Bear

I tried to make a top 10, but I ended up with a massive list. And this is after I trimmed it like hell. I cut like 25-30 albums already. It's been a massive year as far as metal goes with a shitload of great albums.
 
Cultes des Ghoules
Alcest
Tarot
Abigail
Ripper
Vektor
Blood Ceremony
Moonsorrow
Uada
Bròn
Howls of Ebb
Occult Burial
Reptilian
Demon Bell
Nuctemeron
Head of the Demon
Rapid
Ithaqua
Thangorodrim
Demon Bitch
Urfaust
Cradle of Filth
Hail Spirit Noir
Hexenslaught

I meant that as a time length, I believe it is common lingo to describe a full length album as single LP. I could be wrong.
 
Granted the artist can also just drop their release in digital which saves the need for a physical format and it can be listen straight through.

Recently, the albums that I have been listening to average on a track-length of fifteen to twenty minutes alone. These albums therefore easily pass the hundred-minute mark and I cannot say I have ever been bothered by these numbers whatsoever. An album can be one tireless fifty-minute track, or two full sides tallying up to sixteen shorter titles, as long as the music works. As @Bearsays, it depends on the artist in particular and how well they are able to perform in any given time-frame. I can enjoy fifteen-minute albums just as much as those that last up to two hours — but given what artist performs them, they could also be horrible.

I'm not really socially awkward or anything. Shy and introvert, sure, but I talk to plenty of strangers of both genders when I decide to go out. So it's not really that. It's more that I don't go often too often as I always have ended up going alone because I haven't had anyone to go out with. But when I go out and meet a girl it would usually just end in sex and nothing more. So far this offers something different as you actually chat for quite some time before meeting, and on this occasion meet and bake fuckin' buns and play boardgames. If we end up having sex, fantastic. If not, cool, I hope I have fun, win the boardgames (sore looser and an even worse winner!!! And proud of it!) and get some delicious buns.
 
But I have lots of friends who's been active and while they are open for just sex like me, a lot of them have met up with loads and loads of chicks just to get to know eachother, have fun and see if it can turn into something serious. And if not, better luck next time. And many of them have had better luck and gone into a relationship.
 
 
I also met my previous girl online, but on a regular forum where people discuss anything really. But we started talking private early on and it was no different from this really. Met up once for 4 days, and 3 months later she came and got me and my stuff and we moved in together. We lasted for about 5 years before we decided to split because it turned into more of a friendship with benefits (different interests, different goals in life and so on), something which we didn't really feel was the right thing for us both.

It's probably not the easiest band to get into, but I'd sure as hell give both Häxan and Henbane some time to grow. Two very different albums where Häxan have more of that old school unholy atmosphere like Mortuary Drape and Necromantia, and Henbane a bit more in the vein of Katharsis. I personally think Henbane is a bit more easy-listening due to it sounding a bit more professional and stuff. I prefer Häxan myself though.
 
I actually think both Häxan and Coven, or Evil Ways Instead of Love would be really nice as soundtrack to films like Häxan, City of the Dead and so on. They both gives me assisiation to witchcraft and shit. Not sure why, they just do.

If there's something I learned about 10 years ago it is that one canot take the score on IMDB serious at all. It's fucking shit for most part. One must learn to ignore the IMDB score, and the faster one learns that, the better.
 
The film also looks very interesting, just like Oz Perkins' I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (which currently holds a 4,8 on IMDB, but a 68% on Rotten Tomatoes). It also looks really nice. Got a feeling it's a slow-burning horror films based mostly on atmosphere than anything else.

I'd recommend you giving their older, shorter releases a few spins and get to know their style. Would probably make it easier to get into the new album too.
 
 
Amazing!
 
 

Finally listened Coven. Well, I can't exactly give a proper opinion on the album even though it made me want to re-listen it. I enjoyed it as long as it kept me hooked. It is really a difficult listening due to its length but it's definitely something interesting and worthy of your time. Need to familiarize myself with their sound a little more. Will be back on it in my future posts.

