Visutox

http://6abc.com/news/whats-missing-from-this-house-led-to-a-drug-bust/514461/
 
I don't know what's funnier: that they found them the way they did, or that the bust took place in Haarlem.

This, basically. 
 
I am also really looking forward this release, it might be as awesome as Eternal Turn of the Wheel. 

So, Elan is officially out (and the music video should follow very soon). I was tired to see butthurt NW whining in caps lock about something that defo happens today (+, 1 week before the release is not the death either, see Madonna's leak!).
So, what d'ya think? Well, Sagan is baaad xD Even Floor's voice can't save this boring song. I can't even remember it and i don't want to listen to it again.
Elan is ok. I really like the alternative version.
 


 
the video is so uninspired, and boring (and seriously Floor, this black dress is hideous xD).

Great review, Jig! I had to try VITIUM in order to forget Lycaon's new horrendous thing as it's been a week since it has been released. Well, it is difficult to give a full review after one listening, so I'm gonna quote a few points in which I agree with OP and some people around here (even if everyone seems to agree on almost all points, haha). Just going to say that I'm almost tempted to give this album a 10/10, but it would be seen as a subjective note (yet it would still be legit to give VITIUM such score).   I think this sentence sums up VITIUM so well. 
 
Same here, especially since there are albums which are qualified as such despite having a length being inferior to VITIUM's one.
 
This. 
 
Maybe, but what's sure is that they have shown us they can deliver us quality, be it a full-length or a mini. And that's enough for me.
 
And yeah, guess we all agree concerning the length of VITIUM. I think that it's all about balance. IMMORTALIS is a fantastic album but at the same time it has a lot of tracks that last between 4 to 5 minutes and that's what makes the album difficult to assimilate imo. It's like having an 4 hour Physics lesson with a lot of information to deal with, you need time to revise your lesson in order to finally get some points you missed at first, and stuff (sorry for the lame example). So yeah, in my opinion the problem with IMMORTALIS is really simple and it's called balance. And I'm glad that sukekiyo fixed it with VITIUM.

I'm loving my new found addiction to reading books again.

Great review, Jig! I had to try VITIUM in order to forget Lycaon's new horrendous thing as it's been a week since it has been released. Well, it is difficult to give a full review after one listening, so I'm gonna quote a few points in which I agree with OP and some people around here (even if everyone seems to agree on almost all points, haha). Just going to say that I'm almost tempted to give this album a 10/10, but it would be seen as a subjective note (yet it would still be legit to give VITIUM such score).   I think this sentence sums up VITIUM so well. 
 
Same here, especially since there are albums which are qualified as such despite having a length being inferior to VITIUM's one.
 
This. 
 
Maybe, but what's sure is that they have shown us they can deliver us quality, be it a full-length or a mini. And that's enough for me.
 
And yeah, guess we all agree concerning the length of VITIUM. I think that it's all about balance. IMMORTALIS is a fantastic album but at the same time it has a lot of tracks that last between 4 to 5 minutes and that's what makes the album difficult to assimilate imo. It's like having an 4 hour Physics lesson with a lot of information to deal with, you need time to revise your lesson in order to finally get some points you missed at first, and stuff (sorry for the lame example). So yeah, in my opinion the problem with IMMORTALIS is really simple and it's called balance. And I'm glad that sukekiyo fixed it with VITIUM.

Great review, Jig! I had to try VITIUM in order to forget Lycaon's new horrendous thing as it's been a week since it has been released. Well, it is difficult to give a full review after one listening, so I'm gonna quote a few points in which I agree with OP and some people around here (even if everyone seems to agree on almost all points, haha). Just going to say that I'm almost tempted to give this album a 10/10, but it would be seen as a subjective note (yet it would still be legit to give VITIUM such score).   I think this sentence sums up VITIUM so well. 
 
Same here, especially since there are albums which are qualified as such despite having a length being inferior to VITIUM's one.
 
This. 
 
Maybe, but what's sure is that they have shown us they can deliver us quality, be it a full-length or a mini. And that's enough for me.
 
And yeah, guess we all agree concerning the length of VITIUM. I think that it's all about balance. IMMORTALIS is a fantastic album but at the same time it has a lot of tracks that last between 4 to 5 minutes and that's what makes the album difficult to assimilate imo. It's like having an 4 hour Physics lesson with a lot of information to deal with, you need time to revise your lesson in order to finally get some points you missed at first, and stuff (sorry for the lame example). So yeah, in my opinion the problem with IMMORTALIS is really simple and it's called balance. And I'm glad that sukekiyo fixed it with VITIUM.

