First of all, I would like to thank everyone who is supporting Deviloof!
At the end of the day, when I decided to start helping Deviloof I was very much aware that they are band that will have people that love them, people that hate them and a smaller majority of people who don’t feel strongly either way about them, more so than any other band V STAR PROMOTION’s works with.
The reason V STAR PROMOTION decided to work with Deviloof is to broaden our market, our goal is to have something to offer to as many people with varying tastes in music.
And the fact that people have varying and different tastes in music is what this discussion leads to.
Everybody has their own taste in music, what one person might think sounds terrible could be a masterpiece to other people, it doesn’t mean that either person is wrong, it also doesn’t mean that the song in question is innately good or bad, it all comes down to personal opinion.
This is also the case in defining a music style, music is a vast and ever changing entity.
Music never stays the same for long as artists and fans are always thinking of a way to change and develop it further, by this genres of music are also constantly changing and developing.
So any genre of music can also be thought of differently by different people, what might be brutal to someone might not just cut it to other, and on the reverse side what might be brutal to some might be too much for others.
And there is nothing at all wrong with that.
Working with Deviloof, I have faith that they will continue to work hard to grow as artists and that they will try their best to bring new and unique music.
It is not always going to appeal to everyone, but that’s music.
If you like Deviloof, once again I would like to thank you for your support.
If you don’t like Deviloof I value and understand your opinion, but please understand that the people that like them have their reasons and right to do so as well.
The same goes in reverse.
Thank you.
Was driving around listening to Cassis getting excited for Gazette's NYC show in a couple weekends.... thought I'd record some thoughts. Let me know what you think of this (old) Gazette single!
(shoutout to Jrocknyc shoutboxer Ken who made a few videos like this about old school Nagoya Kei that were fun... I couldn't find any of them anymore though.)
i thought that comment tuning was odd then i read this and realized they can't bring their whole rigs/guitars LOL. i dont think an extra bass/guitar for the songs in drop c/standard is such a big deal, but i dont know how many guitars they have for their tunings and shit
at least this eliminates that linda shit and the other old gazette songs that fans love but i hate LOL. as long as its post stacked rubbish heavy its cool, although i really wanna hear taion, reila and cassis as well :((
I didn't feel like spamming the undying news thread so here's the short, but FUCKING EPIC mexico setlist.
1. NIHIL
2. DOGMA
3. RAGE
4. VORTEX
5. FADELESS
6. LUCY
7. OMINOUS
8. CHIZURU
9. THE SUICIDE CIRCUS
10. DERANGEMENT
11. UGLY
12. BLEMISH
13. UNDYING
ENCORE
14. HYENA
15. TOMORROW NEVER DIES
16. FILTH IN THE BEAUTY
so thats 3 stacked rubbish nods!! yas!! tbh i could do without vortex and fadeless, i'd rather DEUX or something else in their place. i like inside beast more than suicide circus, im happy they included derangement tho i LOVE that song a lot. overall, a lot less dogma than expected. ur thoughts?
Given in the interview they have stated that the setlists are limited by the tunings available to them, I hope that they bring enough guitars to explore their discography - however, I am sure a lot of the material will fit the drop-B tuning or whatever the DOGMA tuning was since it was their latest. They usually will always play tracks like Filth in the Beauty as well - so we can count on much of the material in the last decade to be fair game.
I do admit I am partial to everything from 2005+ (but still adore 犯行声明文 [Hankou Seimeibun] EP as an outlier) - so as long as they play a variety of material from the last decade, I'll be happy. I hope they play 13Stairs[-]1 since it is one of my favorites and always looked amazing live, but other "older" favorites I have like Reila., 体温 [Taion], or Bathroom I am sure will not be played. Here is to hoping!
d-day is tomorrow
WE WILL FINALLY GET AN IDEA OF THE SETLIST, MOST IMPORTANTLY!
im out here PRAYING they do a longer setlist (+20 songs) than their last world tour; the 2007 EU tour setlists were glorious tho i have faith.
Thank you for sharing the interview @emmny. I'm looking forward to the NYC show and will be in attendance. It is great to know that Undying will be released prior to the show so that I can listen to it and get pumped for the tour!
Right now I have to re-align my fleeting musical obsessions into a GazettE phase so that I am even more excited to see the show. I hope the energy of the U.S. crowd for them is high and that every show is sold out to encourage more shows in the future. I have really enjoyed the Project Dark Age material and have been with them for so long that it will be great to experience the music first hand.
