TheStoic

I love Art-School - to hear they are going to be on hiatus in unfortunate, but to know that they plan to resume activities in the future is positive. Much like their music - a bittersweet mix of hope and melancholy.

I still wish "The Spankers" would change their ridiculous name and create some original material together. I seriously love all of the bands that participated in the effort, and to see them loving on Diru Kisou/Six-Ugly era material, I would welcome anything inspired by that.

I found plenty of great releases in 2014 to enjoy, and have mostly been happy with the return to form of many older bands that have produced great efforts, such as 12012, Mucc, Lycaon and Girugamesh. New talent also looks promising as a new wave of Darker, heavier artists are making their way in the scene. I'm excited to see what will unfold in 2015. So without further adieu: Best Album: Arche by Dir en grey Honorable Mentions: ボカロ三昧 [Vocalo Zanmai] by 和楽器バンド [Wagakki Band], Symbosis by HaKU Best EP: Gravitation by Girugämesh Honorable Mentions: XII by 12012 Best Single: Libra by Nocturnal Bloodlust Honorable Mentions: The Hopeless by The Black Swan, Shadow by Lycaon, Suicidal Diva by Biosphia Best Rookie: The Black Swan Honorable Mentions: My Bacteria Heat Island, Dadaroma

This is pretty cool - I welcome any new artist that comes my way with a dark/heavy edge to their sound. Although I have not really listened to Silent Difference, I found that the vocals slightly reminded me of NoGoD.

I dig the sound - but I personally hate Chorus only previews, because the build to the chorus is what makes it pay off. Either way, I would like to check this one out. RevleZ is a band I have warmed up to ever since I dug the Cruel single.

Thanks Trombe!

That is a marathon of a setlist! I wish I could get the chance to see it live. I'm also glad that this is a 10th Anniversary Release compilation and not the "We are about to disband" compilation that is all too common, especially in recent years. Despite the mix of love and hate they got for the Gallows LP and Exodus EP, I loved both releases and can't wait to hear new material from them. I really liked their recent Singles and B-Sides too - one of my staples I always look forward to.

Does anyone know is San is still making music? He was my favorite Nega member - but has seemed to drop out of the VK scene.

Intro reminded me of a slower tempo Amaryllis from Para:noir / D.I.D - I have the Mirror/Bring Disorder Single from them and really liked it - and heard they are fans of Para:noir/D.I.D - so the homage is appropriate. This track sounds pretty cool. I'm glad this band is on the scene and hope they release more as time goes on.

Despite feeling lukewarm about Lycaon releases in recent years (except for 薔薇~Rose - I loved that single), I have always given them another chance and mildly enjoyed the output. At least now I'm not expecting another album in the same vein as Royal Order, but lately they have been getting better than the Eros era, in my opinion.

I love the heavy, upbeat injection into their newest singles, which have really turned me on to the band. As a result - I would love to see what they can do with this release.

I have really grown to love this band in recent years. That last promotional single was just "OK" in my opinion. The downtuned intro riffing with female vocal samples reminded me of an attempt to mimic the GazettE, which can work, but felt like a cheap and less catchy recreation in my mind. Zero One and the other singles were solid releases by them - so I will check it out. On the other note - I agree that Chisa is not looking his best in this style - kill that hair (keep the color).

I enjoyed the guitar tone experiments on Resurrection - and really like when they create songs that vary in vocal style and pacing, like their single tracks for this release. I honestly loved genesis (the guitar solo was so cool to me), and the single version of Libra is one of my favorite tracks by them. However, I felt that this effort felt less dynamic and blurred together in many of the tracks. As a result, I don't have any standout tracks outside of Resurrection and the singles that I can remember. As a result, while I stilled liked the release - it didn't knock my socks off like I had hoped.

溺れる魚 (Oboreru Sakana) - Dadaroma, Sadie, Mucc, Deadman, Ghost Apparently there is something edgy about talking about a drowning fish.

I got to listen to the single last night and loved it - the title track is very catchy and the tapping fury in the guitar riffs is stellar. The B-Sides are also fairly solid! A great release in my opinion. It is a real disappointment that they are disbanding as their releases seem to get better with age!

These songs are amazing. After listening to Immortalis by Sukekiyo again to try to amp my excitement for Kyo's vocals, and then coming back to these Arche samples, the composition and sound of what Diru is able to forge musically is why I have always loved them so much. I had a hard time instantly liking Sukekiyo, and was surprised given that Kyo and many other excellent artists were involved, but after hearing new Diru material, it is clear that what these five can produce musically is a gift only they can accomplish. The revelation of mankind could be digested into DSS era material, but I still was instantly drawn to it and liked it. No repeats necessary.

I loved the trend of atmospheric openers that Diru typically employed with the last few album releases, but nonetheless - that sample was stellar. I can't wait for this album to drop. I'm suprised to hear the greater emphasis on clean vocals this go round in all the samples we have been provided.

Disheartening - this reminds me of many other bands that disbanded right after releasing some of the best material I liked from them, such as meth., Rentrer en Soi, and now Biosphia. What a letdown.

It's great to see Eat You Alive bringing in Tomoya from meth. - two bands I liked that disbanded just as I was starting to love them...

While I loved the True and Daybreak singles, exist+trace's last album was a let down. I expected better. Diamond was an average single, so I hope that this next effort is a step up for the group.

This teaser sounds nothing short of stellar. The trippy guitar effects in the verses, the sinister growls, and the rising chorus come together nicely. A mid-tempo track that keeps enough variety in the way the electronic effects are added and really has a cool, funky vibe. Can't wait for this. Comes out on my Birthday - what a nice present.

The atmospherics and melancholy feeling created by the song are very cool. While I was not floored by the release, I did enjoy it and was really amped to see the tashigoto and the new sounds that it can provide to a song. I like the dynamics it added. I look forward to the what the future holds for this project.

The Egnirys cimredopyh +) An Injection is very reminiscent in the bassline, which is a cool groove in the song. The quality is poor, but understandable since they are live recording vinyl. To be honest, if I am going to get into this, it is going to have to be a grower, because my first impression is nothing special. It is devoid of the ethnic/tribal feel that was alluded to and the raspy chaotic vocal lines are a staple for Kyo, but there is nothing that really makes me want to re-listen immediately. I will judge the studio recording before I fully embrace or write this effort off. RIght now, I am not very into the sound of it as something special after first listen.

To see the member line up and the previous bands they have been in, it is hard not to be excited about the material of the group. I am very interested in their overall sound as it seems like a beautiful blend of acoustic instruments with an ethnic, nearly tribal feel that combines traditional elements with folk and the eccentricities of Kyo. I am very interested, but then again, I will not judge it until i hear the music. That will really show me what the potential of this side project is. I hope that this isn't the first step into the demise of Diru, however, although there are no real indications of that. I mean, after reading those interviews put out recently, it seems like the band faces real tension and has a history of turmoil that is impossible to contain and focus, but so often it has produced interesting musical journeys that excite. I hope that this new effort is inspired and captivating. Sukekiyo, you have my attention.

^This. Let's hope self-producing doesn't mean that releases will halt. They are too good to be brushed off into obscurity all too soon.