Last night I saw 2 synthwave artists, Gost and Perturbator. They were both amazing! So much stage presence.
 
 
The crowd was full of energy, I think probably the most fun I've had. They looked like metal fans but the atmosphere felt like a dance party. I felt so comfortable being myself going from headbanging and throwing up fists to dancing and jumping. My neck and back are incredibly stiff now though xD
 
They stuck around after the show too for photos and signings. Definitely a night I'll remember!
 

 

I am sure the people who are really into the genre know both the artist and the video, but we might be lucky enough to get a few new visitors to this thread who doesn't know it. That was all.
 
 
And I'll just throw this out there again because this release is just too good. The film too is brilliant:
 

 
https://maiovvi.bandcamp.com/album/yellow

Holy shit, that's what I call a reply. Great post!
 
Not Japanese, but since he stepped into the land of Kaiju I just thought I had to shout out to the almighty Pulgasari. North-Korean Kaiju by the South-Korean director Shin Sang-ok who was kidnapped on orders from Kim Jong-il to direct fantasy/propaganda films for them. It's an incredible film, and the story of Shin Sang-ok and his wife Choi Eun-hee is also super interesting.

not yet, but it was in my to-watch list for quite a while. it's just that completed series have higher priority there, that's why i was always postponing that one. i plan on checking it when 2nd season will be out. anyway i watched Battlestar Galactica miniseries and half of first season and it's good so far. though, i'm always a bit too nitpicking about sci-fi stuff and the future stuff they are showing to us. i mean, all those wires and old keyboards and monitors and other stuff - man, that is just an old hardware stuff. 
 
speaking of space operas, have you ever seen japanese animated series from late 80's Legend of the Galactic Heroes (orig. Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu)? that one is a masterpiece! combat strategy/tactics, politics, character relationships - everything is on very high level. sad to see that it's not very popular out here.

@BearI used to be huge into Toku stuff some years ago, I'll always have a weakness for this whole ''people in spandex/people in rubber monster costumes beating the shit out of each other" thing... But only the older stuff for the most part, before they started inserting godawful cgi in everything.
 
As far as the Kaiju side of things is concerned, I've enjoyed most of the older Godzilla movies I've seen, I got a few of 'em on DVD even. Also saw Frankenstein Conquers The World, The War of the Gargantuas and that some more of that sort of stuff. I also recall having seen Death Kappa, but I don't remember much of it. I really want to see that flick called Big Man Japan, it just seems absolutely fucking insane in the best possible way.
 
A recent film I saw that pays homage to Kaiju movies (especially the Gamera franchise) is Love & Peace by Sion Sono. It's basically a romantic comedy, kaiju film, musical (sort of) and a Christmas movie all at the same time. I honestly never would've expected him to ever go in that direction, but I thought the final product was genuinely charming.
 
I 've watched Matango before, remember it was good as well, nice atmosphere, and the creature design was also surprisingly well done for its time.
 
That '60s Yokai Monsters trilogy (at least I THINK it was a trilogy) centered around various types of Yokai was pretty charming as well. Worth watching if you can find 'em somewhere.. I used to have a whole bunch of other non-kaiju toku films on my old PC before it shit the bed, and now that Cinemageddon's sort of not doing too well anymore I'm pretty sure I'll never get 'em back : ^ (
 
Kamen Rider Amazon is kinda like the redheaded step child of the franchise, along with the EXTREMELY dark and edgy Kamen Rider Shin. The latter's a full-on standalone movie though, I assume you've already seen it. As for the former, Amazon is actually also one of the shortest out of the KR series if I'm not wrong, I wonder if parents complained or something.. Anyway, in general, the old Kamen Rider stuff is pretty damn good and entertaining. It's just a shame that most of it doesn't have english subs because people care more about the (in my opinion much lamer) newer seasons.
Now that I think about it, Amazon actually recently got a modern reimagining/retool series on Amazon Prime called Kamen Rider Amazons (all for the pun.. seriously). Unlike most Toku stuff - except for franchises/series like Akibaranger, Lion Maru G, Garo, Ultraman Nexus and such - it's actually aimed at adults from the start. It's supposed to get a second season this year.
 
