Metal from Rising Sun n.8

陰陽座　- 鳳翼天翔 cover -

Onmyo-Za is a Japanese heavy/folk metal band formed in 1999 in Osaka, influenced by groups such as Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest. On December 5, 1999, they released their first album "Kikoku Tensho" under their own label. The following year was a success for the band; they held numerous shows, developing a solid fan base. In August, they released their first single "Oka no Kotowari," and the same year, their second album "Hyakki Ryoran." In 2001, they signed with the major label King Records. After a lengthy tour, they released their first major single "Tsuki ni Murakumo hana ni kaze," and the year concluded with a jam session with members of Gonin-Ish and Kinnuku Shojo Tai, two Japanese progressive metal bands. The third album "Kojin Rasetsu" was released on January 10, 2002, followed by the re-release of the first two albums and the release of the mini-album "Fuin Kairan," which contained rarities and unreleased songs. In the same year, they embarked on their first national tour. Between 2002 and 2003, they recorded two covers: "The Trooper" by Iron Maiden and "Beyond the Realms of Death" by Judas Priest for the tribute albums "A Tribute to the Beast" and "A Tribute to the Priest," respectively. Onmyo-Za was the only Japanese band to participate. In 2003, their new album "Hoyoku Rindo" was released, followed by the single "Hoyoku Tensho" and the DVD of the indie VHS version "Hyakki Koriden" and a special live album "Sekinetsu Enbu." In 2004, they released two singles "Mezame" and "Nemuri," followed by the live DVD "Hakko Ranbu" and the new album "Mugen Hoyo." Also in 2004, they published a 23-minute suite divided into three singles about the figure of Minamoto no Yoshitsune (samurai and general of the Minamoto clan, who lived during the late Heian period and the early Kamakura period). This suite would later be included in the new album "Garyo Tensei," released on June 22, 2005. In that year, the live DVD "Wagashikabane" was released, and in April, the band released the single "Koga Ninpocho," written and recorded for the anime "Basilisk." The first concert of the year for the band was a special fan-only event at the Nogakudo Noh Theatre in Tokyo; this concert would later be released on DVD under the title “Yugen-Reibu.” Onmyo-za was the first band to perform on a Noh stage in Japan. At the end of the year, Onmyo-Za also held a series of concerts in Belgium, France, and Germany. In 2006, they released the best-of album “Inyo Shugyoku,” containing live tracks and recordings from the European tour, the double CD “Onmyo-Raibu,” and the double DVD “Syugyoku-Enbi.” After a long break in 2007, the single “Kokui no Tennyo” was released, followed by the new album “Mao Taiten.” From that moment on, their albums would never rank below the 13th position in the Japanese charts. In 2008, the new single “Kureha” and the new album “