Thank you for sharing the interview @emmny. I'm looking forward to the NYC show and will be in attendance. It is great to know that Undying will be released prior to the show so that I can listen to it and get pumped for the tour!
Right now I have to re-align my fleeting musical obsessions into a GazettE phase so that I am even more excited to see the show. I hope the energy of the U.S. crowd for them is high and that every show is sold out to encourage more shows in the future. I have really enjoyed the Project Dark Age material and have been with them for so long that it will be great to experience the music first hand.
I have some thoughts regarding elitism that I thought might be relevant here.
From my perspective, I've come across what I'd personally categorize as two different kinds of elitists. The main thing separating these two would be their motivations.
The first type of elitist I like to call the "psuedo-elitist". For me, this is the most common type. This type of elitist is driven by insecurity. They feel the need to bash and criticize any and everything they don't like in an effort to validate their own tastes. Some of them also make it their mission to learn as much about music as possible and to listen to all of the "objective" music classics - which is nice, but they don't do it for the sake of the knowledge alone - they do it so they can feel like they have a leg up on others. Some of this type are actually really knowledgeable, but unfortunately, they wield that knowledge from an unbalanced place and use it to boost their egos instead of shedding light in a healthy fashion. More often than not, they also lack individuality because they're constantly looking outside of themselves for validation instead allowing themselves to trust and appreciate their own, unique music taste. Most of this kind aren't even aware of themselves, so they end up coming off as assholes - or just looking like clowns to those who can see through them. They're usually troublesome to talk music with because they're too wrapped up in their own egos to properly perform the dance that is conversation.
The second type of elitist probably doesn't even personally identify with the term "elitist" and you'd probably never catch these guys referring to themselves as such. They have discerning tastes and they may be super knowledgeable about music, but they are self-validated and don't look outwards to "objective" standards - they define their own taste, they come up with their own ideas about music, and they completely OWN however they feel about music, regardless of anyone else's opinion. These people understand subjectivity and that their perspective is really not "elite" at all. They're able to seamlessly interface with music fans of all kinds. They're pleasant to talk to because they're more interested in exchanging perspectives, as opposed to trying to force their own opinion on others or prove that their opinion is somehow "right".
Thankfully, the first type can become the second type later on if they wish. I definitely went through a "pseudo-elitist" phase when I was younger, which I'm glad I grew out of.
The Casual
That moment when you actually try to talk about visual kei with someone.
Pros: Potentially interested in learning more.
Cons: Unfamiliar with anything else an artist may have done.
The Expat
I'm into plush dolls. Native women are so overrated...
Pros: Did you need that ameblo post translated? They know a guy...
Cons: Will probably find a way to make every music discussion about j-music.
The Hoarder
The visual kei ward will be fresh af bby
Pros: They definitely have that super rare live distro file you've been looking for in flac.
Cons: It's just on their hard drive from 2001 packed up in storage.
The Otaku
How otakus share rarez
Pros: Deep and knowledgeable about music, may have variety in taste, love spreading music
Cons: Can be very difficult to find common ground musically, don't like sharing, neurotic habits
The Historian
Visual kei alone would take up half the chart but historians disagree on how many different sub -keis there should be.
Pros: A walking encyclopedia of obscure musical knowledge
Cons: Doesn't know anything about anyone you would care about
The Elitist
Start by listening to some real music n00b
Pros: Actually has dope music taste (on occasion)
Cons: Spends too much time being an asshole, too selective, not open to new things
The Shadow
Is it safe to come out?
Pros: The coolest peeps in the scene for sure.
Cons: Rarely ever advertise themselves as a J-Music fan
The Bangya
Believe it or not they're sitting in assigned order.
Pros: They actually support the movement.
Cons: Describe going to lives as 参戦 (lit. "going to war").
The Hype Beast
This new visual kei band's releasing a 7-TYPE live distributed 30 copy single campaign based on the days of the week all recorded, mixed, and mastered in the same day! Pre-ordered all seven already!
Pros: They're on top of everything that's happening
Cons: Listens to Instigate the Grief and THE RUDIE SATAN PARK for pleasure.
The Tanuki
qurl you won't believe what i just found about about satsuki...
Pros: They got all the details about everyone
Cons: All but one of them are a lie (and they might not know which)
I hope you enjoyed the read! Are there any you think I missed? Comment and leave them below.
