BUDDHADATTA - "Buddha & Devadatta" (Kasumuen Records) (December, 2025) (Vinyl LP/ Soundcloud)

“With their infectious, energetic and positively 'smile on the face' rhythms on stage, audiences have come accustomed to Buddhadatta's reverence for Buddhism via their attire and the topics of their songs, all inspired by practising, throat-singing Buddhist monk / band leader, Vogli Bonze. Bass player Seiko engages almost the entirety of the audience with constant eye contact as she swathes her samurai bass - Nick Cave would be envious of how she connects. Then she steps up to the mic and behold the power in her voice! Drummer Takami, sits up back: cool, calm holding the strong beat that he has perfected from his years in legendary Japanese underground bands.”

Looking for something completely different? This is it. The short and snappy ‘Ei Sara Ei’ is a good example of the powerful drumming of Takami (excellent throughout driving the music along) ‘Nine of Buddha Aspect No.2’ is a standout. As is the melodic ‘Pass Through, If You Dare Tourinshe’. And the infectious beat of ‘Annoying Journey’! loved also the duet between the two singers on ‘Heaven and Hell’. ‘Farewell of Potatoes’ is an unexpected part acoustic song (another duet) before the quirky rhythms and irresistible beat reappear. What the heck? It’s all refreshingly different and incomparable heavy rock. I was unsure at first - the shock of the new I guess- but this album grows on you as you listen through; a real keeper of an album – don’t miss it.