Reviewing Japan's Heavy Folk Metal Legends Onmyo-Za - Part 4: Fuuin Kairan / Sealing Seal (2002)

Japanese Culture Meets Metal Aesthetics on the Highest Level

Only six months after its previous third studio record, Japanese heavy and power metal quintet Onmyo-za comes around with an excellent extended play that should actually be considered a regular full length effort since it includes eight brand-new songs clocking in at thirty-seven minutes. This stunning release summarizes the band's numerous strengths best and serves as a perfect introduction to the group. It's also another significant step forward for the band whose releases got progressively better in its early years.

Short and concise opener ''Kasha no Wadachi'' translates to ''Wheel Tracks of Kasha'' and starts with a powerful drum solo supported by vibrant bass guitar play before fast rhythm guitar riffs and epic lead guitar sounds kick in. The diversified vocals include elegant female lead vocals, dramatic male lead vocals and powerful backing shouts. This heavy and power metal anthem is absolutely flawless and gets to the point in just three and a half entertaining minutes that make this song an instant classic.

Up next comes ''Dodomeki'' with its energetic power and thrash metal riffs transmitting a menacing and sinister atmosphere. The instrumental introduction includes a vibrant bass guitar solo and plenty of distorted guitar sounds that will make you bang your head and raise your fist. This song transmits an infectious energy paired with skillful female lead vocals that sounds perfectly balanced. You've got it, this is another masterpiece.

Another massive highlight is ''Kamaitachi'' that focuses on grinding power and thrash metal riffs that take no prisoners while the variable female lead vocals sound as perfect as ever and take listeners on an adventures sonic tale about a monster that uses its nails to cut people. As you can read, this song represents the perfect combination of heavy metal aesthethics and Japanese culture.

If you are looking for an epic masterpiece that oozes with atmosphere, then doom metal milestone ''Tsuchigumo Kitan'' or ''Detestable Tale of the Tsuchigumo'' certainly checks all the right boxes. The guitar play is precise and sublime and the combination between gloomy male vocals and theatrical female vocals is flawless and gripping. This song should please to fans of bands like Ningen-Isu that have recently been getting international acclaim and attention for all the right reasons.

If you like something dreamy, melancholic and slow, give closing ballad ''Tsukihime'' or ''Moon Princess'' a fair chance. Acoustic guitars, smooth percussive elements and soft female vocals will enchant you from start to finish on this cinematic ride through six captivating minutes. This excellent record couldn't have ended on a more appropriate note.

As you can read, Onmyo-za reaches perfection on its fourth effort Fuuin Kairan that roughly translates to Seal Circumvention. Every song on here is an instant classic, the material is extremely diversified from folk ballads over doom metal epics to poignant power and thrash metal anthems and the flawless instrumental skills are only matched by the versatile vocals. I rarely give perfect grades to the records I'm reviewing but in this outstanding case, the final result is absolutely justified. Check this release out as soon as you can.

Final Rating: 100%