SwampMan

Frederic will release their first major album on 2016.10.19. The new album will be available in 2 editions:
 
Regular Edition: CD/通常盤 AZCS- 1060 ¥2,500(tax out)
Limited Edition: CD+DVD/初回限定盤 AZZS- 52 ¥3,000(tax out)
 
The DVD will include their live at Zepp DiverCity 2016.07.02
 
No tracklist and covers have been released yet.

Thank you so much to @Tokagefor suggesting this list idea! And extra kudos for joining in as a guest writer for it! We love hearing everyone's suggestions for future lists so please let us know what you'd like to see! Today we're tackling songs that sound misplaced or completely random on album or in a band's discography. So please join us as we wonder, WTF were they thinking?!
 
 
 
"BLACK STARS" by Sadie
Release: 陽炎 (Kagerou)
Never mind that the single 陽炎 (Kagerou) deserves this reward for even existing - releasing singles after the album never made much sense to me - but "BLACK STARS" gets the gold medal in causing second hand embarrassment. A testament to binaural bilingual slaughter I thought only existed in fabricated straw man arguments is the best way to describe such poetic genius like cracker mad song and shala lalalalala crazy stupid breaking my shadow. Add in uncharacteristically brash production, a terrible flow, and a dreadfully catchy chorus, and you have the modern day equivalent of Sister no Future's "Fancy Meeting You Here". This is the worst Sadie track ever released. This might be one of the worst 100 visual kei tracks of the last decade. Worse than Sadie's "Struggle against betrayal" or the similarly styled "GREEDY EMOTION". I would say don't listen to this song but I think everyone should so I can reference it in the future.
I'm also dying for a rough translation I need to know what this song is about it's been an obsession of mine low key for the last few years...
@Zeus
 
"冬のカスタネット (Fuyu no Castanet)" by MERRY
Release: Under World
I’m not completely sure whether I’m alone on this one or not, but when I think MERRY, I usually think either fast-paced punk or kayokyoku-inspired retro tunes, so when they suddenly dropped a Christmas song I was kinda surprised to say the least. Guess they finally decided they had to put the ‘Merry’ in ‘Merry Christmas’.. Whatever it was that drove the guys to make this track, I would’ve preferred if they hadn’t. Maybe I’m slightly biased because I just really, really don’t like Christmas music in general, but  the track just feels so incredibly vanilla and straightforward to me. Even "木洩れ日が僕を探してる… (Komorebi Ga Boku Wo Sagashiteru…)" another one of the band’s slower songs I’m not a huge fan of at least has that funky instrumental passage about halfway through to shake things up. This one  just plods on and on.. I thought it’d just be a one-off single for the holidays that would be promptly forgotten afterwards, but for some opaque reason the band decided to slap it onto the tail-end of their next album Under World. I guess it must’ve been some contract-related shenanigans, because it just doesn’t fit in at all. For starters, Under World’s pretty much the band’s most raw and punk-sounding album yet, so having this polished, limp-wristed pop ballad closing things off feels totally out of character. But most importantly.. the track comes right after "激声 (Gekisei)", MERRY’s 15 minute long epic. "Gekisei" would’ve been the perfect closing track, as it basically cycles through all the different styles in the band’s repertoire before building up to an emotional climax, but nope. Instead we were stuck with unnecessary Christmas songs in February. Ho, ho, ho everybody. Just skip this one.
@Tokage
 
"aquarium" by a crowd of rebellion
Release: Calendula
Soft, emotional ballads aren't exactly what a crowd of rebellion are known for, or rather weren't before the release of their first full album Calendula. The band's previous releases all spliced high flying, melodious choruses with djent-y post-hardcore and insane breakdowns to create a unique blend of controlled chaos that became known as their signature. Even their most melodic songs still broke down into some kind of distorted, metallic riffs coupled with screams at some point throughout. But "aquarium" showcased the band in an entirely new light. While the bridge does explode into an emotional crashing wave of raw, aggressive vocals, it is the most restrained the band has ever been to that point. Last year's Daphne attempted to repeat the effort with "Iris no hana", but still managed to keep things much more upbeat and less atmospheric than its predecessor. Maybe "aquarium" is a little less 'WTF' and a little more 'Who knew they had this in them?' Either way, it remains as the most eyebrow raising surprise in the band's catalog. 
@doombox
 
"Ritual (feat. Juka)" by HIZAKI grace project
Release: Dignity of Crest
HIZAKI grace project was an important band for me, as they ushered in the second wind of my VK fandom, which is still kickin' today. I was delighted to see an old face, Juka (ex-Moi dix Mois), combined with some great neoclassical guitarwork. I still consider Dignity of Crest a hell of an album to this day, but one track stands out as Juka's first misstep: "Ritual". I suppose it's all about how high your threshold is for uniquely cheesy VK vocal shenanigans, but I do draw a line here at 'pseudo-operatic notes you can't really hit' (see 2:31 and on). I almost prefer fu-ki's (ex-BLOOD) strained and whiny, but non-operatic original version of the song. Almost. Sadly, it went downhill for me from there and I stopped tolerating Juka's--I mean, Shaura's--crap in VII-SENSE altogether.
@fitear1590

