Release Date: May 28th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
Doom N' Bloom 2024: Tracklisting
1.Intro - Debtor 05:08
2.Pain Should I Take 05:45
3.Struggle with a Lie 05:29
4.No Sorrow 04:46
5.Drum Solo - The Hole 07:04
6.Darkest Priest 05:00
7.Hallelujah Anyway 05:21
8.Intro - Direction for Human Hearts 06:08
9.Darkest Priest 04:58
10.Drum Solo - The Hole 05:42
11.Pennsylvania Blood 04:23
12.Zephyrphobia 01:34
13.Struggle with a Lie 04:09
14.Pain Should I Take 05:21
Members
Nobu: Guitars, Vocals
Laven: Bass, Vocals
Goblin: Drums
Review
Doom N' Bloom 2024 is the first live album from self proclaimed SAMURAI DOOM ROCKERS - Hebi Katana - and it’s made up of two concerts the band performed earlier this year which is explained below:
Side A (Track 1 - 7)
Live at Sengoku-Daitoryo 戦国大統領 Osaka, Japan
April 13 2024
Side B (Track 8 - 14)
Live at Niman-Denatsu 20,000V 二万電圧 Tokyo, Japan
April 12 2024
The concerts were in support of their 2023 acclaimed album “III” and features tracks from that album and tracks from their other great releases. The album is not the best sounding LIVE recording and the volume is perhaps a bit too LOW at times but this record still shows what a great LIVE act that Hebit Katana are becoming within their home country of Japan.
I’m a huge fan of their music and love their Proto-Doom style of Stoner Metal which has elements of Punk Rock, Heavy Metal, Speed Metal and other fine amounts of 1980’s Hard Rock that gives Hebi Katana’s music a more EXCESSIVE feel compared to other Doom/Stoner Metal bands from the Japanese scene.
Despite the rough production values, you instantly become part of the actual audience with the band's collection of great songs that are delivered with gritty determination especially in the extended instrumental solos that become quite THRASH based within the first half of the album.
Some tracks do appear twice within the album which is understandable being from different set-lists but feel quite different at times and that’s down to the appreciative reactions from the audience especially with Struggle With A Lie and Darkest Priest.
Hebi Katana are becoming a force to be reckoned with within the Doom/Stoner Metal scene and they’re only going to become bigger and better with future releases. They’re about to embark on a short European Tour visiting France/Italy in July 2024. If you want to see what all the fuss is about with Hebi Katana and you want to hear a superbly entertaining LIVE album which pays respect to the LIVE BOOTLEG albums from the good old days then Doom N’ Bloom 2024 fits that bill perfectly.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
Links
Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