Recommended New Tracks: February 2016!Greetings, fellow Monochromians! February has come and gone, and the year has already yielded a ton of musical goodies! We've got a lot to recommend this month. and we've also got a handful of new contributors this month! Please welcome our new ORZ members @emmny (altho he has contributed before), @togz, and @tetsu_sama69 into the fold! I'd also like to give a shout-out to our guest contributors this month, @yakihiko, and @Matsuchan! So saddle in and check which out what we've got to recommend this month. Let us know what you think and feel free to discuss your own picks as well! If it conveniences you, you can check out our YouTube playlist for this month here! ^^
@emmny's Picks: "月-MOON"byAvelCain AvelCain are currently one of my favourite active bands, so while this song was technically released in the tail end of January, I gotta shout it out anyway. "月-MOON-" is actually the opening theme to an upcoming 'movie' called MOONBOW which vocalist Karma is acting in, so how it'll fit into the context of the movie is beyond me since few details have been released (as per AvelCain's mysterious shtick). The song works great as a standalone single; eve, their producer and main songwriter pulls out all the stops, pairing heavy chugging guitars with a cloyingly sweet chorus and surprisingly prominent string arrangements. "月-MOON-" is a lovely pop song at its core, but it leaves me wondering whether AvelCain will push their poppy sensibilities further and further away from their alt-metal roots as the current flagship band of Shizumiya Records for the sake of their popularity. While there's a certain level of quality we can expect from AvelCain, they always have a surprise or two to throw at listeners, which is why I'm on the edge of my seat for the release of 蘇-よみがえり- (yomigaeri) in March.
"Luxuria" by MALISEND Malisend's debut mini-album ロストソレイユ (lost soleil) suffered from something I'd like to call preview-disorder. You know when you're so hyped for a band's release that you listen to the promos for weeks before the actual release but when you hear the full songs they just feel kind of stale? From what I heard on the previews, it was awesome--dark, brooding metal with a heavy gothic/coll:set-era D'espairsRay influence. Unfortunately, the songs didn't develop well enough to keep up with all the ideas thrown at listeners. "Luxuria" should have suffered the most with its relatively short running length of 3:30, but the doomy guitars and ominous vocals reminiscent of iconic D'espairsRay fan favourite "Garnet" paired with a furious drum section are too delicious to resist. The breakdown at the last minute of the song where the song crumbles before heading back into the riotous verse is nothing short of breathtaking, and that moment sealed its fate as an album highlight.
"形の無い、何よりも、愛したのは、お前だけが" "(katachi no nai, nani yori mo, aishita no wa, omae dake ga)" by gibiky gibiky gibiky highfashionparalyze, the odd nagoya kei outfit originally composed of Aie and Kazuma (ex-merry go round, smells) changed their name earlier this year to the equally odd "gibiky gibiky gibiky" in response to the addition of bassist Kazu (ex-kagerou) and Sakura (ex-l'arc en ciel, zigzo), signaling a new era and sound for the band. They operate on the outskirts of visual/nagoya kei, as their sound is mostly based off of improvisation with a heavy noise/experimental rock leaning. This song has been around in one form or another since the band's 2009 demo, surfacing again as a full-band remake on the live distribute single MA&MA&MA from 2015, which will again be featured on their upcoming first full length album. While HFP/gibiky 3x can be quite hit-and-miss given the jarring vocals and off-kilter guitar work, "形の無い、何よりも、愛したのは、お前だけが" is absolute alt-rock perfection. Kazuma can easily overpower a track with his intense vocal acrobatics, but aie and co. keep up without missing a beat, turning a once haunted and sparse demo in a brilliantly melancholy full-band arrangement.
@fitear1590's Picks: "さようなら僕だけの人 (sayounara boku dake no hito)"byベル (belle)Belle most notably features guitarist Yumehito (ex-2 different versions of Ayabie). Since their debut in late 2014, they mostly flew under my radar, first sparking my interest last fall with their "ビードロ (vidro)" video, which harkened back to some late 90s/early 2000s white kei guitar tones! While that song was good, the new PV track from their first full album is perfucktion. The band reminds me of カルペディエム (Carpe diem) with their beautiful sense of melody and tastefully exaggerated vocals. And again, Yumehito's airy guitar tones are just lovely. There's definitely something very refreshing about this band in the current scene. Skip to 1:31 in the video to hop straight to the music!
