Yakuza

The Chicago hardcore/metal quartet Yakuza formed in July 1999 and consists of vocalist/saxophonist Bruce Lamont, guitarist Eric Plonka, bassist Eric Clark, and drummer James Staffel. They released their first album, Amount to Nothing, and in 2000 on a small independent label called Product del Diablo, eventually winning the attention of Century Media, with whom they signed for their next album. That release, entitled Way of the Dead, came out in the fall of 2002, again showcasing the band's unique take on hardcore and metal, blended with other sounds and styles running the gamut from Tuvan throat singing to free jazz saxophones to sprawling instrumental post-rock.