r...

依存 jams. What a delicious song. Shades of vintage メリー　and the acoustic intro reminds me a little bit of
 
Not a big fan of カミソリ, though. Not bad, but doesn't impress me, except for that meaty mid-song riff and the solo. Really dig that part.
 
I feel that　ザアザア needs to take a little break before releasing more stuff.  Take your time, kids!

I think 2006 was their peak (granted, it was a special year for them). 2 studio albums, 4 singles + a cover album and special privilege live album for those that bought a bunch of their stuff during that year.
 
But, I think KuRt got them beat. KuRt was around for less than 2 years and released staggering ELEVEN SINGLES and one mini-album. PLUS, distributed CDs and omnibus.
 
KuRt
unique songs: ≳40
productivity rate: ≳ 20 songs/year
 
And, gosh, remember 彩冷える when 涼平 wrote pretty much everything? I'm pretty sure that between 2005/06 they averaged a single every 40 days. I don't like 彩冷える so can't be sure just how much stuff they released, but I'm pretty sure it's in that same "over-20 songs-a-year-ballpark". Fuck SPEED DISK.

This guy:
https://twitter.com/JuNebd5150
 

I think 2006 was their peak (granted, it was a special year for them). 2 studio albums, 4 singles + a cover album and special privilege live album for those that bought a bunch of their stuff during that year.
 
But, I think KuRt got them beat. KuRt was around for less than 2 years and released staggering ELEVEN SINGLES and one mini-album. PLUS, distributed CDs and omnibus.
 
KuRt
unique songs: ≳40
productivity rate: ≳ 20 songs/year
 
And, gosh, remember 彩冷える when 涼平 wrote pretty much everything? I'm pretty sure that between 2005/06 they averaged a single every 40 days. I don't like 彩冷える so can't be sure just how much stuff they released, but I'm pretty sure it's in that same "over-20 songs-a-year-ballpark". Fuck SPEED DISK.

MUCC in mid 00's was terrifying. Sometimes I felt they had a new single like every week.

FUCK! I wanna go!
 
And I'm really happy to see the acoustic version of Happy life included. Def. one of my favorite moments of their concert. Extremely sweet melodies and it works great in a quieter version.

The single sounds perfect and I am dead. Acoustic! And I wasn't even hoping to see from the Halloween live!

MERRY and rain usually means retro-goodness. Let's see just how much the new single changes in the studio version.

MERRY and rain usually means retro-goodness. Let's see just how much the new single changes in the studio version.

The title of the single has been finalized as "傘と雨" (kasa to ame) and it will be released on February 1, 2017. It will come in 3 types (type A ￥2,315, type B ￥1,800, regular edition ￥1,204)
 
Type A tracklist & DVD:
CD
1. 傘と雨
2. 傘と雨 -Acoustic version-
[DVD]
＜ライヴ映像＞
Merry Halloween Party 〜Trick or MERRY〜
2016.10.29 クリエイティブセンター大阪
 
1. イエローガール (Yellow Girl)*
2. 赤い靴 (Akai Kutsu)*
3. バイオレットハレンチ (Violet Harenchi)*
4. ビニ本２丁目八千代館 (Binihon 2-chōme yachiyokan)
5. 絶望 (Zetsubou)
6. Carnival
7. 千代田線デモクラシー (Chiyudasen Democracy)
8. 平日の女 -A面- (Heijitsu no Onna -A men-)
OFFSHOT
*O.A.  スーパーメリーズ (Super Merries)

Type B:
[DVD]
傘と雨 (MUSIC VIDEO)
MAKING OF 傘と雨
 
Regular edition tracklist:
[CD]
1. 傘と雨
2. Happy life -幸福論 Acoustic version-
3. Zombie Paradise ～地獄DISCO mix〜
 

Oh wow, life in the Merry thread. Needless to say they are my favourite band ever, the only one I've been a proper fan of. Their music just hits all the rights spots in my brain and never seems to get old. Maybe because it's pretty "old" in the first place, not tied to some fad. I'm really happy with their current direction and I feel like ever since NOnsenSe MARkeT they've gone back to being themselves so to speak.
 
What happened with the Beautiful Freaks era is a combination of things I think. I sort of blame Kyo as well for some of their bad decisions, I mean he was credited as producer on their releases back then. Kyo and Gara weren't even speaking for years, but then Kyo reached out to him after Merry had left Victor and were in disarray, and I think him caring and wanting to help made Gara a bit too prone to his suggestions. I do think Kyo is brilliant in his own way and I appreciate him helping Merry get started on their career, but he really shouldn't be meddling in their music at this point. That's why I'm happy he started Sukekiyo, since he clearly doesn't have any time or interest in getting involved anymore. Thank heavens for that! It's not all his fault though. From what I've read in interviews, the members were well aware that they'll never be able to outdo the brilliance of their eary compositions, so that's why they were trying to find a new direction, but it didn't really work out. Heijitsu no Onna is the product of realising you should stick to what you're good at. The period around the switch to Free-Will was also a generally miserable time for them. They didn't particularly want to join Free-Will, the fans absolutely hated it, Gara was having constant problems with his back, people close to them were dying and just when things started looking up, Tetsu broke his neck and was out for years. It's not like BF is even close to unlistenable, the basic song-writing is still there, but the arrangements are just too simple and the sound all muddled and boring. Merry is not the kind of band who should be sending their tracks to Sweden or where ever to be finished either. It's of no benefit to them.
 
