Early this morning SKULL had announced on twitter a date: 2015.9.01 and a time: 21:00 (JST)
https://twitter.com/skull_the_end/status/632504629683576832
(Kazuki walking through the streets -> me the past days when walking in Tokyo's summer heat)
Very much like the MV! & I feel so obsessed with them lately idk how often I already listened to kowai kurai & doshaburi no kanojo because I can't wait for their next mini
just my opinion, the reason for their departure from Double River Record might be related to their moving of main activity area out of Nagoya, while Double River Record is Nagoya-based label (their president is also management of livehouse NAGOYA HOLIDAY NEXT), and it is no longer suitable for them to be supported by that label
activity going underground usually refers to pausing live performance, and maybe their members would like to devote to production of their potential new album
Artist: MEJIBRAY
Album: VENOMS.app
Release: 2015.08.05
VENOMS.app is MEJIBRAY's third mini-album to date and comes packed in a roller coaster release schedule featuring four other singles in 2015, two still to come. This is also the shortest of their mini-album releases, just 22 minutes (with MESSIAH.bat and Silvers.exe reaching 25 and 30 respectively). Upon a first listen, it felt deflating listless to me. Capitalized my Tsuzuku's vocals drifting into what could be called bored, droning, and decidedly safe. After a few days' listen however, I've developed a familiar fondness for each track and would say that there isn't a truly bad one to be found.
As for individual tracks;
Moudoku(Deadly Poison)(SE): An official CD release of MEJIBRAY's signature anthem and live intro. Also my first problem with the mini-album. I have personally never been interested in this track and in the back of my mind, the sound of it only makes me think of watching previews for their recent PVs repeatedly. IMO does nothing to inspire the mini-album or set the tone. Could be nothing more than a pleaser for live fans. (0/5)
VENOMS: Title and PV track as usual. Opening with the piano tune that was shown in the PV. Setting the tone for the album on it's own, symphonic theme sounding quite pleasant (it actually sounds like something I kept trying to write in middle school music when using keyboards lol). Pretty basic main guitar riff for a standard MEJIBRAY song. The verse is a bit dull and bored, but the harsh vocal section really sold me and the song takes it's time reaching the chorus which is an easy selling point. Sounds like something right at home on The 420, somewhat like Hungry Psychopath. This one was stuck in my head prior to release as expected. Could use more energy in some sections but is undeniably solid (4.0/5.0)
Kairi: The most ominous and intriguing of the album samples. Perhaps the most dramatic build we have heard from MEJIBRAY, somehow the symphonic sound over marching guitar rhythm sounds.. off? The actual melody is had to place and almost sounds as if the wrong key was struck. I'm sure this isn't the case but it makes the synth a bit hard to digest. This is one of those 'reverse' songs where the chorus features all harsh vocals after mostly soft clean singing. I like that this song carries the same air as VENOMS but even more somber. I did expect more from this track, suffers from listlessness as much as anything on this release. Even so, it takes it's risks and I like it. (4.0/5.0)
Until...: Strikes me as almost a direct follow up to Kairi (which in itself already follows VENOMS nicely) making feel like they belong together. This is my favorite song from the mini, I think it has a lot of the things that Kairi lacked. Yet another swaying, symphonic atmosphere surrounds the opening. This time accompanied by a twinkling, morose piano. One of my big draws to this song is the sense that Tsuzuku took more care in the vocals overall. More effort to delicately lay out the melodies and be consistent with his vibrato. The chorus is very strong and the song sports an equally strong guitar solo that DOESNT sound like a bunch of other MEJIBRAY solos (thank you). This one I think will stay with me the longest. MEJIBRAY at their current best (4.5/5.0)
ACME: MEJIBRAY's signature twangy guitar and bass choke into life sounding like an engine turning over and struggling before finally starting. High energy where it was mostly absent up until now. ACME is almost a textbook b-side for this band. Somewhat disappointed in the vocals here, though the melody is pleasant. There is too much hacking by Tzk on every other note. There isn't a whole lot to say about ACME that hasn't been said about recent b-sides already. There is some screaming, there is a solo, but both are likely heard before from anyone actively following them. I would have gone to a 3 or higher here but keeping in mind that this is a mini album and NOT a single, I expect a bit more when discerning what tracks deserve a spot on the list. Still a good listen (2.5/5.0)
Kodoku no Catacomb: Rolling guitar and bass riff into a cacophony familiar to MEJIBRAY fans. The vocals bounce back and fourth between speaking tone and Tsuzuku's dry, quiet harsh vocals (think XV). There isn't much more to this sub-3minute track until the chorus, which despite sounding out of place, has gotten stuck in my head more than most things from this mini. This is also most easily categorized and dismissed as a b-side, but I think it has a lot of it's own charm and I'll be returning to it for sure. (3.5/5.0)
Rui(Trouble)(SE): *Feels ripped off again* So they basically included the same SE twice on this mini album, once at the beginning of VENOMS and then for some reason again as it's own song at the end here. I truly cannot decide which SE is more frustrating to me. As much as I don't care at all for the live intro, I can't even think of a reason to justify the way Rui was just DUMPED here. (0/5.0)
VENOMS.app makes a lot of mistakes, has a lot of cool selling points and ultimately, like most of their releases, leaves me wondering exactly what is next for MEJIBRAY. I'm sure they realize this based on their release schedule. There is quite good material here, but I think the packaging is wrong, this could in fact be more of an extended single stretched out into a mini album. Thoughts?
MeteoroiD×ザアザア(xaa-xaa)×GAGA will hold their coupling 3-man live tour "その領域、禁断につき。(sono ryouiki kindan ni tsuki)" at Ikebukuro RUIDO K3 at 2015/11/03, at Shinsaibashi VARON at 2015/11/06 and at NAGOYA HOLIDAY NEXT at 2015/11/07
lol, this isn't the place for this discussion. However, I can refuse to sell again. We talk about it before money is exchanged. If they had a problem with my request they would buy elsewhere. The end.
Shir0 got a reaction from TokyoCinderella in エルム(ELM)×ギャロ(THE GALLO) live-limited single "this is nightmare" release
Shir0 got a reaction from Xerath in アルルカン(arlequin) new maxi single "クオリア(qualia)" release
Shir0 got a reaction from suji in アヴァンチック(avanchick) new maxi single "自縛(jibaku)" & LIVE DVD release
Shir0 got a reaction from emmny in アヴァンチック(avanchick) new maxi single "自縛(jibaku)" & LIVE DVD release