SEIKIMA-II – Season II (2025) *HQ*
Japanese metal legends SEIKIMA-II have reunited for a limited time to mark their 40th anniversary, touring all over Japan with celebrations including two major shows alongside BABYMETAL this August. Alongside the tour, the band is releasing a new album today titled “Season II“.
While not massively known worldwide Seikima-II, formed in 1982, has released twelve albums and sold over 10 million records in Japan alone. The band members each wear face paint and elaborate stage outfits and have adopted fictional personas for the purpose of theatrics.
Since their ’80s beginnings, Seikima-II always had a concept (they are like a ‘living anime metal band’) and they ”would conquer the world for the forces of evil and, after successfully completing the task, would disband at the end of the 20th century.” And believe or not, they did it: after 3 massive final concerts, Seikima-II disbanded at the exact end of the century on December 31, 1999, at 23:59:59 JST.
However, Seikima-II has had several limited reunions since their disbandment, and now are back to celebrate their 40th anniversary with the new album “Season II”.
Musically this is classic Japan-metal, melodic and with equal parts of poppy hard rock groove, English lyrics with some accent on the vocals, so characteristic and fun. And good, strong songs.
As said, Seikima-II combines polished melodic metal with poppy hard rock, and very well produced and easy to the ear. Songwriting-wise, guitarist Luke Takamura III’s signature is all over the album. Ever since Takamura joined Seikima-II in the mid-Eighties, his highly melodic songwriting and fleet-fingered lead guitar work have greatly expanded the band’s compositional scope.
This means you can expect a hooky lead guitar melody in the songs intro, a seemingly simple, but cleverly layered chorus and guitar solo sections. Usually all in the same song.
With their future uncertain, Seikima-II are pulling out all the stops for their 40th anniversary. Vocalist Demon Kakka announced last year that his “temporary body” had been diagnosed with cancer, while guitarist Takamura has been suffering with nerve damage in his arm.
They noted that they might not be able to hold extensive tours in the future, but could still write good songs. The band stated they want to “do everything they can while they can”.
The band have been referenced and featured in pop-culture over the years, including ‘Fist of the North Star’ and Detroit Metal City manga series, even receiving their own anime in 1992 titled ‘Seikima II Anime: Humane Society’. Notably, many bands cite Seikima-II as inspiration.
“Season II” it’s just well-done Japan metal / hard rock, with all the good and the bad of it, it’s a sub-genre itself, and fun.
Highly Recommended
01 – Kiss U Dead Or Alive (Type Gamma)
02 – Cub The A.I.
03 – Rougai Rock
04 – Next Is The Best!
05 – Jigokuno Making Love
06 – Oblivion
07 – Season II Has Come!
08 – Previous Episodes
09 – 2085
10 – I See You!
11 – Queen Rouge
12 – Galaxy Of Black Hole
13 – Is Everything In Reverse? (Type Beata)
14 – Season II Theme
Demon Kakka (vocals)
Staff General Luke Takamura III (guitar)
Empire Magistrate Jail O’Hashi (guitar)
Captain Ace Shimizu (guitar)
Dr. Xenon Ishikawa (bass)
His Highness Raiden Yuzawa (drums)
BUY
cdjapan.co.jp/product/BVCL-1477
