#57: Whispered
Definitely a top-tier band when it comes to Japanese folk metal epic-ness.
Background Info (Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives):
Country of origin: Finland
Location: Riihimäki, Kanta-Häme/Tampere, Pirkanmaa
Status: Active
Formed in: 2004
Genre: Melodic Death/Power Metal with Eastern Folk influences
Themes: Samurai, Bushido, Japanese legends
Current label: Redhouse Finland Music Publishing
Years active: 2001–2004 (as Zealot), 2004-present
Whispered, if memory serves me right, was the first band I came across that fused metal with Japanese folk music and elements. They’re not actually Japanese tho, that was why, back then, they partly drove me to further dig for Japanese bands, which I only uncovered a few years later.
Nonetheless, Whispered has an excellent and fascinating sound and evokes an experience of its own. “Scandinavian” stylistic aspects are there on the metal side, melodic death and symphonic qualities, which greatly complement the Japanese folk elements — instruments like kotos, shamisen, daikos, winds… truly an adrenaline-inducing, earth-moving, tempest-summoning work of art.
Favorite Albums:
- Shogunate Macabre (2014)
- Metsutan — Song of the Void (2016)
Favorite Songs:
- Jikininki (Shogunate Macabre)
- Fallen Amaterasu (Shogunate Macabre) — this song has little to no Japanese elements but this track’s symphonic wall of epic-ness is just so unreal and mind-blowing
- Lady of the Wind (Shogunate Macabre)
- Our Voice Shall be heard (Metsutan — Song of the Void)
- Kensei (Metsutan — Song of the Void) — mind-melting outro!
