Metamorphosis (Viper Hamato Album)

*Metamorphosis* is the fifth studio album by Japanese-American recording artist Viper Hamato. The album was released on July 13, 2011 through Hamato’s newly established Hamato Records. Prior to its release, Hamato had been dropped by Sony on the launch of Hamato’s fourth album, viper. (2009) which caused Hamato to, in retaliation, start and establish his own record label.

Having lost his father on November 22, 2009, Hamato cancelled the rest of the viper. world tour in 2009 that was, at the time in Japan and 11 nights into the '20 Nights in Japan leg'. Hamato would usually be doing concerts and spending them in the likes of the hospital with his father shortly after, due to the constant scares that had landed him in hospital and eventually, to his death. Explaining in his book *The Brooklyn Kid* Hamato explained when he had seen his father die that ‘…at the time, as far as I could remember, I had shut down. I was no longer the happy, dancing with my fans Viper Hamato, but one without, since birth, a mother figure, and now, a 22-year old with no parents. And all I saw was black.’ During this time, it was reported that many people had contacted Hamato during the time included the likes of Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey and Prince to talk to Hamato and send their condolences. Though Mariah was unable to be by his side due to her touring, it was reported that Janet had spent an entire two months being by Hamato’s side. The albums title serves as the purpose for later, who Hamato had become during the recording sessions of the album, using an almost diary like perspective into Hamato’s life. With it’s main themes being grief, loneliness, depression and death. With the themes in the album, many people had noted the darker notes of the album and the themes that Hamato had presented during the albums run, pointing out Hamato’s maturity as a songwriter but also being very direct in terms of his songwriting in terms of how he had suffered regarding the death of his father. After it’s release, many people state this as Hamato’s most personal album to date with many psychologists using stated album as a perfect example of how someone moves through grief and the stages that can be brought along with it.

The record was written and produced solely by Hamato and Prince. Who helped Hamato during the time find his inner songwriting muse during the time of his grief, with all instrumental work having done by Prince, other than piano and drums which were done by Hamato himself. The album features the likes of various genres including Quiet Storm, R&B, Adult contemporary, Pop, Jazz, Soul and Christian. It is considered to be one of Hamato’s most mature work, with many people often noting this as an album that stripped away at the ‘Boyhood’ that Hamato had in his music, Metamorphosis is also noted alongside Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope as a template for for pop artists usually transitioning into a darker sound, vulnerability with lyricism or a change in direction for many artists.

## Background

After having a viably successful dance album in 2009 with viper. (2009), Hamato was planning to come out with his next album within the next 3-5 years, the album that was eventually planned was to be of a jazz collective series that told the stories of what happened through the night in certain cities with the titles of ‘San Fransisco Nights’, ‘LA Mornings’ and ‘New York Minutes’. This never came to be of however. As during the launch week of Hamato’s 2009 album, Sony had openly pulled the plug on his contract stating that Hamato had become become a ‘troubled artist not fit for the Sony family’. Mere months after stating that he was openly biseual, many fas and news reporters had stated that this could have been a move due on a homophobic basis. Though it was later stated on May 8, 2009 with a public letter that Hamato and Sony were no longer able to come to an agreement in terms of Hamato’s contractual obligation and was not about his sexuality as many had rumoured. As a result, Hamato was the first artist to be left without a fully completed contract and was not able to publish any previous work until a fifth album, or compilation album had been made to complete the likes of the five album contract and was unable to republish any of his first five albums until the likes of 10 years had passed since the albums release.

Though the likes of Warner, Sony Music Japan (who he would eventually sign with in publishing deals in Japan exclusively as of 2014), Universal, under Republic (who now does publishing internationally for Hamato as of 2022, though not in Japan.) and NPG Records, Prince’s Record label, Hamato would eventually establish his own Record Label ‘Hamato Records’ which would later change to ‘Hamato Estate’ as of 2021 and begin the likes of recording his fifth studio album from July of 2009 onwards up until his fathers passing in November of 2009. Hamato would not continue writing his album during the grief stage of November 2009 to February of 2010 where Hamato had become completely grief stricken.