As far as underrated Toku films go, you might be interested in checking out the Zeiram series if you haven't already. The plot in both parts isn't anything groundbreaking or whatever, but it has cool creature design, stop motion and enough action scenes to keep your attention. Added some trailers under the spoiler tag just cuz I can:
 
Other stuff that may be relevant to your interests (if you haven't seen 'em already):
 
Lady Battle Cop
I guess this is unoficially part of Toei's Metal Hero franchise. This  one sets itself apart by being the only full-on feature length installment in the franchise, as well as the only one intended for a more adult audience, featuring more excessive violence. The Metal Hero franchise in general was already sort of aimed at more mature audiences than most Toku at the time (still mainly for children tho), but this one takes it to the next level. In terms of plot, this is pretty much just Robocop except with a female lead, but from what I've heard it's still supposed to be an entertaining watch. Haven't had the chance to see it myself yet.
 
Giant Robot Mikazuki
6 episode mini-series by the same guy responsible for Zeiram. All of the episodes are the length of your average Western drama episode, clocking in at around 50 mins or more instead of the ~20 mins that's usual for most toku/anime shows. It's about various teams fighting monsters born from human trauma, sometimes with the aid of the titular giant robot (as well as others) The whole thing's on YT afaik. Keita Amemiya's design work is always on point, so pretty much anything he's involved in is somewhat worth watching.
 
Mirai Ninja (aka Cyber Ninja)
ANOTHER film by Amemiya. Co-produced by Namco, who also produced a game based on the movie.. Either that, or the movie's based on the game, making this one of the oldest film adaptations of a videogame in history. Set in the future during a war between humans and cyborgs, but as with most Toku, you don't really watch it for the plot but for the effects anyway : ^)
 
Kaiketsu Zubat
32 episode series from the late '70s. Created by the legendary Shotaro Ishinomori. It's heavily inspired by older Japanese superhero shows like Diamond Eye, Rainbowman and such. The show can somewhat be compared to Adam West's Batman. There's no monsters in this one, all the villains are (usually outlandishly dressed) human criminals. The main character's a detective who goes around dressed in cowboy attire, carrying a guitar that has his superhero costume hidden inside. The entire series has been subbed and should be available online
 
Winspector / Solbrain / Exceedraft (Rescue Hero Trilogy)
Part of the Metal Hero franchise I mentioned earlier. Once again different from the 'usual' Tokusatsu fare in the sense that, while the heroes DO indeed wear super suits, the emphasis is more on rescuing people than on fighting. There's the occasional rampaging mutant or super robot that has to be put down, but overall most of the action scenes involve the main characters on the defense, not on the offense. Again, while there are some childish elements and episodes here and there, this is probably as close as Toku's ever gonna get to 'mature' crime procedurals. Winspector's the first part of the trilogy. The main character, his two robot sidekicks, as well as a couple of recurring human cops who dont get a super suit, work together to stop high-tech criminals. The show is pretty much entirely episodic, with only the occasional two parter here and there. The show not only aired in Japan, but was also pretty damn popular in Brazil, and several other countries also aired their own dubbed versions. Winspector's been fully subbed as of last year.
Second part of the trilogy, Solbrain, is pretty much a direct sequel to Winspector. With the Winspector team having relocated to France, Japan needs a new team of super cops to keep the people safe. While Winspector was 2/3rds robot, the Solbrain team is 2/3rds human, with only 1 token robot member (that was originally intended to appeal to the kiddies, but kids turned out to absolutely fucking hate the thing apparently lol). This show is somewhat more serious than its predecessor, with more focus on the investigative aspect. There's still enough action throughout too, though. Members of the Winspector team also come back to team up w/ the new guys from time to time. This one's currently in the process of being subbed, the subber is now about 32 or 33 eps in (out of 53), and it's slated to be fully done by the end of January. Exceedraft's the final part of the trilogy, and they just kind of fully went off the deep end with this one. It's pretty much almost entirely disconnected from the other parts, and while the other two series were somewhat low on blatantly supernatural elements, this one's full of the stuff. Supposedly, one of the recurring villains in the first half of the show is a guy posessed by an alien, and the main big bad at the end of the series is literally Satan (who looks like a guy in a business suit, apparently. also he has 666 tattooed on him). Infamous for its totally insane christmas episode, which is supposedly an all-out war between Satan's own evil santas and a bunch of actual angels or some shit. unfortunately no subs exist for this one yet, but iirc it does have a portugese dub. It'll get subs after Solbrain's finished though

