Japanese Metal Unit RYUJIN Debuts Samurai Ballad “Saigo No Hoshi” + New Music Video

Featuring Mukai Wataru of the

Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra on Cello

& Matthew Kiichi Heafy on Backing Vocals

New Self-Titled Album, ‘RYUJIN’,

Out this Friday, January 12

via Napalm Records | Pre-Order HERE

This Friday, January 12, Samurai Metal band RYUJIN will finally reveal their anticipated new self-titled album! Formed in 2011 as Gyze, the band delivers heavy metal and blazing guitar wizardry from Japan, blending both Japanese and English lyricism and featuring production and several guest features by Matthew Kiichi Heafy (Trivium).

Today, the band provides fans with a final early taste of the album with their very first ballad, entitled “Saigo No Hoshi”. The massive track features backing vocals by Matthew Kiichi Heafy and cello expressions by Mukai Wataru of the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra, and excels with an emotive chorus, a rock-opera-worthy guitar solo and traditional instrumentation.

RYUJIN frontman and mastermind Ryoji Shinomoto says about the track:

“This is our first ballad, so it’s very special for us. This song is about a samurai who was about to die after the war, thinking about his family and praying for peace. A lot of very sad wars are currently happening on the planet too, families are being separated, and so on. I put that feeling into it. Also, I am inviting everybody to enjoy Mr. Mukai’s outstanding cello performance. The album also includes a version sung by Matthew in English, so I am curious which version people are gonna like more!”

Watch the music video for “Saigo No Hoshi” HERE

RYUJIN’s high speed riffs and breakneck guitar descents pair with traditional Japanese elements on their upcoming self-titled album, delivering a sound influenced by everything from ancient orchestral Gagaku to even modern anime themes. ‘RYUJIN’ features production by Matthew Kiichi Heafy and mixing/mastering by Mark Lewis, with guest appearances by Heafy (vocals and conducting on various tracks) and Mukai Wataru of the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra (cello). ‘RYUJIN’’s tracks feature titles based on the words of the Ainu people of Hokkaido (RYUJIN’s home region), as well as famous Japanese paintings and idioms.

The album nears the end with three heart-gripping, primarily Japanese-language opuses – the rock-opera-like ballad “Saigo No Hoshi”, the powerfully victorious and traditionally-inspired “Ryujin” and a cover of Linked Horizon’s “Guren No Yumiya” – widely known as an opening theme of popular anime series Attack On Titan. The album finishes with a bonus English-language version of “Saigo No Hoshi”, with vocals once again performed by Matthew Kiichi Heafy.

‘RYUJIN’ illustrates an exotic sonic experience that will transport music lovers to a world of fantastic adventure and technical extravagance!

‘RYUJIN’ Track List:

1. Hajimari

2. Gekokujo

3. Dragon, Fly Free

4. Raijin & Fujin

5. The Rainbow Song

6. Kunnecup

7. Scream of the Dragon

8. Gekirin

9. Saigo No Hoshi

10. Ryujin

11. Guren No Yumiya

12. Saigo No Hoshi (feat. Matthew K. Heafy) (Single Edit)

‘RYUJIN’ will be available in the following formats:

=> CD Digisleeve

=> Gatefold Clear Orange Vinyl

=> Digital Album

Ryoji Shinomoto – Guitar, Vocals, Shamisen, Erhu, Dragon Flute & Orchestration

Shuji Shinomoto – Drums, Vocals

Aruta Watanabe – Bass, Vocals