"欲望の歌 (yokubou no uta)" by ゴールデンボンバー (Golden Bomber) Oh. My. God. I think we collectively shit ourselves when known troll band Golden Bomber released this PV masterpiece. From the obvious MALICE MIZER and LAREINE costume homages, to the more subtle nods to X-JAPAN/Dir en grey and Versailles-esque music, there's plenty to enjoy for longtime fans of the scene. Whether it's chubby-faced Gacktmijo with braces or playing with the "PV white girl" trope by having fake-Klaha chase her through the forest while striking vanity poses, the video is just a blast. I never found the appeal in this band, but recently, something's clicking. The vocalist's contribution on the recent スピッツ (Spitz) cover album was actually beautiful and now this hilarity. There's a special place in VK hell for Golden Bomber, but you know what, I think they're totally down to own that spot!
"灰燼に帰す (kaijin ni kaesu)" by サウイフモノ (souiumono)Souiumono may have recently announced their disbandment, but at least they're going out with a bang. Not only did they have the most entertaining and RPG-appropriate announcement (@Trombe's translation: "the band will disband as demon boss is defeated, curse is dispelled and subjugation quest is cleared, and peace of the world is restored"), they also left us farewell album GAME OVER. While there are a few too many old tracks, the new ones do not disappoint. Track two, composed by bassist Nuppe, combines the heaviness we've come to know in this last era of souiumono with SACCI's gorgeous dramatic choruses, recalling something Merveilles-era Gackt might sing (yes, two MALICE MIZER references this month). I just hope we don't have to wait too long before the members resurface in new bands.
"Little Boy" by SeussSeuss's new track is a mellow indie anthem. The marchy beat is what initially pulls you in. When the vocals emerge from the dense spiral of riffs, they are a bit garbled. While Engrish can be a turnoff, I have definitely come to appreciate this song a lot more than their clunky twee pop single, "Dancing stupid". I find myself coming back to this latest track, for background music if nothing else. Their album TODAY WAS GOOD is out March 9th.
"エメラルドグリーン (emerald green)" by そこに鳴る (sokoninaru)Last year, I reviewed sokoninaru's debut EP I'm NOT a pirolian. "Emerald green" is the band's first single from their new mini, YAMINABE. How does it fare, you ask? Just based on this song, the band has streamlined many of perceived 'gimmicks' of pirolian's PV track "pirorhythm stabilizer 〜only your world〜," but vocalist/guitarist Suzuki does squeeze in a rad solo, as he's known to do. Overall, it's closer in style to “夏の落とし物 (natsu no otoshimono), which was my favorite from their first EP, so no complaints here. As far as I'm concerned, they work best when they're just a little more mellow. With 8 tracks on the upcoming YAMINABE, I think a lot of us will have a much better idea of how we feel about this polarizing band come March 9th.
@tetsu_sama69's Picks: "朱色の空 (Shuiro no Sora)"byDeathfina When I first heard of this band, I was a little hesitant - mostly because Haku's vocals in his previous band Mitht needed a lot of work and I was concerned there might not be much improvement on his end... I was very wrong. After returning to the Visual-Kei scene with Deathfina, their first release, "Shuiro no Sora", really impressed me, especially the A-Side track of the same name. Even though it's a slower song, it packs a lot of emotional energy in it, which is something a lot of bands have trouble doing for me recently. There isn't a point where the instrumentals derive from the feel of the track, and it's not overtaken by the slightly gothic synths, Haku's deep vocals help bring together this pretty solid song.
"若者離れが止まらない!" by ZETSURIN⚡HAGUKIThis release totally came out of nowhere for me and latched onto me with its super infectious and groovy vibe. ZETSURIN⚡HAGUKI came from the ashes of now disbanded Tokyo Heroes and didn't pull any punches, especially with the title track "Wakamono Banare ga Tomaranai!" It's an extremely energetic track with a sweet and tasty Spanish guitar flavor. I've tried to get this song out of my head since I first listened to it, but once the bass line kicks in and takes you to the chorus, it's hard to resist the urge to jam to this addictive song. It's also hard to pick exactly what I like the most about this song because, overall, there isn't a weak point in the instrumentals or the vocals and something about it reminds of the heavy, jazzier songs MUCC used to release.
