Sex Messiah/Evil/Immortal Death "The Pact of Sex, Evil, and Death" CD

This 3-Way Split album features what is known as "one-take" recordings, where each band was expressly forbidden from overdubbing in the studio. Fans can look forward to fully enjoying the raw sound they expect. It includes SEX MESSIAH, who are in top form with a string of overseas performances; EVIL, making a long-awaited return with new songs that might reveal the true reasons behind their hiatus; and IMMORTAL DEATH, whose past releases quickly become hard to find. These three bands are all at a pivotal moment in their careers.

1. Ryo, Masaharu and Moenos - Intro
2. Sex Messiah - New studio recording
3-4. Sex Messiah - Live at NWN FEST VOL.VI in Tijuana, Mexico
5-7. Evil - New studio recordings
8-9. Immortal Death - New studio recordings
10. Immortal Death - Live in Osaka
11. Moenos, Ryo and Masaharu - Outro

SEX MESSIAH conducted a mini-tour in the US in April, tied to their performance at NWN Fest 6.66 in Texas, and are also slated to participate in Steelfest XI in Finland in May. EVIL has maintained silence since the release of their 2nd album. IMMORTAL DEATH's various demos have consistently sold out soon after release. As I listen to this split, I can't help but wonder if Moenos chose to release it amidst such a busy period because she feels she is finally approaching what she truly wanted to do throughout her career as a black metal musician, and she has a strong desire not to suppress that creative impulse.

For instance, this Split not only features tracks from each band but also includes a collaborative track between Moenos and EVIL. Furthermore, the layout by 072 of IMMORTAL DEATH, who is not afraid to break taboos, aligns perfectly with the fundamental principles of black metal. If I may add my own thoughts, I sense a reassuring quality in all three participating bands, in that they do not base their identity on trivial things like pride in being a Japanese metal/extreme music artist. EVIL's lyrics are in Japanese, and it's known that Moenos respects so-called Japanoise artists. However, after years of slightly misinterpreting the fact that Japanese underground music excites foreign enthusiasts, the counter-cultural ideal of "No More Censorship," loudly proclaimed by the punk bands and avant-garde music pioneers we adored in the 80s, has been completely emasculated with the spread of imported compliance, and the domestic scene seems to be headed towards decline. Moenos's recent energetic activities abroad echo the stance of 90s Japanese underground heavy metal musicians who abandoned unproductive activities in Japan and gained enthusiastic followers in Europe.

For this 3-Way Split, each band's new songs were provided on the condition that no line recording would be used, meaning they were all recorded in one take. Coincidentally, I have been deeply fascinated by the live recordings of all three of these acts, and I have particularly advocated for EVIL and IMMORTAL DEATH's live recordings as their best works. The fact that EVIL's new songs, breaking their silence, are a black metal suite with a hint of hard rock flavor, will surely stir debate among fans. IMMORTAL DEATH also proves that the destructive power showcased on the "Live Nekromance" TAPE was not a fluke. And SEX MESSIAH, who have established a perfectly stateless, pure, fucking, armageddon black metal sound with the genuine South American beats pounded out by Abaddrums "SEXXX" Grinder, perfectly expressed their black metal noise ritual even at the CD release commemorative live at Earthdom on April 22nd.

With an unprecedented big project announced, and the attention of underground extreme music enthusiasts worldwide converging on Osaka, Japan, I am convinced that Moenos's total production of this 3-Way Split album holds significant meaning.

(RECORD BOY, Ryo Okura)