## Writing and Development

In Hamato’s Biography ‘*The Brooklyn Kid*’ it was during the early stages of the viper. World tour, that in July of 2009 during the mid stages of the viper. tour, Hano Hamato had taken a fall at Viper’s apartment in Brooklyn, New York and was rushed to the hospital. Though doctors at the time had said that he’d seemingly collapsed, Hamato would later go onto find out that his father had began to form the likes of small blood clots within his heart and lungs that would accumulate from accidentally whacking tables or objects around the room unknowingly, Viper would only go onto to later find this out when Doctors in Japan would make the discovery - Viper stated in the book: “...What eventually killed my father was that of both heart disease that I found out was hereditary, and blood clots. Though grateful that I am clear of the disease after many paranoid scans ‘just to make sure’. My father would be living his life, joyfully laughing as he spoke to me in Japanese, and then, knock, he’d hit something and rub his hand, not knowing that, one of those times, an eventual blood clot would form. To both a young me, and a father.”

Though not many had reported it in the news initially that his father could be of ill health, Hamato had personally paid for press to remain quiet about the ordeal given public speculation and Japanese press had even asked Hamato if they were able to take photos of him near the hospital, denying this, he was fine with them being around the hotel he was staying at, however, this had become a security concern for Hamato due to five fans at the time showing up unexpectedly. It would go onto rumour that Hamato was careless about the health of his father, with one journalist making the assumption and having it shut down in his face immediately when interviewing Viper when pressed about the rumours about his father’s health during a short interview with a US paparazzi in 2010.

Development had started as early as July of 2009 when the first incidences had appeared with is father, with Viper writing the first song ‘Empty Spaces’ which was about his hotel room being empty during the tour and not full of the one person, which was later revealed to be his father’s energy in the room. Development however was halted in November 2009 until February of 2010 due to Hamato’s grief at the time.

Though initial development for some songs would start at Forest Way, Prince’s involvement started in April of 2010 to where he would ask Hamato to come over to Paisley Park Studio, stating that he would like to work with Hamato to help him ‘sort through’ the grief he was trying to understand and had felt.

In the self analysis of the album, Hamato stated that he’d kept many journals during his time of his album processes to just allow thoughts run through his mind if they hit him, during the stated time. Hamato was writing about the grief in long pages of thoughts that often went 12 pages long without stopping. Having also noted in an interview conducted almost several years later the albums release, that, “The heavy rain went wherever I went and, it felt like I was in this little bubble of the world, and no one knew I existed for just a moment, like I felt like I had even died inside myself, and that, I was no longer someone who was once just a happy person trying to make his life around in the world."

## Recording

Initial sessions of the album were recorded in July of 2009 in Forest Way, however, were not recorded until February of 2010 due to Hamato’s depressive state. The album was recorded alongside Prince in Chanhassen, Minnesota and at his home recording studio of Forest Way to where he would go back and fourth to recording some songs, however, a main majority of the album was done more at Paisley Park then Hamato’s own studio which was a first given his previous two albums were done in Forest Way and nowhere else.

During said sessions, It was stated in Hamato’s biography that during certain songs that were produced, they were so difficult to record at some points, so much so that Prince would ‘….walk out of the room and let me record, having as many takes as I needed until such time as I would need, and to let him produce the songs as I wanted to, there were some times where I just did not want to hear the sound of my own voice singing those songs, because, I would break into tears. And he knew that, he could see that. So all he did was just politely say — get out, let me do my magic. Because he knew, and Prince knew from Day 1 that this album meant a lot to me from the beginning.

Many songs were also recorded and written during this process to where Hamato and Prince would be bouncing back between Studio A and B to both help distract Viper and help him record, with a total of a rumoured 396 songs written between the two of them between July 2009 and November of 2010. With the album being done by September of the same year. In the documentary ‘Till Death Do Us Part’. Viper Hamato explained the album simply.

