Hebi Katana Set July 25 Release for Imperfection; Video Posted
Posted in Whathaveyou on May 15th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
This is sooner than I thought it would be. I guess I thought I was all clever last week when the band’s signing announcement came through and I did the 30 seconds of looking into Japanese doomsters’ Hebi Katana‘s website, where it said they would release their new album, in September. Yeah, fine. July works too, though, don’t you worry.
What will be their first LP through Ripple Music, Imperfection will indeed be out in the horrendous thick of the coming climate crisis summer, and the first video from it is up now. Or down, if you’re thinking in terms of where you’re scrolling in this post to see it.
When you hear that and want more, the band’s 2023 album, III, is underneath the video. Between the two, you should have enough to go on for pre-saving or pre-ordering or pre-whatever-it-is-you-do-when-you-think-something-coming-out-is-going-to-be-cool. I can’t keep up. Also I don’t want to.
The PR wire has it like this:
Tokyo samurai doom unit HEBI KATANA share first track off upcoming new album “Imperfection”; out July 25th on Ripple Music!
Japanese doom and heavy rock powerhouse HEBI KATANA announces the release of their fourth studio album “Imperfection” this July 25th on Ripple Music and presents the haunting debut single “Dead Horse Requiem” today.
HEBI KATANA are purveyors of a one-of-a-kind fusion of wabi-sabi (Japanese traditional acceptance of transience and imperfection) and heavy doom sounds! Their 2023 album “III” was widely acclaimed in Japan and overseas.
Their upcoming fourth full-length “Imperfection” — written and recorded in parallel of a tour with the same lineup as “III” — features lyrics inspired by Matsuo Basho and Tanizaki Junichiro’s “wabi sabi” “beauty of imperfection” and “enso” based on the unique Japanese spiritual world. This new album refines their signature doom and proto-hard rock sound, merging loud roaring riffs with beaming melodies. Pulsing with sheer intensity and channeling the spirit of the 70s, their dynamics interweave doom metal weight and psychedelic expansiveness while staying true to their dark, shadowy and introspective worldview.
The trio’s chemistry shines as they balance brute force with intricate subtleties, creating a sound that feels both primal and meticulously crafted. “Imperfection” marks a bold evolution for HEBI KATANA. Every riff, groove, and vocal line reinforces their identity — a band unafraid to explore darkness while delivering pure, riff-driven power in their own right. Don’t wait to join the cult.
HEBI KATANA “Imperfection”
Out July 25th on Ripple Music (LP/CD/digital): https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/
Formed in Tokyo in 2020, HEBI KATANA released their self-titled debut album at the end of the same year. With their authentic doom/stoner sound and dark and mellow heavy rock sound, they quickly became a cornerstone of the Japanese scene amongst enthusiasts in overseas media, establishing their sound as “Tokyo Samurai Doom”. In 2022, they released their second album “Impermanence”, welcoming Yukito Okazaki of Eternal Elysium/Studio Zen fame as the producer. A year later, they issued their third album “III”, which was distributed in Japan, as well as in Germany, Poland and the UK. The band performed relentlessly in Tokyo and major cities in Japan, appeared at the Tokyo Doom Fest, and toured in Italy, France and South America.
Hebi Katana live:
May 24 SUNRIZE Tokyo, Japan
May 30 20000V Tokyo, Japan
May 31 Huck Finn (ハックフィン) Nagoya, Japan
Jun 1 Hokage 火影 Osaka, Japan
July 5 Tokyo TBA
July 21 Tokyo TBA
Aug 24 Tokyo TBA
Sep 14 Tokyo Koiwa Bush Bash – Farewell To The Heroes Vol.5
〜HEBI KATANA 4th album ”Imperfection” Release & 35th Birthday Anniversary Party〜
Oct 18 Sapporo TBA
Nov 16 TBA
Hebi Katana:
Nobu: Guitars, Vocals
Laven: Bass, Vocals
Goblin: Drums, Keyboard
https://hebikatana.wordpress.com/
https://hebikatana.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/hebikatana/
https://www.facebook.com/hebikatana
https://www.facebook.com/theripplemusic/
https://www.instagram.com/ripplemusic/
https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/
http://www.ripple-music.com/
