Seems like they are getting a lot of hate here - I'm not a fan of THE KINKY either, but the rest of the previews sound a lot better than their last mini! The overall sound seems to be quite heavy this time around, definitely looking forward to this one.
Seems like they are getting a lot of hate here - I'm not a fan of THE KINKY either, but the rest of the previews sound a lot better than their last mini! The overall sound seems to be quite heavy this time around, definitely looking forward to this one.
Seems like they are getting a lot of hate here - I'm not a fan of THE KINKY either, but the rest of the previews sound a lot better than their last mini! The overall sound seems to be quite heavy this time around, definitely looking forward to this one.
I always have 1 or 2 songs I don't like on their mini-albums but this one doesn't have that for me! (According to the previews, who knows what the full songs will bring lol) Gonna buy this!
I still enjoy most of the stuff DIR EN GREY, Plastic Tree and MUCC release. Also, projects that involve aie and/or Ryo usually sound great if that counts, the two of them have been around forever but can't ever settle for one project I guess
For more recent stuff, I think these bands are worth keeping an eye on:
DIMLIM
The Gallo
sukekiyo
Kizu
Sioux
RAZOR
HOLLOWGRAM
DADAROMA (still think they have good songs once in a while)
Xaa-Xaa
DEZERT
Overall, I honestly don't really feel a huge decline in VK as a whole, seems like business as usual to me with enough interesting bands to follow. Just wish some bands would release more full albums, Gallo and Xaa-Xaa have done a good job in that regards.
I still enjoy most of the stuff DIR EN GREY, Plastic Tree and MUCC release. Also, projects that involve aie and/or Ryo usually sound great if that counts, the two of them have been around forever but can't ever settle for one project I guess
For more recent stuff, I think these bands are worth keeping an eye on:
DIMLIM
The Gallo
sukekiyo
Kizu
Sioux
RAZOR
HOLLOWGRAM
DADAROMA (still think they have good songs once in a while)
Xaa-Xaa
DEZERT
Overall, I honestly don't really feel a huge decline in VK as a whole, seems like business as usual to me with enough interesting bands to follow. Just wish some bands would release more full albums, Gallo and Xaa-Xaa have done a good job in that regards.
I wouldn't put them in them as the GOAT of the Nagoya Kei genre, I think that has to go to Deadman, but I do really enjoy Gibkiy. If anything, that award should just be given to aie.
01. The Lament
02. Nightbound
03. Lady Death
04. Subterranea
05. Purgatorio
06. Cries From The Underworld
07. Lacrimosa
08. The World
01. Here Be Dragons
10. Come, Become, To Be (bonus track)
Hell yeah! Superb song and nice, classy and beautifully shot video.
Just like the title says this is an attempt to bring back the m-h jrock awards for the year 2017 which last took place way back in 2012 and apparently ended do to lack of participation. Awards were given for best album, single, new band, etc. And all of this was decided by user votes.
So I asked about reviving this and here's what @Zeussaid,
Judging by all of the yearly best album/single reviews I would hope there's still some interest in something like this. So if you want to see the "Monochrome heaven J-Rock Awards 2017" then help me get this topic 50 likes and/or 50 comments by the end of the month.
I personally like how passionate he is, despite the tiny crowd. I mean, hell, if only 3 people attended my concert, I might as well give them my all, since they cared enough to show up lol
Great review, I agree that they need to become a bit more versatile to unlock their full potential!
However, I'm surprised that people think that Lime has a bad range. His range is honestly pretty massive, some of the high notes he hits are insane and he seems to have a decent lower register as well. While I do agree that his vocals will determine on how good they will be on the long run, I feel positive about his potential to develop a more versatile style.
Better late than never! Here's the newest batch of recommended tracks from the amazing ORZ team!
Check them out and let us know what you think!
@tetsu_sama69's Pick
"PM:500" by ラッコ(LACK-CO.)
