Himeaimichu

I don't often watch Chinese Drama, but one of the things I always found stupid about it was those dramas where they pit a "chinese orchestra" against a western style one.

Now, I can see why they'd be compared... if only actual traditional Chinese music was being compared. But rather, they use "Chinese Orchestra", which is basically western music played on Chinese instruments modified to sound "pretty". So really, you're not comparing two vastly musical styles, you're comparing the same style played on marginally different instruments.

Of course, what would be cool is if they compared real traditional Chinese music, like Hebei Bangzi, to their western equivalents, but no, real traditional Chinese music is too shrill and not "pretty" enough for the modern bourgeois Chinese person.

I feel like some labels spend WAY TOO MUCH on producing their bands. 

Like, you shouldn't have to spend all that money processing vocals, especially if you have a good vocalist. 

Also, sometimes, too much post production can ruin a band's sound

I finally found a cheap peaked cap (old school cap that military generals used to wear) that wasn't Soviet or Nazi. Soviet Ones generally don't come in black, and my parents will refuse to buy a Nazi one, even if I tell them I will take the swastika off. 

I'm going to use it with a Gakuran (Japanese male school uniform that was once a military outfit) for a Vkei look I'm making

I forgot how good "Sagamiya" by Memento Mori was. Sure, it had the most stereotypical Shakuhachi sample, but the use of it actually makes the song feel nostalgiac. It kinda reminds you of Videogame music that used the same sample. Sure, in the past, and in their last song to use it, they've used better samples, but I think they chose that Shakuhachi sample for that song specifically 

I found this rare pic of 2002 Yuuga with a happy birthday message on a really old blog lmao. This screams early 2000's internet

I had an odd dream that Mei returned with a new project soon, and that their first live would be held some time in September.

Please be true lol

I have done the research and GossiP is NOT a GazettE copy. 

First, I'm making this as a status rather than a forum post, because I don't want to start a toxic forum post. If I get flamed, I'll just delete this status. 

Second, to the main point. I hear people say GossiP is a copy of The GazettE, and I can kind of see where they're getting at, but let's look at the facts. GossiP is very influenced by the GazettE, specifically their early, heavier era. Saku's vocal style is very similar to Ruki's, and they both share similar makeup. HOWEVER, Ruki's has a more child like quality and is meant to represent insanity, whereas Saku's is more aggressive, and has influence from traditional Japanese singing/narration. While The GazettE did play around with nostalgiac Japanese elements in the early days, GossiP's full on aesthetic is basically Japanese Nostalgia (Though they have gone outside a few times, like with Psycho Pass and Darekasan Ga Koronda). What I mean by Japanese Nostalgia is basically mixing of old Japanese (Edo period to be precise) with pre-modern (Meiji restoration to 1945) elements. Like, old military outfits, calligraphy everywhere, archaic dialect, traditional houses, etc. 

In terms of sound, that's where things really diverge. Most of GossiP's influence comes from their old band "JyuLie", which had pretty much the same sound, just sometimes with Japanese Instruments. Now what are JyuLie's influences? Well, it's mostly a mish mash of Byakura (whom they collaborated with once), The GazettE, R-Shitei, Ningen Isu, etc. In GossiP, the Byakura influence is a bit less, but you see a lot of Punk Rock and Hardcore Punk influence in GossiP. Yes, while there is a lot in The GazettE too, The GazettE is more conventional in terms of sound. GossiP kind of takes things further. Like "Baka Aho Manuke Banzai". It has a full on Hardcore Punk sound. And even in songs with direct Gazette influence, like Akudoukai Kusottare Koushinkyoku, they make it a bit more heavier, adding more metal elements. 

Also, I have not heard a GossiP or GazettE song that use the same melodies. Also, The GazettE has a genre which I haven't seen in GossiP. Metalcore. I haven't heard a GossiP song that I would call Metalcore. Only Metalcore influenced. 

So in conclusion, is GossiP is GazettE copy? Nope. Very influenced and obviously looks up to the GazettE? Definitely. I can understand though why Gaze fans may be worried. With how influential the GazettE has gotten, there are GazettE clones everywhere. GossiP however, is not one of them. 

I haven't listened to any new vocaloid music and IDK where to start or if I'll like it as much as the older stuff.

Are there still vocaloid producers doing trance and eurobeat stuff like in 2008?

