IBARAKI
Rashomon (Nuclear Blast)
Ibaraki is the name of a terrifying mythical Japanese beast. It’s also the name of the new project by Trivium head honcho Matthew Kiichi Heafy who is using this project to fully explore all facets of his life on debut album Rashomon. Heafy’s love of black metal, Japanese culture as well as a personal glimpse into his own American/Japanese heritage are all brought together with a passion that goes further than a mere side project.
As you’d expect, the big metal parts are in place, but there is an epic feel to the album, where heavy guitars occasionally make way for acoustic guitars and keyboards, giving the whole thing a soundtrack feel. Rashomon is very much in the same vein as Ihsahn’s solo work and the Emperor vocalist actually appears on several of the tracks here, while there’s also guest vocals from Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance on the blackened goth extravaganza that is Ronin and Nergal from Behemoth on Akumu. Ibaraki is black metal with heart.
words CHRIS ANDREWS