Kabukichoatmidnight

This is basically what I had in mind, so second this!

As far as rap music goes I've been really digging these guys since they burst on the scene, lyrics are mainly in German though, just incase that may put someone off for some reason. But being in a forum for mainly fans of Japanese music, I assume listening to music in different languages isn't a problem. haha. Anyway, yeah, Zombiez, German horror trap. Give it a listen and hope you like it.

They drive me crazy too and I am a western DEG fan. haha. I guess I didn't have any problem with them until about six months ago when I saw them in London, got the VIP pass and oh my god..... I have never been so cringed out in all my life. They literally were acting like little kids who have never been to a gig or met a band in their entire lives, running from room to room so they could be there "first" and constantly screaming, trying to tell security how to do their jobs and generally were being a complete rabble of idiots. Obviously, this isn't everyone, but there were a LOT of people like this. Also those people who literally everything they are wearing or is attached to them is Dir merch, dir shirt, dir trousers, dir bag, dir tie, dir underwear probably.... etc... Not that there is anything wrong with band merch, but that is a little OTT and just looks lame. Oh and I can't forget the one girl who stood in front of me (with her backpack on the floor....moron) texting a mate on whatsapp asking her mate "how can I declare my love for Kaoru from the second row" and bad mouthing his wife simply because she's his wife. It was pathetic. Last point is how the audience were screaming and shouting the entire way through the gig, like they have some slow, pretty melancholic songs and these people are just screaming every chance they get, like, c'mon absorb the vibes here, do you actually feel Dir's music at all? Safe to say I would never do a VIP experience for a Japanese band again, not because of the arrangements or lack of content but just the other fans totally ruined it. Sticking to the topic: Bands I can't really stand are JIGSAW, actually were really cool to watch live but don't enjoy their studio work at all and have given it plenty of chance. And same as some of you guys already mentioned, any band that have that overly colourful look and are just pop basically, like Vivarush for example. Only exception to this is The Raid, not all their stuff though, only things I own by them are when they've gone for a darker sound such as Omen and 弟切草. Also, any band that has the Versailles, hyper, power metal style vibe, makes me wanna throw-up. haha.

You use proxy for like an edison? Didn't know they shipped overseas...?? Yeah I feel you on that, get hit with customs charges and all that almost every time I order with CDJapan, though occasionally a package will get through without customs checks. That said, I do still use CDJapan most as they are the best service for getting Japanese music overseas to be fair. Sometimes closetchild for stuff that's OOP or live only etc... Though some of that is dumb expensive, NAZARE CD's 9,900 yen for the full length and BEYOND atm.... Yeah right.... But someone will pay it, already seen the full length go a few times on there for that price. Otherwise I just wait until I visit Japan and raid all the shops that do vkei I can find. Usually Tower Records or Like an Edison, though have stopped in LittleHearts and Zeal-link on occasion. Is pricey this way too, but you save a shit load on customs charges and postage so it is worth it.

Not going to lie, thought that was pretty awful. I'm all for the super detuned, crazy stuff but found almost nothing about this enjoyable. + The vocalist being a complete goof the whole way through also didn't give any plus points. haha.

Really liking what they've put out so far, a good balance between the heavy/more brutal side of vkei and the more melodic side of it. Look forward to seeing what these guys keep coming up with in the future.

No way, Immortalis is a great album, listen to it WAYYYY more than Adoratio. Immortalis just feels a bit more artistic and "emotional" than Adoratio in my opinion. Both albums have pretty different vibes though I think.

I'd say it's worth getting, live stuff is pretty awesome and to be honest I enjoyed the documentary, actually don't remember if there were subs or not but if there weren't I can't remember enjoying it any less because of that. But I do actually understand a little Japanese, so dunno if that would have been why. But yeah I'd say it's worth a look if you're into your Dir. 👍

This, 100%. I guess we can gather that the amount of time it's taking that it'll be pretty quality stuff.

Not going to make any promises but I actually jam to CHOKE's stuff a fair bit, would anyone be interested if I tabbed any of their stuff out? Also, does anyone else have an 8 string to actually play it on? 😜

Look forward to hearing some sounds from these guys, looks interesting!

