Aokigahara MMXXII

Most bands who have taken the decision to record beloved early records again have failed miserably. The worst cases in the metal scene might be the infamous re-recordings by heavy metal veterans Manowar. Harakiri for the Sky is one of the few bands that has managed to record albums of yore again and improve already impressive results significantly. In the case of the wonderful Aokigahara MMXXII, the band has even released an astonishing boxed set with a thick crafted paper box housed in foam, a beautiful exclusive patch and an amazing shot glass.

What matters most is however the music offered on this record and what we get to hear is epic post-black metal at its very best. Let's select creative, dynamic and haunting opener ''My Bones to the Sea'' that evokes such desperate passion that it sends shivers down the listeners' spines. The disharmonious, fast and rebellious guitar riffs, the intense, liberating and passionate drum patterns and the emotional, memorable and unfiltered vocals performing sincere lyrics make for one of the very best openers ever created in the entire post-black metal scene.

The record continues on a high note with brutal, longing and melancholic ''Jhator'' that balances sincere emotions and pitiless intensity in perfectly equal parts. This song manages to touch the souls, hearts and brains of the listeners alike. The lyrics are yet again particularly inspiring and even feature some poetic parts performed in German which only rate this excellent track up.

Lyrically, the excellent "Sixty-Nine Dead Birds for Utøya" goes even a few steps further and induces goosebumps from start to finish. This emotional masterpiece obviously refers to the terroristic attacks by a madman whose name isn't even worth to be mentioned that took the lives of sixty-nine innocent people, several of them being teenagers. This song is a memorial to these unfortunate victims and a meaningful reminder to fight and prevent extremism of any kind through love and education.

A final highlight that deserves to be mentioned is gritty closer ''Gallows (Give 'Em Rope)" that ends an intense record on a memorably grisly note. The song title alone should give you an idea what this liberating tune is all about. Its haunting conclusion leaves listeners on a most vulnerable note and offers much food for discussion and thought.

This special edition also includes a cover of Tears for Fears' "Mad World", a track that is boring, depressing and lackluster in its original version and sounds even worse in the elegiac, negative and whiny cover version by Gary Jules that was omnipresent on radio stations twenty years ago and already started your days on a negative note. Harakiri for the Sky have managed to transform a song I have never much appreciated into an emotional, intense and varied rollercoaster ride that sticks with you long after the album has ended. This bonus track blends in perfectly and is one of the greatest cover songs ever recorded in any genre.

At the end of the day, Harakiri for the Sky's Aokigahara MMXXII is one of the greatest re-recordings ever released in any genre. Listeners get ten songs with a total running time of sixty-eight minutes that celebrate contemporary black metal with intellectual depth, sincere emotions and diversified musicianship. There are no fillers to be found and this album only grows with every single spin. Make sure to get the record's limited edition box set that is truly worth its slightly elevated price.