I really don't know why it is that LACK-CO.'s ballads always seem to hit me in the right spot. "PM5:00" is definitely a track to be noted (if you can look past their drummer's current visual style) with its strange power ballad styling. It's very easy to get swept away by the tidal wave of guilt and depression, leaving you stranded in a sea of psychosis emitted perfectly though tenten's vocals and the bands messy but perfect instrumentals. Granted the rap segment of the track seems very awkward but it fits for me since it feels more like the ramblings of a man questioning his choices in life. Unfortunately, since I am not fluent in Japanese, I can't translate what is being said, only what is being musically expressed and LACK-CO. definitely know how to compose a robust track that can't be categorized as something "stereotypical". I really look forward to the release of their first album 『弱肉教職』 (Jakuniku Kyoushoku) , as it's hard to predict how it's going to end up. But if it's spiced up with a track like "PM5:00", then it's sure to land a place on this year's favorites list.
@helcchi's Pick
"お邪魔します" (Ojamashimasu) by まみれた (mamireta)
Mamireta have brainwashed me. This song is a drug. From the unnerving yet catchy door-knocking, to the deliriously hypnotic opening riff, to the disturbing lyrical and visual themes, “Ojamashimasu” is the intoxicating psycho fix that VK has been thirsting for. This band is so shameless in expressing their corrupt morals, and so unhinged in their mannerisms, you can't help but feel like many years of lunacy have been packed into the unit's short lifespan. Laden with fast talking featuring the ramblings of a madman, the eccentric vocal delivery adds to the song's intrigue, as this trope is so steeped in VK tradition.
Whilst a passionate chorus cuts through the repetitive rhythm that has pervaded through almost half the song, it quickly spirals into a fast-paced whir of pure neuroticism, leading back into the unnerving yet catchy door-knocking that started it all.
I've lost count of how many synonyms for “crazy” I've already used in writing this, but did I mention that this band is crazy?
Let Mamireta “ojamashimasu” into your head.
@emmny's Pick
"朧月夜 (Oborozukiyo)" by 己龍 (Kiryu)
Kiryu have passed 10 years together as a band, a massive milestone for any band, let alone a visual kei band. To celebrate they're...throwing it back to 1997? It's no surprise that Kiryu have an old school influence, especially as the band members have been active since the early 2000's. They're just very good at infusing it into trendy structures with their loud traditional instrumentation. I, however, live for the moments in their dark tracks when they really let loose and wear some blood on their sleeves *wink*. "Oborozukiyo" is three minutes and thirty seconds of kote-kei styled mayhem, melodrama, guts, gore; it's so indulgent and obvious a throwback that it feels like an inside joke between the band and their older fans, with the youth at the butt of the joke. Of course, all parties are in gleeful, head snapping, harakiri'd joy. Mahiro's vocal gymnastics recall the tortured voices of the late 90's, but with an amazingly melodic chorus to match the growls and grunts (all on pitch by the way, eat your heart out Matina and Soleil). The trebly, pitch-harmonic laden guitar lines paired with frequent gyakudai-style rhythm shifts disorient the listener, creating an air of chaotic noise. The track is a throwback, but not a copy in anyway- a representation fitting of an intelligent band who have grown from the scene and still know how to extract every bit of theatric gold from a sound long forgotten, keeping it fresh 20 or so years later in 2017.
@plastic_rainbow's Picks
"管" (Kan) by umbrella
umbrella is a band that I regrettably have not paid much attention to until recently. I don't know what I was thinking at the time, but I've finally realized the greatness of their soft and melodic rock sound, plus their heartbreaking and soothing ballads are to die for. "Kan" sits as one of those beautiful tracks but takes it up another level. The beginning feels cinematic with the playing strings until a steady drum line and lovely guitar walk in. Yui's comforting vocals both sing like a slow heartbeat and an ocean wave that clashes against a rock gently; the perfect balance of softness and passion put into a ballad. Although umbrella may fall short because of their messier production, especially in their early days, they deserve much more love than they already do. I mean, if those mellow guitars don't tug at your heart strings then you must be on crack.
