Τhe Land of the Rising Sun seems to be the new rising force in old school heavy metal revivalism. Just a few short months after Osaka’s own BLAZE released their fantastic sophomore album Out Through The Door, Tokyo’s COVEN JAPAN strike back with a sophomore record of their own.
Mixed by the band’s leading duo, guitarist Akihiro Ito and vocalist Taka, and mastered by the seemingly omnipresent Arthur Rizk, Promised Land comes three years after COVEN JAPAN’s full – length debut Earthlings, which makes ten whole years since the band’s creation back in 2016.
The first thing that strikes the listener upon the first notes of Promised Land is the delightfully warm and retro – esque production, that successfully emulates the old – school days without making any deductions in sound quality or authenticity. Akihiro’s guitar tone especially pulsates this nostalgic, melancholic aura so characteristic of olden Japanese metal and rock.
The guitars in general are the focal point of this 80’s heavy metal / NWOBHM worship album. Delightful double guitar melodies and evocative soloing sets the basis for compositions that form a bridge between the Home Islands and Old Albion: lots of IRON MAIDEN elements, mostly from (but not limited to) the Di Anno era, a generous portion of other NWOBHM fundamentals such as TOKYO BLADE and DIAMONDHEAD, accompanied by select 70’s rock brushes combine with inspirations closer to home: the aforementioned BLAZE, fellow Tokyoites BLIZARD and even some METALUCIFER when the going gets a little tougher towards the end of the record (Eternal Oath, Retribution of Death).
Taka’s vocals, a rough around the edges combination of Engrishu ( English spoken with a prominent Japanese accent) and straight up Japanese, are perfectly in line with the prevailing atmosphere, though they offer little in terms of understanding what the songs are actually about.
In the vocals front, COVEN JAPAN are also aided by HELVETETS PORT’s Tomas “Witchfinder” Ericson (guest vocals on Samurai Rising) and ANIMALIZE’s Niels “Coyote” Bang (guest vocals on Breath of the Distant Land), both of whom feel remarkably at home.
All in all, Promised Land is another very strong, atmospherically gifted and concise package by COVEN JAPAN, one that offers both a strong first impression as well as the promise of mutiple interesting re – listens.
COVEN JAPAN – Promised Land will be released on the 24th of July 2026 by No Remorse Records, on Vinyl, CD and digital.
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Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
