ROA's 'Ushism' Is Solid Japanese Hard Rock with a Folky, Traditional Approach

ROA’s ‘Ushism’ is some solid Japanese hard rock with a folky, traditional approach. These guys “blend both Japanese traditional sounds of shamisen with western guitar rock,” the band says, “for a brand new sound.” The shamisen, the plinky, airy string instrument the band makes such great use of, has a centuries-old place in Japanese folk music. It’s great to see a younger generation making use of it to mix up the conventionality that’s plagued certain segments of the rock world in recent years. There’s something bright and attractive about the shamisen, but at the same time it has a mysterious, hollow nature that compliments hard rock really well. These guys are on to something. Check out ‘Ushism’ below!