sugibo

Totally seconding your views there jig - neat review
 
Btw, I apologize beforehand for misinterpreting band's words about composer roles - they had a talk session @ Tokyo Kinema Club @7/2 where they revealed a few tidbits about behind-the-scenes stuff in Vitium and whatnot (thx to the blog owner for visiting that one, heh):
 
Source: http://ameblo.jp/nmnl-tgdeg/entry-11987120044.html
 
ps. I tried to interpret the trivia parts mentioned in my link, so feel free to correct me...
 
Leather Fields:  Yuchi
- Yuchi wanted to define his "groove" here (?)
 
Dunes:  UTA
- Mika thought the drumline here was very "touching" (lol?)
 
Dot: SE
- Takumi played this briefly in some Ameagari no Yuushi tour gigs...
 
Foster Mother: Yuchi
- Yuchi wrote this right away after their Kyoto live (?) and let Takumi do his twists afterwards
 
Ameagari no Yuushi: Takumi
- Demo was very folky, a la Elisabeth Addict pt. 2 (this detail was taken from their barks interview btw), and they came up with the final arrangement (a.k.a Vitium ver.) before their Germany live
 
Maniera: Yuchi
- Yuchi also played guitar in this one (?)
 
Hakuro: SE/Takumi
- this is apparently a " short (re)mix" of sukekiyo's EU/JP tour impro sessions
 
Celeste: Kyo + Takumi
- the result of Kyo being inspired by some movie (which they don't mention for some reason) and Takumi + Kyo's wild brainstorming
 
Focus: Uta (Takumi credited himself for arranging on barks.jp though)
- Mika uses djembe here
 
 
+ the whole band was very thrilled about having Toshi to collab in Ameagari and apparently Kyo is fanboying the actor in Focus collab (and he invited Mikami personally to do cameo in Vitium, hmmm)
 
 
I am rather surprised how Yuchi-heavy this record really is, haha.

not a big fan of their releases after 「夢」 ～ムゲンノカナタ～ but still really sad to see them go, if only because they were one of my biggest obsessions in 2009-2010. i still remember skipping school just to take a train down to suburban Osaka to get an autographed poster on release day XD
 
now if they can come together and start "from the beginning" (as their latest double A-side suggests) i'll be happy to back them again

In fact, after their good first demo, they made only one song. Now, they're making different versions of this song...

omfg, CodeRebirth's keita?
Edit: wow ok i'm speechless lol.

ex-DELUHI members new band "Far East Dizain" new single "DIZAINIZE-EP" will be released at 2015/04/08 (2 songs, 1,080yen)
 
"Far East Dizain" members:
Vo.Keita (ex-CodeRebirth-->KISSBULLET(support))
Gt.Leda (ex-Amulet*-->Galneryus-->DELUHI-->UNDIVIDE)
Ba.Яyu (ex-TweiT)
Dr.Sujk (ex-DELUHI-->UNDIVIDE)
 
 
they will hold their first presents live "Far East Gathering" at Shinjuku ReNY at 2015/04/18 and Jupiter & Far East Dizain 2-man live "Rhapsodia Concertante" at OSAKA MUSE at 2015/07/03, at Nagoya ell.FITS ALL at 2015/07/05 and at Shinjuku BLAZE at 2015/07/11
 

 
http://www.fareastdizain.com/

ToshI(X JAPAN) has participated in "雨上がりの優詩(ameagari no yuushi)", and actor 三上博史(mikami hiroshi) has participated in "focus"
 

凛として時雨 (ling tosite sigure)

 
Discography
Albums
2005年11月09日 #4
2007年08月22日 Inspiration is DEAD
2009年05月23日 just A moment
2010年09月22日 still a Sigure virgin?
2013年04月10日 i'mperfect
EPs
2006年07月19日 Feeling your UFO
2015年09月02日 es or s
Singles
2008年04月23日 Telecastic fake show
2008年12月24日 moment A rhythm
2012年11月14日 abnormalize
2014年11月05日 Enigmatic Feeling
2015年01月14日 Who What Who What
TK from 凛として時雨

Albums
2012年6月27日 Flowering
2014年8月27日 Fantastic Magic
EPs
2016年03月20日 Secret Sensation
Singles
2014年03月05日 contrast
2014年07月23日 unravel
-----------
I've noticed an increasing amount of ling fans on the forum over the years, and I think it's high time we actually had a topic for one of my favorite bands!

