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Yes! I can't wait!!

It's interesting going back and listening to Various -> THE SILENT SONG -> CHEDOARA. Really serious improvement, though interesting seeing their progression along the way and how much more experimental they've gotten while also being a bit more stylistically committed if that makes sense (so many VK bands are just...all over the map genre-wise). Production on the newer stuff is of course way, way better, too. Really wondering about the production on Age of lies and 記憶、紺碧の微笑み, though - not sure if it's the files I have but it straight up sounds like someone recorded them practicing down the street, hah. Other random note - the verses in 記憶、紺碧の微笑み sound a lot like 壊れていくこの世界で by PIERROT. Can't unhear.

what is aging if not a constant state of reconsidering the last 15 years? 🤔

I've been into VK for over 15 years and haven't listened to a Luna Sea album from start to finish...

Unnecessary bump, but I've been revisiting this band's discography for the first time in years (didn't much keep up after their first few releases) and wow, they're really consistent!! Very strong songwriters, I can see why they've been around for as long as they have. Something about them makes me feel nostalgic in a nice way.

I like this a fair bit - really interested to see what these guys do. The vocalist has a wonderful voice, though his harsh vocals could use some improvement.

Thank you for sharing this! I would looooove to see some live footage of Malformation. I've listened to it so many times now.

I'm not, actually! I'll check them out on that note - thanks for the recommendation!

I'd really just like to find more VK bands in this vein. Their melodic side really does feel like mid-era Diru to me, but it melds really well with the style they're doing overall. Doesn't make me feel like I should just "go listen to another djent band" because the music is actually different and appeals to different things that I like. Furthermore, I just like that they're stylistically committed. I know when I put this on I'm getting a heavy album, not an album with 6 metalcore tracks and 6 tracks of wonky circus VK.

Another one to file under "ungooglable"

Ambitious Principles was definitely my least favorite track - feels very much like "filler," but I'm really enjoying the rest. Have had Vanitas stuck in my head since I first heard it. The guitarwork on this thing is really crazy! I keep wanting to listen to it again, which is rare for me these days.

Really anticipating this. I like the singles so far and ARCHE ended up being one of my favorite modern Diru releases (I think I like it more than Marrow, Uroboros, and DSS, honestly). I don't know why, but I have a feeling this one is going to be something special.

This is great!! I'm a total nerd for blast beats and hearing them get used a bit more in VK always makes me happy, but so much of this going a bit more in the "full BM" direction is really satisfying. I'd love to see more bands in the scene pull from that kind of metal - just a certain level of atmosphere and intensity that isn't found in some of the "chuggier" riffs a lot of bands rely on.

Wow - just read through this entire thread. I truly hope the woman and child find justice and some semblance of peace through all of this. Reading this reminds me of so many allegations that have sprung up in the emo/metal scenes (though this is absolutely one of the most vile) and it's always so...mindboggling to me how willing fans are to excuse the actions of their faves, often leading them to lash out against the accuser in some horrid, backwards way. I really hope things don't pan out that way here (wishful thinking, maybe?), but wow.

I think I can confidently say that this is the band that got me interested in VK again after years of just listening to the same old stuff I loved when I was younger - I really think they're totally "next level" and one of the few bands I share with friends that generates legitimate interest. Hope this doesn't disappoint!!

Absolutely love the look. Can't help but make the Aliene Mariage comparison with that hat. Then again, these guys do the whole Key Party/Matina-era VK deal so well, so any comparison to those bands feels pretty apt. Really excited to give this a spin upon release.

All I can think listening to it is that it's a really fantastic first album - leaps and bounds above many of their peers, and I think if they stick around in the scene, their next one will be ridiculous. One of the few bands that I feel I absolutely HAVE to see in Japan next year. Actually, with this style of music, I think they'd be really successful in front of a western audience, too, though I know getting VK bands to the states is wishful thinking in most cases.

Just leaving this here - one of the most iconic songs from what is quite likely the greatest television soundtrack of all time (in my opinion).

I'm really shocked that this thread isn't blowing up around CHEDOARA. I listened for the first time this morning and I'm honestly blown away! There's a similarity to Vulgar/WTD-era Diru in the overall feel of the record, but all wrapped up in this interesting proggy-djent package that I think a lot of other bands don't execute nearly as well. I haven't listened to the members' prior bands, but I love this record so far.

These guys came up while letting YouTube shuffle through related videos and I REALLY liked what I heard. Went ahead and listened to dadaism #1 and #2 and while I still find them relatively enjoyable, they're SO good at the melodic metalcore thing that it's a shame they don't go all-in on that sound. I know VK has a thing for mixing up genres, but I think they'd be really exceptional if they focused. (based on those two albums, at least - maybe later records are better?)

NINTH is pretty good, but listened to it today right after DOGMA and I feel like DOGMA is the better album for sure. It's heavy, gloomy, and feels fully realized. I see NINTH revisiting some of their earlier sounds, but at this stage of their career I'd rather have more like DOGMA.

Pretty last minute, but shocked that I don't see this here. Just announced earlier this week from what I understand, but JIN-MACHINE will be performing Friday night at Anime Weekend Atlanta (this weekend!) From the convention's website - "Jin-Machine Started their activity in 2006. Although they categorize themselves as so-called “Visual Kei”, their gigs (they call them Mass) have essence of comedy animation and otaku contents. They are not only a music band but also a entertainment group.They did an opening act at V-ROCK Festival in 2011. Their latest single, “Natsu Daisuki Visuak kei (We love summer! Visual kei) “, consists of various genre such as V-rock, reggae and pop. People can enjoy Jin-Machines’s unique “absurdity” and “humor” through this big piece. The mix of phrase across the genre will definitely allure you into a Jin-Machine’s world! Let’s sing! Dance! and Laugh together with that summer song of Jin-Machine!" I don't know much about the band, but they appear to have been doing this for awhile and their name has been mentioned a good few times around this forum. Looking forward to seeing them! EDIT: Also, important to note that they are not the only musical guest. J-Pop artists GARNiDELiA and Joe Inoue will be performing over the weekend, as well.

Yep. Chicago replaced Merciless Cult with The Fatal Believer and the second encore was C.

Moved to Chicago a few months ago and between this and Dir en grey, I'm pretty ecstatic.

Currently concentrating on Akame ga Kill; really just trying to catch up at this point and I find I like it a bit more with each episode. Just started Psycho-Pass per a friend's recommendation. Only two episodes in, but it's right up my alley thus far.