ADHD in an album
Rashomon is an album that begins with so much creativity and vigor but loses its clarity as the album goes on. If non-human objects could be diagnosed with ADHD, this album has all the classic symptoms. Rashomon is an intelligent brainchild with intriguing ideas that struggles to find its place and could benefit from refinement. While brilliant, at points it rambles on, goes down rabbit holes and bounces from topic to topic without a plan that’s coherent to others.
This black metal album was the promising debut solo project from TRIVIUM’s Matt Heafy and does come with an inspiring back story, which could help explain why it seems to be all over the map. According to the artist bio on ibarakiband.com, Rashomon was a passion project developed over several years and finished during the pandemic. Taking the name Ibaraki from a terrifying Japanese demon from feudal legend, this album is said to reflect Heafy’s Japanese-American identity. Heafy had a lot to say on this album, but at times, it comes off as too much.
The album opens with the song “Hakanaki Hitsuzen” (English translation: “Forlorn Inevitability.”) This attention-grabbing symphonic opener is striking in its similarity to Russian Folk music as it features a harmonic minor melody and ominous vocalizations over a march-like meter. Various Slavic Folk elements are sprinkled throughout the album in an attempt to add consistency. It is officially revisited on the album’s closing song “Kaizoku.” (English translation: “Pirate.”)
The second song “Kagutsuchi,” is where the actual metal sets in. “Kagutsuchi” is the God of Fire in Japanese mythology. Heafy’s tinny screamo performed during the verses comes off a bit amateur, more punk rock than bonified metal God. The vocals in the chorus redeemed interest in the album by featuring a knock-off version of Serj Tankian, lead singer from System of a Down. That chorus also provides socially commentarial lyrics such as “Isolation from the manipulation of the followers. Followers of the greatest illusion.” At the 4:15 mark, the song devolves into an almost prog-rock ambiance, think Genesis. About a minute of that journey could have been canceled due to lack of interest as the song’s ending returns to the original intensity from its opening.
Heafy had plenty of help from famous friends and personal musical inspirations. TRIVIUM’s drummer Alex Bent, bassist Paolo Gregoletto and guitarist Corey Beaulieu lent a hand on various tracks. “Akumu,” which features Nergal from Behemoth, is the closest to traditional black metal on the album. Featuring Polish lyrics and some random Super Mario Bros. coin chimes, it is an epic nightmare with an interpretation that is left up to the listener.
The track “Rōnin” features guest vocals from Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance alongside more prog-rock fun. His vocals were a welcomed addition that elevated this song and reminded the listener what a true genius Way really is.
There are also several thought-provoking stories contained within Rashomon that were inspired by Japanese folklore. For example, “Jigoku Dayū” tells the dismal story of the daughter of a samurai that was sold into prostitution and “Ibaraki-Dōji” tells the story of a Demon child.
From a musicality standpoint, Rashomon is outstanding. There is nothing typical to find contained within this album and the thematic ideas are ingenious. However, the album could use some refining to more accurately drive home its point. ADHD isn’t just a diagnosis, it’s a superpower when wielded properly. Hopefully there is more passion left for Ibaraki to push out a more distilled round two.
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