Akuma (band)
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Akuma is a punk band from Quebec formed in 1998 from the ashes of Banlieue Rouge.
Akuma (known in Japan as Gouki) is a character from the Street Fighter series.
The original line-up comprised Safwan (gutair, vocals), Simon (bass, background vocals), Sylva (drums), and Mark (guitar, background vocals). It was this line-up which created the group's first album, 100 Démons, released March 2001 by Yakuza Productions.
For the second album, the line-up was modified: Yannick (guitar) and Martin (bass) joined Safwan and Sylva to replace Simon and Mark.
Musically, the group can be categorized as punk, street punk, or hardcore.
Besides its musical aspect, the band distinguishes itself through its opposition to neoliberalism, both through its lyrics and through its actions.
Thus, after their first album, 100 Démons, distributed through traditional means, the band decided to distribute its second album, Subversion (released 2004 by Pavillon Noir) directly to its fans through their Web site. At concerts, they claimed the idea was to avoid middlemen.
But like most punk groups, it's in the punk "scene" that Akuma delivers its message most effectively. To be heard, the group plays many different venues, from small establishments to large North American events like the Vans Warped Tour of 2001 or Quebec's summer festival.
Akuma also shares the scene with legendary hardcore groups like Madball; and punk groups like Rancid, Pennywise, and even Bérurier Noir.
