Madly heavy! Super fast! The heaviness you don't get tired of!!

Since they released the single "Over" in 1999, Suns Owl has been "pursuing the modern heaviness you don't get tired of" in their steady live performances. At last, they released an album full of loud music, "Recharged" on May 25th. I interviewed them about this work which is soon to become a masterpiece of loud music.

―It's been 3 years since you released the last full length album, but what was in your mind when you were working on it?

Sab: I wanted to describe "aggressiveness plus alpha." I wanted to compose songs which cover all the new things and techniques thoroughly because I've been doing it in my own way. We didn't play any of the new songs until the recording was finished on purpose because I wanted them to be completely new.

Majima: It'll leave a better impression doing everything new at live shows all of the sudden rather than playing new songs a few at a time.

―Was anything different at the recording than before?

Sab: I wrote down the apportions of guitar and effects to be used on papers in detail. Before, I just had them all in my head. Equipment-wise, I used the twin-guitar-like construction such as VHT power amp, distortion of Rocktron transistor pre-amp on the right, and distortion of ADA tube pre-amp on the left. For guitar, EMG 81 pickup warlock, and ESP with JB of Dankan. I was particular about expressing different nuances by the use of those distinctive settings.

Go: For drums, I had a chance to play on Pearl Z series before and I really wanted to use it because it felt so good playing it. I played on both that and also the set I had until I was satisfied. But we had songs that were completed just before the recording, so we planned for many assignments to do at the recording such as bringing the songs to maturity in a short amount of time, bringing out our individualities in them, and trying out new things. Concentration was the key.

―What was your approach as a vocalist in the search for a new direction?

Majima: While keeping the aggressiveness we always had, I tried expressing feeling at the end of the sentences, and valuing details of words and breath control. I sang carefully in every case. For example, distortions from intonation and reverberation at the end of the sentences. I was aware of those things.

―How about the theme of the lyrics?

Majima: I feel like one chapter had ended after the former single "Over," so, it's a reflection of my feelings going back to my original intentions. You can say that to "Recharged" among the songs in this new album. "Succession of the Truth" represents what we are, what our followings are like, and what kind of followings we want to grow. "4735 Days Like Hell" is personal. Thinking back, it's the time of my like that I was rotten, and I feel like I went through a detour. Not much weight is given to lyrics often, but it's the important part for me. I'm not just screaming. The feeling is accompanied. There is meaning in my words. I'd like you to contemplate the lyrics, too. Actually, there's one song with Japanese lyrics (laugh).

―What? I totally didn't realize it (laugh).

Majima: It's the 8th song. I considered it many times. You know, there could be weird images when you hear Japanese too much. Therefore, it was an experiment. I can express feelings more with Japanese, but it's difficult to top heavy music with Japanese.

―Speaking of feelings, how about taking care of the guitars?

Sab: It's more like acupressure points to me than feelings. Since I compose the songs, there are feelings naturally, where I think it is a "point." But it's hard to express that to the band. They might be in their focal points before I get to my "point" (laugh). However, we worked on this album until all of our "points" match. Eventually, it'll show in our performances if somebody is tolerating. Anyways, I didn't want to put songs that are not good enough.

Majima: I can always listen to this album objectively. It's interesting to see many tastes in all songs.

―What's with the opening song "Intro" of this album...?

Majima: Like "Snake Man Show" (laugh).

Sab: We wanted to add something different because up to now, we had started with a regular song (laugh).

―The album will be on sale by the time this book is released.

Go: Lately, we had many random shows and it's been ages since we had a tour last. I want to enjoy it.

Sab: We are more excited than ever. "Recharged" would be a usual to people who like "bad music" and please write we are better live (laugh).

Majima: I want them to see how great Satoh is on bass, who we got as a new member. Our sound is balanced and consistent. I think we are getting close to the ideal Suns Owl we are dreaming of. It's like "Shall we show our true self?" (laugh)