Reviewing Japan's Overlooked Rock Veterans Ningen Isu - Fifteenth part: Mirai Romanha / Future Romanticism (2009)

Perfect Balance Between Short Single Candidates and Epic Growers

Two years and three months after the release of its predecessor, Japanese heavy metal trio Ningen Isu comes around with its fifteenth studio album Mirai Romanha that roughly translates to Future Romanticism. This little break seems to have been beneficial for the group since this is the band's strongest output thus far in its new line-up. The songwriting sounds much more energetic, focused and organized on this release which makes for an adventurous, entertaining and fluid listening experience. Despite thirteen songs with a total running time of seventy-five minutes, this record doesn't have any lengths and gets better as it progresses.

The three musicians on board once again all have their shining moments. Drummer and singer Nakajima Nobu doesn't only look like a Japanese interpretation of Elvis Presley but also sounds like one on ''Shifuku No Rock 'N' Roll''. This song comes around with swaggering rock'n' roll riffs and plenty of cowbell sounds. His energetic vocals get supported by Wajima Shinji's more dramatic and melodic performances and Suzuki Kenich's fierce and rough grunts. This song doesn't only highlight the drummer's multiple talents but is overall a perfect example for the band's excellent chemistry and makes for an inspiring result of efficient team work.

The drummer and singer manages to shine once again on ''Aka To Kuro" which finds the perfect balance between ferocious hard rock riffs and proto heavy metal vibes that could come from the late sixties or early seventies. The melodic vocals are highly emotional, the riffs meander from bluesy notes to heavy riffs, the bass guitar play is dynamic and vibrant and the mid-paced drum sections invite listeners to bang their heads and move along. The psychedelic middle section is perfectly interwoven into the song and exemplifies the band's adventurous songwriting abilities.

''Meido Kissa'' quickens up the brutality and pace as it relies on a guitar riff on the thin line between classic heavy metal and relentless thrash metal. It's only accurate that bassist Suzuki Kenichi is performing the vocals here since his dramatic and raw style blends in perfectly. The bass guitar play is equally domineering and the drum rhythms are breathtaking and rapid like machine gun fire. This song certainly doesn't take any prisoners.

The bassist and singer shines once more in ''Gekka Ni Sasagu Butoukyoku'', a gloomy, ominous and slow doom metal monster that relies on dominant bass guitar sounds, smooth percussion sections and slightly distorted guitar sounds. The song develops a menacing atmosphere throughout its seven minutes that take listeners on a haunting voyage that finds the perfect balance between creative songwriting and gripping storytelling. This song has much replay value and grows with every spin which makes for this output's hidden gem.

Guitarist and singer Wajima Shinji convinces in adventurous epic ''Tou No Naka No Otoko'' that fully entertains through its running time of nine minutes as the track varies from menacing doom metal passages to uplifting psychedelic rock passages. The guitar sound therefore meanders from heavy rock riffs to dreamy, melodic and technically appealing passages. The vocals are equally dynamic as they shift from dramatic, haunting and ominous parts to harmonious, smooth and uplifting sections that almost have an ethereal vibe. This song has much replay value and might qualify as this record's highlight.

The charismatic band leader shines yet again in epic closer ''Shinen'' that clocks in at nine and a half minutes which is ambitious, even by the band's standards. The song starts on a dreamy, meandering and slow note that should appeal to fans of atmospheric progressive and psychedelic rock sounds from the seventies. The track then slowly evolves into a terrifying doom metal monster with thunderous drum play, low bass guitar vibes and distorted guitar sounds. The lead vocals however offer some welcome melodic sections that keep the different passages together. Wajma Shinji doesn't only convince in his usual dramatic registers here but also when he hits some higher notes that transmit a liberating vibe. This song might need a few spins to grow but easily makes it onto the list of this album's three best tunes with the two aforementioned masterpieces.

At the end of the day, Ningen Isu's Mirai Romanha benefits from more focused songwriting than its predecessor, excellent chemistry among the three band members and an overall gripping, heavy and organic sound that makes for a timeless listening experience. The record features several immediately appealing shorter tunes in its first half while the second half convinces with clever epics that grow with each spin and offer much replay value. Occasional listeners and fans of old date alike should appreciate this creative output.

Final Rating: 89%