Over the many years of their existence, Chicago avant-garde metal band YAKUZA were always seen as an underrated and under appreciative entity within the heavy music scene. Maybe it was because of the bands eclectic and unique nature of their music, which incorporated weird, jazz-influenced, and ultra-progressive moments unheard of in metal at the time, while at the same time, band leader/vocalist Bruce Lamont incorporating saxophone in YAKUZAs sound by making it even more alien and distinct from all other bands in metal. Even though it had been an uphill climb to bring recognition to YAKUZA during their tenure at such notable metal labels as Century Media Records and Prosthetic Records, the band would still endure massive critical acclaim (from such outlets as Rolling Stone magazine, Pitchfork, and even testimonials from their peers in such bands as Mastodon and Neurosis, and even from respected individuals as Steve Albini). But it wasn't until Profound Lore released 2010s Of Seismic Consequence where YAKUZAs awareness would grow as the band would become more recognized with the newfound attention they got by putting out their best album of their career. Now with the bands new album Beyul (once again produced by Sanford Parker), YAKUZA have followed-up Of Seismic Consequence with another storming and moving triumph that will even bring more recognition and respect to YAKZUA, the recognition they should have been getting since the beginning of their career. Led once again by the strongest performance by Bruce Lamont to date, Beyul continues to see YAKUZAs revolutionary style that they've always known to carry come to the fore, while at the same time Bruce Lamont and co. taking it to the next level with a stronger sense of straightforward more-accessible songwriting and melody which has only heightened the YAKUZA listening experience that much more. ++ YAKUZA's previous album, Of Seismic Consequence was the bands most critically acclaimed album to date, finally seeing the metal innovators getting the recognition they deserved after all these years. The band's new album Beyul will see YAKUZA continue to get more recognition as one of Americas most innovative band in heavy music today. Beyul sees YAKUZA at the height of their powers, the bands most ambitious yet accessible and powerful album of their underrated career to date. Over the course of the last few years, following the release of Of Seismic Consequence, YAKUZA mainman Bruce Lamont has been getting a lot of attention as one of the most notable renaissance musicians in today's heavy music scene with a notable solo career and also participating in other projects and bands as well too. 

TRACKLISTING:  01. OIL AND WATER 02. THE LAST DAY 03. MAN IS MACHINE 04. FIRE TEMPLE AND BEYOND 05. MOUTH OF THE LION 06. SPECIES 07. LOTUS ARRAY