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The Japanese heavy rock outfit NINGEN-ISU (literally "The Human Chair") was formed in 1987 by Shinji WAJIMA (guitar, vocals), Kenichi SUZUKI (bass, vocals) and Noriyoshi KAMIDATE (drums). In this incarnation, the trio bummed around Japan for a couple years before garnering media attention in 1989 via the TV variety/game show 'Heisei Meibutsu TV?Ikasu! Band Tengoku' and released their self-titled debut later that same year. Both the sound and spirit of NINGEN-ISU have remained constant throughout the years. Sonically, the influence of such 70's hard rock bands as BUDGIE, BLACK SABBATH and KING CRIMSON has resulted in a heavy, thrashy, grungy, stoner rock blend that often veers into Crims' Red-era territory. Additionally, the music and lyrics are sometimes directly influenced by Japanese folk - Shinji is an expert in Buddhist & Japanese literature, and Kenichi is an avid collector of local occult - resulting in the standard stoner/art/metal getting a unique Japanese twist (1998's 'Taihai-Geijutsuten' being a good example). Despite the lack of a permanent drummer (Noriyoshi left in 1992, replaced by Masuhiro GOTOH in 1993, Iwao TSUCHIYA in '95 and again by Masuhiro in 1996), for the moment the position is held by Nobu NAKAJIMA. The band has steadily produced fourteen albums over nearly twenty years. Recommended for fans of classic heavy music with a strong national identity. - The Whistler -