Koenjihyakkei

gunnels · 07-08-2010, 01:37 AM

Behold...

Koenjihyakkei are a Japanese band with a propensity to blow yer mind.
Although they are strongly influenced by zeuhl such as Magma, this bunch takes it to a whole new level. Describing their music is kind of a challenge all in it's own, but is surprisingly accessible (most of the time anyway, hehe...). If you like the song above, look for Angherr Shisspa and get your mind laid!

clutnuckle · 07-08-2010, 02:02 AM

Somebody who reviewed this said it would be their first choice for Karaoke... I can't help but agree.

They honestly are just Magma on crack. Angherr is more dramatic than a hundred Shakespeare plays all occurring at the exact same time. I prefer them moreso to Magma, to be honest.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 07-16-2010, 05:32 AM

I ****ing adore Koenji. A very faithful extension of my personal favorite band, Magma(and I think brings in well enough traits not to be considered a knock-off). Albeit, I'm not much for their American "remastered" albums.

I honestly believe it's a feat of musicianship. I mean, Tatsuya Yoshida is one of the most underrated musicians of our time. Not only a virtuoso drummer, but I think a masterful composer as well. What he did with such limited instrumentation in Ruins is brilliant, and Koenji is very much just the same concept except bigger. Such wonderfully dense layering of clean operatic type singing mixed with screams, yodels, grunts, and anything else. The same level of technicality, speed, and creativity as Ruins, except with just a little more in the way of what I consider quite skillful keyboard, and guitar work. Honestly, one of the most cream your pants worthy bands going today(if they're considering "still going" at the moment, hard to tell with a band that does appearances as selectively as they do.)

Personal favorite album is 2/Viva Koenji which I feel may be, from start to finish, one of the most beautifully composed chaotic albums I've ever heard. To me, it's like the orchestral equivalent of a rioting mob during the most chaotic times of humanity's apocalyptic downfall. It's hard in this day and age(or any really, but this one in particular) to find something that truly matches that level of grandiosity.

Not to say I don't like the more "mature" jazz based Angherr Shisspa, which is equally as brilliant. Just feel that Viva Koenji excels more in it's uniqueness. Then again, All four of their albums are absolute gems, and are essentially listening in my collection. Some of the finest music ever crafted, imo.

Xivalvi · 09-11-2010, 11:40 PM

Love these guys - a definite blow-your-mind impression guaranteed on first listen. That usually results in either love or hate - most people I know just find them too weird to be good, but eh.
My favourite album of theirs would have to be their debut, Hundred Sights of Koenji, but all of them are very good. Epic stuff. Everyone should give them a go at least once, imo. Need to give a listen to some more of Yoshida Tatsuya's projects, as he hasn't disappointed me yet.

09-11-2010, 11:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
Xivalvi Groupie Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1	Love these guys - a definite blow-your-mind impression guaranteed on first listen. That usually results in either love or hate - most people I know just find them too weird to be good, but eh. My favourite album of theirs would have to be their debut, Hundred Sights of Koenji, but all of them are very good. Epic stuff. Everyone should give them a go at least once, imo. Need to give a listen to some more of Yoshida Tatsuya's projects, as he hasn't disappointed me yet. __________________ My Last.fm Ghost of your smile is always looking for new bodies to haunt... and it's been here, it is up here... He's hanging around and he'll wait for a while, gradually gone... it's pleasing and freezing...

07-08-2010, 02:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
clutnuckle Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: -_-_-_-_~__~-~_-`_`-~_-`-~-~ Posts: 1,276	Somebody who reviewed this said it would be their first choice for Karaoke... I can't help but agree. They honestly are just Magma on crack. Angherr is more dramatic than a hundred Shakespeare plays all occurring at the exact same time. I prefer them moreso to Magma, to be honest.

07-16-2010, 05:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra \/ GOD Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nowhere... Posts: 2,179	I ****ing adore Koenji. A very faithful extension of my personal favorite band, Magma(and I think brings in well enough traits not to be considered a knock-off). Albeit, I'm not much for their American "remastered" albums. I honestly believe it's a feat of musicianship. I mean, Tatsuya Yoshida is one of the most underrated musicians of our time. Not only a virtuoso drummer, but I think a masterful composer as well. What he did with such limited instrumentation in Ruins is brilliant, and Koenji is very much just the same concept except bigger. Such wonderfully dense layering of clean operatic type singing mixed with screams, yodels, grunts, and anything else. The same level of technicality, speed, and creativity as Ruins, except with just a little more in the way of what I consider quite skillful keyboard, and guitar work. Honestly, one of the most cream your pants worthy bands going today(if they're considering "still going" at the moment, hard to tell with a band that does appearances as selectively as they do.) Personal favorite album is 2/Viva Koenji which I feel may be, from start to finish, one of the most beautifully composed chaotic albums I've ever heard. To me, it's like the orchestral equivalent of a rioting mob during the most chaotic times of humanity's apocalyptic downfall. It's hard in this day and age(or any really, but this one in particular) to find something that truly matches that level of grandiosity. Not to say I don't like the more "mature" jazz based Angherr Shisspa, which is equally as brilliant. Just feel that Viva Koenji excels more in it's uniqueness. Then again, All four of their albums are absolute gems, and are essentially listening in my collection. Some of the finest music ever crafted, imo.