43. Ibaraki - "Rashomon"

This is the long rumoured Black Metal project from Matt Heafy of Trivium. It’s gestation period has been over a decade and it was originally positioned as a collaboration with Ishan of Emperor. However, what it has transpired to be is a deeply personal record that features a number of collaborations (including Ishan) but is distinctively a solo endeavour by Matt, exploring his Japanese heritage and cultural identity. In many ways, it is not the love letter to 90s true Norwegian black metal that we expected and in many ways, it is much the better album for that.

It uses Black Metal’s vivid and atmospheric tones as a palette to then delve deeper into the legacy of Matt’s dual heritage upbringing and his eastern roots. It is beautifully constructed and full of smooth sweeping edges which contrast with the usual harsh jaggedness of this genre. The subject matter draws heavily from Japanese mythology and folklore, and it is obvious that he is using this as a way of reconnecting with this part of his identity. What could have been a mess of contrasting styles instead blends together perfectly. A surprisingly sensitive album that sees Matt reveal much more of himself than he has ever been able to do so in his day job.