Zeus

we all deal with our desire to control others' behavior differently, but idt skipping on lunch prevented anyone's fave from disbanding because their first one-man sold 3 tickets and no one bought the merch that ended up going into an end-of-the-year lucky bag at starwave.

I am learning a lot from this thread. Thank you all for enlightening me. I hope to learn more about the visual kei industry here. 😊

Wait, the GazettE were Diru roadies? Because I remember the formation story mostly being Ruki, Uruha and Reita playing around with different musicians, most notably vocalists Tetora (who'd join Kamikaze Boyz) and Saki (who'd form Cuartet) until Ruki decided he wanted to do vocals instead of drums and so they left Saki and Kanna and joined with Aoi and Yune from Artia. Plus, I remember their early history being much more associated with Yayoi from La'Miss Fairy than anything to do with Diru. Could you perhaps elaborate more?

Live Limited Single [ DEXCORE ✕ NAZARE ]
 
CD
1.Collapse feat.澪 Mio (NAZARE)
2.Break it down feat.架神 Kagami (DEXCORE)
 
2man [ DEXCORE ✕ NAZARE ]
02.08
 
02.08 池袋EDGE
02.10 OSAKA RUIDO
02.11 名古屋ell.SIZE
 
 
 

I've had time to digest the album and I echo the sentiments of others in this thread. Okay, kinda forgettable, definitely not what I thought their second album was going to be. In many ways it is underwhelming and the lack of bass does a lot to make the songs feel lifeless. Bass is what makes music feel alive! I'll keep trying to like this album but it's probably not going to happen. A lot of my discontent comes from the fact that we had to lose the best deathcore band in the scene to get this, so even if it was good that truth still stings a bit. Hearing Sho approaching what sounds like a scream or a yell and then backing off is such a ball buster

And the worst part is that I know Retsu is a competent composer, so I don't know what happened. 

Randomly decided a few weeks ago to go vegan. I've slipped up a few times and did vegeterian instead because I was just too lazy to go grocery shopping, but man honestly I dont feel like I'm missing out on much. I feel the exact same as before (which was usually pretty good lol)

I've had time to digest the album and I echo the sentiments of others in this thread. Okay, kinda forgettable, definitely not what I thought their second album was going to be. In many ways it is underwhelming and the lack of bass does a lot to make the songs feel lifeless. Bass is what makes music feel alive! I'll keep trying to like this album but it's probably not going to happen. A lot of my discontent comes from the fact that we had to lose the best deathcore band in the scene to get this, so even if it was good that truth still stings a bit. Hearing Sho approaching what sounds like a scream or a yell and then backing off is such a ball buster

And the worst part is that I know Retsu is a competent composer, so I don't know what happened. 

I've had time to digest the album and I echo the sentiments of others in this thread. Okay, kinda forgettable, definitely not what I thought their second album was going to be. In many ways it is underwhelming and the lack of bass does a lot to make the songs feel lifeless. Bass is what makes music feel alive! I'll keep trying to like this album but it's probably not going to happen. A lot of my discontent comes from the fact that we had to lose the best deathcore band in the scene to get this, so even if it was good that truth still stings a bit. Hearing Sho approaching what sounds like a scream or a yell and then backing off is such a ball buster

And the worst part is that I know Retsu is a competent composer, so I don't know what happened. 

I've had time to digest the album and I echo the sentiments of others in this thread. Okay, kinda forgettable, definitely not what I thought their second album was going to be. In many ways it is underwhelming and the lack of bass does a lot to make the songs feel lifeless. Bass is what makes music feel alive! I'll keep trying to like this album but it's probably not going to happen. A lot of my discontent comes from the fact that we had to lose the best deathcore band in the scene to get this, so even if it was good that truth still stings a bit. Hearing Sho approaching what sounds like a scream or a yell and then backing off is such a ball buster

And the worst part is that I know Retsu is a competent composer, so I don't know what happened. 

I have a theory and I call it: everyone has a number.
 
Passed by some ardent sexual reformers today who were hellbent on proving that there was nothing wrong with having a high body count, but refused to divulge their own when I asked. Look, if you have a high body count and you know it clap your hands, but do not try to lead people down a path you aren't willing to tread yourself.  Having a high body count (body count = number of sexual partners, if you got this far and didn't know what I meant) isn't inherently bad, but correlation implies causation. I haven't met a single person with over one hundred sexual partners who I didn't deem to be a sex addict, even including my best friend. 

I don't care how sexually open-minded you claim to be, but everyone has one. A limit, so to speak. The number of sexual partners from which the conversation changes from "ok cool no problem" to "that's a bit much" to "you need some psychiatric help". Some people have their number tuned exceptionally low, perhaps even single digits. Some people have an unbounded limit (that they haven't met yet). I know my limit is around 50 and I think that's reasonable. Said best friend from before is hovering around 70, and I think a few venereal diseases and some heartbreak changed his tune on sex.
 
