Review / 200 Words Or Less
Birushanah
Akai Yami

Level Plane (2008) Tohm

Birushanah – Akai Yami cover artwork
Birushanah – Akai Yami — Level Plane, 2008

Three songs, forty minutes. Akai Yami was my first introduction to Japan's Birushanah. The band uses two metal percussionists as well as a drummer, a fretless bassist and guitarist. "Jyodo" is a calm and intriguing opener that features traditional Japanese percussion. However, this doesn't last long, and the twenty-minute track, "Akai Yami," begins. Vocals vary greatly during this song. Long-held bellowing notes, mixed with short bursts, are sure to surprise any listener. The eponymous song changes greatly, from traditional Japanese movements to sludge to quicker technical sections. The singing changes into furious shouts, and the pace picks up without warning. The final song "Kairai" continues in the same way "Akai Yami" ends, but it takes the listener on a journey through space as well.

6.0 / 10Tohm • July 23, 2009

Birushanah – Akai Yami cover artwork
Birushanah – Akai Yami — Level Plane, 2008

Related news

Birushanah / Drain The Sky Tourdates

Posted in Tours on February 20, 2008

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

Detention

Dead Rock ‘N’ Rollers
Left For Dead Records (2024)

Life ain’t so easy in the detention home- Dead Boys. Emerging from the underbelly of Jersey, made up primarily of three brethren. Raised on rock and roll and sipping from the chalice of early punk rock stalwarts like Da Bruddahs from Queens, Hey Ho! and the Pistoleros of Sexual Nature screaming banshees from across from the large pond. Thus forging … Read more

Nightfreak

Nightfreak
Big Neck Records (2024)

Semi-feral punk outfit NightFreak are back with a self-titled LP filled with breakneck riffs and 70s metal bombast. The Chicago group haven’t slowed down since 2022’s Speed Trials but they have filled out. NightFreak the album is lousy with warm back beats and melodic guitars; although, hardcore vocals and tight drums still reign supreme. Album opener “Blackout” is dead serious … Read more

Death By Unga Bunga

Raw Muscle Power
Jansen Records (2025)

I’m pretty sure I became aware of Mike Krol when The Whiffs posted about playing some shows with him. Krol is a bit of an anomaly. Not only is he on Merge and collaborates with Mac Superchunk- a dream scenario imo- but he’s also been elusive of my fan boy attempts at cold dm’ing him about stuff even tho we … Read more