Ground Zero

The Profile

Ground Zero is a Japanese experimental music group led by Otomo Yoshihide, active from 1990 to 1998, known for noise, free improvisation, and sample-based collage on albums such as Revolutionary Pekinese Opera and Consume Red.

Described as a mutant ensemble around Otomo Yoshihide, active 1990–1998, often up to ten players using classical rock instruments, samplers, and turntables. Their Revolutionary Pekinese Opera draws samples from films, TV operettas, political speeches, classical music, traditional Japanese music, and melodramatic works; the album exists in versions 1.0, 1.28, and 1.50. Their approach has been compared to John Zorn/Naked City.

A fiercely enthusiastic review hails Ground Zero’s sample-smashed, noise-soaked approach, led by Otomo Yoshihide. Revolutionary Pekinese Opera ver. 1.28 (1996) is praised as gleeful sonic butchery with a brain. Comparisons to Naked City surface, yet Ground Zero sound even more disorienting. Their collage draws from movies, operettas, speeches, and traditional music, challenging but human.