AWAKENING

MetAIst WATARU is a metal artist who builds his music through a combination of human instinct and AI-driven composition.
The name merges "Metalist" and "AI," representing a creative approach that incorporates technology while keeping the core spirit of metal intact.
This first solo release marks a shift from his band work, where live performance and raw instrumentation have always been central.
Here, he shapes the sound entirely on his own terms, using AI as a compositional partner while maintaining the emotional weight and discipline that define his musicianship.
The album is rooted in melodic speed metal - fast, sharp, and driven by a sense of melodic sorrow.
It reveals a different side of WATARU, emerging from the freedom of working outside a band framework and exploring new methods of creation.
For WATARU, AI is not a shortcut or a replacement.
It is another weapon in the arsenal - used with intention, refined by human judgment, and integrated into a sound that remains unmistakably metal.
This album marks the beginning of that approach.