I got to thinking about Pebbles today, the name of a neighborhood entrepreneur who has done business with almost everyone in the hood (but me, and thank god for that), who I think legitimately classifies as sex addicted. Over 300 partners before the age of 20 (without getting pregnant somehow), disowned by her friends and family, bouncing literally from one dick to the next looking for some stability. It's cold out here today; wonder who's house she's in now.

Most of the people that I know with a high body count are unhappy and ashamed of it, almost as if having constant, emotionless sex to fill a void isn't actually all that pleasurable. I was never sexually manic, but hearing these testimonies from multiple different people who don't know each other changed my opinion a lot. And I didn't even think that was possible.
 

I have a theory and I call it: everyone has a number.
 
Passed by some ardent sexual reformers today who were hellbent on proving that there was nothing wrong with having a high body count, but refused to divulge their own when I asked. Look, if you have a high body count and you know it clap your hands, but do not try to lead people down a path you aren't willing to tread yourself.  Having a high body count (body count = number of sexual partners, if you got this far and didn't know what I meant) isn't inherently bad, but correlation implies causation. I haven't met a single person with over one hundred sexual partners who I didn't deem to be a sex addict, even including my best friend. 

I don't care how sexually open-minded you claim to be, but everyone has one. A limit, so to speak. The number of sexual partners from which the conversation changes from "ok cool no problem" to "that's a bit much" to "you need some psychiatric help". Some people have their number tuned exceptionally low, perhaps even single digits. Some people have an unbounded limit (that they haven't met yet). I know my limit is around 50 and I think that's reasonable. Said best friend from before is hovering around 70, and I think a few venereal diseases and some heartbreak changed his tune on sex.
 
I got to thinking about Pebbles today, the name of a neighborhood entrepreneur who has done business with almost everyone in the hood (but me, and thank god for that), who I think legitimately classifies as sex addicted. Over 300 partners before the age of 20 (without getting pregnant somehow), disowned by her friends and family, bouncing literally from one dick to the next looking for some stability. It's cold out here today; wonder who's house she's in now.

Most of the people that I know with a high body count are unhappy and ashamed of it, almost as if having constant, emotionless sex to fill a void isn't actually all that pleasurable. I was never sexually manic, but hearing these testimonies from multiple different people who don't know each other changed my opinion a lot. And I didn't even think that was possible.
 

I have a theory and I call it: everyone has a number.
 
Passed by some ardent sexual reformers today who were hellbent on proving that there was nothing wrong with having a high body count, but refused to divulge their own when I asked. Look, if you have a high body count and you know it clap your hands, but do not try to lead people down a path you aren't willing to tread yourself.  Having a high body count (body count = number of sexual partners, if you got this far and didn't know what I meant) isn't inherently bad, but correlation implies causation. I haven't met a single person with over one hundred sexual partners who I didn't deem to be a sex addict, even including my best friend. 

I don't care how sexually open-minded you claim to be, but everyone has one. A limit, so to speak. The number of sexual partners from which the conversation changes from "ok cool no problem" to "that's a bit much" to "you need some psychiatric help". Some people have their number tuned exceptionally low, perhaps even single digits. Some people have an unbounded limit (that they haven't met yet). I know my limit is around 50 and I think that's reasonable. Said best friend from before is hovering around 70, and I think a few venereal diseases and some heartbreak changed his tune on sex.
 
I got to thinking about Pebbles today, the name of a neighborhood entrepreneur who has done business with almost everyone in the hood (but me, and thank god for that), who I think legitimately classifies as sex addicted. Over 300 partners before the age of 20 (without getting pregnant somehow), disowned by her friends and family, bouncing literally from one dick to the next looking for some stability. It's cold out here today; wonder who's house she's in now.

Most of the people that I know with a high body count are unhappy and ashamed of it, almost as if having constant, emotionless sex to fill a void isn't actually all that pleasurable. I was never sexually manic, but hearing these testimonies from multiple different people who don't know each other changed my opinion a lot. And I didn't even think that was possible.
 

It's either that we're getting less newer bands or people in the overseas scene are simply digging less deeply & not reporting on every single session band / new band that forms and disbands a week later anymore

Me listening to the majority of MISC:
 

 
nah, it wasn't horrible, but "What's up ?" was false advertising like a muhfucka. That was the best song on this bih.
 
"For the future" was nice too. Chorus ruins  "Tick Tak".
 
