Reviewing Japan's overlooked rock veterans Ningen Isu - Eighth part: Nijuu Seiki Sousoukyoku / Twentieth Century Funeral Song (1999)

All aboard the ghost train

Ningen-Isu's eighth studio record Nijuu Seiki Sousoukyoku translates to Twentieth Century Funeral Song. The record indeed has a gloomy, mysterious and sinister tone. This isn't only due to the fitting lyrical topics but to a stronger focus on doom and heavy metal territories with minor progressive and psychedelic rock influences. Especially the rhythm section is quite vibrant here with dynamic drum patterns and quite playful bass guitar parts.

The record opens with a bang in form of one of the band's strongest songs ever that is ''Yuurei Ressha''. The song combines gloomy vocals and somber bass guitar parts with psychedelic guitar sounds and restrained pace in the verses while the melancholic and mysterious chorus is equally atmospheric and catchy. The track nevertheless also includes a few faster sections with dramatic guitar solos that make the track's overall atmosphere even more haunting. This masterpiece offers a perfect balance between atmosphere and catchiness.

''Koi Wa Sankaku Mokuba No Ue De'' on the other side sounds like a vintage hard rock song with bumblebee bass guitar parts and tight drum patterns while the melodic vocals of the guitarist bring in an uplifting contrast that culminates with catchy sing-along parts. This unusual song about sadism and masochism practices would have made for an excellent single choice if it had not been for its lyrical topic.

''Shoujo Jigoku'' is an excellent doom metal track that evokes a haunting atmosphere without neglecting simple but memorable guitar melodies and longing vocal lines illustrating yet again another sinister lyrical topic.

''Haru No Umi'' is perhaps the most nightmarish tune on the album that meanders between calm and reduced soundscapes and desperate outbursts carried by dirty guitar sounds and haunting vocals. This slow-paced song needs a few spins to unfold but would have been an excellent fit on any horror movie soundtrack.

Closing epic ''Kuroi Taiyou'' opens with gloomy bass guitar notes and distorted guitar sounds that steadily evolve into a menacing doom metal tune. The bluesy middle section with excellent guitar solos offers some relief without neglecting the song's sinister guideline. The song concludes with dominant bass and drum patterns that underline yet again the strong presence of both instruments on this album.

In the end, Ningen-Isu's eighth studio album Nijuu Seiki Sousoukyoku is the group's most sinister up to that point. This isn't only evoked in the gloomy album title and haunting cover artwork but in numerous menacing doom metal epics. The bass guitar and the drums are more dominant than ever while the melodic guitar play and the guitarist's charismatic clean vocals build an excellent contrast. Fans of doom metal and heavy metal as well as anyone interested in gothic and horror topics should call this excellent record her or his own. It underlines the streak of excellent records of the Japanese trio in the late nineties.

Final rating: 96%