Some links and shit:
 
The Rise of the Synths
http://theriseofthesynths.com/
 
 
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-rise-of-the-synths--2#/
 
 
 
 


 
 
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2050134024/blood-machines-turbo-killer-2
 
And the amazing song and video Turbo Killer:
 
 
One of the best music videos ever. So fucking cool!
 
 
Interested in both. The posters looks absolutely brilliant. Fantastic! Would love to have both on my wall.

Here's what I do not like to do on mondays, and even less on the first day school is back to regular after most of the kids have been on/had a vacation: having to clean up an insane amount of piss from the floor, a chair and up the table legs. And I mean, it was A LOT. From the amount of piss out on the floor and shit I am sure he's not had a piss for a week. Jesus.Fucking.Christ.
 
What hapened though was that my little friend, an autistic boy, was back at school after a week off. And that's hard, because changes ain't too easy to handle in situations like this. His father struggled to get him up and into the classroom to begin with, but after a while it went really good and we did lots of work and shit. Way more than usual. Then came the break and time for some food. He wanted to eat along in his room which he usually does, and is allowed to do. I checked in on him 2-3 times during the first 20 minutes. Then I finnished my food and went back to look at him and there he stands: pants and underwear around his ankle's and a river of urin all over the place.
 
I'm leaning back to the table behind me, looking in the window and struggling not to break into laughter by covering my mouth with my hand. Because it's a hilarious scene no matter how fucking wrong it is.
 
He then pulls his pants back up and looks at me through the door-window, laughs, then starts to threaten to step into it. Of course, he doesn't do this and is actually far from doing it. He just wants me to give him a reaction, wich I do not. The teacher gets something to clean with and we both step into the room, ready to clean it up with him. What does he do? He fucking steps in it and I am not joking. He steps into the piss. Holy shit. Have to get his socks off and then the cleaning starts. Who knew piss could be this fucking awful? Mainly because of the amount, and the fact that it was everywhere.
 
Monday's, man. It ain't easy. Cleaning rivers of pee ain't funny. But life is fairly good, and this kid is actually amazing. Funny little boy with lots of love towards others, even though he's got a weird way of showing it at times. But that comes with autism I guess.

Kagrra for sure. I can't think of a single band who sounds anything like these guys, and it's a shame because the worlds needs more Kagrra-esque bands. Of both eras. Flawless band!

Here's what I do not like to do on mondays, and even less on the first day school is back to regular after most of the kids have been on/had a vacation: having to clean up an insane amount of piss from the floor, a chair and up the table legs. And I mean, it was A LOT. From the amount of piss out on the floor and shit I am sure he's not had a piss for a week. Jesus.Fucking.Christ.
 
What hapened though was that my little friend, an autistic boy, was back at school after a week off. And that's hard, because changes ain't too easy to handle in situations like this. His father struggled to get him up and into the classroom to begin with, but after a while it went really good and we did lots of work and shit. Way more than usual. Then came the break and time for some food. He wanted to eat along in his room which he usually does, and is allowed to do. I checked in on him 2-3 times during the first 20 minutes. Then I finnished my food and went back to look at him and there he stands: pants and underwear around his ankle's and a river of urin all over the place.
 
I'm leaning back to the table behind me, looking in the window and struggling not to break into laughter by covering my mouth with my hand. Because it's a hilarious scene no matter how fucking wrong it is.
 
