Augie1995

IS VII ARC supposed to be some horrible rip from VII-Sense's name? 

I don't care what anyone else thinks - I'm so into this band.  Inhale and now this make me love them all the more.

Pointing and laughing at ppl who thought they weren't gonna come back or didn't want them to.

I saw both topics on the tackiest and the best cover art but I noticed that they were only confined to VK, it really confines you a lot and there really isn't much in VK nowadays since bands tend to just have a band photo as a cover art (Looking at you ViViD and Mejibray) 
 
What I want is to see members post cover arts from any genre that they consider to be the best in their eyes.... Aaaaaand go!
 
Polyphia (Inspire EP) Polyrhythmic prog band (currently instrumental) made up of four guys ranging between ages 19-20

 
Palms (Self-titled EP) Deftones lead singer side project

 
Hands like Houses (Unimagine album) Australian rock band, killer music

 
Anciients [not a typo] (Heart of Oak album) Vancouver-based rock juggernaut force

 
Enter Shikari (A Flash Flood Of Colour album) British post-hardcore band that combines post-hardcore and various heavy metal sub-genres such as metalcore and alternative metal

Dat new Haunted Shores EP has to be one of the better EPs of the year

Great album title considering half of what will show up on that best of album won't be "brilliant"

Great album title considering half of what will show up on that best of album won't be "brilliant"

What the fuck... Ruki is so on point here and that guitar solo!? It's a radio recording so it's pretty shit quality but nonetheless:
 
https://www.facebook.com/1662232537356901/videos/1678830312363790/

Making of DOGMA but it's only available in Japan

What the fuck Leda!? Playing a 7-string, and a strandberg-esque guitar with fanned frets no less? Sounds like he's been listening to some Monuments and TesseracT with that tone, definitely digging it!

What the fuck Leda!? Playing a 7-string, and a strandberg-esque guitar with fanned frets no less? Sounds like he's been listening to some Monuments and TesseracT with that tone, definitely digging it!

Alice Nine has been more or less the same. Supernova was probably their weakest but I doubt any of their music has to do with their label. Granted this EP they just released is their best I've heard in a while, but I doubt it's because of the label situation. 
 
I agree with The MAD Stallion though, regardless of whether they stay or go, The GazettE seem to have found a style they're sticking with and slightly modifying to fit their album's needs, and I doubt a label change would affect that. UGLY is going to be some more of their style with this whole dark theme going on, although I really hope it's not another HEADACHE MAN style song.
 
Also to the people saying the tracklist seems "heavy," I do recall people saying that about VORTEX's tracklist and yet VORTEX was the heaviest thing on there. It was an aggressive single, but not that heavy. I wouldn't be surprised if this single comes out like FADELESS and REMEMBER THE URGE. A lead track, a ballad, and a "fun live" song

I don't know... I love this band but it feels like it's no longer about showing what they can do with their style. I haven't fully liked anything of theirs since Zion EP. Leviathan is still my favorite track! Devil's party sort of gets me going but XENO itself is sort of all right, can't dig the song with Caleb and don't feel like trying this new song until the thing comes out.
I don't even remember what Eclipse sounds like and that was one of my favorite tracks off of APOCALYZE

me too, sure they've simplified their sound a lot compared to older albums, but I get the feeling that some people think that simple is synonymous with bad.
I liked DIM more, but I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the hell out of DOGMA

Because its a well crafted song? It uses effective use of atmosphere, dynamics, tension and release, instrumentation and has a good chorus and an interesting progression into an outro solo? Come on who doesn’t love outro solos?   But seriously, I would argue it’s the best song on the entire album and one of the best the band has done in recent years. Yeah sure, there’s nothing special about the elements I described above by themselves, but on this song the band actually managed to make the sum greater than its parts. Everything has a purpose for being there and while it’s not the best song ever created, or even for 2015, it’s creative enough and it’s near perfect execution is what makes it a strong track.    To me, this song should have been the standard and should have represented what the rest of the album should have been. Dynamic, creative, well composed, varied and a strong execution.   I still consider this album a slightly above average release. I do agree this album will be more favorable with the metal inclined (that’s me) and gazerock fans (also me). I can definitely see myself listening to this when I want something hard and fast from their catalog with just enough sprinklings of creativity for extra ear candy. For me it's got good replay value.   However, I don’t understand the people that tear this band and album apart like its the biggest pile of doo doo known to mankind. In fact I feel a lot of negativity toward the bands recent releases, this one included, are extremely exaggerated. The same goes for the praise for their well received albums. I love the band, but I’ve never considered any album they released to be a masterpiece or even close to one. The negativity might make sense if they ever had a streak of masterpiece albums, but they really never have.    I’ve only taken the band seriously on occasion, where I feel a large portion of everybody else takes this band seriously 110% of the time. But i guess this is an entirely different topic. 

