In the sprawling underground landscape of contemporary Doom Metal, few bands have carved such a distinctive path as Tokyo’s Hebi Katana. After a critically acclaimed trilogy—the self-titled debut (2020), the introspective “Impermanence” (2022), and the powerful “III” (2023)—the Japanese trio returns with “Imperfection,” their most cohesive and emotionally resonant album yet. Released through California-based Ripple Music in July 2025, this fourth full-length marks the first consecutive release featuring the stable lineup of founding guitarist/vocalist Nobu, bassist/backing vocalist Laven, and powerhouse drummer T.T. Goblin. While previous works established the band’s credentials within the “Samurai Doom” aesthetic they pioneered, Imperfection transcends genre boundaries to deliver something more ambitious: a profound meditation on human frailty wrapped in crushing, transcendent Heavy Rock. The album opens with the deep, contemplative guitar arpeggios of “Bon Nou” but wastes no time unleashing the band’s signature accelerated rhythmic assault and distorted sonic arsenal. From the first moment, Hebi Katana constructs a formidable wall of sound, with aggressive, dynamic rhythms that highlight Nobu’s distinctive vocals as he navigates lyrics exploring earthly desire and spiritual suffering. The track’s finale ventures into Psychedelic territory, establishing the undercurrents that permeate the entire listening experience. “Dead Horse Requiem” follows with penetrating guitar riffs, a masterclass in Doom-Blues craftsmanship supported by a Rock-solid rhythmic foundation. Nobu’s vocals are dynamic and expressive, guiding listeners through a narrative on mortality and the existential battlefield. The track builds to a devastating Heavy Rock crescendo, featuring Laven’s commanding bass lines and exceptional guitar work that culminate in a triumphant climax, capturing the phantasmagorical essence of life’s final moments. “Praise The Shadows” stands out as one of the album’s most powerful statements, driven by T.T. Goblin’s percussive mastery and Laven’s deep, driving bass. The track features a rhythm section rich with tempo changes, expertly blending Occult Rock atmospheres with blistering Heavy Metal bursts. Choral vocal arrangements and a stunning guitar solo in the second half demonstrate the band’s growing compositional sophistication while exploring themes of ambiguity and the beauty found in darkness. Classical Occult and Heavy Rock influences shine in “Doomed Echoes from Old Tree,” seamlessly intertwined with Hebi Katana’s personal stylistic signature. Tempo shifts echo the rhythmic patterns of early Sabbath-era compositions, transitioning into modern Heavy Rock passages powered by Goblin’s granite-solid drumming and Laven’s commanding bass lines. The composition alternates between rising crescendos and cavernous passages, with the second section featuring full-band acceleration and a razor-sharp solo from Nobu that cuts through the mix like a blade. The most recent single, “Blood Spirit Rising“—accompanied by a video that perfectly captures the band’s live energy—launches immediately into heavy territory. Laven takes vocal duties, delivering gritty, powerful singing with remarkable range, while intricate harmonies with Nobu create captivating textures. Goblin drives relentlessly behind the kit, and Laven’s bass completes a taut, explosive rhythm section. Scratching riffs, tempo changes, and sudden bursts of energy dominate the first section before unfolding into an instrumental Heavy Psych-Prog centerpiece. The second half returns with hard riffs and crushing sound, culminating in a razor-sharp solo poised to electrify live audiences. “Yu Gen” opens with gloomy, atmospheric passages and expressive vocals, progressively building in intensity while incorporating Doom elements in the central section. Heavy, obsessive riffs combine with a granite-solid rhythm, before a transitional shift brings back the opening’s Grunge-tinged sonorities. The track explores solitude and introspection, weaving traditional Japanese aesthetic concepts with modern, crushing heaviness. The album concludes with its longest and most ambitious composition, “Yume wa Kareno,” which begins with dark, somber tones that gradually intensify. Guitar riffs evolve into powerful passages, blending Heavy Rock, Blues, and Stoner/Doom textures. This extended composition showcases the band’s style and characteristics through mature, high-level musical ideas, serving both as culmination and statement of artistic intent. Having followed this band for years, each successive release has consistently confirmed the excellence displayed in their previous works. Imperfection represents, in my assessment, their most mature effort to date—seven tracks of exceptional quality and intensity from beginning to end, exploring the diverse facets of their evolving sound. “Imperfection” stands as a monumental achievement in Heavy Music, seamlessly traversing Rock, Stoner, and Doom territories while making calculated incursions into Psychedelia. Every composition demonstrates meticulous craftsmanship and flawless execution, revealing a band that has fully realized their artistic vision. The album captures the crushing weight of doom while retaining the exploratory spirit of progressive rock, creating a sonic narrative that engages both the cerebral and visceral aspects of Heavy Music. This is thunderous, earth-shaking Heavy Rock that does not merely pummel the listener—it invites deep exploration of its labyrinthine compositions. Production captures the organic heaviness of vintage amps while allowing intricate passages to breathe. Each riff carries the weight of mountains, each rhythm section passage locks into grooves both ancient and futuristic, and the vocals range from whispered introspection to full-throated declarations of spiritual rebellion. “Imperfection” proves that true Heavy Music transcends simple volume or aggression—it requires emotional honesty, compositional intelligence, and the courage to explore the darker corners of human experience. Hebi Katana have delivered not just an album, but a complete artistic statement that will undoubtedly influence the next generation of doom and heavy rock practitioners. Essential listening for anyone seeking music that combines crushing heaviness with profound artistic depth—a towering achievement that cements Hebi Katana’s position among the most important voices in contemporary Stoner/Doom Metal.
Tracklist
01. Bon Nou – 煩悩 (02:43)
02. Dead Horse Requiem – 走馬灯 (04:19)
03. Praise the Shadows – 陰翳礼賛 (04:50)
04. Doomed Echoes from Old Tree – 木霊 (05:17)
05. Blood Spirit Rising – 諸行無常 (06:20)
06. Yu gen – 幽玄 (04:44)
07. Yume wa Kareno – 夢は枯野 (07:00)
Lineup
Laven / Bass, Vocals
Nobu / Guitars, Vocals
T.T. Goblin / Drums