'Kusozu: Nine Death Stages' is the second album by the Tokyo trio Archeus, which consists of Keiko Higuchi (voice, percussion, trombone, shamisen), Shizuo Uchida (bass strings), and TOMO (hurdy gurdy, voice). It follows their debut, self-titled and self-released CD and cassette from 2021 and is further proof -if any were needed- that these musicians, who've known each other for some time, but only started playing together relatively recently, share a telepathic communication, improvising together, fully in the moment, and as one. Where their debut album featured four extended improvisations, 'Kusozu' is an object lesson in economy and clarity - nine tracks, thirty-three minutes, everything that needs be said and nothing more. Edition of 325, comes in a 2 colors silkscreened heavy jacket with obi (black or kraft), with inserts and a postcard.