Well, my opinions on Sigure should come as no surprise to you by now. They're one of my favourite bands, even though I've been a slightly disillusioned with their music over the last couple of years. Their recent output hasn't been 'bad' per se, it's just been rather average and uninspired by their standards; as though they've hit some sort of creative burn-out or are simply more emotionally-involved with their solo/side projects. That said, however, average Sigure is still better than what a lot of bands put out.
 
My favourite albums are still a Sigure virgin? and just A moment, both of which, despite being their first two full-lengths released after signing with the evil Japanese music empire SMEJ, seemed to be much more experimental while still retaining a significant amount of the band's aggressive, rock-based style. In that sense, they feel like the most "complete" Sigure albums to me. I'm a little sad that they reigned in much of their experimental tenancies for i'mperfect and the following singles (also, can they stop with these repetitive anime songs already?), but I guess that's TK from territory these days.
 
Fun question: Do you guys say "Ling" or "Sigure" when shortening the band's name?

a crowd of rebellion new maxi single "The Crow" will be released under Warner Music Japan at 2015/03/04 (2 TYPE)
 
limited edition (1,620yen) will include CD+rubberband, and regular edition (1,200yen) will include CD only
 
[track list]
01.The Crow
02.REBELLIOUS BEHAVIOR
03.A Malice Of Rider

[CD track list]
01.leather field
02.dunes
03.dot
04.foster mother
05.雨上がりの優詩(ameagari no yuushi)
06.maniera
07.白露(hakuro)
08.celeste
09.focus
 
[official web-shop-limited edition Blu-ray track list]
<Music Video>
・雨上がりの優詩(ameagari no yuushi)
・focus
<LIVE FOOTAGE>
sukekiyo 二〇一四年公演「別れを惜しむフリは貴方の為」
2014年5月6日 京都劇場
01.aftermath
02.hidden one
03.scars like velvet
04.zephyr
05.mama
06.in all weathers
<DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE>
 
[regular edition first press bonus CD track list]
01.雨上がりの優詩(ameagari no yuushi)
02.focus
03.elisabeth addict
04.latour
 
[official web-shop-limited edition bonus CD track list]
01.雨上がりの優詩(ameagari no yuushi)
02.focus
03.elisabeth addict
04.latour
sukekiyo 二〇一四年公演「別れを惜しむフリは貴方の為」
2014年5月6日 京都劇場
05.destrudo
06.elisabeth addict
07.hemimetabolism
08.latour
09.nine melted fiction
10.烏有の空
11.the daemon's cutlery
12.vandal
13.斑人間
14.鵠
 

I don't think I could write a full review on Arche, maybe in the coming weeks I will; but for right now all I can really say about the album as a whole is:
 
Lots of "window dressing", questionable orchestration, Rinkaku is the best track on this album.
 
By "window dressing", I am referring to what is being called "through-composed"; but realistically amounts to nothing more than glorified bridges between repetitive sections. This album gives the illusion that it has progressive intents from the beginning with verses, bridges, and choruses rapidly being thrown at you with Un Deux; but it's only when you take a step back and realize the overall structure of individual songs that it's nothing special. A new section will appear for a measure, then lead into the next verse or chorus -- same as the previous one. This is a trend that seems to have arisen from Sustain the Untruth where these sections carry the same affect, albeit in a far more simple form and not as fully realized here. This is something notable and a breath of fresh air from the wooden structure of verse-chorus-verse. Verse-chorus-verse is still existent throughout; but its form is modified in key parts which largely prevents repetition. Oddly enough this was one of my favorite aspects of the album as it is a tiny step away from rock conventions; but at the same time it's deceptive in doing so.
 