I think they do play more on "creep factor" and suspense than -true- horror. Maybe only 1 or 2 episodes a season venture into genuine horror territory, imho. But I do love this show. I didn't really get into it until the ads for Season 3, Coven, looked more relevant to my interests. I lean on occult/supernatural themes more than anything. But I really enjoyed the first 2 seasons after I went back and watched them. It depends on what genres of horror you like the most, I suppose. 
 
But you don't have to worry about watching the seasons in order because they change the story entirely ever season. Same actors all playing different characters (for the most part). 

I expressed my opinions after listening to the album a few more times, In chat. So I'll post them here.
 
I still believe DOGMA is their best effort since DIM. That will not change at all. I still believe DEUX is the best track on the album. This will also not change. However, I can say that the middle part of the album is very boring. Tracks 6-11 offer nothing new and is just filler. My initial rating of the album (when those tracks are negated), is still a solid 9/10. With them, its a 7.5/10. The other tracks do a great job of highlighting what the band is good it as well as how they are ready to take it to the next level. Basically what an album is supposed to do. Also, i won't lie, there is a certain repetition (even with my go-to songs), that can't be ignored as well. I can see how this rub many the wrong way. I feel that Ruki is to blame here since he has a dangerous amount of creative control in the band which does more bad than good if you ask me. Ruki has a very carbon/stale taste that's been plaguing every album since TOXIC. Eventually, while some can find some appreciation in some of these clearly rehashed songs, many will (if they aren't already) grow tired of hearing the same go-to riffs and such. I believe it was Uruha who stated that some of the songs he brought fourth were turned away because it didn't fit Ruki's "vision" of the album. Presty said this to me a few days back and it is very true, Ruki is indeed a diva. Its gotten to the point where I feel like Aoi or Uruha would shine MUCH better if they had their own bands. 
 
 
 
Composition wise, DOGMA (the song) is just wow. I was not expecting the track to turn out that way at all. Perfect example of the band trying something new. Whoever they got the influence from, please, may they do it again. DERACINE is another great track. Its a fairly simple song ,but the way Aoi and Uruha's guitars compliment each other and the smooth but heaviness of the track is very nicely done. RAGE is a nice blend of GazettE and Lynch. And as cheesy as Ruki's lyrics are during the screaming part, I like it. Its a VERY nice touch and gritty. BLEMISH, is pretty much Vortex but a upgraded version that packs more of a punch. DAWN, is just Gazerock mixed with Metalcore, and i dont mind it. Its a solid track. OMINOUS is on the same page as DOGMA as being another just well composed song, where you don't know what is next. Perfect ending.
 
Now to why i enjoy DEUX so damn much. It has that signature and genuine Gazerock feel to it but the other elements such as the well placed synths and piano and Aoi's part after the second bridge just shatters me. It feels like they all sat down and put their all into making this track as strong as it can be. Also, that ending came out of no where and I shit you not, I fell to the floor in awe. Its THE perfect song that the band has ever composed. 
 
In general, this album is a perfect follow up from BD. Very evident that time was put into these songs. The energy/umph is there as well as the growth. I like. Album of the year atm. 

Went to see Between the Buried and Me with Animals as Leaders and The Contortionist. One of the greater concerts I have been honored to attend. The contortionist are so beautiful live, and Michael has the most ethereal voice that can go as heavy as necessary when needed. BTBAM played Bohemian Rhapsody and that was amazing, and don't get me started on Animals as Leaders full classical guitar Para Mexer track live.
 

I've been streaming The Last of Us Online, Rocket League, and Far Cry 4... Soon I'll be able to add Metal Gear Solid V to that list once my pre-order comes in

I actually really like this release. It’s probably the best cohesive album the gazette has done in a while. And I’m glad they’ve addressed a lot of issues that dragged their other releases. 
 
