcases excellent guitar play, gritty production values, focused songwriting, variable rhythm section and balanced vocals by all five band members. This album should please to any fan of American and European heavy and power metal music of the late eighties and deserves much recognition abroad.

Final Rating: 82%