Questionable Orchestration for a rock ensemble has been the bane (...Bane???) of Dir en grey's recent efforts. The fascination with drop tuned riffs lower on the neck has not left the band as they're dished out in spades over the course of the 14 tracks. The issue with this, is that rarely do the other instruments have room to breathe. People have been incorrectly blaming Madsen's mixing; but they couldn't be further from the truth. It is the band's lack of awareness when it comes to orchestration that is at fault. With that said, some of these heavier riffs are really cool, with only one instance of it being ruined by the lead guitar (Midwife) in the beginning.
 
Rinkaku is arguably the best track on this album with the points above kept in mind. The riff is very simple and straight forward; but it's what the band does with the material that warrants recognition. The dense opening (even with the distorted-to-shit guitars), the distinct guitar sections adding effects and clarity to the verses, the climax, and the coda are all highlights that shows a band that knows how to write very good music with distinct and evolving sections. Instead of "window dressing" bridges, we're given actual musical development.
 
No score, these are just impressions after a second listen. Maybe a score will follow in the future.

This album is what I would call a final STOP sign for anyone who seriously expected a second Withering To Death (and associates). Once again Dir en grey go on showing that they are willing to take any risk, just to express themselves. The album is more fluent and consistent than Dum Spiro Spero, but still it is a natural evolution from that style and I think it's safe to say that we can expect this sort of evolution in the future ahead. It also carries an atmosphere that is beautifully consistent. Each song sounds like it is supposed to be on THIS album.
What takes this album to the extreme is the change from melodic one-liners to total dissonance (Chain repulsion --> 禍夜想). Those elements are also much more focused into each song for its own than in the past. You don't get another DREAMBOX here, because it either is totally harmonic, or it is totally crazy and unpredictable. Past songs like Shitataru Mourou appear like early inspirations to what conceptualizes the sound on this album. Distorted, through-composed with one theme after another, and still focused. Sukekiyo and tool are also greeting in the background.
 
The guitar work is great on this album. There are great chord progressions (鱗, Phenomenon, revelation of mankind), reminiscences to old VK (Cause of Fickleness, 懐春) and downright hypnotic riffs that may turn a theme into a whole song (The Inferno). Faster, more technical, heavily layered. It's like kaoru and die read a few sukekiyo reviews on which their own guitar work on deg is ridiculed in comparison, just to shove it back into the writer's a**es. The solos here and there are a nice touch, but not really necessary. Toshiya steps back a bit from his metallic slapping sound. His bass isn't as present anymore, but still contributes with warm and soft riffs, and of course also he gets times to shine (sustain the untruth, 懐春). Shinya's drums are for once not overly experimental and actually try to fit into the songs, with great result. It is still to see though if he manages those disciplines on stage, too.
 
輪郭 was helluva song in 2012 and it still is on this album. Other highlights are Phenomenon, 懐春, Cause of Fickleness, Revelation of Mankind. 空谷の跫音 takes the "Vanitas" spot, but ends up in a totally different direction. The Inferno does the obligatory "heavy-song" and somewhere resembles "Decayed Crow", but ends up being a very solid piece of death metal.
There are problems though. The placement of the songs seems spontantous from time to time. Un deux is not the strongest song on the album to say the least, and it also doesn't fit as an opener. Likewise, the finisher doesn't quite feel natural in its place. Sustain the Untruth would have been better maybe.
 