I think they sound better than ever live at the moment. At least based on the two lives they've already broadcast on nicovideo this year. They were pretty stellar. The only song Gara struggles with is the A-side of Heijitsu no Onna, but it's no wonder, since it goes so high. Thankfully the B-side version is made for lives. In case someone didn't know, they're broadcasting their 15th anniversary White Sheep/Black Sheep live tomorrow, as in 16 hours, so don't miss out! Put it on timeshift beforehand, if you don't have time to watch live or pay the 540 yen for premium membership. Epic acoustic versions to be expected. http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv280746643
 
BTW, I noticed the other day that someone had upped the entire nico live this summer on Youtube . The acoustic versions of Makka na Aoi Haru and Happy Life are so good!

Ugh…I really hate this song. SO bloated!
I Wish remains the ONLY christmas-y L'Arc~en~Ciel song worth listnening:
 
 
 
 
Others worth mentioning:
 
 
 
 
 
 

Dude, you forgot the most unexpected VK christmas cover ever (and from your favorite band too):
 
(the first song)
 
The original
 
Also the song every Merry fan hates for some reason (yes, it's *A BIT* out of place on Under-world but it is cute nonetheless)
 
 

Something they do on arama often but i haven't seen here before, a timewarp. Since that oshare post got me reminiscing, what was happening in the glorious world of visual kei (JAPANESE BANDS ONLY) 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 years ago? if this does well i'll update it monthly? if it bombs then..... 
pls contribute important events that i'll miss accidentally and purposefully!!
 
5 YEARS AGO! 11/2011
9goats dropped draw and everything was right in the world   mucc dropped arcadia and they should've kept it that bizarre brief fad of visual kei cover albums gave us album number 2 with a moran cover of malice mizer no one knew they wanted but needed   kuroyume's comeback album bombed  
10 YEARS AGO! 11/2006
Angelo dropped their debut single AILE disbanded megamasso's line-up was revealed tomo (oh him!) left pashya (oh them!) daishi from plc crept back onto the scene after a little meth incident mucc peaked and released horizont  
 
15 YEARS AGO! 11/2001
not a great month???    
 
20 YEARS AGO! 11/1996
x japan dropped their most recent studio album to date, dahlia! kuroyume! did! that!!!   l'arc~en~ciel! did! that! too!! technically this came out at the end of oct 1996 however, guniw tool's debut single deserves to be with these iconic releases fanatic crisis dropped the Marble album  
25 YEARS AGO! 11/1991
Sleep My Dear formed when some silver~rose roadies got together and realised they can play better than them justy-nasty dropped a single and it wasn't bad buck-tick did the same with jupiter ladies room didn't with "sex drive" clutching at straws here tbh visual kei was invented in 1993 by cali gari

If you can create something as fun and rocking as HAPPY!!, yeah you can.
 
And here are a couple of other songs I liked back in the day:
 
 
 
 
I haven't listened to some of these songs in over 10 years. Holy crap... this was a great thread. We need more of these.

If you can create something as fun and rocking as HAPPY!!, yeah you can.
 
And here are a couple of other songs I liked back in the day:
 
 
 
 
I haven't listened to some of these songs in over 10 years. Holy crap... this was a great thread. We need more of these.

I know that some people already mentioned them, but I have to say it again: Vinett was friggin' amazing. Their album is so very sweet. One of my favorite moments from 2004.
 
And it's interesting to see just how incredibly influential バロック was. There were tons of copycats, but very seldom they were able to recreate the songwriting prowess of 圭 and 晃. That and the insane charisma and character that 怜 has. Damn, they are good...

I know that some people already mentioned them, but I have to say it again: Vinett was friggin' amazing. Their album is so very sweet. One of my favorite moments from 2004.
 
And it's interesting to see just how incredibly influential バロック was. There were tons of copycats, but very seldom they were able to recreate the songwriting prowess of 圭 and 晃. That and the insane charisma and character that 怜 has. Damn, they are good...

I know that some people already mentioned them, but I have to say it again: Vinett was friggin' amazing. Their album is so very sweet. One of my favorite moments from 2004.
 
And it's interesting to see just how incredibly influential バロック was. There were tons of copycats, but very seldom they were able to recreate the songwriting prowess of 圭 and 晃. That and the insane charisma and character that 怜 has. Damn, they are good...

I know that some people already mentioned them, but I have to say it again: Vinett was friggin' amazing. Their album is so very sweet. One of my favorite moments from 2004.
 
And it's interesting to see just how incredibly influential バロック was. There were tons of copycats, but very seldom they were able to recreate the songwriting prowess of 圭 and 晃. That and the insane charisma and character that 怜 has. Damn, they are good...

I know that some people already mentioned them, but I have to say it again: Vinett was friggin' amazing. Their album is so very sweet. One of my favorite moments from 2004.
 
And it's interesting to see just how incredibly influential バロック was. There were tons of copycats, but very seldom they were able to recreate the songwriting prowess of 圭 and 晃. That and the insane charisma and character that 怜 has. Damn, they are good...

^ Oh man, I totally forgot about them too! Kra's early stuff was so goooood! I haven't listened to it in forever. I had "Kuu" stuck in my head for moooonths back when I discovered them. "Shounen Boogie", "Tatoe", "Fusion", "Circus" and "Showtime" were some of my other favorites.

@saishuu is speaking for me in this thread, please continue. But, let's post a bit more of the mighty  しゃるろっと:
 
 
 
 
Their DVDs were FUN AS HELL! Even their member introduction song was awesome.
 
 

@saishuu is speaking for me in this thread, please continue. But, let's post a bit more of the mighty  しゃるろっと:
 
 
 
 
Their DVDs were FUN AS HELL! Even their member introduction song was awesome.
 
 

I have died from nostalgia. This thread is so relevant to my interests. I'll share some old favs that haven't been posted yet.