Yakuza is an avant-garde metal band, formed in Chicago in 1999. They have been acclaimed for their incorporation of jazz and world music elements. Staying deeply rooted in a genre all its own, Yakuza’s existence lies on a metal base with progressive flair, while somehow also incorporating elements of jazz, world beat, and post-rock ambience. Yakuza was formed in 1999 by the Chicago quartet of instrumentalists Jim Staffel, Eric Plonka, Bruce Lamont and Eric Clark. Read more on