We're extremely proud to announce CD and cassette reissues for "死" and "4 死 Death", the (only) two game-changing full-length albums from Japanese experimental hardcore/metal/industrial supergroup collective S.H.I. (Struggling Harsh Immortals) both of which finally find a worldwide release for the first time ever via Sentient Ruin on CD and cassette tape formats. The two reissues are a mandatory spiritual mission for Sentient Ruin to reconsecrate two of the most visionary, devastating, and overlooked Japanese hardcore releases of the past decade.
"死" was initially released back in 2015 as a full-length compilation of the band's first two EPs (2013's self-titled 7" and the 2014 follow up "Lucifer Rising" 7", both released by Crust War in Japan) at first appearing on CD format in Japan through Black Lodge Records, then on tape in Australia in 2016 via NGM Records, and finally on picture disc vinyl in the US in 2022 on Anti Remorse.
The followup full-length "4 死 Death" on the other hand finally finds its first release on CD and cassette tape ever via Sentient Ruin, after its original 2021 release on vinyl via Relapse Records.
Masterminded by legendary vocalist and performance artist Katsunori "Cherry" Nishida of Japanese hardcore and heavy metal cults Zouo and Danse Macabre, and co-conspired with other long running members of the Japanese experimental punk and metal underground coming from bands like Nashi, Outo, Mobs, The Rude Boys, Gewalt and Rise from the Dead (among others), S.H.I. construct a majestic syncretism of violence and experimentation by fusing hardcore punk, heavy metal, noise rock, industrial and psychedelia into an unseen demolition of reality. "死" and "4 死 Death" represent the transfiguration and perfect continuation of Nishida's enigmatic and uncompromising vision into the future, carrying Zouo's and Danse Macabre's bludgeoning and caustic torch into the experimental unknown as a violent and bleak means of transcendence. The two albums stand stark, enigmatic and imposing as a dark and death-scarred psychedelic trip into Japan's iconic and most deviant underground fringes of hardcore punk, metal, noise, and industrial, perfectly following in the steps of many legendary Japanese experimental violent acts like Zeni Geva, Crow, and G.I.S.M. as well as in those of iconic international acts like Killing Joke, Neurosis, Voivod, Amebix, Galloping Coroners, SWANS and Discharge, who in the early 80's had laid the groundwork for visionary crossroads of aggression and experimentation through the hybridization of punk, metal, psychedelia and industrial to devastating, history-changing effects.
S.H.I. emerged long after the dissolution of Zouo and Danse Macabre, around 2010, remaining active until present. During these years the band has ransacked Japan with incendiary live shows, sharing the stage with the likes of Acid Mother's Temple, Doom, Sabbat, S.O.B., Framtid, Death Side, Endon, Unholy Grave, Gauze and more, becoming (in)infamous throughout the country for their chaotic and unpredictable blend of heavy metal, punk and electronics and their multi-member ensemble presence onstage which have cemented the band’s visionary and confrontational formula and consecrated them as one of the most pummeling and mind-expanding acts in Japan since the demise of Zeni Geva.
"死" and "4 死 Death", CDs, cassette tapes, and digital products are slated for a simultaneous August 20 2024 release worldwide through Sentient Ruin, and all products can now be pre-ordered and streamed via all our channels.