For fans of doom metal, check out Kuroyuri Nikki and these other songs by Ningen Isu

The first song I ever heard by these guys was 'Kuroyuri Nikki', from the album Mandoro. It was recommended to me by my brother as he knew I was an avid listener of Japanese bands from Gorgon to Onmyouza to Gotsu Totsu Kotsu. Mandoro had just come out at the time.

As soon as the atmospheric opening gave way to that crushing main riff I was floored, and completely sold on the band. The song itself is pretty proggy and has a lot to offer for repeat listens, but that main riff is the best Black Sabbath riff Tony Iommi never wrote:

I think it's a perfect introduction to the band for lovers of doom metal, especially the Sabbath school of Cathedral, Witchfinder General, Cathedral and others.

You've also got 'Futtou suru Uchū', which means 'Boiling Universe' and may be one of the most metal names for a thing ever. The intense drum fill that opens the track is sure to grab anyone's attention, but the swaggering main riff that burns through after is textbook bluesy doom metal of a kind I don't get enough of any more. The band keep it real heavy and groovy throughout and I can't imagine many lovers of doom metal reaching for the skip button once this gets going.

Those are a couple of recent tracks, and the band has continued to refine their bassy, doomed chops on recent releases. But for something from their illustrious back catalogue, check out 'Haru no Umi'. Three immense chords, a raucous clatter of drums, and keening vocals define this slab of monolithic metal. An absolute gem that lovers of Reverend Bizarre should not let themselves miss out on. Plus the mid-section that sounds like a nod to The Doors and the climactic burst of rollicking Sabbathian riffs are pure gold.