An experimental Japanese/Chinese electropop operatic metal band from Montreal, Yamantaka//Sonic Titan was founded by practicing Buddhists, who prefer the term Noh-wave to describe the smorgasbord of influences and genres that sum up one of the indie world's most intriguing, unpeggable bands of the moment. In the words of the band itself “it draws from both pop and J-pop, British prog and Japanese psychedelia, punk rock and Iroquois core, black metal and Chinese Opera, noise music and Noh theatre.”
Yamantaka//Sonic Titan came together via drummer Alaska B and singer Ruby Kato Attwood, two performance artists who met while both completing degrees in Fine Arts at Montreal's Concordia University. Their October 2011 debut album YT//ST peaked, among others, Pitchfork’s interest. Melding Western influences with Eastern sensibilities, and vice versa, Yamantaka//Sonic Titan is already developing a reputation for matching their studio sound live as well for their theatrical slant on stage.
Yamantaka//Sonic Titan perform at POP Montreal on September 21, 2012 at the Rialto Theatre (map). Admission $15 plus service charge. Buy tickets.
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Listen to Yamantaka//Sonic Titan
- "Hoshi Neko"
- "Oak of Guernica"
- "Reverse Crystal"
