Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on February 2010

Photo by Kohji Shiiki

Drummer Doug Scharin has been the one constant in the course of HiM’s decade-plus career. The latest incarnation of the sprawling collective has roped in the members of local band Ultra Living, which might explain why HiM brought its European tour to a close here in Tokyo. The band’s Japanese members were clearly happy to be back on home ground, and it showed in the course of an energetic set featuring up to ten musicians on stage at any one time.

HiM’s sound has always been hard to label, often getting lumbered with clunky descriptors like “dub-influenced post-rock” and “quasi-world music.” Their set tonight betrayed a more obvious African jazz influence, thanks no doubt to the input of the Ultra Living boys.

In the cozy confines of O-Nest, you could really feel the force of the beats as two drummers pounded out the rhythms in unison.  The night was brought to a satisfying close with an encore featuring vocals from opening act Harada Ikuko (of Clammbon fame), which added another dimension to their sound.