For me the most important issue they managed to reign in was the use of electronic experimentation. In other releases the electronic portion of their songs were all over the place. They distracted from the actual song, were improperly placed, or added nothing of value to the actual composition. On DOGMA however, they actually properly use those elements. There are flourishes that add ear candy, or recurring parts that are interesting enough to stand on their own and don’t outstay their welcome. And for once they actual fit within the songs.
 
The creativity of the album is another strong point. From the electronica found on Bizarre to the creepy harpischord thingies on DOGMA.. Dynamics are actually used really well within sections of songs and the transitions from verses to choruses and other parts are proper for once. Logical transition was another issue previous gazette albums were suffering from, but for the most part they are gone on this release. Another major improvement is the really good build up of tension and release.   
 
All of the above reasons and the fact that most of the songs flow together well and hit hard and fast make DOGMA the most cohesive album the gazette has released in years. 
 
That being said the cohesiveness of the album is both a positive and a negative. This is extremely obvious in the gazerock and chug-chug portions of the songs. Don’t get me wrong, I love gazerock and chugs, but all those heavy guitar and gazerock sections found within this release tend to blur together once you’re a couple songs in. 
 
The actual production on this album is ok. It serves the music and isn’t a audio production masterpiece but it’s not too distracting either. The only major problem I have is with the guitar tone. It is very dry, sometimes too dark and harsh at its worse. You’ll probably start noticing it by DAWN and is at its most apparent on BIZARRE. It’s not cool when your guitars sound like they were put through an amp sim rather than an actual amp. Throw some reverb on there and get a TRLKVT swedish melo death guitar tone, or get someone better to mix them next time.
 
I feel someone was trying to retain some aspects of a modern production while keeping some aspects very raw. Reminds me of what Miss May I did with Rise of The Lion. Unfortunately in these types of genres, mixing the extremes of clean production  and raw production don’t work out, you can either go one way or the other. Thankfully, the gazette found an ok balance, and didn’t mess up like the previous mentioned band. Although I hope they just drop the entire idea next time and go either full raw or full clean. Had they gone full clean, I feel like those heavy chug moments wouldn’t blur together so much and would have actually been more interesting.
 
So all in all, not a bad album, but a very big step forward for the band. I found it very enjoyable, from the chuggy head banging parts to the more creative sections. It’s not a perfect album by any means, just a slightly above average release that’s easy to enjoy and digest without too much distraction.
 
For me it’s a solid 7/10
 
Things I would like to see from the band next time;
 
-Continue with the experimentation, but refine it even further.
-Vary the heavy parts by using more dynamics or riffs.
-Have Ruki vary his screams, he only used one style on this entire release.
-More guitars solos from Aoi or Uruha. 
-More catchy/melodic ideas
 
Standouts songs for me, DOGAM, Deracine, Wasteland, Paralysis, Ominious. 
Don’t get the hype about Deux, it’s a good song, love the guitar part, but I’m not feeling it’s epicness. It does have a very post 2000's gazette feel, so maybe nostalgia glasses?
 
And how has nobody mentioned OMNIOUS???
Love that bleak introduction that goes into a creepy vocal pad and proggy sounding drums to your epic rock chorus, to a cleaver nod at the harp refrain from DOGAM into the most ballsy guitar and drum break on the entire album. Not to mention that sick outro solo. Do more stuff like this please gazzegods.

How even?

Yo, what if this second release is the opposite of DOGMA in terms of theme? It's towards the end of the OMINOUS YEAR so it starts changing moods to signify the end... or it gets darker (either way)

Yo, what if this second release is the opposite of DOGMA in terms of theme? It's towards the end of the OMINOUS YEAR so it starts changing moods to signify the end... or it gets darker (either way)

Yo, what if this second release is the opposite of DOGMA in terms of theme? It's towards the end of the OMINOUS YEAR so it starts changing moods to signify the end... or it gets darker (either way)

I find myself a bit underwhelmed by DOGMA after all, the midsection of the album is to blame - it gets sort of weaker after how good the album starts. Don't get me wrong though, it's the best album they've ever recorded along with NIL and DIM and light years better than Beautiful Deformity. But I had high expectations that were above of what the album actually provides. Aside from that the album is solid af, goes HARD as hell. Now I just need more spins in order to figure out what just happened.
 

Special mention for DEUX, got mind blown by that song. It literally had me like:
 

 
As I said, I highly rate DOGMA and put it in the top 3 of their best albums. I still have to figure out what place it's gonna take in the top 3 though.
Rating: 8.5/10. Thank you, the GazettE. I always had faith in you.