One Hundred Dragon by Poison Arts: A Raw Blast from Japan’s Underground Scene
Alright, let me just say this upfront—One Hundred Dragon is not your average rock album. Released in 1989 under Captain Records and Bang A Gong (how rad is that name?), Poison Arts delivered a chaotic mix of Hardcore, Heavy Metal, and Punk that feels like getting punched in the face… but in a good way. If you’re into high-energy riffs, relentless drumming, and vocals that sound like they came straight out of a sweaty basement show, then buckle up.
The whole thing kicks off with “不良少年の叫び” (which roughly translates to "Cry of the Delinquent Youth"). This track hits hard right outta the gate—it’s fast, gritty, and dripping with attitude. The guitar work by Aki is razor-sharp, while Koji on drums keeps things pounding so hard it almost feels illegal. What sticks with me about this song is how raw it sounds; it's messy in all the right ways, like Poison Arts didn’t care about perfection as much as they cared about making something real. It’s one of those tracks where you can practically hear the sweat dripping onto their instruments. You know what I mean?
Then there’s “Run For The Lost,” which flips the vibe a little. It starts off slower, almost brooding, before exploding into this massive wall of sound halfway through. The basslines by Sakyo are absolutely killer here—they’re deep, groovy, and give the track its heartbeat. And when A. Hiraoka screams those lyrics? Man, it gives me chills every time. There’s something haunting yet empowering about it, like running away from everything holding you back but knowing you’ll never truly escape. Deep stuff for sure.
What makes One Hundred Dragon stand out isn’t just the music itself—it’s also the wild energy behind it. From M. Kitahatake’s bold design to K. Tanaka’s illustrations, the whole package screams DIY rebellion. Even the liner notes by 三浦 add this extra layer of authenticity, tying together the band’s vision.
And hey, fun fact: the dude behind most of the magic here is Hiraoka—he wrote both the lyrics AND the music AND handled vocals. Talk about wearing multiple hats! With production help from Poison Arts themselves and engineering mastery by K. Kawamoto, it’s clear no corners were cut. Every detail feels intentional, even if the end result is gloriously unhinged.
Looking back at this album now, it’s kinda crazy to think it came out over three decades ago. In today’s world of polished pop-metal hybrids, One Hundred Dragon feels refreshingly untamed. It reminds me why I fell in love with rock music in the first place—it’s loud, imperfect, and unapologetically alive.
So yeah, if you’re hunting for an album that’ll shake you out of your comfort zone, grab this one. Just don’t blame me if your neighbors start complaining. Oh, and here’s a random thought to leave you with: imagine these guys covering a J-pop hit. Now THAT would be wild.
