Visually represented by the Monk and the Monkey, Yamantaka // Sonic Titan founders Ruby Kato Attwood and Alaska B offer a personified version of the classic battle between reflection and chaos. While the two performers share each of these attributes within their own personalities, it’s when they embody them that the true spirit of Yamantaka // Sonic Titan starts to take form.

Self-described as an ever evolving “Noh Wave Art Collective,” Yamantaka // Sonic Titan was originally envisioned to be an art project that focused on exploring the cultural identities of the Asian Canadian heritage in which they both share. Fittingly, YT//ST derive their aesthetic from classical Noh and Kabuki theatre with influence from Japanese and First World Mythologies that are themed monochromatically from their handmade paper sets to each members’ personalized makeup.

Musically, the drums are heavy, the guitars are loud, and the organs scream as the Monk and the Monkey vocally relate to everyday human occurrences in some of the most obscure ways possible. The result is a highly conceptualized performance piece that is as focused as it is unconventionally stunning. They are essentially the most radical rock opera to come out of the modern digital sphere.

One, can be found on Yamantaka // Sonic Titan’s upcoming sophomore LP, UZU available October 29th on Suicide Squeeze / Paper Bag Records. In the meantime, check out this short documentary piece on founding members Ruby Kato Attwood and Alaska B.

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