HUNDRED SIGHTS OF KOENJI

Among the most chaotic bands ever to step on a live stage, KoenjiHyakkei started in early-90's as a side-project by two members of Ruins, drummer Tatsuya Yoshida and his fellow guitarist Ryuichi Masuda.The translation of the band's name is ''Hundred sights Of Koenji'', where Koenji stands for an area of Tokyo.The original line-up consisted also of keyboardist Aki Kubota and future-Pochakaite Malko Shigekazu Kuwahara on bass.The self-titled debut of the band was recorded at GOK Sound Studio in Kichijoji, Tokyo, holding of sound engineer Yoshiaki Kondo, between April and May 1994.It was released the same year on the God Mountain label.

KoenjiHyakkei's style was heavily influenced by MAGMA'S enigmatic Zeuhl style and sung in an unknown language, recalling CHRISTIAN VANDER's Kobaian form.The music though is far more chaotic and frenetic compared to MAGMA, incorporating elements from Hardcore Punk, Opera and Prog/Fusion to a schizophenic mix of furious rhythms, melodramatic vocals and endless breaks.Very complex and extremely technical material with tons of throbbing bass lines and superfast drumming with unusual rhythmic changes, surrounded by bizarre keyboard lines in a supporting role.Masuda's guitars are the dominant instrument though.With a punchy, powerful, almost KING CRIMSON-esque style, he fills the tracks with edgy, groovy parts and extreme solos in high gears.The vocals are a matter of taste, somewhere between Opera and theatre in a dramatic or even humurous fashion, reminiscent of the Zeuhl movement.There are also plenty of bombastic, almost orchestral sections, similar to RUNAWAY TOTEM, where the complicated keyboards are in evidence, offering quirky exercises next to the always pounding rhythm section.

Music created to stay away from the mass of commercial listeners.Ultra-complex, satirical, role-playing Progressive Rock with angular, grandiose deliveries structured into chaotic, haunting and forward-thinking pieces.Recommended.