"ボーナストラック (Bonus Track)" by DEViL KiTTY
Release:  鬼愛 (Kiai)
 I wrote up a big long post about Yuuga's career and how um...environmentally friendly he is from all that recycling, but that's just the tip of the iceberg of why I find him so interesting. On DEViL KiTTY's first mini-album, 鬼愛, there was an additional track added simply called "Bonus Track." How exciting! Everyone loves free bonuses, including vkei fans who buy 8 types of maxi-singles to make sure they can hear all of a band's output. Undoubtedly Yuuga knew this, because his music since DEViL KiTTY formed has more or less just been commentary on the scene itself with this track being no exception. So, what is this "Bonus Track"? It's literally just Yuuga speaking into the mic to say "Bonus....track..." and then laughs. 16 seconds of him laughing at you for thinking you dun get a free rare track for buying his album, but no, you, the listener, were actually the joke here.
@Peace Heavy mk II
 
"consent." by Plastic Tree
Release: ドナドナ (Donna Donna)
Despite having a gradual evolution in terms of sound and style, Plastic Tree never really changed their sound all that drastically over the years. Many of their earliest releases were quite blatant The Cure/Radiohead/The Smashing Pumpkins worship. Later releases saw the Britpop/alt rock sound gradually adapting more dreampop and shoegaze elements, while their most recent output seems to be more like the band trying to emulate the sound of a skipping record. Overall they never really strayed all that far from these particular sounds, at least until the ドナドナ-era. Not only did that album feature their first foray into instrumental post-rock, it also featured this particular track. Now, this song to me proves that these “What the hell were they thinking?”-moments don’t always necessarily have to be BAD. With this song Pura takes us in an almost electropop-ish direction that sounds more like something you’d expect from the likes of Proxyon or ADAPTER。. Yes, it does stand out like a sore thumb among all the other tracks on the album, but I feel like they actually do pull off the style quite well, and although I may be COMPLETELY off here, I also feel like the song probably at least partially inspired the addition of more electronic elements to later songs like "ピアノブラック(Piano Black)". To be perfectly honest, I would really like to see them do something like this again, if only due to the fact that almost all of their recent singles have basically sounded like the same track with swapped lyrics..  Oh, and don’t forget to check out the PV for this one, it’s gold.
@Tokage
 
"僕は死にました (Boku wa Shinimashita)" by 白黒キネマ  (Monokuro Kinema)
Release: 白黒映畫  (Monokuro Eiga)
Monokuro Kinema was another one of those angura kei bands with a retro-aesthetic that I’ve got a huge weakness for. Sound-wise I feel like they’re somewhat in line with bands like ハッピーサッド (Happysad), ホタル (Hotaru), MERRY’s more kayokyoku-influenced tracks and on their later material there’s also some similarities to pre-是空 (Zekuu) era MUCC. On their first (and sadly also their only) full-length album their sound definitely had more in common with those first three bands, though. While the album definitely does have its fair share of at least somewhat uptempo rock songs, it doesn’t really go completely crazy and let loose all that much. Well, with the exception of this particular track. Here in the middle of an album filled with melancholic ballads and slightly less melancholic rock songs the listener’s suddenly slapped in the face with this headbanger that’s also finished before the listener even knows what hit him. It just comes out of nowhere, doesn’t fit very well within the context of the album, and, hell, it doesn’t even fit all that much within the context of their entire discography. I mean, it’s not really an awful track, it just has “token headbang song” written all over it. Oh, and it may just be me, but I feel like the band got 'inspired' by MUCC’s "大嫌い (Daikirai) a little bit TOO much here..  There’s definitely some similarities there.
@Tokage
 
"shiranai hito" by cinema staff
Release: Drums,Bass,2(to)Guitars
While I'm not a big enough cinema staff expert to discuss their entire discography as I fell into them around the time they came into popularity from Shingeki no Kyojin (aka Attack on Titan) using their song, I can say I was a big fan of their Drums,Bass,2(to)Guitars album. Most of the songs are indie pop 'bops' that balance smooth vocals and catchy guitarwork. A track like "shiranai hito" stopped me right in my tracks. What was this grungey rock tune that sounded straight out of the 90s doing on my cinema staff album? Now don't get me wrong, "shiranai hito" still incorporates a lot of what I know to be classic cinema staff sound, but the chorus comes in and rips everything to shreds and boy does it leave an impression! I was not ready. I was nowhere near ready. 
@doombox
 
