Customer Reviews

Freedom Bondage [Vinyl]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This record totally kicks major [rear], buy it or die! For some reason there seems to be a reluctance to refer to these guys as metal especially by the artsy fartsy music snob crowd who champion them over other hardcore metal artists (presumably being exotically japanese is enough to cover a multitude of sins!), instead we are treated to a bunch of fancy new labels like "noise terrorists" and what not designed to make it palpable to endorse something as unhip as metal. Well I like to call a spade a spade, as good as this record is (and it does kick major [rear]!) these guys aren't sounding or saying anything much different than a bunch of other great metal bands, which is I'm happy to say a damn good thing!

KK Null fuses the best in punk, metal, psychedlic rock and ambient textures to produce (along with Steve Albini's "recording" methods) one of the best all out rock albums I have heard in recent years. I hope to see them live someday.

this is, by far, the best zeni geva album. imagine the melvins and the earlier don cab playing the soundtrack to a kung fu film while smoking som killer weed. oh yeah, minus the bass, as the sounds on this record are generated by two guitars run through bass amps, a drum set, and a synthesizer. if youve got this one, then check out desire for agony and nai-ha (the one that features the studio versions of the 'albini' tracks, with albini talking about girls drowning in rivers and whatnot. )

Somebody has posted the wrong cover artwork for FREEDOM BONDAGE. The correct cover artwork is the "barbed wire" photo. The painting is the cover artwork for DESIRE FOR AGONY. That was painting is titled "Give The Dog A Bone" by Mark Fisher.

the arrangements and production on this record were a big step up from earlier, also excellent ZG records. there are a few moments where you'll think "that guitar break sounds like a steve albini record." it might date the record a little, but doesn't detract. it's a massive, bone-crushing album that all metal or noise or punk or avant garde [or whatever] fans need.

i saw them live touring for this record, and it was a remarkable experience. maybe the loudest band i've stood in front of, definitely one of the most affecting performances i've seen. lots of big amps. lots of delicious sonic assault. turn the record up loud and try to imagine it.

at the time of this review, the image attached to this product listing is from zeni geva's "desire for agony" rather than the actual "freedom bondage" release.

Hard rock from a Japanese perspective. Sometimes produced by Steve Albini, who played on one of their tours, and on Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles label, these guys are truly awesome. imho this is their best album (with the live All Right You Little Bastards a close second).

Zeni Geva are one of the heaviest bands to have existed in ANY country, although for some reason I think their disjointed tracks, full of brutally heavy powerchords and bizarre psychedelic interludes, could have only come from a country as psychotic as Japan.

HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended. Download samples of their tracks, and see if they don't burn your speakers.