“It was me being vulnerable, showing some form of my own thought process of just how someone so young could loose someone they look up, love, at an age where they’re still growing. It still pains me to sing some of those songs back to the crowd knowing what they’re about, but, it was over time that my heart stopped hurting, because my fans were holding me through it, singing songs on nights where I couldn’t do it otherwise I would break. And now, it’s gotten to a point where I’m holding them, and letting them know that they will get through it, that they’re stronger then they think.’

## Music and Lyrics

*Metamorphosis* consists of 18 tracks with only four songs being within the realm of the four minute mark. Though the singles released were trimmed down to the three to four minute mark. Prince and Hamato allowed the songs to have a ‘natural time’ to where the song ended where it needed to. And never felt like it was too short, or long enough to not have the listeners attention dwelling. The album fused the likes of Quiet Storm, R&B, Adult Contemporary, Pop, Jazz, Soul and Christian, with Hamato stating:

The most wild one for some people was that of realising that there’s a song of Christianity on it, and the thing is, what grief can do is drive you to places to look for home, some form of comfort, and when we loose something we care so deeply about, we go to extreme lengths to try and find that comfort in something else, and I’ve known quite the amount of people who have gone to religion to try and find hope in loosing it all. Prince presented me with that song, that was the one I could only sing in full without crying or loosing it, because, though I’m agnostic. I wanted to leave the inclusiveness of religion on an album because some people might be comforted by the fact that god might be watching over them, and to let them know that this is another setback in life, or a lesson learned.

Many critics alike had stated this as a Younger Hamato’s ‘Magnum Opus’. Stating this as his most soul baring work to date, with the way he had written about the soul crushing experience of being an Orphan, and at such a high time in his career where he was at a fever pitch in terms of sales. Hamato explained that the analysis of his album being a magnum opus was a result of the fandom having such a strong connection to it, ‘…wether it be a pet who’s died, or someone you know and love that you’ve lost in any form. The album just allows you to sink your feelings into it and to just bare your soul to it as you have to it.’

Prince had stated as well during the production of the album to Hamato that if this were to be a soul baring album, 'that he should not exploit his own feelings for the likes of a Diamond Record.’ And in turn, only the singles were promoted at the time. With the album not promoted at all given the press’ possible hounding of asking about his fathers death as well, Hamato refused to tour for the album until November of 2011 where ‘The Act Tour’ would begin, which promoted his upcoming Greatest Hits.

## Themes

Many reviewers had noticed from the albums launch about the sudden depressing sound Hamato had placed on the album from the start, after having disappeared from the view of the eye for album three years, many had began to speculate that something had completely rocked his personal life to the core. “Tears In The Rain” as many had assumed during the first listen of the album, that it sounded like he had lost a lover with the line ‘In the silence of night, I hear him call my name’. This was later rehashed by Hamato who stated that this was the first song he had the courage to write shortly after his father had passed, and was the longest song to write out of all of them.

“Put Yourself In My Place” was written the retrospect of confusion, in how the world went on and how at the time and how tensions soon after his fathers death caused his brother, Raphael Daniels had gotten to a boiling point to where there was almost no communication between them until 2019, only being drip fed information which included him getting married to which Viper had felt so isolated at the time thanks to, which became a line on the song. Raphael would later go onto state in Viper’s documentary that ‘the two had been dealing in the ways of their own grief, and, had we both realised that what we needed to do was be there for one another, it would have been a less bumpier ride, more so for him [Viper] then it was for me.’ Viper stated that the lyrics had made the pair stronger as brother and had reconciled and were more understanding of one another. It was also noted that this was many of fans’ highlights when asked about what song is their favourite of Hamato’s.

The albums most depressing song, regarded as, by reviewers was that of “Miss you Most” which was inspired by the snow in Minnesota at the time and how, during Hamato’s childhood, he would often remember going out into a park in Brooklyn and have constant snow fights with his dad and brother. The lamented ballad has never been performed by Hamato live, and when asked as to why, he has never given an answer.