"首輪 (kubiwa" by 愛狂います。 (Aicle)
Release: 心臓。(Shinzou)
Aicle pulled a pretty ballsy stunt when they released their first album 心臓。(Shinzou), going against the grain by not including any previously released material. We got some of the band's craziest work, but also some sprinklings of poppy tunes that really hold their own. Unfortunately, however, all that momentum sputters out on the insipid final track,"kubiwa". Sure, I guess the lyrics are kind of quirky (life as told from the perspective of a pet cat), but the song is just a letdown and certainly no way to close an otherwise great album.  'Saving the best for last' was a concept lost on the band here.
@fitear1590
 
"UB YOURSELF" by Je*Reviens
Release: Romantic Jewel
Je*Reviens are currently most known for being one of the early bands of Asagi (from D) before he was famous. At the time of their activity, two other members of this band were quite famous in the indies scene as they were ex-Deshabillz. Their lead guitarist, Shi-no, was responsible for Deshabillz signature gothic compositions and their drummer, KAZUKI, later left the band to form what would become the incredibly popular Due'le Quartz. Because of this background, Je*Reviens' music, especially their first album Ne'Phesh, sounded fairly similar to what one might expect from an ex-Deshabillz members band--frilly, over-dramatic, and airy gothic rock with the occasional examples of more straight forward rock numbers. Then you get to "UB YOURSELF." Out of no where, they made a ska song, and not like the random ska-ish breakdowns vkei has been doing for decades, either. Like, if you wanted to know what Asagi would have sounded like if he was featured on a Less Than Jake song, here's your chance. Chocked full of syncopated horns, melancholic swing bass, and random backup vocals interjecting between phrases in the chorus, this song is by far one of the most out of place additions to a band's discography that I can think of. Now, my reaction to this song isn't because of the chosen genre, but more so from how unexpected it is compared to everything any of the band's members have ever done. I cannot tell if I should applaud them for their willingness to take a risk and try something out of left field, or laugh. I usually just laugh.
@Peace Heavy mk II
 
"Destrudo" by sukekiyo
Release: IMMORTALIS
Honestly... I don’t think there’s very much left to say about this one that hasn’t already been said in the review thread for IMMORTALIS, ‘cause to be quite frank, it’s just not a very interesting track in the first place. IMMORTALIS already suffered from a severe case of bloatedness, and this song doesn’t really help. Also.. why’d it have to be track 2 anyway? It really pulls me right out of the atmosphere "elisabeth addict" creates, it doesn’t flow all that well into the third track, it just simply adds nothing. There’s not even any crazy ghost yodeling or cat sounds from Kyo to shake things up a bit. Just skip this one if you still somehow happen to feel like listening to IMMORTALIS in 2016, I don’t think anyone will judge you for it.
@Tokage
 
"Paper Planes" by ONE OK ROCK
Release: 35xxxv
It's not a secret that since expanding their gaze to the global market with 35xxxv ONE OK ROCK's music has been having heavier pop leanings, but maybe none quite to the level of "Paper Planes" featuring Kellin Quinn of Sleeping With Sirens. This is the type of song that divides a fanbase. While some can forgive catchy synths and a featured singer claiming the largest slice of the song for himself, others were left wondering who was this band and what had they done with the emotional rock dynamo with angelic vocals they'd come to know and love?! And in their defense, "Paper Planes" really does come off as more of a Sleeping With Sirens song featuring ONE OK ROCK. Though, it wasn't the biggest surprise after learning both bands used the same producer for their most recent work.
@doombox
 
 
 
Thank you for venturing through this wtfery with us, and please let us know what you thought below!
Do you know any other songs that just make you stop and think WTF???? when they come on? lol

See ya next time!

Aldious's new triple A-side single  "Female Warrior / ノスタルジック (Nostalgic) / fragile" (2 versions) out 26/10/16.
 
"Female Warrior" and "ノスタルジック (Nostalgic)" = produced by SHARA (EARTHSHAKER, mintmints).

和楽器バンド (WagakkiBand) singer 鈴華ゆう子 (Suzuhana Yuko) will release  a solo mini album on 23/11/16.
 
Because WagakkiBand's management seem to be following Yasushi Akimoto's sales strategy, avex are putting out 5 editions. Tracklist is TBC.

Recommended Tracks: August
 
Hello again Monochromians! ORz are back with a new freshly baked batch of tunes for you to snack on. Summer may be nearing its end, but that's no reason for the party to stop! Special thanks to guest reviewer @Ada Suilen for joining us again this month! 
Please, leave a comment below with songs you loved this month and let us know what you thought!
 
@fitear1590's picks
 
"お願いUFO (onegai UFO)" by クウチュウ戦 (koochewsen)

Koochewsen is officially on a roll. Their latest video game-tastic PV (the THIRD from this mini, btw) "インドのタクシー (indo no taxi)" was just edged out by this slice of musical heaven, which shows that the band still gets their prog juices flowing now and again. Slow, creeping verses build into mighty choruses that split the sky wide open just long enough for a UFO to zip down to our stratosphere and abduct us. And lawd,  is it glorious. I could go on and on about how much I love Riyo's unique vocals, but why don't  I just let the song speak for itself? As a cooldown, the track graces us with a killer organ breakdown and a face-melting guitar solo.
 