"Snow the Dark" by Spook Jack
Not being a fan of The Candy Spooky Theater, this new solo project of their vocalist Spook Jack (aka Jack Spooky) took me by surprise. While Spook Jack continues to portray his 'spooky' character, his solo work is not the usual fun spoopy-Halloween trope that The Candy Spooky Theater was. Instead, it's downright gothic and dark industrial. Apparently, Full (ex. Guniw Tools, Nookicky, Shilfee and Tulipcorobockles) collaborated with his solo project and although it's not certain how much he was involved in producing the music, some Nookicky influences can be heard. The slow tempo, the ghostly ethereal singing, the use of pianos and harmonious noises in "Snow the Dark" all make up the sound of Nookicky. However, being much darker, the track opens with a haunting industrial vibe, setting a gothic and bone-chilling atmosphere. Spook Jack's ethereal vocals tinged with a gloominess works wonderfully and reveals how mesmerizing his voice can be, unlike his The Candy Spooky Theater performances. If Spook Jack keeps this up with his new approach to a sinister and despairing night of horror, I'm all for it.
"ニヤ" (Niya) by Large House Satisfaction
There seem to be little to no fans of Large House Satisfaction here, so it's my job to make you start listening to them now, especially to those who like some new J-indie music. Large House Satisfaction is a three-piece band that have been around for over 10 years and play garage to classic rock music accompanied with harsh grating vocals. If you like Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, The Birthday, or any of Chiba Yusuke's side projects you may be interested in them. Usually their music is upbeat and faster-paced, but once in a while they'll chug out a few slower-paced songs as well. "Niya", from their newest album Highway to Hellvalley, happens to be one of those slower songs, yet is still stirred up by their punching garage-y guitar riffs and thick bass lines. The vocalist goes all out, and even sounds like he's about to croak, but his harsh singing effectively renders this piece as truly endearing. You'll be singing 'darling darling' all night once you listen to this.
Guest Blurbs from @Ada Suilen
"蛙-Kawazu-" (Kawazu) by キズ (Kizu)
In the contemporary visual kei scene, it's incredibly hard to find something appealing and worthy of some attention. One of the few times I had such a feeling has been with the second single of the new band Kizu, where the lead track "蛙-Kawazu-"shows their unexpected and engaging style: a powerful melody driven by astonishing riffs, and intense vocals by the former singer of Lezard, who seems to have found his own maturity with this new band. I can surely consider Kizu as one of the most interesting rookies of the year.
"愚かしい竜の夢 " (Orokashii Yuu no Yume) by D
D has been one of my first visual bands, and they are nowadays one of my fixed listenings. When they came back from the hiatus, they redid one of their dearest themes and tried to experiment with something new, which I enjoyed but not so much as I thought I would. But I was sure that one day this band would have found their unique energy, and in their fifth mini-album, a limited release, they used what made them so popular for the visual fans. The title track is surely one of the best works in their career, featuring an incredible mix of languages (a la Rozova Dolina) and a clash of tempos, going from soft to powerful in a blink, with a great technique and sublime vocals. If you had lost hope in D, with this track you will surely find it again.
KEEL new EP "死々" (Shishi) will be released at their 2-day oneman live tour "融けるナイフ" (Tokeru Knife) since 2017/12/18-19 at Shimokitazawa SHELTER to 2017/12/25-26 at OSAKA RUIDO (1500yen)
[tracklist]
1. 喘鳴 (Zenmei)
2. 星成り(Hoshi Nari)
3. Over
Kaleidoscope got a reaction from NightFall in DADAROMA new mini-album 「This is “LIVE”」release
Kaleidoscope got a reaction from Devilish_Eye in DADAROMA new mini-album 「This is “LIVE”」release
Kaleidoscope got a reaction from Axius in DADAROMA new mini-album 「This is “LIVE”」release
Kaleidoscope got a reaction from zaa_zaa in VK-Bands that you think STILL HAVE their "spark" & new bands you're keeping an eye on in 2017
Kaleidoscope got a reaction from nightwish666999666 in VK-Bands that you think STILL HAVE their "spark" & new bands you're keeping an eye on in 2017
Kaleidoscope got a reaction from platy in #104: キズ (Kizu) - 蛙-Kawazu-
Kaleidoscope got a reaction from SHOKI in Closer to Ideal "Clockwork Reverse"
Kaleidoscope got a reaction from plastic_rainbow in Recommended Tracks: October 2017