I don't know much about Japanese culture. I mean I'm a Haruki Murakami fanatic, I love sushi, and I have more than a passing knowledge of and appreciation for Japanese horror-movies, games, anime-but considering the depth and richness of Japanese culture, the extent of my understanding is admittedly paltry. I was pretty excited, then, when the latest album from SHADY GLIMPSE popped up on my review list. SHADY GLIMPSE is a Thrash Metal band hailing from Hamamatsu, Japan. They have four members and have released four EPs and four full-length albums. Yep, a lot of fours going on there. Their fourth LP, "Supreme Gift," was re-released on December 17, 2021 on WormHoleDeath. It includes 13 tracks and has a runtime of just over 40 minutes.

While SHADY GLIMPSE is a Thrash band at their core, they have also been described as Hardcore and Crossover. You could probably toss in Experimental, Technical, Prog. I don't know, whatever suggests unpredictable and complex. The thing is this isn't a sloppy, uncoordinated cacophony of sounds-it's an extremely tight, cohesive fusion of harmonies and melodies and other shit music theorists and Prog metalheads love. At times it has the feel of improvisational jazz ("The New World" and "H8! I'm D1"); other times, it's downhome blues ("Route56" and "G.C. Blues"); there's even shades of garage Punk ("Shocking!" and "Stairway to Stupid"); mostly, though, it's ferocious Thrash.

My list of standout tracks veer toward the heavier samples, including "S.S.D. (System Shakedown)," "Solar & Green," "Liar's Desire," and "Killing After Midnight" (I especially like the break right in the middle of "Killing After Midnight" that strips down to the killer bassline and then quickly builds back to a lethal mosh romp). Thematically, the band holds true to their Thrash roots. Lots of adamant social and political commentary being spewed here-but since they are largely shouted at Thrash-velocity, the lyrics don't come across as lecture so much as sheer outrage. Essentially you feel the fury more than dwell on the words.

Overall, SHADY GLIMPSE with "Supreme Gift" does not disappoint. Like the vibrant album cover which depicts a heart made up of reptiles, arachnids, and insects embracing a human skull-there is a cold smoothness to this album that is compelling and surprisingly warm. If you find your Japanese metal playlist a bit short, this is your chance to rectify the problem.