Overall, I appreciate their willingness to experiment, but I definitely think the album was a mess and many of their artistic choices were...questionable. Also lol'ing at the fact that they still sound VK as fuck.
 
 
p.s: the boogieman shit was better.

Forgive me but I don't see what's so special about "What's up?". Sounds like a bunch of half realized ideas spread too thin over odd time signatures to me. The chorus is the only remotely memorable part. I've basically checked out of the scene and am coming fresh off CHE DO A RA so I'll ask one more time: which one of these members had the breakdown and decided to go j-indie?

Forgive me but I don't see what's so special about "What's up?". Sounds like a bunch of half realized ideas spread too thin over odd time signatures to me. The chorus is the only remotely memorable part. I've basically checked out of the scene and am coming fresh off CHE DO A RA so I'll ask one more time: which one of these members had the breakdown and decided to go j-indie?

Yeah, every single interaction I’ve had with him tells me he’s... atypical. I won’t push a label on him/her/them(?), but most gya agree he’s not straight, based on the whole way he acts, talks, moves, etc, not just looks. 

This is Retsu’s fault. 

Forgive me but I don't see what's so special about "What's up?". Sounds like a bunch of half realized ideas spread too thin over odd time signatures to me. The chorus is the only remotely memorable part. I've basically checked out of the scene and am coming fresh off CHE DO A RA so I'll ask one more time: which one of these members had the breakdown and decided to go j-indie?

Forgive me but I don't see what's so special about "What's up?". Sounds like a bunch of half realized ideas spread too thin over odd time signatures to me. The chorus is the only remotely memorable part. I've basically checked out of the scene and am coming fresh off CHE DO A RA so I'll ask one more time: which one of these members had the breakdown and decided to go j-indie?

Forgive me but I don't see what's so special about "What's up?". Sounds like a bunch of half realized ideas spread too thin over odd time signatures to me. The chorus is the only remotely memorable part. I've basically checked out of the scene and am coming fresh off CHE DO A RA so I'll ask one more time: which one of these members had the breakdown and decided to go j-indie?

^ 
 
 

How in the bloody hell does a black woman in the U.S. have the unmitigated gall to utter the words "smash the patriarchy", when so many of our children are without fathers / single-motherhood is so rampant? Not to mention, there are over 64k missing black women and girls in the U.S. right now, and sex trafficking is at an all time high. Who's around to protect our women? The state could care less.
 
Ya know, My dad passed away in early 2010. I was 23 at the time. I had a dream about him a few nights ago...He was in the back yard of what seemed to be one of our old houses, lying in the grass. The sun was just beginning to set, and with the light glimmering in the trees, it was a beautiful sight. I went and sat next to him as he lie there in the grass. We didn't say anything to each other....we just enjoyed the moment. It was very pleasant. There was no anxiety. No worries. It felt safe. It felt secure. There was just a very present joy there.
 
That's what the presence of a strong, loving father feels like.
 
And it's so sad that many children don't get to experience this because so many people have bought into the toxic lies of feminism that patriarchy is inherently abusive and men are expendable...so many have drunken the wine of this destructive culture that we're immersed in. I just pray we get to a point where men and women can properly respect one another and cultivate healthy, regenerative relationships....because all of this division is hurting EVERYONE, especially the children. Cuz then they gotta inherit all of our unprocessed trauma, poor decisions, and other bullshit.
 
blah, this probably isn't coherent, but this is random thoughts.

Don't know if people were interested, but I mentioned a few weeks back that I was compiling my 2019 favorites and so here it is. Just a warning though, I probably only went through a third of the releases I had my eyes on so I may have missed a few good things. Also, I tend to cherry-pick songs so my top song list is rather lengthy. Anyway, I'm gonna try to make this as short and sweet as possible. Ranking is in no particular order unless stated.
 
Top Albums
 

BAROQUE - PEUR ET PUELLA
 
If there was one album I could choose from 2019 it would be PEUR ET PUELLA by BAROQUE hands down. Even though I was still feeling sulky about their music direction, PEUR ET PUELLA honestly took my be surprise. The album feels like a mixture of everything both the members have done in the past, from early baroque to kannvalism, and even Kei's solo work. I'm definitely looking forward to their new album coming out next week.
 

MONO - Before The Past • Live From Electrical Audio
 
Okay, maybe if there was one other album I could choose from 2019 it would be this commemorative album of which MONO re-recorded three songs from their early days. I never remembered much of the song "Halo" but the new energy they have put into it really brings it to life. You can really feel their loud and raw sound in this entire album. Also, I will say that I enjoyed this much more than the new album they actually released, probably due to the fact that "L'america" and "Com(?)" are some of my favorites of theirs.
 