@togz' picks

"THE STORY ( ACOUSTIC )" by coldrain

"THE STORY ( ACOUSTIC )" is off of coldrain's newest single VENA II  which was released on the 17th of August. The single provided us with two acoustic versions from their last full-length VENA. Both prove to be great remakes and show another side of coldrain I haven't heard before. However, there's something special about the depth of "THE STORY". While the original wasn't one of my favorites from their album, the acoustic version may have changed my mind. Masato already has a very melodic vocal style but it surely shines in this track and he tends to elongate his words so they resonate in a different light. While the guitar work is beautiful on its own, the bass and drums are the real MVP of this song and offers some smooth jazz elements. I'm not even going to spoil the guitar solo for you. If you haven't heard it yet, you're missing out. I recommend this track for days. 
 
@emmny's picks

"月光" (Gekkou) by DIAURA

Some tracks warrant a short story's worth of an explanation as to why they're so good, and others just escape words. "Gekkou" is the latter for this month; it's not so brilliant to leave me utterly gobsmacked, but so eerily beautiful in its simplicity that it just...clicks. Yo-ka's vocals are dazzling as he glides over the delicate, acoustic guitar-driven ballad, the emotional buildup leading to a fabulously Uruha-style restrained-yet-virtuoso guitar solo from Kei. If you're not a ballad fan, this isn't the track to convert you; but to those who enjoy them, you'd find the polite ebb and flow of "Gekkou" to be rewarding.

"「洗脳」" (Sennou) by 黒百合と影 (Kuroyuri to kage)

Spoiler alert: Kuroyuri have flown straight out of indie purgatory after losing two members and (possibly?) being dropped by Ains, coming to bash us all across the head. If "Gekkou" put you to sleep, "Sennou" will wake you the fuck up, as expected, given Kuroyuri's signature oldie alt-metal barrage. The song opens with some surprising djent-style breakdown riffage before leading into a standard old MUCC-style crawl. Note how the bass work from K is turned up to 11, compared to prior releases. It has a fabulously ploppy and dirty clack to it. Mei, as usual, is giving the freaky-kei stans all that they could possibly ever want, going from whispers to growls with the occasional whimper singing here and there. Rinse, repeat, cue a fabulously sugary chorus and a dubstep breakdown. Wait...did I actually just--oh my god. YES, Kuroyuri against all odds throw the most pathetic wub-wub during a breakdown midway; which is so charmingly ratchet and clangy that it works brilliantly in their favour. Kuroyuri to kage stay true to their sound but throw in a few details here and there to keep everyone on their feet. Is it enough to keep their sound fresh? It's your call to make, but I'd like to think this is a good sign of things to come.
 
"Merciless core" by メディーナ (Mediena)

Ah yes, Mediena. In case you've missed them before, they're a fairly young Indies band with a heavy mid-2000's influence...think a lot of Phantasmagoria+UCP and Vidoll: super melodic, very synthy with a fabulously operatic and nasal vocalist.  They're also (allegedly) signed onto godly revival-kei label Ains. It's not a coincidence that every band featured by me this month is somehow linked to Ains, they're constantly killin' it. That said, Mediena is hitting the can soon, which is entirely exciting considering a similarly hyped old-school loving young indies band (I wonder who it is!) is also calling it quits this year. If some Ains super-band forms out of the ashes of Mediena, we only have @Peace Heavy mk II to blame. Conspiracy theories aside, Mediena are leaving us on a pretty good note with "Merciless core": intense string synths, gratuitous vibrato, kote screams, god-awful production, some headbang worthy riffage and great melodies. If this doesn't sound like an amazing time, you're in the wrong place.
 
@Original Saku's picks

"Alche(mist)" by the equal lights

My first pick this month is from a newer band that I just discovered, the equal lights. "Alche(mist)" from their first mini album LaLaLa-prima brings a blend of pop-rock and indie sounds that are a delight upon listening. Vocalist and guitarist Mishima Tetsuo does an excellent job of carrying the song forward with his soft vocal melodies that sound pleasant to the ear. Check these guys out sooner rather than later.
 
"よいよいまほろば (Yoi Yoi ma Horoba)" by 中山うり (Uri Nakayama)

Next we're taking a change of pace with the singer-songwriter Uri Nakayama and the song "Yoi Yoi ma Horoba" from her last album Mahoroba. Here we have a slow folk-y jazz number that starts off beautifully with Nakayama's warm 'miraculous' voice that she is known for and a variety of instruments make appearances throughout the song, including trumpet, accordion, and saxophone, among others. This is truly a track that gives you a soothing feeling and peace of mind. My recommendation doesn't do this song justice let alone the album, so if you love what you hear, please check out the full album if you so desire.
 
