Der Ohlsen
"You can name a handful of artists crossing any kind of Western Rock with Far-Eastern traditional music? Respect! That’s not bad. But how about the specific lute sounds and vocals of traditional Japanese Satsuma-Biwa (Epic Story Telling of the Samurai) and Shomyo (Buddhist Chants) combined with overwhelmingly complex Prog, Math Rock and Zeuhl, which in itself is heavily influenced by Jazz and Classical Avantgarde? Yeah, thought so."
The Album
Unexpected encounter between Junko Ueda, eminent figure of the Japanese medieval epic storytelling, whose warm and profound voice summons the terrestrial energies, and the organic madness of the monster PoiL practicing with cosmic rock without net.
Just after releasing the debut record, the story continues with the epic story of Yoshitsune.
"Traditional Japanese satsuma-biwa playing and Buddhist chanting find a surprising congruence with prog freakouts."
The Wire. JR Moores
"A wildly loud fusion of the ancient and the future."
NPR Music, All song considered. Bob Boilen
"Ueda's vocals are hugely, dramatically expressive, fierce and sharp. She rocks, and so does PoiL Ueda"
The Quietus
Yoshitsune
The Heike-Monogatari depicts the epic tale of the hero Yoshitsune, who brought victory to his Genji clan in its epic war with the Heike clan. After years of war, the Heike clan was finally defeated at the naval battle at Dan-no-Ura bay. The Genji assumed power in Kamakura, south of modern day Tokyo, and ruled Japan from 1192 to 1333, establishing what is now known as the Kamakura period. Minamoto-no-Yoritomo was the general of Genji and the older brother of Yoshitsune, who swore his loyalty to Yoritomo. Despite Yoshitsune’s heroic service and solemn oath, Yoritomo still suspected that he secretly intended to take over the government, and ordered his assassination. Yoshitsune was forced into exile.
1. Kumo
(Scene 1: Funa-Benkei)
Yoshitsune and his faithful vassal Benkei are sailing at Daimotsu-no-Ura, a bay near Osaka in the Seto Inland Sea. As a storm forms around their boat, ghosts of the Heike clan appear. The ghost of Taira-no-Tomomori, the Heike commander who Yoshitsune killed in the Dan-no-Ura battle, tries to pull down Yoshitsune and Benkei to the bottom of the sea. Benkei takes out his beads and recites prayers, and the ghost retreats.
2. Ômine-san
(Scene 2: Yoshino-Shizuka)
Yoshitsune, at long last, arrives at Yoshino (today’s Nara prefecture) to reunite with his mistress, Shizuka. Yoshitsune tells her about the terrible situation he is facing, and must ask her to endure their separation once more.
3. Yoshino
(Poem by Yoshino-Shizuka)
4. Solo Ataka
(Scene 3: Ataka)
Yoshitsune, Benkei and their porters arrive at the Ataka border crossing (today’s Ishikawa prefecture) disguised as Buddhist monks. The head guard Togashi suspects that one monk (who is actually Yoshitsune) may not be who he seems. Benkei creates a distraction by shouting to his master Yoshitsune, "Go on porter, you loafer, get through there!" and beats him with a heavy stick. Although Togashi sees through the ruse, he is so moved by Benkei's faithful heart that he allows them to cross the border.
5. Kokô
Just after crossing at Ataka, Yoshitsune grabs Benkei's hand, thanks him for saving his life, and apologizes for forcing him into a difficult situation. Benkei is moved to tears. They continue their travel towards Michinoku (in the Tôhoku-area, in northern Japan) on a cold, rainy winter day, just before dawn.
credits
released November 3, 2023
Antoine Arnera I keyboards, vocals
Boris Cassone I guitar, vocals
Benoit Lecomte I acoustic bass
Guilhem Meier I drums, vocals
Junko Ueda I satsuma biwa, vocals
Impressive and delirious, PoiL is led by three musicians who know neither limits nor prohibitions.
PoiL flows, dances
and dashes between the energy of punk, the beauty of chamber music and the chaos of a factory on the brink of explosion.
Top notch alt/art (hard) inst. rock!
Think Yowie with an additional guitarist and played at twice the speed. Its furious stuff, sometimes bending into metal and sometimes prog-ish.
Tracks 1-6 are like listening to a psychotic break, 7-9 are like a fevered dream and 10 is the hangover afterwards....awesome! tinman73