Legacy

Hakuja's only known release "Legacy" demonstrates there's plenty of life still kicking in old-school black metal, especially when spiced up with the crazy deranged edge that Japanese bands have perfected over decades in other realms of music. Fizzy chainsaw-lite guitar noise backed by frantic drums and doleful piano melodies goes full tilt while screechy hysterical vocals rage without end overhead. The sound is crisp and very clear which allows you to hear nearly everything as it races all over the shop in a mad search for the exit.

The album tosses you into the far extreme of speedy BM with opening track "Dropped on Inferna" to see if you can handle the pace and pressure. Those who last all the way through will find the recording lightens up gradually to more manageable speeds. The songs are revealed to be quite complex in their riffing and melodic structures: note the rhythm and bass guitars agreeing to travel different and parallel melodic paths on "Baal" and meet up at the end; something similar applies in later tracks like "Kanata", though not so prominently. At times the bass guitar even takes over the lead role ("Dew of Blood" being a good example). Moods of distinctly melancholy hues are created almost as an after-thought on most songs, thanks in part to the addition of keyboard tones and effects, tuned in minor keys, in a sparse way.

The drums may be of the programmed kind but they are used to good effect, adding emphasis, leading the other instruments at critical points in a number of songs, and occasionally breaking the tension; perhaps they could have had a more solid kick to them (they do sound papery-thin at times) but this is mainly a minor quibble.

Of the tracks themselves, the last two, "Dew of Blood" and "Rasen", show surprising feeling akin to intense emotion and even bleakness in parts. These are the most developed of the lot with ever-evolving melody and mood. Earlier tracks on the album distinguish themselves by their frenzied energy; listening to these pieces, you get a sense of the melodies and the tones playing them trapped in an unending maze trying to find a way out and always failing – this adds a real sense of desperation bordering on insanity to the album.

Since this recording came out in 2007, there's been no further official output from Hakuja so this album stands as his sole testament. It repays repeated hearings with quite intricate arrangements and range of moods for what is supposedly a straightforward BM recording.

Hakuja, the solo-project of the now independent ex-Funeral Elegy member, has created his very own unique black metal magnum opus. I do not use the term Black Metal loosely, as most unique "black metal" bands tend to stray away from the original black metal sound. However, this is black metal in it’s purest form. Then what makes it unique, you ask? Well, originating from Japan, Hakuja creates black metal with an atmosphere like no other, with song and chord structures used in a Japanese neo-classical manner, providing a fresh and new approach to the sound of black metal. Anyways, enough of an introduction, now unto the music itself...

“Legacy” first starts with “Dropped on Inferna", which is where you begin to hear the original sound of Hakuja. With neoclassical scales flying around in an onslaught of chords and fast drumming, you soon realize that the music has a very unique balance. Like an impenetrable ocean, you hear the harshness of the ocean waves, yet the calmness of it’s tides. This song clocking in at 5:11, stays at a fast pace throughout the entire piece, only interrupted by a few mid paced sections to balance the entire song. “Amakakeru” shortly follows “Dropped on Inferna” keeping the same style and pace.

Afterwards, “Legacy” begins to travel down a slower path, with the song “Baal”. This instrumental is a masterpiece. Full of sorrowful melodies played in a ensemble of dual guitars and bass. Which might I add, that the bass adds an incredible element to the music (especially in this song). Hardly ever playing just to back the guitars , the bass plays its own melody constantly throughout this song.

The next couple of tracks, “Black Desire” and “Kanata” both follow the same path as the previous three which to be later accompanied by the track “Dew of Blood” This happens to be my personal favorite off of “Legacy”. Immediately starting off the song with blast beats and fast chord progressions, you’ll notice again the incredible bass work playing beneath this ocean of sound. Vocals are also a standout element for this track. Unlike most of the previous fast-pace songs off of this demo, “Dew of Blood” begins to slow down after the three minute mark, although only to speed right back up again.

To finish “Legacy” off, we are presented with “Rasen”. Probably the slowest song on the CD, “Rasen” finally allows you to relax from this behemoth of a demo. However, it does speed up during the last moments of the song to add the finishing touches.

In short, if you are looking for traditional black metal played with a unique sound and atmosphere, then no look further. Hakuja’s “Legacy” is your answer.