Ryujin is reborn like a phoenix.

Formed in Japan as Suicide Heaven and then Gyze, the band led by Ryoji (vocals/guitar/keyboards), Shuji (drums), Aruta (bass) and Shinkai (guitar, Captured), managed by Matthew Kiichi Heafy (Trivium, Ibaraki) who appears on four tracks, unveils their new album Ryujin, on Napalm Records.

The album kicks off in Japanese Folk tones with Hajimari, a rather playful introduction that leads into the martial Gekokujo, a frantic race with Death Melodic roots tinged with sharp Thrash. The howling perfectly fits the aggressive ambience, from which a few epic leads and motivating patterns emerge, then the contrast continues on Dragon, Fly Free, where flute and airy melodies meet blast and double kick. Backing and clean vocals make the choruses heady, then the band unveils its first collaboration with Matthew Kiichi Heafy, who perfectly complements their energetic riffs with Raijin & Fujin. The battle rages right through to the central break, leaving the vocal duo to close the track and lead us into The Rainbow Song, another of their collaborations, which is initially much calmer, both in terms of the instrumental and the vocal parts. Kunnecup returns to more lively patterns, while keeping the worked leads and welcoming Mukai Wataru’s violin from the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra, while the band returns to violence on Scream of the Dragon. The introductive howls give way to clean, Folk-influenced vocals on the choruses, followed by a Heavy Metal-tinged solo, before darkening as soon as Gekirin begins, adding a few touches of Black Metal to the energetic basis. Saigo No Hoshi‘s approach is much gentler and more majestic, almost approaching a power ballad sung in Japanese, but it’s with the long Ryujin that the Japanese show us their full potential, blending keyboards, Folk elements and their sharp riffs, as well as a few softer passages to lead us to the seven-and-a-half-minute final.

Matthew Kiichi Heafy joins the Japanese again for two more tracks, Guren No Yumiya, a cover of Linked Horizon known for being the theme song of the anime Attack On Titan, to which the band perfectly grafts its grandiose touch, then an alternative English version of Saigo No Hoshi, which remains theatrical and soothing, albeit relatively different.

Ryujin does not deny its roots, but develops them with this change of identity. The band integrates ever more Asian Folk influences, making Ryujin the perfect album between Japanese culture and traditional Melodic Death Metal.

85/100

Version Française ?

Few questions to Ryoji Shinomoto, guitarist and vocalist of the Japanese Folk/Melodic Death Metal Ryujin.

Hello and first of all, thank you very much for your time! Could you please introduce yourself and the band Ryujin without using the usual musical labels, like “Death Metal”?
Ryoji Shinomoto (guitar/vocals): Nice to meet you! This is Ryoji from Ryujin! We, Ryujin, are Metal that allows you to feel Japan. It’s epic, yet Japanese Folk-like, melodic and speedy, with Japanese and English lyrics mixed with growl and clean vocals, making it symphonic at times. I think it’s like that.

The band was previously known as Suicide Heaven, then Gyze, what did motivate the name change? How do you personally link the name Ryujin to the band’s music identity?
Ryoji: Well I am proud of Gyze‘s activities. I’m proud of what Gyze does, but it seems to be hard to pronounce and I’ve always been told « Guys ». Matthew (Heafy, producer, ed.) didn’t understand it at first, so we talked about changing the name. So we talked about changing my name, and he suggested Ryujin, after my name. We decided together. In the East, dragons are auspicious and peaceful. In the West, dragons are dark and villainous, right? The dragon god is considered the god of water. Japan is surrounded by the sea, right? Because of the proximity of mountains and oceans, he probably exists as a god of nature as well. When you go to shrines, you see dragons everywhere. The basis of my music is nature worship and a wish for peace. That’s why the name « Ryujin » fits so well. Besides, when you think of Metal, you think of dragons, right?

The band’s new album, Ryujin, is nearly out. How do you feel about it? How is the feedback?
Ryoji: I’m happy and excited to finally be able to release it. I think the feedback is also very good. Also, this time it was produced by Matt and released on Napalm Records! Thankfully, I answer a lot of interviews every day! Just the other day, the last single, Saigo No Hoshi, the first ballad in the band’s history, was released. It was my first time doing a ballad, so I was a little nervous, but so far I’ve gotten so many positive reactions that I’m relieved! lol

How would you sum Ryujin’s identity up in only three words?
Ryoji: Hmm… Ok, Japan, Samurai and Metal. Those three!

How did the creation process happen for Ryujin? Did you notice some changes compared to the previous records?
Ryoji: My name is Ryoji, which means Dragon Master, and from there it became Ryujin. The music hasn’t changed much from before, but the clean vocals have increased! Other than that, I think it’s the same speedy, melodic, folk, and symphonic sound as before.

The band teamed up with Matthew Kiichi Heafy (Trivium, Ibaraki) for production and some songs. How did you begin to work with him, and how was this collaboration for you?
Ryoji: At first, after our last interview with Metal Hammer, the reporter and Matt were talking about us at X. It was around the time that his Ibaraki was released, and he was also talking about the three tones, both he and I were using the shamisen. We saw them talking and got in touch! We were just getting ready to start our new activities after Covid, and we wanted to try something new. So I asked him to be my guest at first and he agreed to do more work for me! He taught me the possibilities of clean vocals. He also coached me a lot on vocals. I think it was a lot of work for him. Because I was a screamer. Also, as I said earlier, it expanded the band’s possibilities. In other words, it opened my eyes to the possibility of playing many different types of music. I never thought the day would come when I would sing a ballad. I also like making Pop songs, but I try not to play them in a band. But he also broke those chains. I’m sure that what he gave me will continue to live on forever.