"EGO" by ARTIFACT OF INSTANT 

Once again we are gonna flip the tables and switch to something a bit different from the previous recommendation. "EGO" is a catchy alternative rock song from newly discovered act ARTIFACT OF INSTANT and their 3rd mini album Recoil. What makes this track interesting is the great energy that it gives off. From start to finish, it's one wild ride that hardly lets up. The band employs bumping bass lines, vigorous guitar riffs and drumming to achieve a very aggressive sound that pleases greatly. There is also a use of dual male female vocals that adds a nice touch to some of the chorus. Overall, a great track for the more heavy inclined this month.
 
"Lux Fugio" by ノイズ (nowisee) 

For a lot of people nowisee's (pronounced "noise") long awaited album Tenohira no Senso was the highlight of August, myself included. With the female-fronted group being largely shrouded in mystery and the monthly music video drops, the hype for this album has just been building and building all year. Although the album itself is made up of songs that most fans have heard by now through the youtube channel or app, I can tell you right now that the abridged versions don't do the full songs justice and to say that this album has no surprises for current fans would be the furthest from the truth. That brings us to one of the new songs that we have not heard before. "Lux Fugio" is a piano pop ballad that begins somber and then slowly builds into a masterpiece of a song that plateaus into a flurry of piano and vocal prowess a little half way through the track. Then, it begins to slowly cool off, and slips back into the darkness. This is the album of the month for me and has great potential for AOTY. The anticipation for this release was ridiculous and despite already having a good sample of the songs beforehand, the full versions were spectacular nonetheless.
 
@doombox's picks

"Fool's Gold" by Survive Said The Prophet

It's been a little touch-and-go for the five-piece outfit from Tokyo but in the last year the band has really gotten their feet under them. They even seemed to keep momentum whilst dealing with a recent member change, surprisingly. "Fool's Gold" is the first sample we get to hear from their upcoming full album FIXED. The song shows a more prominent post-hardcore side to the normally melodic, emo-tinged composition style the band has displayed in the past. Bassist Yudai's screams have been pushed even further to the forefront while Yosh's clean vocals hold down the catchy hooks (and perfect English lyrics). It's hard to tell if the change in musical pace for the band is due to new addition Tatsuya (ex. FAKE FACE) on guitar or was a natural evolution for the band, but either way, it's a step in the right direction.
 
"Savior" by NOTHING TO DECLARE

Surprise, surprise. I'm back again recommending another band you would never know were Japanese by only listening to them, this time with NOTHING TO DECLARE. "Savior" is a song that could easily fit in on major rock radio which leaves the band to be massively underrated in my humble opinion. This track has everything to dig its hooks deep into you. Chant-along gang vocals? Check. Big anthemic chorus? Check. Emotional, borderlining on spiritual outro? Check! I know these things are nothing original that haven't been done before but the band does a great job of keeping a fresh and genuine feeling about it that you don't find very often.
 
"ともに(tomoni)" by WANIMA

WANIMA keep the hits coming, and this summer is no different. "Tomoni" is that perfect, feel-good, summer jam that you can turn up loud and have zero regrets. Even though WANIMA's style does not change much from song to song, their message never seems to get old. The positivity and cheer this band spreads is infectious and has proved to have real staying power in the Japanese melodic punk scene. I mean, just attempt to watch their music videos without smiling. I dare you! 
 
"Nothing" by FAKE FACE

Diving into a band who likes to get a little darker with their themes and music videos, FAKE FACE have been around for a few years but have yet to really hit their stride as far as a regular release schedule goes. However, they do manage to pump out a mini album or so every other year. Their latest single, Nothing, has paired them up with Tower Records for its release, which looks like things may be starting to happen for the group. I definitely think they're worth checking out for fans of post-hardcore and alternative rock bands like ONE OK ROCK and coldrain. 
 
"パニックパニック！(Panic Panic!)" by Purple Stone

I've recommended Purple Stone previously for their song "Aoi Yami" not all that long ago. And just when I thought they couldn't improve on their already wonderful sound, the guys have really taken their music (and music videos) to the next level with "Panic Panic!". Electronic rock may be a bit of an overused trend for visual bands, but there's still something to be said for bands that know how to do it well, and Purple Stone are doing just that with synths, guitar riffs, and samples that are just as catchy as any of the vocals. It's the perfect storm to make this track an ear-creeper that will burrow its way into your brain and not let go. 
 
@tetsu_sama69's picks

"The Baptist" by Insanity Injection

I was really hoping that when I saw the cover art for this single that it was more focused on Chaos and I was not let down a single bit by this release. "The Baptist" takes a walk down a different path and is more on the melodic side of things from their previous releases. The opening is a messy storm of bass and wonderful chugging guitar that seems like it's going to be nothing special until the vocals kick in with a cacophony of awesome.  The spoken parts show up again much like "Sense of Ash" but this time they erupt into what can only be explained as a psychotic rampage of a guitar solo that melt back into a smooth verse before a twister of screams carries the song to the end. Chaos and Kyouka's voices mingle so well together it's a treat, especially when the operatic vocals are backed up with insane demonic screams that just hit the right spot for me and anyone else who appreciates the music that this band creates.
 
