Search - Boris :: Akuma No Uta

The Shape of Sludge to Come

Zachary A. Hanson | Tallahassee, FL United States | 06/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Boris is a brutal delicacy, that rare concoction that does all things for all people. If everyone knew it and consumed it in extremis, though, it would stop being a delicacy, right? Oh well, everyone else's loss. _Akuma No Uta_ is a drop-dead masterpiece, from the punishing drone of the opener to the gong-inititiated reprise of the intro on the last song, the title track (translated as "The Evil Song.") They can do it all and just about better than all the competition:

--Sludge? I don't hear anyone who can blend a blaring punk melody with sludge in such a truly sickly-sweet manner as Boris does on their upbeat tracks;

--Metal? Ozzy probably doesn't even know it, but these guys are the real heirs to the heavy-as-hell legacy; way more than anyone on Ozzfest;

--Drone? To say the least, but that doesn't stop them from rocking like mad when they choose to push their own boundaries.

--Psychedelic? Believe me, when you turn _Akuma No Uta_ up as loud as you need to, there are few more mind-and-body-altering experience than this one (really your body churns!!!);

--Punk? Yeah . . . we can call this band "punk as f**k." To those who like their music in boxes and think that "punk as f**k" means the latest Exploited retread, well, Boris is too punk for you. For the rest of us, Boris may be the band who can cash in on the late, great Refused's promise of _The Shape of Punk to Come_. Like the Refused, Boris takes any style and makes it their own in their awe-inspiring music machine (minus the jazziness of the Nordic screamers, but plus the sludge, drone, psychedelia, etc. . . .). Also like the Refused, Boris are forward-looking, taking the listener on a gleeful death ride that leaves you absolutely free. It doesn't get more punk than that, kids.



When you take into account that Boris are Japanese and rock harder and better than pretty much any of us in the Anglo world, it's clear to see where our eyes should be turning to discover where the future of rock lay. I realize that I've talked them up more than I've reviewed the songs, but words can hardly describe. I'll just say that it compares 100% favorably with their newest opus _Pink_, just more succinct. Oh, did I mention they play their instruments to within an inch of their literal existences? (I don't think I've heard an amp abused as much as on _Akuma No Uta_). Wata is one wicked, original, and visceral guitarist. I could go on and on, but I'm just gonna let you buy this album; wait for it to come in the mail; put it on your stereo's highest setting (jack up the bass!!!); and feel your perception, and hence your life, change.

--"

Magic

Nelson Kos | Brisbane, Australia | 12/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here's the thing about Boris that many reviewers neglect to mention. They sure can write a tune and they sure know how to rock. The comparisons to doom/drone rock don't really give the full picture of how varied Boris are. One minute there is a gentle, slow Mogwai style tune the next an acid rock freakout. Boris are heavy rock combined with a great big dollop of post-rock. This album is one of their best. There are elements of Mogwai (Rock Action), Motorhead, Pink Floyd, Melvins etc in Boris's music. This is one of the most accessible Boris albums and my favorite."

Awesome!

J. Keeler | Cursed Midwest | 05/31/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I haven't heard Flood. Yet. After listening to this disk, oh, I'd say a dozen times, I feel that it rocks. The first track is great. After that, it is pure Japanese guitar freak-outery. Some of it reminds me of Acid Mothers Temple's Electric Heavyland album, and not because both groups hail from Japan. If you like listening to the sound of electric guitars, this disk has 'em."