Yakuza

Yakuza

Beyul

Profound Lore

Formed over a decade ago, Chicago avant-garde metal band Yakuza fought an uphill battle as a criminally underrated and under-appreciated act in the heavy music scene. Their unique, eclectic sound incorporates jazz-influenced and ultra-progressive moments rarely heard in the genre, while band leader / vocalist Bruce Lamont’s occasional saxophone work makes them even more alien and distinct from their contemporaries. Yakuza fought for recognition during their tenures at notable metal labels Century Media and Prosthetic Records, and while they garnered massive critical acclaim from outlets like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork (not to mention testimonials from their peers in Mastodon and Neurosis), it wasn’t until Profound Lore released their fifth album, 2010’s Of Seismic Consequence, that Yakuza finally earned more widespread recognition from the metal public. Now, the band follows Of Seismic Consequence with another storming triumph that will bring them the attention and respect they’ve deserved since the beginning of their career. With Lamont’s strongest performance to date, Beyul takes it to the next level, melding their revolutionary style with straightforward, more accessible songwriting and melodies—an ambitious and powerful album from a band at the height of their powers.

Yakuza

Of Seismic Consequence

Profound Lore

***Back in stock on 2xLP, two different colors of vinyl, gatefold sleeve!  Received a 7.7 rating from Pitchfork.  Praised in publications ranging from Deaf Sparrow and The Metal Observer to Spin and Rolling Stone, Yakuza is one of the most celebrated avant-garde / progressive metal bands today. Following releases on Century Media and Prosthetic Records, the Chicago four-piece delivers Of Seismic Consequence, the darkest, heaviest and best album of their storied career. Yakuza conjures a unique mix of several extreme metal genres, fusing progressive metal, post-apocalyptic hardcore, jazz and grindcore styles, all laced with vocalist Bruce Lamont's unique vocal style. Their sound is wholly their own and no band in metal or heavy music sounds remotely similar. Lamont's use of saxophone attests to this--the instrument has become a defining trait of the band, playing as important a role as the guitar, rhythm section, and voice.  Of Seismic Consequence is Yakuza's defining moment. It's a different album for them--more introspective, yet rawer and more emotionally driven than past releases. It was recorded by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio and by Sanford Parker at Semaphore Recording Studios. The album is a powerful statement that illuminates the direction toward which heavy music will develop in the future.  "In a perfect world, Yakuza should be bigger than Opeth." --Self-Titled Mag  "Yakuza's music is revolutionary." --Scott Kelly (Neurosis)