paradoxal

Day by day I'm getting more and more attracted to you, damn bb you're cute as fuck.

Wait what, Anfiel didn't already have an artist page of their own?? Damn, I'm so glad you were here @hiroki to correct this sin.
 
I might have been savouring some delicious white wine tonight so I might not have a single coherent thought left in my head but damn shogo is one cute motherfucker.
 

Wait what, Anfiel didn't already have an artist page of their own?? Damn, I'm so glad you were here @hiroki to correct this sin.
 
I might have been savouring some delicious white wine tonight so I might not have a single coherent thought left in my head but damn shogo is one cute motherfucker.
 

FULL PV (normal version - different from the one posted before. That means, no offshot images of the making-of)

| Remembering DIV's finest release—so close to a ONE ZERO /10

Last week, DIV blindsided fans by delivering a crushing blow. After four years, they are calling it quits due to the classic ‘musical differences’ excuse, though in this instance the argument is actually plausible. Their recent releases have been delving ever deeper into a self-coined EDR (‘electronic dance rock’) sound—one that bassist Chobi and drummer Satoshi obviously weren’t too keen on. In their remembrance, I am revisiting my old review of ZERO ONE, their first full album and my favorite CD of theirs back in the day. Released back in October 2013, just a year and a half into DIV’s career, ZERO ONE is mighty impressive for a debut album.  In fact, it’s just an excellent rock album, period!  And this is coming from someone who started off with a very lukewarm impression of the band. Let me tell you, I did not care for their debut mini-album, 無題のドキュメント (mudai no document).  The following four singles thankfully showed progress—albeit inconsistent—but they were enough to string me along and keep me excited enough for whatever they had in store next. Thankfully, I stuck around for ZERO ONE, because it has proven to be the glorious culmination of all the band’s potential.
 
 
Early on in their career, I remember thinking DIV had some composition issues; single “夏の行方 (natsue no yukue)” and its B-side “蛍火 (hotarubi)” had almost identical choruses. That’s unacceptable, especially on a three song single! This has been addressed over time and I can say that the band is in top form on this release.  There’s plenty of variety with well-composed, bright pop-rock tunes like “ZERO ONE” as well as heavier and more melancholic, alternative tracks like “VANISH.”  Unlike many other VK bands that actually make it to the full album stage, DIV didn’t feel the need to pad their tracklist with the obligatory ‘experimental’ mainstays we all know like out-of-place ‘jazzy’ track or ‘heavy-repetitive-track-with-growling/screaming-throughout.’  I honestly congratulate that songwriting restraint so hard to come by in this scene.
 
On top of better compositions, DIV have shown some massive progress in their electronic arrangements, which were pretty uninspired and lacking in their earliest releases (especially when compared to Danger Crue labelmates and synth-afficionados, UNiTE.).  Whereas 無題のドキュメント featured an unnecessary SE track with aimless chiptune bleeps, there’s a lovely ‘galactic’ synth sound that permeates most of this album. Sometimes, it lends an epic quality to the music, while at other times, it creates a fun, light atmosphere like in the infectious “Chocolate Prayer.”  The EDM-instrumental track “interlude” leads gorgeously into “ASTERIOS” and the subsequent chaotic screeching and dubsteppy ‘wub wub’ sounds are well-executed, mainly because they are used very sparingly.  That and the autotune (another thing I generally find obnoxious) in “Teddy” are tastefully done.
 
One of the things that really sets DIV apart from most of the VK world is Chisa’s voice.  He’s not your typical, nasally, whiny, over-exaggerated VK singer.  He has a very ‘normal’ (yet capable) voice and somehow that works for the band and keeps them grounded.  He’s able to serenade us with dramatic ballads like “I swear,” to get us moving to catchy tunes like “Chocolate Prayer,” and to evoke hella emotion in heavy tracks like album-opener “VANISH.”  If there’s one thing that could still use work, it’s his growling.  He sounds like he’s straining himself a little bit, sometimes like he’s ‘barfing’ out his words.  But once again, he doesn’t overuse harsh vocals, so this is hardly a problem.
 
