Tzun Tzu is a band from Adelaide that plays unique ‘Black Death Bushido Metal’. That is: Japanese-influenced, black and deathly. This release is probably the best recording they’ve done so far.
Although Kunoichi is quite a short EP – running to just six tracks – it’s nicely produced, reasonably well mixed, and solidly professional. The release features some very Japanese elements and instrumental effects, thanks to some good pedals. It’s got some nice grooves, a mid-paced, black atmospheric sound and a great deal is made of the Japanese theme. Kunoichi is a good taster of what Tzun Tzu is all about, but that’s it. Quite literally, just as you start enjoying yourself, the release is finished, and you end up with a feeling that you’ve been let down.
You get a taste of some reasonably good metal, you get a taste of the Eastern influence, but all up it’s not much of any of these pieces. Put together they create a great little EP – but it really is little. However, don’t let that put you off. If you’ve never heard Tzun Tzu before, Kunoichi is a good introduction to what the band has to offer. Hopefully their next release is more substantial, and will offer us something that we can get our teeth into a bit more strongly. In any case, the band is killer live, and this EP is a reasonable representation of that energy.
Tzun Tzu’s Kunoichi is out now on Prime Cuts Music.
