ガーゴイル / Gargoyle - 禊 ~Misogi~ (1989) - Only Japanese could write this kind of crazy stuff - 93% (11/09/12)

Gargoyle is another crazy metal band from Nippon that is quite tough to categorize as they vary from thrash and speed metal over more traditional heavy metal parts to quite progressive passages on a high quality level comparable to other big names of the Japanese rock and metal scene such as Bow Wow, Loudness or X Japan. This debut release recorded in the late eighties is always open minded and over the top. For some audiences, the high degree of variation and entertainment might be hard to digest but anyone who is familiar with Japanese music will immediately feel at home with this record.

The energizing opener "Destroy" starts the record with quite a big bang and kicks off with fast thrash riffs that lead to highly melodic heavy metal guitar solos and even a wild violin solo before a calmer and almost folk orientated passage introduces a progressive middle part. Gargoyle definitely put more ideas and diversity in this single track than other bands put in their entire records or even discographies. With their first track, they already perfectly define what they stand for. If you like this kind of music, carry on and you will adore this release but if you can't handle the opener, this stuff is too tough for you.

The band though employs even crazier stuff. A perfect example would be the thrash metal tracks "No Gas" or even more "ぎ" that is in fact a simple spelling lesson where the main vocalist spells a couple of Japanese words that are then repeated by the other members in a choir. This weird song idea is crowned by a extremely simplistic, hysterical and strangely addicting chorus. We even get to hear baby voices towards the end that appear again in the opening of the more laid back and floatingly atmospheric introduction to "Ever Green" that though quickly employs fast drums and pumping bass guitar sounds before melodic heavy metal riffs push this diversified song forward. Gargoyle simply don't take any prisoners.

The only more laid back tracks are the impressive instrumental "人形の森" where melodic guitar riffs and truly beautiful violin sounds dominate and the short closing "Cogito, Ergo Sum" that happens to be a quite slow and atmospheric track reminding of a dreamy hard rock ballad. In these two tracks, the band members prove that they can not only play pitiless and fast paced tracks but also put a lot of elaborated emotions in their sound and they impressively show that they are quite gifted musicians indeed.

The most outstanding song for me is though "Certain Feel" that surprises with some funk rock sounds that would also fit to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The track is very vivid, slightly humorous and still a perfect choice for any rock party out there in the world. After a little bit less than half of the track, an impressive saxophone and oboe passage sets in that gives the whole song a blues or free jazz touch. As if this wasn't enough, we suddenly also get cute female vocals that contrast the hard main vocals. This incredible song definitely left my mouth wide open by surprise which doesn't happen quite often anymore. This track is so addicting, experimental and simply unique that it won't quit my mind anytime soon.

In the end, if you like courageous and over the top heavy and thrash metal or if you're simply intrigued by the large musical culture of Japan, this is a record you should not miss. Anybody who's new to the world of Japanese metal, should by now be intrigued enough to give these fourty-five minutes of pure power a couple of spins. This record is a perfect fusional example for an original Japanese interpretation of Western music genres.