## Packaging and Title

For the end result, Metamorphosis was used as an example for the person Hamato had become during stated grief, and the diary of thoughts he had during his time with his grief over loosing his father. It also served as a separation, metaphorically, from the ties that Sony had with Hamato’s first five bodies of work during the 2000’s decade.

The albums artwork, shot by Langdon Morris, has Hamato shirtless for the first time on an album. With the cover depicting the likes of Hamato looking away in a room seemingly to be a lounge with only a light on, as if sitting and waiting for someone, symbolising his shirtless body and looking away. Hamato stated that “this was my form of being naked, every part of me had been waiting for someone to come back home and, no one ever did, that’s why when you look at the back of the album cover, I was looking around for the light switch, because, at the end of the day, and in the back of my mind — we know that person isn’t going to come back. And eventually we have to build back a sentiment that we will be fine, in eventuality without stated person.

Upon release, many had stated that the cover was very ‘distracting’ and threw the listener off with the sound that the album had upon it. Many fans, though understanding, were also confused at the time on public forums, with some even stating he was ‘going as far as to sell his body given Sony had given him everything.’ Hamato would later go onto be personally offended by the comment when it was brought up on an interview and had stated in response ‘Though not the right choice now upon reflection, there were many other photos taken, and many could have worked. I feel as if now, that the winds of judgement have blown over, that the whole ‘awaiting someone’ is now more present, then me sitting there, shirtless.’

## Release and Promotion

Prior to the release of Metamorphosis, a letter regarding the months long silence of Hamato’s part had finally been released on September 8, 2010, an entire 10 months after the death of his father regarding the current state of Hamato and what he had been doing in regards to why he had suddenly cancelled tour dates alongside no media appearances since May of 2009. The letter had stated due to his mental health and grief, that he needed time to move away from the media spotlight and try to work on his own state of mind. During such time, it was reported by numerous media outlets that Hamato had ‘all but wanted to come back to the spotlight’ and had given his career up entirely after the Sony debacle. However, this would later be proven false in Till Death Do Us Part as Hamato would be working with other artists in 2010 such as Nathan Meyer who would help him with the release of The Adults Are Talking (2011).

Hamato would go onto promote the singles for the album at the time, however, take no part in face to face interviews due to the questions with journalists, knowing that they would be asking questions about his father much rather than asking about the album and the progress made behind it. The whole album roll out was a ‘drop and go’ cycle, with barely any of the album being promoted thanks in part due to Prince’s statement to Hamato that the singles were going to be put out to help support the albums sales. No promotion or performances were given in regards to the album at the time, with the first promotional cycle happening for album just a year later on Jimmy Fallon in 2012 in support of his greatest hits album.

On August 5, 2021. Viper Hamato re-pressed special editions of Metamorphosis to celebrate the tenth anniversary alongside brown coloured vinyls and a CD Box set of the singles collections. Which included the five singles released from the album.

## Singles

On January 1, 2011. Hamato Records would put out another statement saying that an album, and a single release were imminent, however, details were never given away until February 21, 2011 as promotional posters were placed round the United States for a new single and it’s release date. Confirmed to be released on March 21, 2011. “Put Yourself In My Place” would be used to launch the album. Upon launch, the album became a Top ten hit globally, aside from Japan, where the single would peak at Number 16, becoming Hamato’s sixth top twenty hit in his home country. On the Hot 100, the single would debut at Number 38, and only take several weeks to reach Number One where it stayed on the top spot for three consecutive weeks, before the single left the charts after 26 weeks.

