MIZUKAGAMI

A very interesting stuff.

Mizukagami is one of the most impressive Japanese symphonic progressive rock bands, with a slightly difficult character. Namely, they should not be immersed in Western symphonic style but keep much essence of Japanese traditional music style and theory in their mind. 'Bout each song you can feel the Japanese flavour called 'Wa no Kokoro' somewhere in such a beautiful symphonia. The point I want to emphasise is that particularly Futaba's clear, graceful, and well-carrying voice should make this 'Wa no Kokoro' much greater. Exactly you feel something eccentric in their work, as if you eat purely Japanese dishes prepared by a Japanese chef in a Western restaurant but as a Japanese let me say bravo to MIZUKAGAMI for their courage to go with the style, not a simply typical symphonic progressive rock one.

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Posted Friday, July 10, 2009 | Review this album | Report (Review #225683)

This is an intriguing album from Japan, and one that has already been gaining many favourable reviews on the web. The fact that it has been released in Europe on Musea, as well as on Poseidon in their native Japan, means that it is relatively easy to get hold of. That is an important fact and although this album is sung in Japanese, this is something that all discerning progheads are going to want to have in their collection. Like many Japanese prog albums, there are some very dreamy and reflective passages but what makes this album stand out are not only the clear pure (and very Japanese) vocals of female lead singer Tanaami Futaba but also the way that they are attempting to bring together some traditional music with very Western prog. They also aren't afraid to let rip and give the instruments a good work out, something that makes them stand out from many others.

This is symphonic prog with a heavy use of synths, but while they may be looking to the Seventies and Tull/ELP/King Crimson there are also elements of more modern bands such as IQ. The quiet and pleasant passages are more then offset by the complicated ones that follow, so that even though it isn't possible to understand the words there is more than enough going on to make this an interesting and varied listen. This is something that many progheads will enjoy.

Originally appeared in Feedback #78, April 2004

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Posted Friday, July 26, 2013 | Review this album | Report (Review #1005426)

This is a wonderful starting point for anyone interested in exploring the world of Japanese Symphonic Prog. The music has a familiar, comforting feeling that reminds of classic 70's Symphonic Prog. It is usually quite airy, flowing, and light in mood and it also has a very distinct Japanese flavo ... (read more)

Report this review (#201986) | Posted by AdamHearst | Saturday, February 7, 2009 | Review Permanlink

4.5 stars!!! Great album, amazing vocal from Tanaami Futaba. Flute is also very impressive. "Sakura" is an absolutely masterpiece and the best number in album. I think this band with Shingetsu is the best example from japanese symphonic prog scene, becouse both this bands are very unique, you ... (read more)

Report this review (#48675) | Posted by Vasil Jalabadze | Tuesday, September 27, 2005 | Review Permanlink

The debut album by this Japanese group proves to be high class symphonic. Mostly it is keyboard driven but there is some nice guitar leads as well. The keyboardist Junya Anan plays the main role in their music with his varied keyboards, fifteen different listed in the liner notes. On top of this ... (read more)

Report this review (#43126) | Posted by geezer | Tuesday, August 16, 2005 | Review Permanlink

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