One of the most uncanny entities in Black Metal is back with their scorching fourth offering, a new chapter in the narrative concept that links together all of their previous releases.

Formed in 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee, the uncanny Eastern horror-themed Black Metal duo known as Saidan, which depending on the kanji context means “altar” or “shrine” (祭壇) or “shredding” (細断) in Japanese, has been delivering a fusion of weird, over-the-top aesthetic of visual kei with fast, melodic riffing since their inception, having released so far the albums Jigoku: Spiraling Chasms of the Blackest Hell (2021), Onryō II: Her Spirit Eternal (2022), and Visual Kill: The Blossoming of Psychotic Depravity (2024). Now in 2026 vocalist, guitarist and bassist Splatterpvnk alongside drummer Hundosai are unleashing hell once again with their fourth installment, entitled Fangdriller: Scars Beneath Memories Wrist, a new chapter in the narrative concept that links together all Saidan releases. Mixed and mastered by Splatterpvnk and once again showcasing a sinister artwork by Japanese visual artist Seiyak17, Fangdriller: Scars Beneath Memories Wrist follows the story of a student named Junko, depressed and miles away from the people she loves. In the depths of her isolation, she finds comfort in a mysterious cult called Ethereal Blood. But unbeknownst to Junko, her anguished seclusion has made her the perfect victim.

The duo wastes no time and embraces us all in absolute horror and darkness in Razorblade Temptation, with the venomous gnarling by Splatterpvnk exhaling Black Metal insanity, whereas Hundosai keeps blasting his drums in the name of extreme music in Rapture (I’ll Wait for You), inviting us all on a one-way journey into the mouth of madness, accompanied by the scathing riffs and solos by Splatterpvnk. It’s impressive how they manage to make raw Black Metal sound insanely Japanese, keeping the album as vibrant as it is chaotic, just like in Immersed by Eternity’s Blade; and Splatterpvnk’s guitar revs up their metallic engine in Kara No Bara, with all background elements sounding grandiose and haunting. Then it’s time to go absolutely mental to the sound of Womb of Hatred, a no shenanigans, frantic and visceral Black Metal attack by the duo.

Stained Glass Sin // Fang Driller brings to our avid ears a high-speed, vile display of extreme music that goes straight to our jugular, with the background keys once again adding an extra dosage of insanity to the already demented vocals by Splatterpvnk. They keep blending their core brutality with the finesse of Symphonic Black Metal in Her Lips Pressed Against a Coffin Nail, again presenting the demolishing beats and fills by Hundosai; whereas Ethereal Blood offers a more direct blend of Black Metal with symphonic and Eastern elements where the screams and riffs by Splatterpvnk sound infernal. Beat to Death is even more imposing and epic than the previous tunes, with Hundosai  dictating the song’s demented pace majestically; and I have no idea why they ended the album with the Stone Sour-like outro Mortuary. In the end, that’s fine, nothing to really worry about.

Japanese horror has always been one of the most appreciated movie genres worldwide by all types of movie fanatics, including metalheads who nurture a deep passion for the most extreme side of music, and albums like Fangdriller: Scars Beneath Memories Wrist are exactly what those people need to darken their minds and souls even further just like the most disturbing of the horror flicks made in Japan. If you also want to be part of such a unique cult, you can find Splatterpvnk  and Hundosai on Facebook and on Instagram, including their demented live performances, stream all of their excellent albums on Spotify, and of course purchase Fangdriller: Scars Beneath Memories Wrist from their own BandCamp, as well as from the Avantgarde Music’s BandCamp or from Sound Cave, or simply click HERE for all things Saidan. The fate of Junko is in the bloodsoaked hands of Saidan, and based on the harshness and violence of the music found in their new album, her fate is not only sealed, but it’s a dark one.

Best moments of the album: Rapture (I’ll Wait for You), Stained Glass Sin // Fang Driller and Beat to Death.

Worst moments of the album: Mortuary.

Released in 2026 Avantgarde Music

Track listing
1. Razorblade Temptation 5:42
2. Rapture (I’ll Wait for You) 4:02
3. Immersed by Eternity’s Blade 3:42
4. Kara No Bara 4:43
5. Womb of Hatred 5:06
6. Stained Glass Sin // Fang Driller 7:10
7. Her Lips Pressed Against a Coffin Nail 4:43
8. Ethereal Blood 4:45
9. Beat to Death 5:31
10. Mortuary 1:43

Band members
Splatterpvnk – vocals, guitars, bass
Hundosai – drums