With twelve weeks after the launch of Hamato’s first single from the album, it was announced that a week after the announcement, that a second single would be released. The second single was released an entire month before the likes of the album’s release, which was slated to be August 5, 2011. “Somebody’s Somebody” was released as the second single on the 27th of June, 2011 and though had still become a global Top 10 in many countries, had now faltered to become stronger than it’s previous counterpart single. The song, though charting within the Top 10, had charted lower with the single debuting at Number 5 in Australia and Number 6 in New Zealand. However, other continents which included the UK had the single charting higher at Number 3. In the US, the single debuted higher upon the chart at Number 23 this time around and only took four weeks to reach Number One where it reached Number One for two consecutive weeks, and spend an additional twenty weeks on the charts.

Alongside the albums launch, Hamato would drop the third single “Strangers” to where it would do fairly better alongside the albums launch, however, do poorly in United States where it became a Top 20 hit, however doing better in other regions, like Australia, where the song became another Number One hit for Hamato.

Both the fourth and final single of the album “The Holy River” and “Miss You Most” were dropped a month in-between each other, with Hamato having absolutely no involvement with the music video production of the latter singles due to the relevance of the song. Both songs would chart worldwide within the Top Ten aside from Japan where both songs would become Top 20s for Hamato, however, The Holy River would chart at Number One, and Miss You Most would peak at Number Two.

## Critical Reception

*Metamorphosis* was overwhelmingly praised amongst Critics, though some had drawn criticism towards the album given the packaging. Christopher Miles of The New York Times stated ‘…The album's fusion of genres and its willingness to tackle complex emotions make it a standout release in his discography. With this album, Hamato not only pays tribute to his father but also invites listeners to embark on their own journey of self-discovery and transformation of grief they might have embarked on and or currently might be involved in.’ Scott Thomas from the LA Times stated the album was ‘…a bold and innovative addition to his discography. It not only reflects his personal journey but also offers a fresh perspective on the possibilities of pop music in the modern era.’ And that ‘…*[Metamorphosis]* is a testament to Hamato's ability to use music as a vehicle for self-expression and healing. It's a deeply personal release that invites listeners to connect with the artist on a profound level.’

Pitchfork initially reviewed the album in 2011 with a rating of 8.5/10, stating ‘Throughout the album, Hamato explores themes of grief, identity, and the human experience. It's a deeply personal journey, and his songwriting reflects a level of introspection that is both relatable and profound.’

In 2021 for the likes of the tenth year anniversary, Pitchfork gave it an updated rating of 9.0/10. Stating that many of the tracks, with the now added context were seemingly ‘haunting the listener with how heavy it was’ and that ‘…[Metamorphosis] is an album set as a reminder that sometimes, the most profound musical experiences are found in the quiet corners of an artist's catalog.’

## Commercial Performance

Metamorphosis debuted at number Nine in the United States, selling 155,000 copies in it’s first week. This had become his lowest commercially selling album at the time due to the lack of promotion post Sony. With the album falling to number 21 the next week selling 78,000 units the next week over, globally upon launch, the album had sold 485,000 copies within it’s first week, becoming Hamato’s lowest debuting album sales at the time. The album would later go onto certify Gold in the RIAA in October of the same year, having sold an estimated 500,000 units in the United States. The album, globally had charted within the Top 10, scoring a Number One in Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Europe and has sold an estimated 3,000,000 copies a year after launch.

Though not concerned about the sales of the album, Hamato took a quick stance to critics stating that it was a ‘bomb’ album, and that his career had eventually dived straight after the launch of the album. Hamato had stated that ‘…this was a heavy album, and I understand as to why no one would want to hear a song about me crooning about depression and death, but, all at the same time, there were people in their lives who picked that album up when they needed it. When it was required, and I’m entirely understanding that you have to be in a headspace of sadness to understand it. And I’m completely fine in it under-performing and not being one of my 10 Million copy sellers’

## Track Listing

##### Standard Edition

###### Musicians

* Prince - guitar, bass
* NPG Hornz - saxophones
* Viper Hamato - keyboards, drums, drum programming, rhythm arrangements

###### Production

* Andrew Green - design, photography, art direction
* Prince - mixing, engineering, producer, mixing
* Viper Hamato - vocals, background vocals, producer, executive producer, vocal arrangements, mixing