"9rue1 au5ocracy" by Insanity InjectionFirst of all, y'all knew this was coming, and a track of this single had to make it on here, especially since I've been looking forward to this band since it was revealed it was an actual band. I was also more than happy it was released internationally so anyone can buy it online almost anywhere! Even though I enjoyed the single as a whole, one song hit me right where it made my heart explode into a ball of happiness. "9rue1 au5ocracy" is everything batshit I hoped this band would release, and if you like a heavy, dark punch to the face followed by a train of wild screams, then this is the real deal. Chaos's and Kyoka's vocals dip up and down into a mingle of sweet, strange harmony before twisting into dark, hard-hitting and chaotic screams, spiced with pure head-banging instrumentals throughout.
@Zeus's Picks: "Vinyl"byHOLLOWGRAM Halfway between 9GOATS and GULLET, HOLLOWGRAM never had the spark to their music to really catch on. Anyone that's dabbled in visual kei can tell you how important it is to stand out. That's why vocalist Ryo's sudden outburst to start "Vinyl" off is so important. The confused electronic elements and the lifeless guitar work are out, and rock is in! Coupled with a charismatic vocalist who is the very definition of consistency, it is difficult not to lose yourself in this song. "Vinyl" sounds like KEEL without aie's influences, that Nagoya kei guitar tone, and aggressive bass. Ryo intends to do something totally different with HOLLOWGRAM than his previous projects and it appears that the band needed some time to truly come together. If this is the new direction they wish to go in, I will gladly follow.
"Strong Fate" by 和楽器バンドI'm left wondering where this band pulls their influences from every time they release a new single. "Strong Fate" is a ballad with a twist near the middle and the end because despite the name, this band is anything but "traditional" compositionally. Vocalist Yuuko Suzuhana has a habit of stealing the limelight - and it's not hard to when you are this talented - but for once it's the entire band which grabs my attention instead. Different instruments take center stage depending on the tone called for at the moment, so the transitions between the koto/shakuhachi and the guitar/percussion are not only refreshing, they feel natural too! The atmosphere conjured is intense. It's incredibly satisfying to be lulled into a state of complacency only to skyrocket into the stratosphere without warning. And of course I can't forget to mention the major label production which turns everything up to 11. Yet another interesting single from one of my guilty pleasures.
"B.R.N" by Insanity InjectionBetween his flamboyant taste in visual kei apparel to sounding like he never left 1999, Kyouka's antics will never get old to me. INSANITY INJECTION is the new band I have been waiting for and picks up right where Kyouka's other bands left off. One half old-school kote kei charm and the other half mental badassery with those eagle screams to top it off, this is the most inspired revival kei sound I've heard in quite some time. On top of that, the looks and production values put the visual back in visual kei. The falsettos and that chorus drive the cheese home even more. "B.R.N" is a very interesting first single, and I2 is shaping up to be the experimental mess that DROSERA OBLAAT. was meant to be. I can't wait.
"Where the Falling Angel Meets the Rising Ape" by CyclamenMember change-ups have haunted Cyclamen like no other over the last few years, but that doesn't stop magnanimous front man Hayato Imanishi one bit! Cyclamen is a band that moves through phases and now is that time where we return to explore the softer, more tranquil side of Cyclamen's sound. "Where the Falling Angel Meets the Rising Ape" as a tribute to Terry Pratchett, author of the Discworld fantasy novels, is touching enough. What really sells this track for me is how super chilled and dreamy the atmosphere is, reminding me so much of the whimsical adventures detailed in the "Discworld" series. I'm genuinely saddened when it comes to a close, but the short length works in it's favor too. It's nice to see Cyclamen still experimenting and with all of the new tracks we've been getting previews of. I'm excited to see where this band goes next!
"「サプリミナル・ダイエット」" by Charisma.comNow let's talk about catchy! I've gained a soft spot for this dynamic duo ever since DIStopping. Their music meets at the three way intersection of culturally relevant, catchy, and hard hitting without coming across as too preachy or holier-than-thou. "Suppliminal Diet" - a combination of "subliminal" and "dietary supplement" - discusses the harm that the media and society causes by promoting unhealthy body types. The focus on how society/media is a supplementary diet pill is crazy genius and the music video is great fun while still keeping that signature Charisma.com weirdness. It's a tad over produced, but hats off to the girls for making such a high energy song with an important meaning! It seriously gets catchier with every listen. I already can't wait for 「愛泥C」.