This album is heavily experimental, it doesn't try to sound compelling, and the listener should really know what to expect and how to deal with it. Dir en grey fans of the post-Uroboros material may find joy with this piece, fans of the older stuff on the other hand might just be overwhelmed by the unconformity presented to them. Dir en grey have once more proven they're not just this band which does "western metal" now. ARCHE is a solid release with my score of 8/10.
 
wow this sucked I hope someone can put it in better words than me

I translated it. Since neither Japanese nor English are my mother tongue, It's very likely that I made a lot of mistakes, so if anyone wants to correct anything, they'll be welcome to do so. But I think I got the message he wanted to convey tough.
 
 
Here it is:
 
 
It was published on our website, but xTRiPx is disbanding on 13th February, 2015.
 
I’m really thankful to all the people who were always supporting us. And I’m sorry.
 
I was thinking about writing the reason why we’re disbanding after disbanding, but if I was a fan I would want to know right away. So I’m going to write it.
 
We felt our limits. For better or worse.
In 11 years we didn’t feel it, not even when he were on hiatus. We ended up building our limits.
It’s just that.
It’s annoying but I feel like I can’t say a thing.
 
Since we were together for 11 years I’m sure I’m going to cry when we disband.
 
But I just want to do live shows with a smile like always until the day it ends.
 
Lately, we’ve been told from some of our band-man friends that we looked depressed, and the fans also told us that we looked depressed on the letters they sent us. I thought that was nonsense. But honestly, we were depressed.
 
But when we are performing, sometimes I feel like crying, but despite that, it’s really fun. It’s fun because you all look like you’re having fun.
We don’t have many live shows like that left, but we’ll laugh a lot.
 
Other than that, when we were returning from our 11th anniversary one man show, my brother told me that no matter what he wanted to release a last single. When he told me it was going to be called good trip I laughed, but when he told me that it means that we had a nice journey, I felt like crying.
The other day when I went to Nagoya I got to hear the demo and I cried a lot.
I could really feel it.
 
We haven’t recorded it yet, but we are going to make this last CD the best thing. Please, look forward to it.
 
We’re really sorry for making you suffer with this selfish decision. But we count on you until we disband.

sukekiyo new mini album "vitium" will be released on 2015.02.04.
 
no more detail yet.

sukekiyo new mini album "vitium" will be released on 2015.02.04.
 
no more detail yet.

sukekiyo new mini album "vitium" will be released on 2015.02.04.
 
no more detail yet.

sukekiyo new mini album "vitium" will be released on 2015.02.04.
 
no more detail yet.

I liked the new song* they premiered in JP and EU tour (quite chill - a la less messy 'in all weathers' pt 2) - so looking forward to this one too :>
 
Also: Kyo became fond of Latin titles, huh?
 
*

sukekiyo new mini album "vitium" will be released on 2015.02.04.
 
no more detail yet.

sukekiyo new mini album "vitium" will be released on 2015.02.04.
 
no more detail yet.

sukekiyo new mini album "vitium" will be released on 2015.02.04.
 
no more detail yet.

Dir En Grey have been amazing for year's and year's, people always complain every time they come out with an album, it's either not heavy enough or it's too heavy or they copied a previous release of their's. Personally I love Dir En Grey and Kyo's voice made me want to sing, they are constantly working and pushing the boundaries of their own music ability! I just don't know what people want from them, I love hearing Kyo sing beautifully and sing something he wrote from his heart! People just want him to screech and scream on every album but when he does do something heavy and full of scream's everyone still complain's. Nothing seem's to impress anyone anymore, I love Dir En Grey and thought that the song preview's were great, give the band some respect every now and then, maybe they aren't "heavy" enough for you but at least give them a chance and base the album and song's on the beautiful singing and not the stuff that doesn't exist that you wish did! Sorry for my rant but jeez people! You shouldn't base how much you like the current release by what the previous releases sounded like and I am done with my rant, goodnight everybody I am tired! Hopefully insomnia will go away tonight! Give Dir En Grey a chance before you judge!

Why is Toshiya wearing a garbage plastic bag ?