I haven't listened to Xaa Xaa much, but I must say I can really hear a lot of 90's influence in their song "Doshaburi No Kanojo."

Do they have any other 90's sounding songs?

I hope when the Nightingeil revival is in full swing, that they'll release music videos. Nightingeil had a lack of music videos and that is disappointing because as a La'Mule fangirl, I've just gotten into Nightingeil and I need PVs xD. 

Do they have any live DVDs? 

I just found out the lyrics for Homodachi no Wa by Devil Kitty, and damn, that's pretty damn gay. (perfect for me lmao)

Also, I finally know what the hell Yuuga is saying in the beginning. He's spelling out "Love", but it sounds like he's saying "N! R! A! E!" lmao

I just had my first EDS related dislocation. I was practicing vocals and my jaw went out of socket, but I managed to get it back in but it fucking hurts like shit.

Note to self: Don't scream the lyrics to Banzai Ikare Kei by DEViL KiTTY so intensely

I just realised it's Kisaki's birthday.

Happy Birthday, Kisaki. Even though you're not well respected among the Vkei community, and you can be a bit arrogant at times, I'm gonna be that one guy who still celebrates because I loved Phatasmagoria

I just realised that Kikei no 2chan Neraa by Devil Kitty is more than just a cover of Smile/Kikei no Egao, but is also combined with two other Kar'Maria songs, Dokuzetsu 2chan neRAA and Karma. both of which were released on the Maria single.

I just remembered this one time, in Nashville, I went to a Mellow Mushroom Pizza where they had live music, and this country band decided to just start covering Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg songs... but still singing like a country singer with the heaviest redneck accent you've ever heard.

Like... stop. Just rap the parts normally. Or just stay away from covering 90's Hip Hop if you're gonna use that accent. A UGK song, or Three Six Mafia song would be WAY more appropriate for that kind of accent... but not Snoop Dogg.

But really, if you're gonna do everything with such a heavy hick accent, and bro-country sounding compositions... you might just not wanna touch Hip Hop at all

I just saw a bunch of Viets on twitter attack some country singer for wearing the Ao Dai... and holy fuck these people know nothing about Vietnamese culture. They're going on about how someone shouldn't sexualise the Ao Dai, but like, the Ao Dai is already sexualised, and has been since the 1930's. They're all made to accentuate the breasts and butt.

As well, these people were pulling up images of extremely modernised Viet clothing, and saying it's the "real traditions". I swear sometimes I feel like I'm the only Viet nowadays who actually cared to research about our traditions, especially of those that date before Chinese and French rule, instead of blindly thinking the literal historical equivalent of a suit-and-tie is somehow a thousand year old tradition.

I just thought of a crazy idea that actually would sound cool.

The Lucky Star opening theme, but in the style of 2002 DEViL KiTTY

I just thought of a really cool idea. What if someone mixed both the old and new versions of Dir en Grey's Zan? By taking the vocals of the old version and putting them over the instrumentals of the new version. Perhaps making it where Kyo alternates between singing and growling. 

I could probably do this, if I had the correct audio programs to extract the vocals from the old Zan. But.. my laptop that allowed me to do that is broken, so.. yeah it'll forever be just an idea

I like how "Under..." from Kuroyume sounds almost metal,
like, it sounds like most 90's Vkei alt rock songs, but they gave it such aggressive drums and decided to put a really aggressive acoustic guitar. 

Ironically, it sounds like an upgraded version of the trend it started

I lost my charger and had to use a spare, and my phone goes from 100% to suddenly 59%. 

Fml. 

I love Devil Kitty and Deadly Sanctuary... but what is up with those drum samples Yuuga uses? 

Like, they sound like the default drums on a children's keyboard or on a SNES Game

I miss JyuLie so much. The Traditional Japanese theme, and their fucking amazing support drummer. SERIOUSLY, look at this guy: 

I predict the next Mamireta single will have one song where Batsu just begins rapping. I mean, they're already pretty Nu Metal and Batsu break dances.

I randomly came across this weird but cool video of these Russian folk musicians playing Du Hast by Rammstein on traditional instruments. Also featuring a Duduk player who I'm assuming is Armenian, since that's where the instrument comes from

I really want to attend the Kazu event... but I have no access to Japan.

If anyone is able to, please tell me how it was.