Napalm Records recently announced the signing of guitar virtuoso Ryoji Shinomoto, best known for his work with Japanese Samurai metal band, Ryujin. This marks the exciting lead-up to the release of his debut solo album and collection of Children Of Bodom covers, Children Of Bushido, out April 8. In tribute to late metal legend Alexi Laiho, the exclusively digital album will be released on what would have been his 46th birthday, and fulfills a lifelong musical dream for Shinomoto.
He has shared a playthrough video for his cover of Children Of Bodom’s “Downfall”. Check it out below.
Hailing from Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, which shares a strikingly similar climate to Finland, Shinomoto has always felt a deep connection to Children Of Bodom. He first encountered their music as a teenager, and their sound has since been a lasting influence. Children Of Bushido seamlessly blends the worlds of western metal and traditional Japanese instrumentation, two seemingly different worlds united in powerful and unmistakable harmony. Children Of Bushido is a love letter to Alexi Laiho’s brand of death metal and Children Of Bodom, reimagined through the lens of Samurai metal.
Children Of Bushido delivers a fiery fusion of Children Of Bodom’s aggressive yet melodic approach with the majestic aesthetics of Samurai and zen music. Shown in tracks like “Downfall”, with its melancholic melodies and complex rhythms, the song evokes deep emotion, while Shinomoto breathes new life into Children Of Bodom classics like “Living Dead Beat”. Blending Laiho’s raw energy with eastern mysticism, he reinvents these works with thundering wadaiko drum rhythms and lightning-fast riffs, creating a bold and electrifying reinterpretation. The rebellious lyrics, combined with this unique sonic fusion, serve as a fitting musical homage, crafting a breathtaking symphonic landscape.
Ryoji Shinomoto say about the album: “Alexi Laiho – an extraordinary rock star, guitar hero, and composer (Children Of Bodom, Bodom After Midnight) – passed away in 2020. His influence was immense, not just in the west but also in Japan. Anyone who sees me now as a lead guitarist and vocalist in a metal band can easily understand how much he impacted my musical journey.
“Last year, when I released Raijin & Fujin with Matt from Trivium, I came across a comment on Napalm’s video calling it Children Of Bushido. That sparked an idea – what if I played COB’s music in Ryujin’s signature Samurai metal style?
“I envisioned replacing the synthesizers with shamisen, koto, and traditional flutes, adding taiko drums to create an even more symphonic sound. I also thought about transforming the harmonic minor and pentatonic scales into unique Japanese scales, like Hira-choshi, which I often use in Ryujin’s music.
“The songs I chose for this album are the very same ones I played on stage as a student, long before Ryujin—back when my band was still called Gyze, and even before that, when we were known as Suicide Heaven, performing as a COB cover band.
“Alexi’s music continues to live on, even in Japan, far from Finland. Children Of Bushido is a testament to that.”
Pre-save the digital version of Children Of Bushido here.
Children Of Bushido is not only a tribute to Alexi Laiho and Children Of Bodom – it represents a bold artistic evolution for Ryoji Shinomoto, a celebration of western metal traditions, and a fascinating glimpse into the rich musical heritage of Japan.
Children Of Bushido tracklisting:
“Lake Bodom”
“Living Dead Beat”
“Mask Of Sanity”
“Hate Me!”
“Silent Night Bodom Night”
“Follow The Reaper”
“Bodom After Midnight”
“Needled 24/7”
“Downfall”
“Lake Bodom” playthrough video:
Ryoji Shinomoto plays: Guitar, Vocals, Shamisen, Erhu, Dragon Flute, Koto, Taiko Drums & Orchestration
(Photo – Mitsuru Nishimura)
The post RYUJIN Mastermind RYOJI SHINOMOTO Shares “Downfall” Playthrough Video From CHILDREN OF BODOM Covers Album appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
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He has shared a playthrough video for his cover of Children Of Bodom’s “Downfall”. Check it out below.
Hailing from Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, which shares a strikingly similar climate to Finland, Shinomoto has always felt a deep connection to Children Of Bodom. He first encountered their music as a teenager, and their sound has since been a lasting influence. Children Of Bushido seamlessly blends the worlds of western metal and traditional Japanese instrumentation, two seemingly different worlds united in powerful and unmistakable harmony. Children Of Bushido is a love letter to Alexi Laiho’s brand of death metal and Children Of Bodom, reimagined through the lens of Samurai metal.
Children Of Bushido delivers a fiery fusion of Children Of Bodom’s aggressive yet melodic approach with the majestic aesthetics of Samurai and zen music. Shown in tracks like “Downfall”, with its melancholic melodies and complex rhythms, the song evokes deep emotion, while Shinomoto breathes new life into Children Of Bodom classics like “Living Dead Beat”. Blending Laiho’s raw energy with eastern mysticism, he reinvents these works with thundering wadaiko drum rhythms and lightning-fast riffs, creating a bold and electrifying reinterpretation. The rebellious lyrics, combined with this unique sonic fusion, serve as a fitting musical homage, crafting a breathtaking symphonic landscape.
Ryoji Shinomoto say about the album: “Alexi Laiho – an extraordinary rock star, guitar hero, and composer (Children Of Bodom, Bodom After Midnight) – passed away in 2020. His influence was immense, not just in the west but also in Japan. Anyone who sees me now as a lead guitarist and vocalist in a metal band can easily understand how much he impacted my musical journey.
“Last year, when I released Raijin & Fujin with Matt from Trivium, I came across a comment on Napalm’s video calling it Children Of Bushido. That sparked an idea – what if I played COB’s music in Ryujin’s signature Samurai metal style?
“I envisioned replacing the synthesizers with shamisen, koto, and traditional flutes, adding taiko drums to create an even more symphonic sound. I also thought about transforming the harmonic minor and pentatonic scales into unique Japanese scales, like Hira-choshi, which I often use in Ryujin’s music.
“The songs I chose for this album are the very same ones I played on stage as a student, long before Ryujin—back when my band was still called Gyze, and even before that, when we were known as Suicide Heaven, performing as a COB cover band.
“Alexi’s music continues to live on, even in Japan, far from Finland. Children Of Bushido is a testament to that.”
Pre-save the digital version of Children Of Bushido here.
Children Of Bushido is not only a tribute to Alexi Laiho and Children Of Bodom – it represents a bold artistic evolution for Ryoji Shinomoto, a celebration of western metal traditions, and a fascinating glimpse into the rich musical heritage of Japan.
Children Of Bushido tracklisting:
“Lake Bodom”
“Living Dead Beat”
“Mask Of Sanity”
“Hate Me!”
“Silent Night Bodom Night”
“Follow The Reaper”
“Bodom After Midnight”
“Needled 24/7”
“Downfall”
“Lake Bodom” playthrough video:
Ryoji Shinomoto plays: Guitar, Vocals, Shamisen, Erhu, Dragon Flute, Koto, Taiko Drums & Orchestration
(Photo – Mitsuru Nishimura)
The post RYUJIN Mastermind RYOJI SHINOMOTO Shares “Downfall” Playthrough Video From CHILDREN OF BODOM Covers Album appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
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