仮病 (Kebyou) - 毒針 (Dokushin)
 
This might have been the release where Kebyou really caught my attention. I feel like this is the best VK album I've heard in a while that aren't from veterans in the scene. There are so many good tracks here but my favorites might be "Q" and "冷凍保存". If you haven't checked them out yet I would start with this album of theirs.
 
Top Singles
 

gulu gulu - 変なメリーゴーランド (Henna Merry Go Round)
 
Best newcomer of 2019? Hell yeah! Gulu gulu starts with a bang with all great tracks from this single. They released a second single too, but I enjoyed this one more.
 

Develop One's Faculties - ephemeral
 
I'm glad that Develop One's Faculties are still going off strong, they deserve so much more recognition. The second track is a lot of fun and stands out more than the title track. I just love what Yuya does with his vocals sometimes.
 

ペンタゴン - カルチャーショック (Pentagon - Culture Shock)
 
After not enjoying their poppy and synth sound from previous releases, I was surprised by how good this single of Pentagon's was. The title song showed a lot of promise so I gave this single of there's a go for once. Although it still largely has a pop sound it is much more listenable and shows how the band has really matured. Quite a shame that they're now disbanding.
 
Top Songs
 

ザアザア - 光 (Xaa-xaa - Hikari)
from 破裂 (Haretsu)
 
Xaa-xaa is more of a hit or miss for me, but when they hit boy do they hit HARD. Out of the bajillion singles they released last year there was only one track that I really liked and that is "光" from their single Haretsu. A very lovely ballad that sort of makes me feel nostalgic for oshare kei from the 00s. I don't know, there's just something kind of familiar about it. 
 

ロマン急行 - 歪む太陽 (Roman Kyuko - Yugamu Taiyou)
from 人間失格 (Ningen Shikkaku)
 
Roman Kyuko was one of my most anticipated bands and although everything they released has been good, "歪む太陽" from their album might be my most favorite. I think I will miss hearing Yudai's voice in Toru's playing style though, but I'm glad that Izumi's voice works just as wonderfully.
 

仮病 - Yellow Tokyo
 
I was trying to avoid putting artists twice on the list but I just had to put Kebyou again here. They really showed their potential in 2019 and I'm hoping that this live-limited track of theirs, available to listen on Youtube, will show up in one of their future releases. The CD cover looks ugly and low-budget af but I promise you the song is good.
 

DADAROMA - 嫣然 (Enzen)
from Dadaism#5
 
Dadaism#5 was not bad overall, but "嫣然" blew me away right off the bat. Might be just me but it feels kind of close to Crazy☆shampoo. Always wanted to hear Yoshiatsu belting like that again.
 

蘭図 - ドグラ・マグラ (Rands - Dogra Magra)
from Leda Atomica
 
Can't express my joy to see Karma back and bringing the old-school sound back on top of that, not that I'm totally familiar with old-school bands but it feels very refreshing in the scene. I love how "Dogra Magra" starts with the fluttering of a fly/moth and kind of introduces a solitary and barren atmosphere to this lovely ballad.
 

nurié - モノローグ (Monologue)
from モノローグ
 
Can anybody tell me who these guys are 'cause they're amazing! Feeling such an art-kei vibe from this track. I hope more of their releases will be accessible because I seriously need to hear more!!
 

キズ - 夢 (Kizu - Yume)
from 平成 (Heisei)
 
It felt like 2019 was a bit weak for Kizu imo, but I'm happy that "夢" finally got a recording. If only it wasn't recorded in whatever special equipment they used, but it's still very listenable as it's one of my favorite songs of theirs.
 

ユメリープ - でっどばーすでー (Yumeleep - Dead Birthday)
from ばーすまたー (Birth Matter)
 
I will admit that Yumeleep got a bit boring and same-y for me, but "でっどばーすでー" caught my attention this time around. I might even say this is the best song they've done so far. It feels like the vocalist experimented more with his vocals instead of sounding monotone all the time, making this track much more interesting and even catchy.
 

DIMLIM - 離人 (Rijin)
from 離人
 
To be honest, this song took a few listens for it to grow on me. It's true that the instrumentals feel a bit mashed up in a few places but I'm not complaining because now I'm in love with it.
 

NITRODAY - ダイヤモンド・キッス (Diamond Kiss)
from 少年たちの予感 (Premonition of Kids)
 
The only non-vk band on the list, well other than MONO. NITRODAY are one of the few indie bands that I've been keeping a real close eye on. Their entire EP Premonition of Kids is great, but "Diamond Kiss" is such a sweet summer song. The addition of the bassist's back vocals work wonderfully and sometimes I'll easily find myself singing along. I didn't even realize how short the song was.
 
 
Well, that about sums up my favorites from 2019. And now I'm gonna head out and dig through the rest of the stuff I missed!