Wakizashi

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Band Bio

Okinawan metal band. There are viking-themed metal bands, there are pirate-themed metal bands, now there are SAMURAI-themed metal bands! Double-bass drumming? How about double-taiko drumming! Now we're talking.

Formed recently in Okinawa, Japan. It was the day of the Kagura, a ritual in Shintou where music is very important to the dance. Problem was, the band that had been scheduled to play had had their Sanshin player mugged earlier that day, and now the dance was ruined.

However, six guys attending that had wanted to start a band knew this was their chance. Dressed up in traditional samurai armor, they got up on stage and began to rock. Their brand of heavy metal music that mixed styles of American Metalcore, European Neo-Classical Metal, and traditional Japanese music was shocking at first, but after the first song the crowd got into it and the dance began, albeit a bit awkwardly.

After reading about this in the newspaper, the president of Fallen Records rushed to Okinawa, Yumishi Rey as his translator, to sign Wakizashi before another record label could. He arrived and found the members of Wakizashi in their run-down apartment that was filled with Katanas, Samurai armor, and the smell of Marijuana. He quickly proposed the idea to Wakizashi's frontman, Satoshi "Katana" Mizuku.
"At first I was like, 'What? We just played some festival dressed up in samurai armor' but then I realized that this was the chance of a lifetime. I said yes, of course."
The band agreed.

Wakizashi's music is definitely unique. First of all, instead of two normal bass drums, the drummer has two taiko drums, making for some truly pummeling percussion. Secondly, the inclusion of Kugo and Kagurabue players adds a flavor of traditional Japanese music to the sound, replacing the all-too-common keyboards found in Power Metal. There are distorted guitars, over-the-top solos, and operatic vocals in a sort of English/Japanese mash-up reminiscent of Iron Maiden or Area51.

Members:
Vocals- Satoshi "Katana" Mizuku
Lead Guitar- Hitachi Morishita
Rhythm Guitar- Kouta Oreshi
Kugo, Shamisen- Takashi Riiku
Kucho (Kokyu)- Fukazawa Yoshiyori
Drums and Percussion- Muroku Itashi

INFLUENCES: Whispered, Chthonic, Trivium, Machinae Supremacy, Iron Maiden, Amon Amarth, Lost Eden, In Flames, Area51.

SOUND: Standard issue metal is complimented by traditional Japanese instrumentation and operatic clean vocals in Japanese and English. Drums use double taiko drum-blasts to deliver crushing blows on your ears.

Band Gear

This band doesn't own any gear!

Albums / EPs

Into Abyss II: Final Stand Date Released: 3/11/2011   Tracks: 13 Sales: 9   Listens: 10 The second of two concept albums; The "Into Abyss" saga. After defeating his father's damned soul, claiming his spirit Katana, and surviving 100 years' worth of warfare in Hell's eternal battlefields, Raizou has finally been reunited with Kagura. Now he must find a way to get both their souls back to the land of the living. But the gateway is through a gauntlet of demons and cursed warriors hellbent on stopping them. All Raizou has is his father's sword... and one hell of a vendetta.

Into Abyss I: Spirit Sword Date Released: 1/2/2011   Tracks: 14 Sales: 7   Listens: 10 A ronin, Raizou, is to be wed to Kagura, His love. But Raizou is sent off to war before his wedding can commence. He vows it to be the last battle of his life. Returning, Raizou learns that sickness has taken Kagura. In a daring move, he commits suicide so he can be sent to Hell. There, he will reclaim Kagura's spirit and bring them both back from death. But he must first claim his father's katana from Hell's freezing battlefields, for Raizou's last struggle is but beginning...

Sakura Slash Date Released: 11/6/2010   Tracks: 9 Sales: 5   Listens: 6 The third album from Samurai metalers Wakizashi. Katana's vocals soar over the album's heavier sound, which includes more minor-key work and heavier production. Catch Wakizashi on the Global Annihilation Tour now! Recorded before the Global Annihilation Tour and released during it.

Shadows of Seppuku Date Released: 7/11/2010   Tracks: 10 Sales: 7   Listens: 7 The second album from Samurai rockers Wakizashi. This album is a lot darker in tone from the band's debut "Boku no Bushido" and sports more minor key riffs. A highlight is the instrumental "Hikari" which blends traditional Japanese scales and instrumentation with keyboards and distorted guitars.

Boku no Bushido Date Released: 4/8/2010   Tracks: 10 Sales: 9   Listens: 10 The debut album from Samurai-Metal band Wakizashi. Title translates to "My code of Honor". Song topics includes epic samurai battles, honor, Ritual Suicide, and Shintou spirits.