Japanese horror-inspired USBM duo Saidan have released their latest single, “Immersed by Eternity’s Blade,” alongside a cinematic music video, offering another glimpse into their forthcoming fourth full-length album, FANGDRILLER: Scars Beneath Memory’s Wrist. The record arrives June 19 through Avantgarde Music.
Serving as a prequel to the band’s acclaimed Visual Kill, FANGDRILLER continues Saidan’s interconnected narrative universe. The story follows the character Junko, known as “The Student,” as she struggles to mend a shattered heart, only to find herself isolated and vulnerable to the influence of a mysterious cult called Ethereal Blood.
Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Splatterpvnk described the new single as one of the album’s most personal moments.
“Many of the songs on this album offer glimpses into where I was emotionally over the past year. ‘Immersed by Eternity’s Blade’ is unique in that there’s no metaphor to masquerade my heart. I yearned for a future where the anguish of the present would fade into a distant memory, leaving only the moments of happiness behind.”
He added that the song continues to serve as a source of healing and hopes listeners dealing with their own struggles can find comfort in both the track and the album as a whole.
A Unique Blend of Horror and Black Metal
While FANGDRILLER tackles themes of depression, heartbreak, loneliness, and loss, its musical identity draws from an eclectic range of influences. Saidan blend the lo-fi aesthetics of classic Visual Kei with gothic black metal, injecting blistering solos, anthemic riffs, shrieking vocals, and relentless drumming into arrangements that also incorporate elements of modern breakcore.
The result is a sound that feels nostalgic for an era that never truly existed while maintaining a distinctly contemporary edge.
The album’s striking artwork was created by Japanese visual artist Seiyak17, while Splatterpvnk handled both mixing and mastering duties.
FANGDRILLER: Scars Beneath Memory’s Wrist Track Listing
- Razorblade Temptation
- Rapture (I’ll Wait for You)
- Immersed by Eternity’s Blade
- Kara no Bara
- Womb of Hatred
- Stained Glass Sin // Fang Driller
- Her Lips Pressed Against a Coffin Nail
- Ethereal Blood
- Beat to Death
- Mortuary
U.S. Tour Supporting Trhä
In support of the album, Saidan will embark on a U.S. tour alongside atmospheric black metal project Trhä and Barbelith. The trek begins July 23 in Indianapolis and concludes August 8 in Charlotte, with stops throughout the Midwest, Texas, the Gulf Coast, and Florida, including a performance at Churchill’s Pub on August 6.
Studio Members
- Splatterpvnk – vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards
- Hundosai – drums
Live Members
- Ravenna – bass
- Luthious – guitar
Since emerging in 2020, Saidan have steadily built a reputation within the underground black metal scene through a series of acclaimed releases, including Jigoku: Spiraling Chasms of the Blackest Hell, Onryō II: Her Spirit Eternal, and Visual Kill. With FANGDRILLER: Scars Beneath Memory’s Wrist, the duo continue to expand their horror-inspired mythology while pushing the boundaries of modern USBM.
Fans of Spectral Wound, X Japan, Cradle of Filth, and Malice Mizer may find plenty to appreciate in Saidan’s distinctive fusion of black metal, visual kei aesthetics, and psychological horror.