"真昼間は別の顔 (Mappiruma wa Betsu no Kao)"  by ペンタゴン (Pentagon) 

Typically I'm not extremely blown away by what Pentagon has brought to the table but they do make some pretty nice tunes from time to time that I have a hard time getting out of my head. Zekkyou was a pretty alright release until I ran into "Mappiruma wa Bestu no Kao" and the song got stuck on repeat for a while by means I cannot explain entirely. The song definitely stands out from their typical styling with a strange tinkering fast-paced piano bit that comes up throughout the track. The energetic jazzy pace of track overall is extremely addicting and done so well instrumentally and vocally it's almost as if I found a box of my favorite candy on my desk after coming home from work. If Pentagon can explore and do more songs with as much energy as this song then they'll definitely earn a higher placing on my list of current enjoyable visual bands.
 
"セーラー服と夏休み (Sailor Fuku to Natsuyasumi)" by スタア区。(Starku) 

Starku are definitely not playing around as they bring another amazing and solid release to the forefront with "Sailor Fuku to Natsuyasumi". After a few listens the lyrics were already ingrained in my mind and I could not stop hearing those beautiful guitar riffs that had me dancing right away. The pace changes that occur in this song are downright insane and it almost feels like a roller coaster ride of awesome for your ears from beginning to end. It's full of that wonderful super-positive charged punk rock style that Starku do so well and I definitely cannot get enough of. I find it nearly impossible to listen to their music and not find myself full of life whether it's from Reno's unique vocals or the bands overall downright talent. Starku are really coming into their own with every release and I hope the next song they put together is even better than this. 
 
"Dystopia～断罪の聖堂～ (Dystopia～Danzai no Seidou～)" by forCroiX 

If you are missing that late '00's visual style music with a lovely punch of 'gothic' synths and power metal then you have hit the jackpot. forCroiX's first and hopefully not only release Grimoire is something that should not be missed by anyone who enjoys visual kei. "Dystopia～Danzai no Seidou～" isn't a very long song but in that 3 minute and 12 second window there's a lot brought to the table for your enjoyment. The opening piano track bursts into a heavy mix of chugging instrumentals and powerful vocals that just don't seem to have any idea where the brakes are. The guitar solo is so maddeningly paced that I can't even think of a better way to describe than insanely good. I really hope that forCroiX gets a bit more attention for their first album and they return quickly from their hiatus and not disappear into the ether like many other visual bands.
 
Guest picks
 
@Ada Suilen's picks
 
"Presto" by Hizaki

One of the most prolific Japanese musicians of visual kei scene brings up a wonderful instrumental album, where there's something for everyone's taste; I enjoy the most virtuous works of the guitarist, this track suited me more than what I could expect: an incredibly fast rhythm, with Hizaki ready to bring glory and potency in a single hit (the homage to Vivaldi's "Summer" is simply gorgeous!), accompanied by a beautiful violin; a track that is pretty hard to forget.
 
"正義のヒーロー (Seigi no hero)" by R指定 (R-Shitei)

I have to admit that I don't dig this band so much (apart from few songs such as "Suicide Memories"), but with their 23rd single they caught my attention a little more, not much for the title song, but for the b-side; a real plot twist for me, where an unknown energy is unleashed in a piercing and adrenalinic rock sound. Mamo's interpretation is incredibly awesome even for himself, helped by good bass lines. If you aren't accustomed with energetic R-Shitei, this is your time!
 
That's all for this month!
Thanks for listening and if you would like to submit a guest blurb for next month please contact @doombox!

RADWIMPS will release their new original album and overall 8th studio album on 2016.11.23. The currently untitled album will include album versions of "Zen Zen Zense" and "Sparkle", which will be arranged differently from the movie versions included in the soundtrack "Kimi no na wa."
The album will be available in 2 editions:
 
Regular Edition: CD/通常盤 ￥3,000+tax / UPCH-20436
Limited Edition: CD+DVD/ 初回限定盤 ￥4,500+tax / UPCH-29241  DVD Contents:  13 songs from their one-man live held on 2015.12.23 「10th ANNIVERSARY LIVE TOUR FINAL RADWIMPSのはじまりはじまり」
 
No tracklist and covers have been released yet.
 

 

illion album details!
 
