BLACK ONI

BLACK ONI is Guapo's statement to the music world that their breakout FIVE SUNS is not a one-shot attempt, and they even dare to progress a bit from the FIVE SUNS. If that album was mostly RIO crossed with Zeuhl with a bit of Crimson for taste, BLACK ONI runs in more of a post-rock direction that bolsters the already fresh sound of Guapo. They also kept things in relative taste as just the BLACK ONI epic (in five sections) appears on the album. It allows for better focus on the heart of the epic as the two end pieces of FIVE SUNS were rather distracting.

''Part IV'' is really where the slight sonic adjustments were made from FIVE SUNS to BLACK ONI. It is essentially tonal post-symphonic rock that sets the mood and tension. Unlike the minute of silence after the epic on the last album, the quietude allows for a breather to prepare for the intensity of the final part of the epic.

BLACK ONI establishes itself a competent equal for FIVE SUNS, but in the long run doesn't quite overshadow its predecessor enough to grab the spotlight. The two are like brother and sister albums.