by Madison J Locke

 

Ninja Local Portland Metal Band

Photo by Tamra Tiemeyer

What IS Metal?

Is it the dark side of rock? Is it the deafening confusion and silence before a rapid barrage of heavy, distorted riffs and war-drum ridden, double bass kicks? Is it the blood-stained t-shirt you wear honorably as your mark of battle when you leave the pit? Is it the visceral primal scream? Is it black?

Most die-hard metal-heads would agree that the answer is truly, “all of the above”. So, when asked, “Are Ninjas metal?” We here at SOTS Music would have to give a resounding, “F**k yeah!”

NINJA… The band NINJA…  is… Metal.

NINJA: Born February 1st, 2008 in Portland, Oregon. Envisioned by Flying V Amputee Ninja (Lead/Rhythm Guitar), he “…had a dream of big city ninjas melting faces in a rose-thorned garden” as stated in the band’s website bio at NINJAMetalNINJA.com. The other four members include Explorer Ninja (Rhythm/Lead Guitar), Rudysan (Drums), Christo Bas Ninja (Bass), and Throat Rot Ninja (Vocals). I’d give you their real names, but it would make this my last article. No joke.

Their personal band bio states: “In feudal Japan, ancient ninjas utilized metal in tools and weapons to aid them in their missions and in their lives. It’s only natural that a modern band called NINJA should do the same.”

Now, other reviews have stated that this is a great “act” or wonderful “performance”, like it’s some must-see Broadway show. I’m sorry to say, it’s not.

After researching their scriptures, watching real-footage of NINJA execute surprise attacks on downtown districts to recruit clan members, and recently witnessing NINJA play twice – at Plan B and then again at The Red Room – I can assure you… this is the real thing.

I would’ve written this review sooner when I first saw them play at Plan B in Portland, Oregon, but I threw my notebook on the floor immediately after their first song was over. I didn’t want to work – I just wanted to rage… and so it was. It took 64 oz. of Black Butte Porter to calm me down enough to take notes the second time at Red Room. Yes, it’s like that.

Progressive, experimental, nu-metal is how one would describe it if we were machines. They’ve also been described as “riff-metal”, or “experiMETAL hardcore”.  One way or another… it’s metal… very metal. It’s the kind of metal that katanas cut you open with so that your soul can vent out that little demon inside. It’s the kind of metal that you slay a dragon with. It’s the solid-steel razor points of a five-pointed star gliding through the air, with the wind, into your skull; that kind of metal.

Their music strategy is not only akin to the shadow-warrior assassins… it IS shadow-warrior battle tactic.

Every song contains the element of surprise. One second everything’s hunky dory, a jazzy bass walk with the ride cymbal… and then… the alarm sounds off. It’s not just a guitar lead… it’s an alarm. Drop. Too late, there goes a head. Light’s are out. It’s all rapid-fire hit and run tactics amidst the verse. An assassinating one-two punch of palm-muted strikes and bass power slides. Where’s it coming from? Back breaking snare hits and bass kicks, and the screams and convulsions of the clueless victim as embodied by Throat Rot.

The chorus is like the light turning back on as everyone freaks out at the bodies strewn across the floor; it’s the damage report. Cymbals crashing to the snare march, chopping riffs slicing and dicing away.

Alert, alert, we have code-red.

A bass that yields no remorse as it rumbles to the shaking ground of 1000 foot soldiers headed your way. All the while, there is a man… nay, a Ninja leader… shouting his battle commands to the clan… to his assassins.

Uh oh… Is it over? Where’d they go? Everything’s silent; is this the bridge? Oh no, that was just the minor assault! Here comes the final attack!

Forget the rules: nothing is in key, the time signature is broken, the dark shadow now overwhelms the crowd in a swarm of piercing sound wave, metal axes are swung about chopping heads left and right, the sound control guy has no idea what to do… and in the midst of all the chaos, Throat Rot is screaming straight into your soul with only one message to offer…  join or die.

In retrospect, the entire set was based on multiple variations (tactics) of that.

I’m not saying that you should go see NINJA. I’m not saying you should go buy their album when it comes out later this year. I’m saying it’s inevitable. You’re going to see them whether you like it or not, and then you’re going to buy their album. SOTS just wants to help you out. You can go see them now and save yourself some trouble, while their ticket, merchandise, and CD prices are low… and while you can still get an intimate, up-close, and personal experience from the band. You have about 6 months, tops. Go.