NenesButler - Indie Music Blog

‘The Tower to Surpass the Clouds (Album)’ by Shining Fields Whenever the name Shining Fields is mentioned in connection with music, enthusiasts of ambient, drone, or experimental genres take notice. Now, the solo artist has released a new full-length album, which is also available on cassette. With ‘The Tower to Surpass the Clouds,’ the artist delves into Japan’s history, specifically the time around the Great Kantō Earthquake. This earthquake marked a tragic moment in Japanese history. It halted the slow process of cultural integration and amplified the sounds of militarization and nationalism. Foreigners, especially Koreans, were unjustly targeted by roving gangs. These gangs aimed to free Japan from foreign influence, which they perceived as a threat to the emperor’s power. In the days following the earthquake, anarchists Sakae Osugi and Noe Ito were pursued and executed by the military without trial. This incident became known as the Amakasu Incident. Emperor Taishō passed away i