Album 『P.Y.L』
Release date: 2016/10/12
 

【limited edition】(CD＋DVD＋art book)
WPZL-31220/1／￥3,500＋税
※初回限定盤特典
・アートブック付スペシャルパッケージ仕様
・2013 年にロンドンで行われた初ライブの映像6曲
・2016年の東京公演1曲
・Music Clip4曲
・メイキング1曲が収録されたDVD付


【regular edition】(CD only)
WPCL-12431／￥2,500＋税

＜収録曲＞
■CD
01.Miracle
02.Told U So
03.Hilight feat.5lack
04.Water lily
05.85
06.P.Y.L
07.Dream Play Sick
08.Wander Lust
09.Strobo
10.Ace
11.Brain Drain [Linn Mori Remix] *bonus track
■DVD※初回限定盤のみ
[Live show at London, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire 2013]
01.BEEHIVE
02.LYNCH
03.γ
04.MAHOROBA
05.BRAIN DRAIN
06.GASSHOW
[Live show at Tokyo, STUDIO COAST 2016]
01.Water lily
[Music clip]
BRAIN DRAIN [Performed in Abbey Road Studios]
MAHOROBA
BEEHIVE
Water lily
MAHOROBA [Music clip making]

◎歌詞・対訳付
◎ボーナストラック「BRAIN DRAIN [Linn Mori Remix]」収録

【vinyl】
HRLP047/48／￥4,500＋税
※180g 重量盤2枚組
※ボーナストラック「BRAIN DRAIN [Linn Mori Remix]」収録
※歌詞・対訳付
※アナログジャケットサイズアートポスター付
＜収録曲＞
■side-A
1.Miracle
2.Told U So
3.Hilight feat.5lack
■side-B
1.Water lily
2.85
■side-C
1.P.Y.L
2.Dream Play Sick
3.Wander Lust
■side-D
1.Strobo
2.Ace
3.BRAIN DRAIN [Linn Mori Remix]※bonus track

Just messing around with random effects at midnight... I don't have anything better to do than to stare at a webcam....
 

 

CD Tracklist:
 
01. Signal
02. Wonder Palette
03. dead end complex
04. Addictive Dancer
05. white out
06. Secret Sensation
07. Showcase Reflection
08. like there is tomorrow (album version)
09. 罪の宝石 (Tsumi no houseki)
10. invalid phrase
 
Blu-ray/DVD: TK from 凛として時雨 TOUR 2016 “Secret Sensation”
 
01. Secret Sensation
02. Crazy Tampern
03. unravel
04. Fantastic Magic
05. like there is tomorrow

Frederic will release their first major album on 2016.10.19. The new album will be available in 2 editions:
 
Regular Edition: CD/通常盤 AZCS- 1060 ¥2,500(tax out)
Limited Edition: CD+DVD/初回限定盤 AZZS- 52 ¥3,000(tax out)
 
The DVD will include their live at Zepp DiverCity 2016.07.02
 
No tracklist and covers have been released yet.

fredeslay blessing us with 2 releases this year!!

Frederic will release their first major album on 2016.10.19. The new album will be available in 2 editions:
 
Regular Edition: CD/通常盤 AZCS- 1060 ¥2,500(tax out)
Limited Edition: CD+DVD/初回限定盤 AZZS- 52 ¥3,000(tax out)
 
The DVD will include their live at Zepp DiverCity 2016.07.02
 
No tracklist and covers have been released yet.

Album covers:
 
 
 
 
 

My Hair Is Bad will release their second full album and first major one titled "woman's" on 2016.10.19 through EMI Records. The upcoming album will be available in 2 editions:
 
Regular Edition [CD]/通常盤 UPCH-20430
Limited Edition [CD+DVD]/初回限定盤 UPCH-29228
DVD contents: 2015.12.14, Shibuya CLUB QUATTRO "Shiwasu no tora" Live
 
No tracklist or covers have been released at the moment.
 
 
 

My Hair Is Bad will release their second full album and first major one titled "woman's" on 2016.10.19 through EMI Records. The upcoming album will be available in 2 editions:
 
Regular Edition [CD]/通常盤 UPCH-20430
Limited Edition [CD+DVD]/初回限定盤 UPCH-29228
DVD contents: 2015.12.14, Shibuya CLUB QUATTRO "Shiwasu no tora" Live
 
No tracklist or covers have been released at the moment.
 
 
 

My Hair Is Bad will release their second full album and first major one titled "woman's" on 2016.10.19 through EMI Records. The upcoming album will be available in 2 editions:
 
Regular Edition [CD]/通常盤 UPCH-20430
Limited Edition [CD+DVD]/初回限定盤 UPCH-29228
DVD contents: 2015.12.14, Shibuya CLUB QUATTRO "Shiwasu no tora" Live
 
No tracklist or covers have been released at the moment.
 
 
 

downy

OHP | TWITTER | FACEBOOK
Members:
Robin Aoki (vocals, guitar)
Aoki Yutaka (guitar)
Nakamata Kazuhiro (bass)
Akiyama Takahiko (drums)
Zakuro (Visual production)
 
 
Albums:
 
[2001.05.23] 第一作品集『無題』
[2002.05.22] 第二作品集『無題』
[2003.05.08] 第三作品集『無題』
[2004.07.22] 第四作品集『無題』
[2013.11.20] 第五作品集『無題』
[2016.09.07] 第六作品集『無題』
 
Videos:
 
 
 
 
 
With their 6th album quickly approaching, isn't it about time we made a thread for these legends??  
 
Who else is down with downy? Any favorite tracks? Favorite albums? Rankings? General thoughts on the band!?