If I have one complaint about this album, it’s the choice of old singles to include.  “夏の行方” is a solid enough choice (though as unrealistic as it is, I would’ve absolutely preferred the aforementioned B-side), but I find “SEASONS” and “ANSWER” to be two of the bands weakest singles.  “SEASONS” has so much that I should love (the twinkly, soft piano throughout), but the ‘hooo-oooh’ background voice annoys me and I find the bouncy guitar riff that leads us into the verse to be so insipid—it’s all too clinical, compared to the slightly messier original version of the song by Chisa’s ex-band NEXX. “TASTE OF LIFE,” a fun little pop-rock ditty would have been a better fit, since there were some other poppy songs on the album and they worked just fine. Not to mention, that would have made 1000% more sense than actually including that single (released before ZERO ONE) on their second album, and, btw, not rerecorded... but I digress.  “ANSWER,” their debut song, is a track I find decent at best.  It could’ve benefited from an arrangement overhaul, considering the band’s newfound mastery of the synths, but alas… This rerecording doesn’t sound very different.  In fact, none of them really do. The only major difference I could detect was the background arrangement of "SEASONS" sounded (unfortunately) more subdued in certain parts. But if the album’s biggest weakness is its old songs, that’s probably a good sign of the pure progress the band is making!

Since the success of ZERO ONE, DIV have released even more singles, as well as a second full-album (SECRET: see @doombox's review) and second mini-album (EDR TOKYO: see @CAT5's review). So has this album stood the test of time? There has undoubtedly been some brilliant work released after ZERO ONE, with tracks like the darkly beautiful “BUTTERFLY DREAMER,” the electro-gasmic “東京、熱帯夜につ (tokyo nettaiya ni tsuki),” and my absolute favorite: the unmatched heavenly dreamscape of “漂流彼女 (hyouryuu kanojo).” Moreover, all of these songs have visually stunning PVs, showing further refinement in the band's aesthetic—seriously, go watch them right now. And yet, if I had to choose, I still consider ZERO ONE to be DIV’s flagship release. Why? Because it’s just that, a cohesive release. Comparatively, DIV’s second album was merely a collection of old singles and mostly forgettable new tracks. I've never subscribed to the glorification of the album as the one and only format for ‘real’ music fans, but if I were forced to do a ranking of VK albums, I’m sure ZERO ONE would be up there. No other VK band has been as deft at incorporating electronic arrangements into rock music as DIV and ZERO ONE is the release where they finally realized this sound. They've left an indelible impact on the scene and will truly be missed.

PS: If you haven't checked out DIV yet, their discography has recently been made available for streaming on Spotify and other services!
 

Support the band!
Spotify | CDJapan | Amazon.jp

sup peeps I miss this place
 
 

But you found Zeus and he doesn't mind so much.

アンフィル (Anfiel)
 
Active: 2014.11.20 ~ present
 
Vo. 翔梧 (shogo) [twitter]
Gt. 未月 (mizuki) [twitter]
Gt. yukito [twitter]
Ba. 棗(natsume) [twitter]
Dr. ハル (hal) [twitter]
 
|| Official Homepage || Band Discography ||
 
HOW IS IT THAT WE DON'T HAVE A THREAD FOR THEM YET??
 
Any other anfiel fans out there?
 
 

now available for purchase on the V STAR WEBSHOP

Here

I derived endless amusement from the banter in this topic. The mental calisthenics some of you are going through to paint the staff in a bad light with absolutely no evidence to back it up really gives me a chortle. I don't know if you get your rocks off always being contrarian or if you just don't like us - and I don't really care - but now it's turning into personal vendettas against members who have beef with one another and who are using his departure as a cover. So now this ends.
 
@blackdoll, you in particular need to chill out. None of what you said has any basis in reality and @emmny is more on point than you are. Do not conflate the right to an opinion with being wrong. You shared your opinion and I am telling you that you are wrong. Enough already.
 
Thank you to everyone else in this topic who didn't jump to conclusions and who understands that this is a delicate, complex situation with no right answers. Trombe has been a vital part of Monochrome Heaven for a very long time but even long-lasting relationships don't always work out. I've said it before and I'll say it again: this didn't work out because the staff and Trombe no longer see eye to eye on how news should be posted and how the section should be moderated. The ban is a separate issue entirely from what everyone else in this topic is going on about and I'm reserving Trombe's right to privacy so don't ask or offer conjectures. Trombe will continue to post news in the form that he sees best and if that entails returning to MH at some point than so be it. Monochrome Heaven will continue to have a news section and you are all welcome to fill the void and post news.
 
In case you need me to make it extra clear for you: Trombe chose to leave Monochrome Heaven. He said so. We said so. If you don't believe either party, that's on you.
 
This topic will now return to wishing Trombe a farewell. Anyone who uses this topic as a platform for airing their own drama will have their posts deleted and receive a nice warning notification to go with it.

