Kyūketsuki – Oni

The name Kyūketsuki (吸血鬼) is Japanese for “vampire”. “Kyūketsuki” is a common term in Japanese pop culture for vampires, often appearing in anime, manga, and folklore-inspired stories. 

With his new album, ‘Oni’, the Japanese horror Black Metal project Kyūketsuki aka Yūrei/Maxime Taccardi pays homage to Chu Ishikawa, composer of amongst other ‘Tetsuo: The Iron Man’. 

It is the ninth album in the series where the multi-talented artist explores Japanese demonology. 

‘Oni’ has been recorded, mixed and mastered in Yūrei’s dungeon on Februari 2025. And as said: all the art was created using Yūrei’s own blood. Tracks ‘Tomie’ and ‘Uzumaki’ are based on Junji Itō’s graphic novels. ‘Devilman’ is based on Gō Nagai’s manga of the same name.  ‘Gemini’ is dedicated to Shin’ya Tsukamoto and the late Chū Ishikawa (a pioneering Japanese composer and musician, best known for his intense, industrial soundtracks that perfectly matched the visceral energy of Shin’ya Tsukamoto’s films) who brought to life the movie of the same name in 1999. 

For those who seek even more wisdom: Shin’ya Tsukamoto is a visionary Japanese filmmaker, actor, and screenwriter best known for his groundbreaking work in the cyberpunk and body horror genres. Born in Tokyo in 1960, he began making films at age 14 with a Super 8 camera gifted by his father. His 1989 film ‘Tetsuo: The Iron Man’ is a landmark in Japanese cyberpunk cinema, blending surreal visuals with industrial noise and stop-motion effects. 

Chu also composed scores for director Takashi Miike (‘Audition’, ‘Ichi the Killer’ and ‘Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai’). 

The entire album oozes with haunting melodies, creepy voices, disturbing eerie sound effects intertwined with hectic ritualistic drumming/percussion, slimey growls, pukes and a vile guitar sound. Personally, I would have liked the Metal parts to be more prominent in the mix, but Kyūketsuki remains an experimental project that mixes Dark Ambient and Raw Black Metal with Japanese folk instrumentation altogether, so… Noblesse oblige. 

The 2022 album ‘Seppuku’ is often heralded as one of his most acclaimed releases – I beg to differ as ‘In Hell I Shall Be King’ from 2024 was mind-blowing enough. 

Visceral and disturbing sonic textures, harsh textures and ritualistic ambiance – it’s all there. Dedicated to the late composer Chu Ishikawa (1966-2017). 

Nine tracks of sheer audio terror are poured out over the unsuspecting listener. You’ll be frozen in horrow the entire album. Production is as usual opulent, lush, crisp and very balanced. 

‘Oni’ gets my thumbs up as well as a maximum score.  Prepare to be submerged by Kyūketsuki. The is pure Black Art!