Onmyo-Za

Heavy metal / visual kei band Onmyo-Za was formed in Osaka, Japan in 1999. Founded by vocalist Kuroneko, bassist / vocalist Matatabi, guitarist / vocalist Maneki, guitarist Karukan, and drummer Atsushi ‘Tora’ Kawatsuka (who left in 2009), the group’s blending of Western metal influences and traditional Japanese folk has been labeled ‘Yokai Heavy Metal.’ Onmyo-Za released their debut album, Demon Crying Reincarnation, in December 1999 and followed it up with Welter of Hundred Demons a year later. While their first two albums didn’t chart, the group finally achieved success with their third album, Coruscating god Raksasa (2002), which reached Number 49 on the charts. Onmyo-Za finally reached the Top 20 with albums such as Finishing Touch (Number 20 in 2005) and Evil Lord Takes Heaven (Number 13 in 2007) before landing in the Top 10 with Evil River and Mountain Spirits (Number 9 in 2008), Fuujin Against the Realms (Number 10 in 2014), Kalavinka (Number 7 in 2016), and Legacy of the Dragon King (Number 6 in 2023). While originally influenced by groups such as Judas Priest, Annihilator, Dio, and Destruction, Onmyo-Za remains a unique band because of their lyrics that reference Japanese folklore.

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