I still don't know how to feel about the full length, heard it a few times and there are some killer bits here and there, but generally it doesn't seem to be able to grip me massively. Also couple of songs, Mio constantly screeching as high as possible non-stop does force me the really try and resist hitting the skip button. I guess overall I like the album, but not sure I'd go as far to say it was great. Personally was super hyped to hear it when I first found out it was issei who basically wrote the first (technically 3) DIMLIM EP's as all the songs there I absolutely love, but NAZARE didn't live up to that same hype for me.

Can't say I was overly disappointed when I heard about this, they had some awesome songs but that last album practically was the point I decided I'd probably stop following them. Not a complete disaster (all the way through, at least) but nothing really special. Totally agree with the comments about the vocalist as well, he's another vkei vocalist who needs to realise it is ok to be quiet and not have to have your voice on every second of the song + some of his vocals just didn't suit the music at times.

Oh my..... NAZARE have finally got a release coming that's not live only....

Thank you!

Ah is that so? I mean that's an interesting idea and all but doesn't seem terribly convenient for most people. Especially if you just wanna put the stuff on your phone or whatever to listen to out and about. Hope they drop this idea and go back to usual with future releases.

Just for those who may not have seen this yet. New single coming soon and 「FROM DEPRESSION TO _______ [mode of 16-17]」collection DVD/Blu-Ray, which could be cool if you haven't had chance to check any of the full show DVD/Blu-Rays out.

Actually got to admit I felt the same way for a long time. Listened to a few songs they put out and couldn't get into it at all but saw them live at a show with a handful of other bands, I was there for Jiluka, anyway stayed to check out the rest of the bands and glad I did because mamireta were actually amazing. Show was chaotic as hell and somehow their sound live really made me appreciate them a lot more and have supported them ever since, so if you get chance TOTALLY recommend seeing them. Only thing that has annoyed me about them so far was the string of singles they released before the EP, 10 songs over 4 releases? C'mon guys.... I know they wanna make money but that isn't cool, just put out a full length. lol.

What's the thoughts on the release of the new covers EP? Personally as much as I absolutely love Jiluka and think they're amazing, I can't muster up any enthusiasm for this release, it's their own songs and style that makes them standout. Am sure they will cover these songs in their usual style, so will be interesting to hear a preview (if they release one) but so far, don't think I'll be purchasing this one (or two, haha).

I personally agree that a lot of Kizu's b-side tracks do stand up to the same standards as the singles themselves, but one thing, did anyone else feel the production on Heisei is actually really bad compared to the previous releases? I can't stand it, it's like the songs are good but the production really makes it a tough listen.

Glad to see I'm not the only person getting fed up of NAZARE and all their live limited releases, especially as from what I've heard they are actually pretty damn awesome. Am interested to keep seeing what they do, but seriously, is getting to be a bit of a drag now.

Hey lads and ladies, Just thought I'd post a quick hello here and see what's going on. I actually have been popping in here for a while to see peoples views on various bands and such, but thought it was time to join up and get involved in the discussions! Glad to see a place with a good handful of dedicated non-Japanese vkei fans anyhow. Little bit of background then, do play in my own band as a guitarist and main composer so feel free to ask about that if interested. Is more on the "extreme" side of metal so if you're not interested that's cool! haha. Live in the UK, been to Japan a few times, been to a few vkei shows on my travels and of course do support the vkei bands I most enjoy as much as possible living overseas. I'm not new to vkei but am also not a long time veteran of the genre, got into it properly 4/5 years back, actually through a Japanese friend who I was doing language exchange sessions with who recommended me a handful of bands and immediately got taken in by it and have been dedicated ever since! To name a few of my top vkei/japanese rock/metal bands: Dir en Grey, The Gazette, DIMLIM, Kizu, RAZOR, JILUKA, DADAROMA, mamireta and many more... I do also have a reasonable comprehension of the Japanese language but am far from fluent so am sure some of you guys here are much better with it than I am. haha. So anyway, yeah, look forward to chatting with you all!