I have been a huge fan of this band for many years. I used to order their music through the local music store in Hobart when I was a teenager:
"I`d like to order in Desire for Agony by Zeni Geva."
"You`d like to WHAT??"
Given that now I can order ridiculous titles without ridicule from the internet, such record store clerks are now contributing generously to the length of the unemployment line. Jerks.
Zeni Geva (ゼ二げバ) is the brain-child of one Kazuyuki Null, AKA KK Null. KK Null had already made a name for himself as a, shall we say, sonically challenging/borderline unlistenable auditory assault solo noise artist. He came up with the idea to form Zeni Geva in the mid-80's. Tabata Mitsuru - the other half of Hanatarash - is the other longest serving member of Zeni Geva.
Zeni Geva is two guitars and one drummer. Despite the lack of bass player they make an absolutely massive sound. Down-tuned, pitch-shifted, but for the most part, recognisably guitar. The song writing is a kind of hulking, geometric, angular approach to songs. Major pre-occupations appear to be with body-mind issues and nuclear war. There's a kind of aching Omega man loneliness to some of Zeni Geva's songs. Others itch with sexual energy, life blood screaming the the veins.
Although they consider themselves to be a sort of experimental/hardcore kind of band, they fit very nicely into my sonic interests as a mathematical exercise in riff writing (see Shellac), and what I consider to be part of the metal cannon, be it in a rather avant garde manner. Steve Albini is reputed as saying that he likes Zeni Geva because they do not attempt to Westernise their sound - and I agree. They are distinctly Japanese, mercilessly experimental, and yet eminently listenable. Highly recommended.
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