Jigsaw9

Artist: sukekiyo Album: VITIUM Score: The essence of sukekiyo, molded into perfection. sukekiyo has managed to slowly convert me from being a mildly disinterested bystander to a casual listener who's always on the lookout whenever something new pops up concerning the band. Their first full-length IMMORTALIS proved to be a slow-burning behemoth of many faces (and facets), and their latest offering VITIUM isn't too far off from that impression either. Kyo and co. don't seem to be in a hurry, as evidenced by the size of this new 'mini' album which is still longer than most bands' albums. Throughout these 37 minutes, they present their compositions in typical sukekiyo fashion: sprawling, mysterious, unpredictable. This time around, however, it seems they were able to craft a more unified sound for themselves (as if they weren't already unique enough), with a concentrated approach to boot. Each song sounds more coherent in and of itself, while still retaining the "expect the unexpected" avant-garde quality they've come to be known for. VITIUM starts off powerfully and majestically with "leather field" – a dark flower blooming and branching out in sukekiyo's aural grotto. Hints of manic aggression and weirdness also rear their heads, prefiguring what's to come in the second track "dunes." This song introduces a demented vibe with its jittery guitars and drums, the band's interpretation of violent jazz-metal. Surprisingly, we are treated to an interlude next ("dot") that doesn't do much in itself but it serves as a fitting ambient intro to the following "foster mother." Kyo's deep croons drift onto a hypnotic beat complemented by beautiful guitar flourishes and keyboards that evoke an ambiguous atmosphere, on the edge of tranquility and uneasiness. One of the standout tracks for sure! As VITIUM's centerpiece, "雨上がりの優詩 (Ameagari no yuushi)" pales in comparison to "foster mother," although it is a decent slower number complete with some fantastic textures and a soothing, airy outro. The atmosphere continues through "maniera," but it quickly turns into a quirky explosion of psychedelic metal tinged with calmer acoustic noodling. If DIR EN GREY drove out to the desert high on mescaline, this is what they would jam out. If "maniera" was the hallucinatory freak-out, the second interlude "白露 (Hakuro)" serves as a soundtrack to expulsion – not as fun but still necessary. All the more so, it heightens the magnificence of the follow-up, "celeste." Switching between tumbling piano sludge and schizophrenic episodes, it's a strong indicator of what sukekiyo is capable of. Naturally, after all of this there's no other way to go but softer, as "focus" closes the record with ethereal floaty melodies... or so it seems until the flamenco bit kicks in, segueing into one last creepy look into the abyss. As you can tell, this mini album is quite a trip from start to finish. Whereas IMMORTALIS seemed overly long and drawn-out at times, VITIUM manages to capture the band's perfected essence, more powerful and twisted than ever. It is clear that sukekiyo has finally found its own voice. Let's just hope we'll get to hear that voice more in the future as well!

That is some god-tier Engrishing if I ever saw one.

The songs will only be remastered (inb4 anyone gets too carried away xD).

Sooo... it's Sunday. No plug tonight? ;<

Nice cover. Curious about the songs~

lol these band pics are hilarious. Hoping to hear their music in the near future too!

I never got super-into this band but they always had good quality stuff to deliver. Shame to see such a unique and talented band go.

awww...

awww...

^ Haha, yes. New Body Count music makes me happy.

I'm there~ 8D

First I was like "awww yeahhh GREGORY are back!!" and then "...oh." xDDD I guess they seem alright. I like the subdued visuals.

Wooow sounds elaborate with all those extra members! *__*

Okay, here it goes~ Napalm Death - Apex Predator - Easy Meat Napalm Death are of course a legendary band, but even so, it still surprises me how much quality they can still deliver. This album packs a furious tornado of death-grind-like energy as usual, with some pretty cool new tricks here and there -- such as the amazingly sinister opening track with its blunt industrial clanging (old Swans comes to mind). Totally recommended for fans of heavy and aggressive stuff! Carpenter Brut - EP III Catchy and totally retro "synthwave"? I can dig it! This EP feels a little bit darker than your usual brand of nostalgic synth acts, conjuring up images of desolate wastelands, mutants, zombies and whatnot. It's also full of non-stop coolness and has a very nice variety of tracks, leaning a bit towards the up-tempo side. Perfect to listen to in itself or as background music to some action-packed game even. Vlasta Popić - Kvadrat I've only very recently come across this Croatian group but they immediately won me over! A fun blend of jittery punk, noise-rock distortions and occasional poppy hooks that make it all the more memorable. There's nothing more to say really, only that you have to try it out, now.

Since this is in the Japanese section, just asking to make sure: does it have to be all Japanese releases? Cool idea btw!

Unbroken - Well, it was pretty mediocre. A historical biopic with lots of suffering and the 'murrican spirit conquering all hardships? That certainly wasn't done before. It wasn't bad, just kinda boring at times. It was weird to see Miyavi in such a big movie as well, haha. He was okay I guess (his character was written so one-dimensionally, like most others in the story, that there wasn't much to work with).

awww I expected a preview... ;w; (tho maybe a bit early for that still xD)

LOL @ remixes by Full... what kinda guniwception. XDDD

^ Tatsuya went on to sing in ELECTNINE and then to zechs. He changed his stage name to Pami and is currently in yet another new band called Neologic (I think he also had a very brief, very lame solo career inbetween too xD).

Yay, 6 songs is a nice length. Some interesting titles too.

Yep, that's basically CHILD PREY, ahahaha.

Croatian noisy-but-poppy post-punk band Vlasta Popić just released their 2nd album, free like all their other stuff: http://vlastapopic.bandcamp.com/

Wow, new mini album too, amazing! Gonna update first post with info, thx. Also added link for single covers.