PoiL, Junko Ueda - PoiL / Ueda (2023) [Hi-Res]

The Album
Unexpected encounter between Junko Ueda, eminent figure of the Japanese medieval epic storytelling, whose warm and profound voice summons the terrestrial
energies, and the organic madness of the monster PoiL practicing with cosmic rock without net.

Poil Ueda detonnates the limits of rock and world music. By the magic and respect of the "Ma (間)," the two universes mesh and converge in perfect osmosis.

The album opens with Kujô-Shakujô, a Buddhist shômyô chant practiced by monks to ward off evil spirits. The second part of the album plunges us into the naval battle of Dan no Ura and the grievous decline of the imperial Heike clan facing the Genji clan.

Junko's stories surf freely on PoiL’s tumultuous wave pulsing with brashness and precision
.

The Band
PoiL Ueda is the result of a collaboration between Junko Ueda, a vocalist and satsuma-biwa player from Japan, and PoiL, a French rock/contemporary music band. The creation is based on the 13th-century Japanese epic tale "Heike-Monogatari."

The composition is based on traditional epic singing accompanied by the satsuma-biwa and Buddhist Shomyo chant. Through the fusion of an ancient Japanese traditional music with a hyper modern European musical formation, this project offers the opportunity to discover a unique musical universe.

An innovative performance where PoiL's unrestrained experimental rock blends with the mellow and sinuous voice, the compelling narrative, and the remarkable charisma of Junko Ueda.

Antoine Arnera I keyboards, vocals
Boris Cassone I guitar, vocals
Benoit Lecomte I acoustic bass
Guilhem Meier I drums, vocals
Junko Ueda I satsuma biwa, vocals
Stéphane Piot I recording at Hacienda
RemyBoy I mix & mastering
Lilas Mala | artwork
Clément Dupuis | executive production
Judith Saurel I Layout
Adrien Arnera I administration