Japanese guitar virtuoso Ryoji Shinomoto, mastermind of samurai metal outfit Ryujin, has unleashed Children of Bushido, his debut solo album and a heartfelt tribute to Children of Bodom’s late legend Alexi Laiho. Released today—Laiho’s would-be 46th birthday—via Napalm Records, this nine-track digital opus fuses melodic death metal’s ferocity with the serene majesty of traditional Japanese sounds, honoring Laiho’s legacy with a Far Eastern twist.
Hailing from Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island with its Finland-like climate, Shinomoto felt an instant bond with Children of Bodom’s music as a teen. “Alexi’s influence shaped me as a guitarist and vocalist,” he says. Inspired by a fan’s comment dubbing his work “Children of Bushido” after Ryujin’s 2024 album Raijin & Fujin, Shinomoto reimagines Laiho’s classics through a samurai metal lens. The result is a seamless clash of worlds—western metal’s aggression meets shamisen, dragon flutes, erhu, and thundering taiko drums.
Opening with “Lake Bodom,” the album transforms death metal’s fury into a katana-wielding frenzy, layered with eastern soundscapes. “Downfall” drips with melancholic melodies and intricate rhythms, while “Living Dead Beat” melds Laiho’s raw energy with wadaiko-driven mysticism and lightning-fast riffs. Replacing western harmonic scales with traditional Japanese ones, Shinomoto crafts an organic, electrifying homage that’s both epic and tranquil.
More than a tribute, Children of Bushido is a bold evolution for Shinomoto, weaving a narrative of the Japanese sea dragon god through stormy guitar acrobatics and fierce vocals. It’s a celebration of metal’s roots and Japan’s rich heritage—out now and streaming everywhere. Don’t miss this breathtaking collision of cultures.
Stream on Bandcamp.