is the fifth album by Japanese

experimental music Experimental music is a general label for any music or music genre that pushes existing boundaries and genre definitions. Experimental compositional practice is defined broadly by exploratory sensibilities radically opposed to, and questioning of, ...

band Boris. Originally released in 2003 on Diwphalanx Records with minimalist artwork, it was re-issued in 2005 on

Southern Lord Records Southern Lord is an American heavy metal record label that was founded in 1998 by Greg Anderson. It specialized in experimental metal: particularly doom metal, stoner rock, and drone metal. The label later expanded its line-up to include arti ...

with a different cover and more music.

Releases

In addition to running an additional 7 minutes, the opening track of the Southern Lord version is a totally different take; both use the same riff from "Akuma no Uta," but the original, shorter track repeats it far less and opens with over a minute of ambient, resonant amp noise absent from the longer version. An edit of the long version opens 2010 compilation ''

Boris / Variations + Live in Japan ''Boris Variations'' is a compilation of previously recorded and re-recorded audio music, as well as live video music by Japanese band, Boris. The CD comprises selections from six Boris full-length releases that generally keep to their 'heavy ...

'', closely resembling the running length of the original intro, but sourced from a different point halfway through the 9 minute version and with a fade in. Music videos were made for the songs "Ibitsu" and "Furi" and can be found on the 2003 DVD ''

Live at Shimokitazawa Shelter ''見殺し塔からずっと: Live at Shimokitazawa Shelter'' is the first DVD release by Japanese band Boris. It was captured on their Black Summer tour on July 12, 2003. The first ten tracks are songs from the show, which are mostly from the ' ...

''. In addition to a short edit of the opening track, an alternate take of "Naki Kyoku" appears on ''Variations''; it and "Akuma no Uta" were also re-recorded with

Merzbow is a Japanese noise project started in 1979 by , best known for a style of harsh, confrontational noise. Since 1980, Akita has released over 400 recordings and has collaborated with various artists. The name Merzbow comes from the German dada ...

in 2004, for their 2011 collaboration called '' Klatter''. Another collaboration with Merzbow for the title track – though its arrangement reflects the 9-minute take of "Introduction" more than the title track itself – is featured on their 2016 release '' Gensho'', both as studio and live recordings. In an interview with Rad Company, drummer Atsuo remarked that the album was recorded on analog tape in one take.

Reception

The album received praise for its cover and use of many distinct genres previously used by the band into a single album. In ''

Mojo Mojo may refer to: *Mojo (African-American culture), a magical charm bag used in voodoo Arts, entertainment and media Film and television * MOJO HD, an American television network * ''Mojo'' (play), by Jez Butterworth, made into a 1997 film * '' ...

'', Andrew Male said that the album "sounds like a blueprint for every future Boris release". ''

Pitchfork Media ''Pitchfork'' (formerly ''Pitchfork Media'') is an American online music publication (currently owned by Condé Nast) that was launched in 1995 by writer Ryan Schreiber as an independent music blog. Schreiber started Pitchfork while working ...

'' placed ''Akuma No Uta'' at number 198 on their list of top 200 albums of the 2000s.

Cover art

While the original minimalist album cover has been part of Boris' website for an extensive period of time,Boris' website with the minimalist album cover
/ref> its US cover version is a direct tribute to the cover of

Nick Drake Nicholas Rodney Drake (19 June 1948 – 25 November 1974) was an English singer-songwriter known for his acoustic guitar-based songs. He did not find a wide audience during his lifetime, but his work gradually achieved wider notice and recognit ...

's album ''

Bryter Layter ''Bryter Layter'' is the second studio album by English folk singer-songwriter Nick Drake. Recorded in 1970 and released on 5 March 1971 by Island Records, it would be his last album to feature backing musicians, as his next and final studio ...

''. The notable difference in the design is Takeshi holding his double-neck Ibanez instead of the

acoustic guitar An acoustic guitar is a musical instrument in the string family. When a string is plucked its vibration is transmitted from the bridge, resonating throughout the top of the guitar. It is also transmitted to the side and back of the instrument, ...

that Drake holds in his cover. The album's original length was extended on the reissue to 39 minutes, exactly the same length as ''Bryter Layter''.

released a vinyl pressing that had a third cover, in tribute to the band

Venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...

. This was released as a picture disc with 700 copies featuring the "Nick Drake" cover, and 300 in the "Venom" style cover.

Track listing

Pressing History

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Akuma No Uta 2003 albums Southern Lord Records albums Boris (band) albums