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by Sebastian Kluth

Z Japan - A Review of Matenrou Opera's Six Flowers

Z Japan - A Review of Matenrou Opera's Six Flowers

Matenrou Opera is a quintet whose star has slowly been rising in the coveted Japanese symphonic power metal genre throughout the past few years. With the band's tenth studio record Six Flowers, the group might have the potential to finally ascend the genre throne. Musically speaking, the quintet unites the best elements of Generation X's power metal heroes X Japan that have been laying dormant for much too long and also takes inspiration from Generation Y's heroes Versailles and its numerous successors such as Jupiter and Kamijo. Matenrou Opera could perhaps one day be considered the dominant power metal band for Generation Z.

The band unites several elements that make for excellent symphonic power metal. The use of symphonic backdrops isn't exaggerated, overwhelming or saccharine as it's only used in small doses, with much intellect and at specific intervals that should also please fans of traditional power metal.

The traditional metal instruments are played with great care. Keyboards are used with clever restraint that make them shine distinctively in songs such as emotional, melodic and variable "闇を喰む". 

The drum play has its thunderous moments when it impresses with desire, speed and technique as in remarkable opener "Blood" that gets to the point in below three minutes. 

The bass guitar rarely stands out but does so brightly on a few limited occasions such as in excellent instrumental song "Apocalypse" when the musicians can display their skillful talents to the fullest. 

The guitar play finds a wonderful mixture between energetic riffs and melodic sections inviting listeners to dream themselves far away such as on diversified, fast and imaginative "Dystopia".

The melodic, intense and sometimes even overstated vocals work best in the record's most energetic and emotional songs such as soaring power ballad "夜明けは雪と共に".

Lastly, the final result is hold together by a precise genre approach that has been popular in Japan for forty years by now and a lush contemporary production that transports this genre into the here and now.

Symphonic power metal fans from all around should give this internationally overlooked band a fair chance in times of globalization. Matenrou Opera might not have the status of X Japan or Versailles yet but the quintet has the talent to compete for the genre throne in this day and age. Six Flowers is filled with controlled doses of elegance, extravagance, melody, romance and speed that should put bright smiles upon the faces of dedicated genre fans. Here's hope that the band will also aim for success abroad as it only needs some promotion but not any change in style to strike a chord with attentive genre fans around the world.

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