Japan’s heavy metal history practically dates back to the genre’s inception. Psychedelic doom samurais Flower Travellin’ Band paved the way back in 1970. Since then, there’s been Loudness, Anthem, Bow Wow, X Japan, Sabbat, Abigail, Church of Misery, Sigh…I could go on. As of this writing, there’s one more band you can add to this legendary lineage. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Significant Point.
I was excited to review Significant Point’s debut album, Into the Storm, for a couple reasons. First, I don’t think I’ve heard a single Japanese metal band that I haven’t liked. Much like Belgium and Brazil, Japan is one of those countries that has metal flowing through their veins. Second, Dying Victims Productions is shaping up to be one of the finest labels in the underground today. While other retro themed labels tend to sign every and any spandex clad novelty act with a Priest/Maiden style guitar duo, Dying Victims keeps their eyes and ear out for true chops.
Significant Point is a blatant 80s worship band. They don’t just wear their influences on their sleeves, but on their shirts, pants, and shoes too. Into the Storm showcases an array of styles we all know and love, but done with an authenticity that would make you believe it was actually released 35 years ago. The album opens with a one-two punch in “Attacker” and “Heavy Attack”. The neck snapping speedfests display the high power intensity of Agent Steel and Walls of Jericho era of Helloween, as well as the musical precision of Thundersteel era Riot. It’s heavenly speed metal with a central focus on hooks and melodies.
When they aren’t attempting to melt the listener’s face off, Significant Point slows things down with an ultra anthemic brand of metal reminiscent of fellow countrymen X Japan. Tracks like “You’ve Got the Power”, “Night of the Axe”, and “Run for Your Life” boast scorching hot leads, otherworldly vocals, and choruses that will live rent free in your head for at least a few weeks. Now in terms of the obligatory guitar duo I mentioned earlier, Significant Point’s takes more from Maiden in Priest. In other words, leads and melodies take precedent over riffs, but boy do they do it well. The solo on the title track sounds like something off the first Yngwie Malmsteen album for crying out loud!
Significant Point is one of the most significant new acts you’ll read about on this site. They can use some growth in the songwriting department, but as far as musicianship goes, they’ve got their formula down to a science. The future holds nothing but great things for these heavy brothers of the Rising Sun.
7 out of 10
Label: Dying Victims Productions
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: X Japan, Traveler, Agent Steel