Kuurandia Chronicles: Kuunatic delve into the myths, music and magical cosmos they create
Editor’s Note: Japanese psych-rock trio Kuunatic are on the brink of their second album, Wheels of Ömon. That also means that Fumi Kikuchi, Shoko Yoshida and Yuko Araki are on the brink of delivering the second chapter of their fantasy saga.
You see, unlike most bands, Kuunatic are not just interested in creating tunes; their unique aim is to create an alternate realm of prophecy, mysterious powers, and peculiar lakes, all set to the propulsive whirl of acid folk expanded to cosmological heights.
Below, they tell us the story so far…
Kuunatic: How we make music always comes hand in hand with the creation of fantasy-style concepts and narratives. Here, we would like to share the whole story behind our music, starting with our first EP, Kuurandia, the first album, Gate of Kluna, and the latest album, Wheels of Ömon.
Kuurandia is a planet that completes a full orbit around its sun, Ömon, in 45 hours. Each song in the new album is crafted to capture the essence of a particular moment within 45 hours and the shifting seasons. Starting at 0:00 hours in the icy darkness, the transitions of time and seasons unveil the stories of Kuurandia, its moon Klüna, and the sun Ömon through songs.
Kuurandia
In the mystical Land of the Rising Sun, there lies a place veiled in an enigma. As midnight approaches, the sky bursts into life with electric flashes, and distorted vibrations ripple through the air. On one fateful day, a deity steps into this realm, descending gracefully with the sunlight. However, tranquillity is short-lived as another deity emerges from a crevice at the mountain’s foot, eager to claim the power concealed within the land.
The tension escalates when a third deity, drawn by the turmoil, arrives in an arc. These three goddesses—embodiments of the sky, the land, and the sea—collide in a fierce confrontation, each wielding formidable energies. As their powers clash, the unleashed forces grow so intense that they threaten to tear apart the very essence of existence. In their unyielding pursuit of dominion, everything is engulfed by the overwhelming energies, leaving behind an expansive silence.
Thus, the planet Kuurandia is formed from a fragment of land imbued with mystic power.
Gate of Klüna
One day, an Empress arises from the ashes of Kuurandia, followed by her people. It is the dawn of a new era on this planet. Among them, three shamans, Kuunatic, ring sacred bells and are appointed as guardians of the planet. As their world prospers, the Kuurandians gather in joyous celebration under the glow of their moon, Klüna.
The peaceful time seems to last forever… until a gigantic volcano emerges in the middle of the moonrise mountains. Kuunatic chants enigmatic mantras to prevent its eruption. However, the mountain trembles and the sky darkens with ash, the landscape transforms into a scene of chaos. Unidentified invaders appear from its roaming lava, and the war of predation has begun.
They fight and drop their magical spells. Their adversaries were relentless, yet they matched every attack with equal fervour. And finally, Kuunatic wins. The three pythonesses sing a mystic triumph song, then lead their people to a deep dreamy forest.
Wheels of Ömon
It is Year KUU0004, and the planet Kuurandia is filled with doleful air. The Empress and Kuurandians are heading towards somewhere in the line, carrying three Kuunatic wrapped in yew branches. They are on the brink of death due to the war of predation that happened in Year KUU0003.
After the volcanic eruption in Kuurandia, the Lacus Yom, imbued with mysterious powers, was formed, circling the mountain. Some Kuurandians established a village and started life around the water. When the Empress and the people finally arrive there, they bathe Kuunatic’s bodies in the lake and perform a ritual of resurrection with the villagers. With their chanting and the powers of the water, the three are healed, and their consciousness comes back to their bodies.
The Empress and the Kuurandians are relieved, and they begin the journey back home. Unbeknownst to them, something wriggling emerges from the lake. It is revealed to be three dark-blue-skinned Kuunatic. It turns out that the lake possesses the ability to remove wounds, pains, and traumatic memories from objects in the water and creates new life forms in exchange for healing the original bodies.
The next morning of Kuunatic’s resurrection, everybody refreshingly wakes up hearing a mythical song from Klüna, a moon of Kuurandia.
Once the people gather outside, Klüna in the sky becomes two—crystal stairs appear between them, and the moon welcomes them to celebrate Kuunatic’s return. With hands full of delectable treats and drinks, everyone ascends the stairs, singing and dancing. A banquet of rebirth begins in Klüna.
Kuunatic meets the prophet of Klüna, Rekpo. They ask her to read Kuurandia’s future. Then, the oracle hints at a looming cataclysmic event approaching the planet.
After receiving the warning, every afternoon during autumn, Kuurandians sing a prayer to prevent a disaster. This has become a traditional custom on the planet.
It is a bizarre day that Klüna, Kuurandia, and the sun Ömon align. After Kuunatic explores the beautiful moon and gains some resources and knowledge, they make their way back to their homeland. The trio notices something is wrong as they approach their planet. What they see in front of their eyes is that their counterpart, dark-blue-skinned Kuunatic, has been taking over and destroying their village of Lacus Yom while they were away. Finally, the time to face their new enemies has arrived…
Editor’s Note II: Needless to say, not every band is quite so dialled into the essence of their output. Make of the madness of Kuunatic what you will, in an age where many press releases purport that a record is a fierce attack on capitalism and perhaps a single line ends up alluding to the cost-of-living crisis, their expansive notions are a welcome creative pursuit whether you’re into the whole anime fantasy battle or not. Besides, as their new record, Wheels of Ömon, proves, they have equally heady beats to get lost in, too.
You can delve into yourself on April 11th via Glitterbeat ahead of four live dates in the UK in April.
