Reviewing Japan's Overlooked Rock Veterans Ningen Isu - Part 18.5.2.: Collaboration with King-Show: Jigoku Aloha / Aloha Hell (2015)

Interesting Collaboration Between Two Japanese Heavy Metal Legends

 Jigoku Aloha translates to Aloha Hell and is an intriguing collaboration of Japanese heavy rock trio Ningen Isu and Japanese hard rock and heavy metal veterans Kinniku Shojo Tai who are also known under the KING-SHOW banner. Both bands have been active since the eighties with Ningen Isu carrying on non-stop with impressive releases at a fast pace while Kinniku Shojo Tai have taken a seven-year hiatus in the late nineties and early years of the new millennium.

This release includes one song the two bands have collaborated upon which is the title track. It exists in two versions with a more streamlined version clocking in at five and a half minutes and the more playful so-called heavenly version that adds some atmospheric layers to stretch the song to a length of seven minutes. The song combines Hawaiian folkore sounds, Japanese lyrics performed by three vocalists and mid-paced dynamic heavy metal. You certainly don't get to hear this kind of mixture every day and this experiment sounds indeed very interesting and grows with every spin.

Both bands have also decided to cover one of each other's tunes. Kinniku Shojo Tai have opted to tackle Ningen Isu's explosive ''Dynamite'' and have made the song more catchy, melodic and playful. This version is also roughly one minute longer than the fast, raw and under-produced original song. Kinniku Shojo Tai have certainly managed to make this song sound like their own.

Ningen Isu have decided to cover ''Shōnen, Gurigurimegane o Hirou'' which roughly translates to ''Boy, Pick Up the Muzzle Glasses''. The original track is an energetic heavy metal tune that works best in the context of a party. Ningen Isu's version is a little bit slower and relies more on thunderous drums and dominant bass guitar than aggressive guitar riffs and fierce lead vocals. This version works with a great combination of melodic vocals by Wajima Shinji and more throaty vocals by Suzuki Kenichi. Ningen Isu have therefore managed to make this track sound like one of their own as well.

The other four songs on this output are simply instrumental versions of all aforementioned tracks which are rather unnecessary except if you happen to be invited to a karaoke party by some old Japanese metal fans. This release's expensive special edition also includes a different format, cover artwork and booklet with forty-four pages.

At the end of the day, Jigoku Aloha by Kinniku Shojo Tai and Ningen Isu is an entertaining extended play with one great new track in two different versions and two excellent cover songs. However, this record doesn't offer much value for money. I would suggest to buy it for a reduced price if you are a collector and fan of either band or in general interested in Japan's heavy metal scene of the eighties and nineties. Otherwise, you can still purchase a less expensive digital version or enjoy the record on streaming platforms.

Final Rating: 75%