@togz's Pick: "Veiled Eyes"byPLASTICZOOMSPLASTICZOOMS has always been a band I found interesting whether it be because of their flaws or unique musical choices. Over the past few releases, this band has shown great change in their sound and style. Veiled Eyes doesn't fail to bring change to the table yet again. It was announced that this song would be a digital release but... I didn't realize the song would be so digital. While I don't think this one track sums up PLASTICZOOMS as a whole, I do feel it's a great song to check out as it does have hints of that more New Wave sound mixed with their previous Nu Goth tendencies. Aside from the mixture of the previous two genres, they've added a lot more electronic elements that really boost the song in to a dance-like groove. The bands production and mixing quality seem to be improving alongside Sho's vocal range. This song is a lot of fun, and I've been waiting for PLASTICZOOMS to release this for sometime. I wasn't disappointed and you won't be either! If you'd like to check this track out, you can purchase it on itunes~!
@beni's Picks: "No. 2"byCIDERGIRL Being their first track on their latest second mini-album, there's a lot to love with this indie, all male band despite their petite discography. The familiarity of the chorus in "No.2" might be too along the lines of 'been there, done that' but it somehow makes it instantly memorable. The crystal clear vocals and poppy yet rocking melodies is something to be enjoyed by plenty of us.
"氷の皿 (Ave Maria)" by Poet-type.MWhat a find to get into the swing of things for 2016. Being a member of two late rock bands, namely BURGER NUDS (1980) and Good Dog Happy Men (1999) didn't stop this dude from going to even greater things as a soloist back in 2011 and again in 2013 after a pause in activities. The Visual Kei-esque vocals took me by surprise at first until I was lulled into the dreamy sound of the tune and fell for everything that makes the song. The mix of soft rock and electro makes for a contemporary mash of differing genres which works wonder, and with his lush, distinctive vocals it all mashes splendidly together. It's another of those underwater/deep blue sounding songs that comes off as peaceful and romantic, leaving a super lasting impression.
"Urusai." by SUPER BEAVERSUPER BEAVER have been on a roll recently and there's no stopping them. Continuously getting better with every release, "Urusai." is proving to be their bulls eye - their best song to date. At only two minutes and thirty five seconds long, the tune is a roller-coaster, squashing in its energetic chorus three times and a softer, slower couple of verses. The song is fittingly named "Urusai.", as we all know means 'shut up'. The song opens with vocals from all the guys and guitar chugs that penetrate your ear drums, instantly becoming addicting. Being a short song that packs a punch, I can promise you that you'll be coming back to it repeatedly. Loud, obnoxious, and bursting with energy, SUPER BEAVER certainly are a super bunch.
"KOKO" by WEAVERLike SUPER BEAVER, WEAVER is a band that I hold close to my heart because of their charm. There's something strangely surreal, empowering and warm about their music, and "KOKO" is probably their best song to prove this. With a sound that sets them apart from your usual pop/rock bands in America only because they're Japanese, "KOKO" is both engaging and has too much repeat factor for its own good. The song has plenty of colour and character to it thanks to the structure which is similar to that of the dubstep genre; a strong and loud build up before the chorus hits. Artistic and full of flare, there really isn't a dull moment in "KOKO".
@doombox's Picks: "KICK ASS HERO"byFEELFLIP & SKALL HEADZTo celebrate their ongoing ska punk festival concerts with the same name, band bros FEELFLIP and SKALL HEADZ put out a kick ass song to go along with just how kick ass it must be to bring the entire Japanese ska punk scene together year after year. The song and video are a high energy romps true to the spirit of both bands' work with strong horn sections and lots of pop-punk ruckus that proves that the more the merrier, indeed!
"時を貫く槍(toki o tsuranuku yari)" by Within The Last Wish I've been in love with this track since the video came out last month, but when I saw it was recently uploaded to Bandcamp for ￥200 (with a second and equally amazing song) I had to snatch it up, asap. I have a major weakness for the screamo-esque vocals over hyper-melodic post-hardcore and the swirling dissonance that radiates from this track. Within The Last Wish have masterfully crafted a powerful and memorable approach to tackling age-old feelings of loss and introspection.
"Delicious" by MONKEY MAJIK It's hard not to dance along to this feel good jam from what is probably one of the most unassuming J-pop groups in history. If MONKEY MAJIK didn't release something new for the Year of the Monkey it would be a sad missed opportunity for sure. The song, and hilarious video, play on some retro 80s-inspired jazz-funk complete with jazzercize dancers in horrible spandex to round out the 'it's so bad, it's good' concept. The music and lyrics are extremely catchy as we'd expect, but they're also a bit of a new leaf from your typical acoustic-ballad style MM is known for. It ends up being just the spark of creativity needed to keep things fresh, yet familiar.
