HOO ARE YOU?

GO, founding member of Japanese metal men SUNS OWL, reveals the secrets of the band's hard rocking sounds to KRITIKAL.

Calling from thefr lbel headquarters (ll38) in Tokyo - which in fact has become the Japanese label for our very own metal export Devolved - Go, drummer and one half of the instigators behind Japanese band Suns Owl starts by explaining that they were in old schod punk and hardcore bands before dabbling With metal. "We just got bored and needed something more aggressive and intense That's

when we started playing around with metal. and then we came across bands like Pantera and Slayer who totally blew us away.We thought thrs is the shit".

The timing couldn't have been any worse. By the time they were ready to take on the live circuit, punk music was taking the Japanese indie scene by storm and little room was left for metal bands to be heard by the public. Regardless of this fact, Suns Owl forged through; you could say they found their love for metal and never turned back. Although the seed for Suns Owl's growth was planted in the early '90s. it was in '94 that originators Go and Sabu (guitar) staned scouting for the rest of the members, and the final line-up was in place by '96. Biding their time seemed to have paid off as Suns Owl gained much interest through their demo tape release and their live shows resulting in Several releases through various labels.'

In the early days of forming the band, Suns Owl grew up on a diet of '80s thrash metal and '90s modern heaviness. Their inspirations out from bands such as Pantera, stayer, Sepultura, Machinehead and Soulfly. And although Suns Owl's music does not directly embody the influences of the bands mentioned, they had captured the essence of those sounds and infused it with their own creativity. Suns Owl mix up modern metal with a large dose of bottom-end groove with everything from tribal rhythms and screeching guitars, undulating bass heavy moments to grinding action. it's nothing but dynamic, and the intricate songwriting with attention to balance between melody and aggression is what makes this band accessible yet interesting. The bottom-end factor especially applies to their second full-length (which is their Australian debut) release, Recharged, in which the band has shown that they have evolved from your straight out thrash metal band into a band that has matured dramatically.

"I guess you could say we've digested a lot of what has been happening around us, not necessarily on a conscious level, but nevertheless has influenced us somehow. Upon completing the recording of Recharged I felt that we had arrived at something crucial in what Suns Owl are all about".After numerous releases, including compilations, singles, splits and two full-lengths, you can be rest assured that Go doesn't say this lightly. In fact their first full-length became a 'must-get' item for heavy music fans all across Japan. From there on the name Suns Owl became synonymous with 'powerfully aggressive', and their live show was something not to be missed. Suns Owl became favourites for promoters of heavy music in Japan, where they have come to support overseas acts as diverse as Vision Of DISOrder, System Of A Down, Snapcase, Vader and Madball.

In fact, touring and performing live is something they love and wouldn't give it up for anything. They've even recently completed a 'major cities' tour of Japan with another Japanese metal heavyweight, Batcave. as welt as inviting Australia's Devolved along to assault the senses. To return the favour, Devolved have invited Suns Owl back to Australia on their national tour. Go reckons, "Devolved are fucking unbelievable... and totally intense... I'm really looking forward to playing with them again and to our new Australian audience."

Suns Owl are possibly the next big thing to come out of the Japanese metal scene. Although Australian fans are lucky enough, and the first (in the international market), to see a local release of their album Recharged, considerable interest is brewing in other parts of the world. notably the US and Europe. They have even been selected to perform at this yea'7s Metal For The Brain On the strength of their Australian release. Having been chosen second in 200l and then first this year as 'best band' Fn Japanese extreme music bible EAT Magazine, as well as being included in the infamous Beast Feast (for those of you who don't know. it is a two day heavy music festival in Japan, that has Included bands like Slayer, Pantera and Sepultura) In 200l as well as the upcoming one later this year. you can be sure that Suns Owl mean business

Suns Owl play this Thursday 19th at Goo, Metro. Saturday 21st at The Tote and Sunday 22nd at The Arthouse (all ages). Recharged is out now on Typhoon Entertainment through MGM.