What about the artwork, what were the guidelines and how do they fit with the music you created?
Ryoji: It’s Matt’s friend Mathieu (Noizeres, French-born artist now based in the USA, ed.)’s handwritten artwork. He created last Trivium’s cover too. It’s very mysterious, and the artwork symbolizes this collaboration with Matt! In terms of music, I think the song Ryujin and the album cover are perfect! Don’t you think so?

Ryujin’s work has always been infused with Japanese culture and sonorities. How do you find the right balance to include them to your Metal roots?
Ryoji: Japanese culture and Metal music are far from each other, so it can be difficult. So it is very important to find a balance. If you introduce too much Japanese culture, it will become just a Folk song, and it won’t become Metal. But I like to incorporate culture and thought. Ibaraki by Matt has more mythology than we do, but it’s very well integrated! I used to be a dragon flute player at a shrine a few years ago, so I have my own respect for Japanese culture. As for our music, it’s hard to make it Japanese without study and knowledge. I am still learning from all kinds of music. I especially listen to Akira Ifukube, a classical musician who pioneered the introduction of Japanese music. Without him, there would be no Joe Hisaishi, the composer of Ghibli. Also, I wasn’t really aware of it myself, but I hear that my music has an atmosphere like that of an anime song. Just the other day I read a review in the Finnish media that said that Ryujin would be like Ryujin‘s music if Ensiferum was born in Japan and grew up listening to anime. It was very interesting.

The song Saigo No Hoshi is definitely different from the others, described as “rock-opera-like ballad”. How did you work on this song? What about the 2nd version with Matthew Kiichi Heafy?
Ryoji: Matt wanted to record a ballad, so I played him this song that I had written earlier. Then he really liked it. I was surprised because I didn’t intend for the song to be played in a band. But his judgment was correct. Recording a song is more difficult than recording a fast song, so I went through a lot of trial and error. His version has English lyrics, so I think you’ll enjoy the difference. I’m looking forward to the day when we can perform live.

Do you have a favorite song on this album? Or maybe the hardest one to achieve for the album?
Ryoji: Very difficult to choose one. All the songs have their own feelings and meanings! But Raijin & Fujin, which I co-wrote with Matt, is the iconic song. I think Ryujin is the song that best represents the band. It’s symphonic and folk. Gekokujo is our roots, or what Death Metal should be. All the songs are so important that I can comment on each and every one of them!

Where do you find your inspiration to create music?
Ryoji: I live in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. The island is very rich in nature, and the town where I live in particular has forests, mountains, rivers, and lakes. So I often get inspiration from nature. Also, in winter there is a lot of snow and we spend a lot of time at home, so we have a lot of time to play music. I guess I like country music more than urban music.

The band also signed with Napalm Records for the release of this album. How is the collaboration and how did it begin?
Ryoji: To tell the truth, during the stage of our last album Asian Chaos, there was talk of signing with Napalm Records. Unfortunately it didn’t work out that time, but we got in touch again to make a new album. And Matt‘s work led to the contract. Matt did all the management for us up until startup. Napalm also had a positive impression of the rebranding to Ryujin. Lea, who I always work with, takes the band seriously and is the most comfortable person I’ve ever worked with. We usually chat about casual things and we have such a good relationship that I can call them friends. I really love working with her and them!

Do you think you improved yourself as a musician and songwriter with this new record?
Ryoji: I hope so! In particular, I’m satisfied with the song Ryujin from various angles. However, I think the song I put the most effort into was the single I released, Oriental Symphony. It’s a very long song, and it’s arranged like a full orchestra. I worked hard on this song, which was my last song in my 20s, and I’m satisfied with it. I’m personally satisfied that I was able to try out things that I couldn’t do without studying, such as changing the chords for the songs on the album! But from the listener’s perspective, how much trouble did I have? I know it’s not important. After all, even a song made in 3 minutes can be a good song.

I had the opportunity to see Gyze back in 2017, then Ryujin during the I AM ON TOUR alongside Pain, Ensiferum and Eleine. How was the band’s evolution between those two tours?
Ryoji: Thank you! I hope you enjoyed it. The big difference is the musicality. In 2017, the Japanese approach was still only in my head and not reflected in the actual songs. Also, this time we had the same set list, but I still remember last time we changed it up a little bit each night and it was a lot of trial and error. Of course, I am very satisfied with this one!

What would be the next step for Ryujin?
Ryoji: Well, we need a worldwide tour again I think. Also, playing at some worldwide festivals. And I already started composing new songs! So hopefully I wanna release new songs in the near future.

Are there any musicians or artists you would like to collaborate with whether it is for one song, or maybe more?
Ryoji: I would love to perform with a full orchestra someday. I’ve always wanted to do a real symphonic arrangement of my songs someday in the future. If it’s a metal collaboration, I’d also like to hear Noora, the singer of Battle Beast, with whom I toured before, sing my song!

If you had to organize a concert for Ryujin’s release show, which bands would you love to play with? I let you create a poster with Ryujin and three other bands!
Ryoji: It would be great to tour with Powerwolf, Wintersun, and The Hu. But first, I would like to tour with Trivium! I would also like to work with Dragonforce again.

Last and funny question: which dish would you compare Ryujin’s music with?
Ryoji: Hmmm Katsu Don!!! maybe! Haha.

That was the last question for me, so thank you very much for your time and your music, last words are yours!
Ryoji: Thank you for reading to the end! If you want to listen to Japanese Samurai Metal, please visit Ryujin! The merchandise is Japanese and cool, so I believe it will be enjoyed not only by Metal fans but also by anime fans! See you in your city someday!