I can't be the only one that's wondering why a group of (what im assuming to be majority) adults can't grasp this simple aspect. 5 pages of this? I got love for a lot of you but my goodness you guys are coming off as idiots. Rules were broken and there was actions taken and unfortunately the person at the center of it all has decided they no longer want to contribute. The end. I've been banned previously as have a couple people in this thread has for breaking the rules. Trombe is no different regardless of the years he's spent providing us news and whatnot. 
 
Does it kind of blow? Yeah but guess what...
 
This GREAT and AWESOME thing called LIFE goes on. The man said he's done. Leave it at that. The Mods/Admins said their piece. Leave it at that.
 
For fucks sake.

It's nice for once to read one of these kind of threads and not be part of the so called "nazi"-staff.
 
Being staff on any fan forum really isn't rewarding at times. Handle a trouble maker and you are a nazi, leave it be and you are playing favorites. Really just a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.
 
But that's mostly because normal users only see the visible stuff. When in actuality a lot of things happen that aren't visible. Staff gives warnings by PM, then technical warning if that doesn't work. After that possibly short suspension and so on. And while this all happens staff talks together to think of possible solutions. But then you are of course a nazi, because you did your "job" and I use quotation marks because you don't get paid.
 
Luckily though every once in a while someone actually thanks you for your work and you feel like continuing doing that work for the good of the community.

It does sound like the staff had been trying to find and work out that solution for years that would appease trombe though. I'm not quite sure what else could have been done, honestly.

To just add to the points above - many of the people who have TRIED to contribute news have been constantly antagonized and oppressed by trombe's actions. @Traxanis NOT the only one to have experienced this. What most of you guys DON'T see are the endless complaints about trombe that the staff receives from other members about how their own contributions are being impeded upon. Other great contributors like YNS and numetal were mentioned - the difference is that they don't actively try to prevent other people from contributing as well. They do their part for the community and allow others to do the same. No one has EVER been against trombe posting news. Hell, he's free to post as much news as he wants as often as he wants, but there's no need to step on other people's toes.
 
And to even assume that the staff did not value trombe's contributions is absurd. trombe has been problematic for years now and the staff have tried their hardest to work with, honor, and appease trombe because his contributions were so meaningful. But what do you do when you give someone a special rank, color, and their own special set of permissions - when you give them the power to contribute more efficiently and they just abuse that power? What do you do when you're a staff member trying to address a problem and your efforts to communicate and work out said problem are blatantly ignored? What do you do with a user who is constantly praised and literally the member with the most likes on the entire forum BY FAR, yet this member bitches and moans when a few threads (out of hundreds posted every week) don't get any replies (despite plenty of page views)?
 
The staff have literally bent over backwards for trombe. If It was up to me, I would have perma-banned his ass ages ago - because I wouldn't want to keep dealing with his constant bullshit, his shitty attitude, and his inability to actually talk shit out and reason. Fuck that, he can kick rocks. Dude was fuckin' temp-banned for a week. A MOTHERFUCKING WEEK. Bruh...And yall think the mods don't value this guy? No one in their right minds would continue to put up with this nonsense if they didn't actually give a shit.
 
I mean, I get it. I understand that emotions are high and people are upset about losing a contributor as outstanding as trombe, but at the end of the day, It should also be understood that trombe is leaving of his own accord - not because of the staff, or "trolls", or some ridiculous behind-the-scenes plot. So again, I say good. You should leave if you're not willing to cooperate and be a part of this community.
 

Banned would imply they can not access or post on the forum, which they are currently doing at this time, so I'm not sure what you're trying to insinuate at this point. All members abide by the same rules, no one is special. If you are trying to say we should give anyone special treatment, I would tell you that... is kinda idiotic.

could this be the most apocalyptic disbandment thread ever since lycaon? #goals #impact

@filth_yI can tell you I have posted news directly from band members mouths before official announcements more than once and know other MH users who have as well. Trombe is not alone in that. Jsyk. 

Not to be harsh, but the other "90%" are lurkers who purely use the forum to download things and get the free news. If people became more active, the community would be a lot larger. Just because someone contributes a high percentage of one section of this forum does not make it okay for them to be disrespectful and childish. The fact that people are defending and suggesting one person have an exception to do whatever they want simply because they provide a convenience people are to lazy to do just baffles me. 
 
This is a forum, not just a news site. People are encouraged to be active and contribute. PS: a lot of those "trolls"/mods liked/and people known around here are known for a reason. They're liked for a reason. Mods were users just like all of us who took on their positions to help make this community an enjoyable place. These are also people who have contributed in just as much of a valuable way as trombe did. 
 
You want a news section? Pick a band or two and contribute. You wanna read news and do nothing, get off a forum and go to a news site.

