The NINJAs are Back with a Vengeance

Written by: Rod Whitfield - Independent | Sunday 10 October 2021

Just when you thought Melbourne’s now-legendary TWELVE FOOT NINJA couldn’t get any more eclectic and enigmatic, just when you thought they couldn’t possibly add more musical strings to their already heavily laden musical bow, just when you thought they couldn’t stir the bubbling genre pot that their music is any more, they come up with their third long-player Vengeance. All bets are off, wipe all expectations from your mind, it’s a new game.

The Review

Yep, for a band that already combined heavy alternative rock and metal, djenty prog, funk, pop, jazz and plenty more into their music, you wouldn’t think they could add any more to that insanely diverse mix and remain cohesive and listenable. But somehow they’ve managed it, and done so with tongue-in-cheek sense of humour very much intact. These guys do not take themselves too seriously, and yet they are a musical force to be reckoned with, a band to be taken very seriously indeed on the national and global rock scene.

All of the above-mentioned genres are present on Vengeance, of course, and present in spades. It’s just that they’ve upped the ante even more here.

On Vengeance, the most obvious new genre they’ve sunk their teeth into is the music-theatre sequence during Shock to the System, which works an absolute treat. Then there’s Culture War, which blends thrash metal with, wait for it, a moment of Mexican Flamenco music. These moments completely blindside you, sucker-punch you, especially if you are experiencing the band for the first time, and yet still somehow still make perfect sense. By rights, it should not work, but it does. Only these guys could make it happen with such aplomb.

Then, when you’re at the penultimate track, someone somewhat unexpected leaps out at you and grabs you by the throat and smacks you with a sweet vocal kiss. It’s none other than Tatiana Schmayluk, the lung-busting Ukrainian phenomenon from the mighty JINJER, singing guest vocals on the propulsive and dynamic Over and Out (The video for which must be seen to be believed, but then most of Twelve Foot’s videos are like that). Like any good guest spot, she shows up, makes a massive statement and creates a huge presence in a relatively short space of time, and then leaves you wanting more of that shit.

Finally, the band closes proceedings in melancholy fashion with the acoustic-driven, string-laden and ultimately expansive Tangled. It’s not what you’d expect a band like this to close their album with, but then the unexpected is exactly what we’ve come to expect from these highly imaginative dudes.

And then it’s done, in around 35 minutes. That these guys can jam so very, very much into such a brief period, and do so completely seamlessly, is nothing short of a miracle. Vengeance is the type of album that is choc-a-bloc, crammed solid with everything including the proverbial musical kitchen sink, and yet somehow leaves you slavering for more.

The biggest question is, how will they top this on their next album? What new genre delights will they cook up and bring to the table next time, polkas? Folk? Gospel? Ragtime? I’m sure they’ll have something up their collective sleeve…

Now, there is an entire world of Vengeance to discover, beyond even the music. This band is revolutionising the way bands deliver their content and merchandise, providing an example for others to be inspired by and to follow. Accompanying the album is an epic adventure novel, entitled The Wyvern and the Wolf penned by Nicholas Snelling (Facebook @nicholas.snelling.author), a comic book, a graphic novel, a video game and more, on top of regular items like CDs, tee-shirts, caps, hoodies etc. Make sure you check all of this out to get the full Ninja experience.

This band is doing everything imaginable to ensure they stand out in a crowded rock scene, and doing so with eye and ear-catching results.

The Verdict

Some people are confused by this band. I’ve watched YouTube reaction videos of people hearing Twelve Foot for the first time and being completely mystified by them, not knowing quite what to think or how to react. They are unquestionably an acquired taste, but once you’ve acquired that taste, you will find them utterly irresistible. If you’re discovering the band for the first time with this album, give it time and multiple listens. Then go discover their sensational back catalogue. You will thank me later.

One thing’s for sure, five years after their last album, the NINJA is back with a Vengeance.

9/10

Vengeance is out on Friday 15 October via Volkanik Music

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