Yakuza (band)

Did You Know?

• The Prosthetic record label describes Yakuza's style as avant-garde metal, progressive metal, alternative metal, experimental rock, jazz metal, art metal, and post-metal.
• Influences noted for the band include King Crimson, John Coltrane, Tortoise, and Napalm Death.
• Bruce Lamont has expressed appreciation for Pink Floyd, Huun Huur Tu, Peter Brötzmann, Battles, Enslaved, Brighter Death Now, George Orwell, Ethiopian music, and Blut Aus Nord.

History

Yakuza debuted with the independently released album Amount to Nothing in 2000, which received acclaim from Terrorizer and the Chicago Sun Times. The band then toured with Candiria and Burnt by the Sun, leading to a slot on the Vans Warped Tour. This exposure resulted in a record contract with Century Media Records, which released their second album, Way of the Dead, in 2002. Yakuza subsequently shared the stage with Opeth, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Lacuna Coil, and Mastodon. Jazz musician Ken Vandermark guested on the record. Although critically acclaimed, the album did not meet sales expectations, making it the band's only Century Media release. Eric Plonka left in 2002 to start scientist. In 2005, Yakuza signed with Prosthetic Records, releasing Samsara in 2006. Recorded by Matt Bayles at Volume Studios in Chicago, Samsara featured guests including pianist Jim Baker, cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm, Sanford Parker, and Mastodon’s Troy Sanders. Transmutations followed in 2007, incorporating more psychedelic elements alongside doomy movements, jazz influences, and breakneck grind riffs. It featured guest performances by jazz percussionists Hamid Drake and Michael Zerang, who rarely play together except during their annual Winter Solstice Performances in Chicago. In 2010, the band released Of Seismic Consequence on Profound Lore Records, followed by Beyul in 2012 on the same label.