He then pulls his pants back up and looks at me through the door-window, laughs, then starts to threaten to step into it. Of course, he doesn't do this and is actually far from doing it. He just wants me to give him a reaction, wich I do not. The teacher gets something to clean with and we both step into the room, ready to clean it up with him. What does he do? He fucking steps in it and I am not joking. He steps into the piss. Holy shit. Have to get his socks off and then the cleaning starts. Who knew piss could be this fucking awful? Mainly because of the amount, and the fact that it was everywhere.
 
Monday's, man. It ain't easy. Cleaning rivers of pee ain't funny. But life is fairly good, and this kid is actually amazing. Funny little boy with lots of love towards others, even though he's got a weird way of showing it at times. But that comes with autism I guess.

This band just knows how to do a cover, don't they? The cover of Grave's Soulless is also really fucking good, although not quite as good as this. This sounds 100% Moonsorrow, but those of us who are familiar with the original will also be able to recognize the track. Just how you're supossed to do a cover. It sounds so huge and epic. Class!
 
Moonsorrow is one of those very fre bands where I'd love to hear a full cover album.

I downloaded Discord instead of using the browser version and it was much better than the browser version. Worked fairly well to be honest. Was nice.

I downloaded Discord instead of using the browser version and it was much better than the browser version. Worked fairly well to be honest. Was nice.

Rewatched the original Star Wars trilogy, the The Star Wars Holiday Special and The Force Awakens. I was a bit afraid that The Force Awakens wouldn't hold up after seeing what a new Star Wars film can actually be like in form of Rogue One, but I was not disappointed at all. Rehash of Star Wars? Sure it is, but I don't care. Still think it was the right move to be honest. Bring back the true feeling of Star Wars for the old generation, but modernize it to please new, younger minds. Still love the film! Time for a rating:
 
1. Star Wars (10/10)
2. The Empire Strikes Back (10/10)
3. Rogue One (9/10)
4. Return of the Jedi (9/10)
5. The Force Awakens (8/10)
6. The Star Wars Holiday Special (1/10, so godfuckingawful it's good)
7. The Phantom Menace (4/10)
8.  Attack of the Clones (2/10)
9.  Revenge of the Sith (2/10)
 
I thik all three prequel films are horrendous. Just godfuckingawful. The reason The Phantom Menace gets a higher score is ONLY because of the pod race which is pretty cool. But other than that I can't really find anything decent about any of these three films. Awful characters, poor story-telling, really fucking shitty CGI and so on. They're basically big lumps of bad CGI. I really hate the visual style they've gone for in these films too. Looks way too polished, pretty and artificial. Shite films, and I hate every single human being who enjoys any of these. Death to all!

Kagrra for sure. I can't think of a single band who sounds anything like these guys, and it's a shame because the worlds needs more Kagrra-esque bands. Of both eras. Flawless band!

Twice as long, but with 2--5 poor(er) songs thrown in. Aight, sound great.
 
 
Would not buy.

That depends on the genre, the type of music the band plays, how good the songwriting is and so on. But there's no such thing as a perfect album lenght, but a general thumb rule for me is that the more agressive the music is, the shorter the album should be. There's always certain exceptions of course, but just in general.
 
But for agressive music such as grindcore, thrash metal, death metal, hardcore, crust, "war metal" (aka really violent brand of black/death metal) and so on I prefer it to be between 15-50. For other genres such as ambient, (slower/symphonic/more atmospheric) black metal and doom metal I'll easily take 80-140 minutes playtime.
 
But it depends on how well the album is set up, how good the songwriting is and all that. So for me, the perfect album lenght can be anything between 10 minutes and 140+ minutes.
 
Number of songs however doesn't matter. If an album has 25 songs and play for 60 minutes or have one song and play for 60 minutes has nothing to say. No difference whatsoever. It's about the styleof the music and the songwriting. The general quality of the music.

FInally got Requiem for Fools and Sigh / Kawir - Suicidogenic / Sinn. Happy days!