Year : 2026 (Japan Edition)
Style : Heavy Metal
Country : Japan
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 92 mb
Bio:
Formed in 2016 by guitarist Akihiro Ito and singer Taka in Tokyo, Japan, COVEN JAPAN are inspired by the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and bands such as Angel Witch and Satan, '80s metal, Mercyful Fate,'70s hard rock, Japanese rock & metal, and Japanese animation songs. The Japanese identity is very strong in the band’s song-writing and they want to spread their own original Japanese metal, so their songs are written in two languages (English & Japanese)."Promised Land" is the band's second full-length after "Earthlings" (2023), while the also have released "The Advert" EP (2017).
Album:
The second full-length album.Τhe Land of the Rising Sun seems to be the new rising force in old school heavy metal revivalism. Just a few short months after Osaka’s own BLAZE released their fantastic sophomore album Out Through The Door, Tokyo’s COVEN JAPAN strike back with a sophomore record of their own.Mixed by the band’s leading duo, guitarist Akihiro Ito and vocalist Taka, and mastered by the seemingly omnipresent Arthur Rizk, Promised Land comes three years after COVEN JAPAN’s full – length debut Earthlings, which makes ten whole years since the band’s creation back in 2016.The first thing that strikes the listener upon the first notes of Promised Land is the delightfully warm and retro – esque production, that successfully emulates the old – school days without making any deductions in sound quality or authenticity. Akihiro’s guitar tone especially pulsates this nostalgic, melancholic aura so characteristic of olden Japanese metal and rock.The guitars in general are the focal point of this 80’s heavy metal / NWOBHM worship album. Delightful double guitar melodies and evocative soloing sets the basis for compositions that form a bridge between the Home Islands and Old Albion: lots of IRON MAIDEN elements, mostly from (but not limited to) the Di Anno era, a generous portion of other NWOBHM fundamentals such as TOKYO BLADE and DIAMONDHEAD, accompanied by select 70’s rock brushes combine with inspirations closer to home: the aforementioned BLAZE, fellow Tokyoites BLIZARD and even some METALUCIFER when the going gets a little tougher towards the end of the record (Eternal Oath, Retribution of Death).Taka’s vocals, a rough around the edges combination of Engrishu ( English spoken with a prominent Japanese accent) and straight up Japanese, are perfectly in line with the prevailing atmosphere, though they offer little in terms of understanding what the songs are actually about.In the vocals front, COVEN JAPAN are also aided by HELVETETS PORT’s Tomas “Witchfinder” Ericson (guest vocals on Samurai Rising) and ANIMALIZE’s Niels “Coyote” Bang (guest vocals on Breath of the Distant Land), both of whom feel remarkably at home.All in all, Promised Land is another very strong, atmospherically gifted and concise package by COVEN JAPAN, one that offers both a strong first impression as well as the promise of mutiple interesting re – listens.Promised Land will be released on the 24th of July 2026 by No Remorse Records, on Vinyl, CD and digital.
Line-Up:
Taka - Vocals (2016-present)
Akihiro Ito - Guitars (2016-present) - See also: ex-Fastkill
Toshikuni Komuro - Guitars (2018-present)
+ guests:
Tomas "Witchfinder" Ericson / Helvetets Port
Niels Bang / ANIMALIZE
Production:
Composed and Written by Akihiro and Taka / Coven Japan
Mixed by Akihiro and Taka / Coven Japan
Mastered by Arthur Rizk
Album Cover Art by EverydayLifeWithFuzz
Tracklist:
01. Promised Land - 約束の地へ
02. Samurai Rising - サムライ ライジング
03. Sein zum tode - 死への存在
04. What Is Called the Life - 命の名
05. Gazing at the Sky - 死より還りて
06. Breath of the Distant Land - 異郷の伊吹
07. Eternal Oath - 永遠の盟
08. Retribution of Death - 報いの果て
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
