If you are ever in a situation where you must skank harder than you’ve ever skanked before, or perform unreasonably high jump kicks, then I strongly suggest you listen to some of today’s Sunday Sounds: Ninjaspy.

The band, composed of brothers Joel, Tim and Adam Parent, formed in Port Coquitlam, B.C. in 2001. Their debut album, πature, was released in 2007 and was produced by GGGarth Richardson, who is probably best-known for his work on the exceptionally-produced debut album of Rage Against the Machine. At the time of their cross-Canada tour in 2009, they had gotten signed to Japan-based label Zestone Records, who reissued πature. Fast forward to 2013, and the band has very recently released their new EP/digital graphic novel No Kata, once again produced by Richardson.

Holy crap. So you know how I mentioned that there was a graphic novel to accompany this EP? Well, it hasn’t come out yet, but I can’t wait to experience the two simultaneously. At times channeling the thrashing fury of Machine Head, the idiosyncrasies of System of a Down, the cacophony of Converge and the delicious upstrokey goodness of Sublime, No Kata is a mini-epic that simply doesn’t let up. From the spacey, tribal intro of “Londe Aresahnim (Forgotten Voices)” all the way to the pummelling 5-part suite that is “Go Gyo No Kata,” it’s a calculated, deliberate, crushing rollercoaster of music, and not to mention it has some of the cleanest, tightest production I’ve heard in a while.

My one qualm about the work is its length; 10 songs in 10 minutes, but they aren’t so much songs as they are a soundtrack to the soon-to-be-released graphic novel. Nevertheless, the cinematic qualities shining through in the music wow me with every listen. I could go on, but I don’t wanna spoil it any more than I already have.

Until next time, take that skank and throw it down.