@CAT5's Picks: "gods"bymothercoat After the release of last year's super solid album "GOHUM", indie-quirksters mothercoat have returned with a new single, and they've stepped their game up another notch! "gods" almost sounds like a mash-up of their previously released songs "fake a fake" and "post", sporting a slightly mathy main riff that's rhythmically remeniscent of the former, yet carries the buoyant energy of the latter. The production on "gods" is also noticeably improved from the band's 2015 output. Every instrument is clearly audible with a pristine sense of individual space and clarity. Even with the vocals laid atop, everything jives pleasantly as a whole. "gods" is a distinctly 'mothercoat song', but it should appeal to any fan who likes a bit of 'pep' in ther indie-rock 'step'. ; )
"C.P.U."byマリアハト (Maria Hato)If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I fucking LOVE mmm (me-my-mo). Who is mmm? You're right to ask. Chances are you probably haven't heard of her unless you're an ardent fan of Japanese indie-folk singers. Long story short, she's an underground folk musician that got her start in 2006 and has been involved with the scene since, performing with several bands like oono yuuki, Oh Shu, and Aniss & Lacanca. She has a unique voice and a penchant for writing compelling songs. She could release a record of herself blowing into a mic, and I'd still love it. I'm biased. Sue me. Thankfully, the music she makes is actually much more interesting that. After a brief 'retirement' from the music world in 2013, she returned in late 2014, much to my delight. She's also resumed activities with her band マリアハト, and they've just released this utterly fantastic 7inch single. mmm has always shown unorthodox tendencies in her music, but "C.P.U." is, without a doubt, her most adventurous song to date. It starts off simple and pleasant enough, but then veers off into an unexpected breakdown, complete with tribal drumming and noise-sax, before diverging even further into a psychedelic-dub haze. The song never looses its way, however; these aural detours somehow feel like they were a planned route all along. I love it! Be sure to check out the equally trippy PV in the spoiler!
☆Guest☆ Picks: "殉恋歌(junrenka)" by BORN Bringing the typical BORN music format, "殉恋歌(junrenka)" is such an amazing song, with heavy bass, average drums, guitars as always fitting very well with each other and with high traces of Ryoga's epic and crazy singing style. If you know how each member's voice sounds, you can clearly notice all of their voices in some parts of the song, which make this, and their last single even greater.
-submitted by @yakihiko
"Ruin"byDeviloofDeviloof is a 5 member Deathcore band from Osaka claiming to be the "Most violence and extreme Visual Kei band" and with their 1st Single "Ruin", which was originally released in December but made available through indie-CD shops since February 10th, they definitely proove that they have every right to do so! A pretty good amount of blastbeats, and probably the heaviest breakdowns and most nasty-sounding vocals of the scene make this song a must listen for every fan of heavy Visual Kei..
-submitted by @Matsuchan
See you next month!
I quite like the song! It's lacking a certain punch, but I don't mind that. I'm just not sure it works as the lead single from the release.
What's up with Satoshi's stand-up drumming again though? Is that just what he does now?
Interesting! It reminds me of a more electronic version of "milky latte". Plus, the goldfish in the cup reminds me of the goldfish on the cover art for that single!
sounds as mainstream poprock. not bad but totally not my taste. still can enjoy but wouldn't spent money on such music...
loved div in the early years...
I used to love E+T - however, they are kind of like A9 was to me a few years ago - no real excitement from their music, but I would always listen to it with hope.
Lets hope they pull a Phoenix with this new EP and surprise me. I still have hope.
Quint just uploaded their MV for Moratorium -モラトリアム -, off of their first mini-album.
Kinda irksome that it was only sold in one store in Shinjuku as a limited release.
Hopefully they do an official release and/or put it on itunes/indiesmusic.
I like the projection lighting they do at the latter end of the MV. Reminds me of the shikisai puzzle - shikijitsu MV a bit.
TheStoic reacted to Suuu in Deviloof new distributed single "Ishtar" release
TheStoic got a reaction from emmny in the GazettE
TheStoic got a reaction from Seimeisen in the GazettE
TheStoic got a reaction from CAT5 in cinema staff new album "eve" release
TheStoic got a reaction from suji in exist†trace's New look and new mini album announced!