Origin:	Japan
Genres:	Black Metal

Tyrant

Tyrant isn't exactly the most unique of band names (the Eighties produced both a German Tyrant and an American Tyrant, among no doubt countless other similarly-named acts). This Tyrant is a Japanese black metal band, who on their debut album (1997's Under A Dark Mystic Sky) nails the early Norwegian symphonic black metal style (think early Dimmu Borgir as one reference point) to a T -- indeed, it's probably one of the most Norwegian-sounding albums from a band not from Norway. By the time of Legend, released five years later, the band had matured and developed a bit -- still very much rooted in symphonic black metal, but with a less harsh style, with the more dominating keyboards giving the band a more melodic edge. Tyrant has yet to truly branch out and discover their own style, (perhaps their new Grimoires, released in 2005, will establish a unique identity), but for traditional symphonic black metal, both Legend and Mystic Sky are accomplished and recommended listens.