To all the people complaining that now "there won't be any news anymore" let me tell you this as a person who's written for newswebsites for years: when you see one person do 95% of the stuff, you're easily demotivated to even go and try to see if whatever news you've bumped into is already there or not. So people who want to help but aren't as quick will either see that person as an easy way out, "they'll do it, I guess. Maybe already did", or will just start believing they're simply "not good enough" to bother posting anything at all.  With such a person not around anymore, people will be more inclined to actually post a thing when they come across it. The "next gen" MH news people will show up by themselves for sure.
 
That said, Trombe did lots of work through these years, and all of it was because they felt like it. While they might not have made the best decisions concerning issues and MH as a team, the work itself can't be ignored. But doing lots of work (essentially no one's asking you to do) doesn't equal being able to do whatever the fuck you want to. Rules are rules. And they are there for every single one of us.

And by "piss off" what you actually mean is "if any of the regular uploaders decide to go breaking the forum rules, they will also be disciplined accordingly." It's funny how rules have to apply to every single member, without exception.

^ This. To all these people acting like, "oh noooo, MH won't have any news posts now that Trombe is no longer here!! such pointless, much dead forum, wow"
 
Other people are perfectly capable and willing to post news. I imagine the reason very few people tried to before (myself included, though I did make a few attempts) is because they felt intimidated by the fact that Trombe had such a monopoly on the news section and there was no point in trying to post news yourself, even if you managed to post it before Trombe, because some ghost thread would show up five minutes later anyway. It's not as if we're all a bunch of helpless babies that can't do anything on our own. Trombe was impressive because s/he managed to do most of this single-handedly, and it was certainly appreciated, but there is no reason why a single person has to keep doing it. You can sit around whining in this thread all day, or you can think about contributing in some small part to help keep things just as active as they ever were.

Nature abhors a vacuum, I think new people will step up. Especially if Trombe's behavior toward me was any indication.
 
If I ever posted a news item that overlapped with one of his it would mean public bitching, then private bitching in emails, copypasta of the rules and last time, a threat with suspension. I finally had enough of the ingrate and said fuck you, post your own damn news and stopped any more contributions. I was tired of his territorial bullshit.
 
So I'm sure more people will step forward now that they don't have to deal with this bitch any more.

I think that was the problem, ironically.
 
No one here is going to deny that Trombe was a very well known, and informative member on this website for VK news.
Yet, everyone needs to realize that he was just that. A member. No different from any one of us. To my knowledge, he was not being paid to do this.
 
It seems that no one besides the Admins/Moderators, are aware of the situation. No one should be jumping to conclusions. As being a moderator on various websites over the years myself, I understand what a group decision among other mods is like. No right to disrespect, if you don't understand.
 
If you feel that the news section was the ONLY thing making up MH, then perhaps reconsider and take a close look at the rest of the content that our admins have worked hard to provide for us to view and participate in. I find it ironic that some members I have never seen, have posted on this thread, but no other part of the forum.
If you really don't care about anything/anyone else on this site, then why are you even a member? It's an honest question. There are plenty of blogs elsewhere to read for news.
Those of you mentioning that only Trombe made up the forums news section, are placing him on a high pedestal, when you should not. Please find it in your best interests to help populate the news section from now on if you feel you could, as we already have plenty of other members already doing so, and the more the merrier.
 
I love some of the excuses on here to justify their lack of support for the news section.
You don't know where to start looking? Well no one's holding a gun to your head lol just post anything that you come across that has not been posted yet, if ever. It's that simple
No time to post you say? Well, if you can read the content on one website, I'm pretty sure you can copy/paste that same news on here as well.
Don't feel like it? Well, then you have no say on this matter, now do you?
 
Due to the negligence of most of us here at MH, to not provide a piece of content when we probably could have, have allowed one member to dominate a section of the forum to the point where we eventually felt there was no longer a need for other contributors, and newer members saw this member as the ONLY means for new VK news. In a way, it's our fault Trombe became so vital to the community.
Edit: I had heard about Trombe and his PMs of hate on other potential news posters, but I didn't think it was real until now. Nice to see these individuals come forward. Perhaps this will shed some light as to why it seemed that there was no one else BUT Trombe who posted news.
 
Why do I sound like a moderator? lol
Excuse my asshole rant.
 
Thank you for the contributions to this forum Trombe. Good luck on your new blog or website, if you should choose to do so.
No hard feelings.
 

Sad to see @Trombego and I wish him the best in the future but rules are rules and no one is exempt from them. I'm sure the community will be able to move on from this and if he returns then great if not I'm sure as a whole we can figure other sources out for news.