Easily one of their best songs to date.

*six showers and 10 camera filters later* ah yes a pic of me

 

Yeeeeees!!!!!

TK from Ling tosite sigure will release his 3rd album titled "white noise" on 2016.09.28. The new album will be available in 3 editions:
 
Regular Edition [CD]/通常盤 AICL-3174 ￥3,000 (tax out)
Limited Edition [CD+DVD]/初回生産限定盤 AICL-3172～3 ￥3,600
Limited Deluxe Edition [CD+Blu-Ray]/初回生産限定豪華盤 AICL-3170～1 ￥5,000 (tax out)
 
In addition TK will also embark on a national tour "Signal to Noise" to support the upcoming album.
 
TK from 凛として時雨 Tour 2016 “Signal to Noise” dates and venues:
 
2016年11月3日（木）新潟県 新潟LOTS
2016年11月5日（土）北海道 札幌PENNY LANE24
2016年11月11日（金）宮城県 Rensa
2016年11月18日（金）福岡県 DRUM LOGOS
2016年11月19日（土）広島県 広島CLUB QUATTRO
2016年11月22日（火）大阪府 NHK大阪ホール
2016年11月23日（水・祝）愛知県 Zepp Nagoya
2016年11月27日（日）東京都 NHKホール
 
No tracklist, covers or other details have been revealed yet.

TK from Ling tosite sigure will release his 3rd album titled "white noise" on 2016.09.28. The new album will be available in 3 editions:
 
Regular Edition [CD]/通常盤 AICL-3174 ￥3,000 (tax out)
Limited Edition [CD+DVD]/初回生産限定盤 AICL-3172～3 ￥3,600
Limited Deluxe Edition [CD+Blu-Ray]/初回生産限定豪華盤 AICL-3170～1 ￥5,000 (tax out)
 
In addition TK will also embark on a national tour "Signal to Noise" to support the upcoming album.
 
TK from 凛として時雨 Tour 2016 “Signal to Noise” dates and venues:
 
2016年11月3日（木）新潟県 新潟LOTS
2016年11月5日（土）北海道 札幌PENNY LANE24
2016年11月11日（金）宮城県 Rensa
2016年11月18日（金）福岡県 DRUM LOGOS
2016年11月19日（土）広島県 広島CLUB QUATTRO
2016年11月22日（火）大阪府 NHK大阪ホール
2016年11月23日（水・祝）愛知県 Zepp Nagoya
2016年11月27日（日）東京都 NHKホール
 
No tracklist, covers or other details have been revealed yet.

TK from Ling tosite sigure will release his 3rd album titled "white noise" on 2016.09.28. The new album will be available in 3 editions:
 
Regular Edition [CD]/通常盤 AICL-3174 ￥3,000 (tax out)
Limited Edition [CD+DVD]/初回生産限定盤 AICL-3172～3 ￥3,600
Limited Deluxe Edition [CD+Blu-Ray]/初回生産限定豪華盤 AICL-3170～1 ￥5,000 (tax out)
 
In addition TK will also embark on a national tour "Signal to Noise" to support the upcoming album.
 
TK from 凛として時雨 Tour 2016 “Signal to Noise” dates and venues:
 
2016年11月3日（木）新潟県 新潟LOTS
2016年11月5日（土）北海道 札幌PENNY LANE24
2016年11月11日（金）宮城県 Rensa
2016年11月18日（金）福岡県 DRUM LOGOS
2016年11月19日（土）広島県 広島CLUB QUATTRO
2016年11月22日（火）大阪府 NHK大阪ホール
2016年11月23日（水・祝）愛知県 Zepp Nagoya
2016年11月27日（日）東京都 NHKホール
 
No tracklist, covers or other details have been revealed yet.

TK from Ling tosite sigure will release his 3rd album titled "white noise" on 2016.09.28. The new album will be available in 3 editions:
 
Regular Edition [CD]/通常盤 AICL-3174 ￥3,000 (tax out)
Limited Edition [CD+DVD]/初回生産限定盤 AICL-3172～3 ￥3,600
Limited Deluxe Edition [CD+Blu-Ray]/初回生産限定豪華盤 AICL-3170～1 ￥5,000 (tax out)
 
In addition TK will also embark on a national tour "Signal to Noise" to support the upcoming album.
 
TK from 凛として時雨 Tour 2016 “Signal to Noise” dates and venues:
 
2016年11月3日（木）新潟県 新潟LOTS
2016年11月5日（土）北海道 札幌PENNY LANE24
2016年11月11日（金）宮城県 Rensa
2016年11月18日（金）福岡県 DRUM LOGOS
2016年11月19日（土）広島県 広島CLUB QUATTRO
2016年11月22日（火）大阪府 NHK大阪ホール
2016年11月23日（水・祝）愛知県 Zepp Nagoya
2016年11月27日（日）東京都 NHKホール
 
No tracklist, covers or other details have been revealed yet.