Artist: sukekiyo Album: VITIUM Score: The essence of sukekiyo, molded into perfection. sukekiyo has managed to slowly convert me from being a mildly disinterested bystander to a casual listener who's always on the lookout whenever something new pops up concerning the band. Their first full-length IMMORTALIS proved to be a slow-burning behemoth of many faces (and facets), and their latest offering VITIUM isn't too far off from that impression either. Kyo and co. don't seem to be in a hurry, as evidenced by the size of this new 'mini' album which is still longer than most bands' albums. Throughout these 37 minutes, they present their compositions in typical sukekiyo fashion: sprawling, mysterious, unpredictable. This time around, however, it seems they were able to craft a more unified sound for themselves (as if they weren't already unique enough), with a concentrated approach to boot. Each song sounds more coherent in and of itself, while still retaining the "expect the unexpected" avant-garde quality they've come to be known for.
VITIUM starts off powerfully and majestically with "leather field" – a dark flower blooming and branching out in sukekiyo's aural grotto. Hints of manic aggression and weirdness also rear their heads, prefiguring what's to come in the second track "dunes." This song introduces a demented vibe with its jittery guitars and drums, the band's interpretation of violent jazz-metal. Surprisingly, we are treated to an interlude next ("dot") that doesn't do much in itself but it serves as a fitting ambient intro to the following "foster mother." Kyo's deep croons drift onto a hypnotic beat complemented by beautiful guitar flourishes and keyboards that evoke an ambiguous atmosphere, on the edge of tranquility and uneasiness. One of the standout tracks for sure!
As VITIUM's centerpiece, "雨上がりの優詩 (Ameagari no yuushi)" pales in comparison to "foster mother," although it is a decent slower number complete with some fantastic textures and a soothing, airy outro. The atmosphere continues through "maniera," but it quickly turns into a quirky explosion of psychedelic metal tinged with calmer acoustic noodling. If DIR EN GREY drove out to the desert high on mescaline, this is what they would jam out. If "maniera" was the hallucinatory freak-out, the second interlude "白露 (Hakuro)" serves as a soundtrack to expulsion – not as fun but still necessary. All the more so, it heightens the magnificence of the follow-up, "celeste." Switching between tumbling piano sludge and schizophrenic episodes, it's a strong indicator of what sukekiyo is capable of. Naturally, after all of this there's no other way to go but softer, as "focus" closes the record with ethereal floaty melodies... or so it seems until the flamenco bit kicks in, segueing into one last creepy look into the abyss.
As you can tell, this mini album is quite a trip from start to finish. Whereas IMMORTALIS seemed overly long and drawn-out at times, VITIUM manages to capture the band's perfected essence, more powerful and twisted than ever. It is clear that sukekiyo has finally found its own voice. Let's just hope we'll get to hear that voice more in the future as well!

Best New Tracks: January 2015

Best New Tracks is a new series brought to you by MH's Official Reviewer team! Every month we'll be highlighting brand-new Japanese songs worth checking out, so stay tuned! Feel free to comment or discuss any of this month's picks and even offer your own as well!

's picks:
"Abyss" by Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas

"A HUNDRED SUNS" by BOOM BOOM SATELLITES

"KAKUMEI" by Silent Siren

"Closer" by Silhouette From The Skylit

"緑閃光 (midori senkou)" by LAMP IN TERREN

's picks: "Moonlight Station" by SEKAI NO OWARI

"Flowerwall" by Kenshi Yonezu

@fitear1590's picks: ネモフィラ (nemophila) by イツエ (itsue)

"Red Carnation" by Jupiter

"ストッキング (stocking)" by 吉澤嘉代子 (Kayoko Yoshizawa)

"アイリス (iris)" by 新川忠 (Tadashi Shinkawa)

@CAT5's picks:
"Enigmatic Feeling (2015 mix)" by 凛として時雨 (Ling Tosite Sigure)

"MEBIUS" by FEAR FROM THE HATE

"笑うドッペルゲンガー (warau doppleganger)" by 東京カランコロン (Tokyo Karankoron)

"月曜のメランコリー (getsuyo no melancholy)" by BOMI

"四角のトモダチ (Shikaku no tomodachi)" by 中納良恵 (Nakano Yoshie)

"想い想われ (omoiomoware)" by 福原希己江 (Fukuhara Kimie)

Here comes my contribution to this topic.
 

Raised Fist - From The North 
 
A very brief introduction for those who don't know this band: "Raised Fist is a Swedish hardcore band formed in 1993, Luleå, Sweden."
 
A great release from Raised Fist, they never disappoint. Love at first listen. Not even a track deserves to be unnoticed, it is really awesome. Almost all the songs are really catchy, the one I prefer the most is Chaos. But as I said, all the tracks are really good and overall the album is a real success. Highly recommended for hardcore/punk fans.
 
Listen to the full album here.
 

Toundra - (IV) 
 
Another brief introduction: "Toundra is a post-rock/post-metal/instrumental band from Madrid, Spain, formed in 2007."
 
I discovered Toundra near the end of last year, and after listening all of their stuff, I can say that this new release may be classified as their 2nd best work (behind (III)). To me, this band has everything to be an awesome and not-boring instrumental band. They proved it with (IV) which is a sensational album. It's ambiental, relaxing and yet can be aggressive. You can feel a harmony between all the instruments through your listen, which makes this album even better. I don't have a favorite track yet (only listened to this album 3 or 4 times only) but I'm going to drop here the promotional video for the album posted on YouTube: Kitsune. I could have chosen the song "Viesca" but sadly I haven't found a studio version of that song on YT. Basically, a band that I recommend you if you like instrumental stuff.
 
Full album not available on YT.
 

Colibra – Damnatio Memoriae 
 
These guys are newcomers (awesome ones, btw). I don't know when they formed (last year for sure) but I discovered them by coincidence and I really liked their music. They are a Progressive Metal/Alternative Metal band from UK. Their debut album is a good one for sure and it's worth giving it a try, reason here. The album overall is superb, and even if it has its flaws, it's still a good one.
 
Full album not available on YT.
 
That's it for me. These three albums released in January are the ones (among those that I listened) that I recommend you to listen to. You won't regret it, in principle.
 

I have been with last.fm since it was still called Audioscrobbler. I think it was a pointless endavour to try becoming a streaming/radio site when there are others who do it much better. Sure, the recommended tracks radio was nice, but not the reason I signed up. I want to scrobble my music, get charts, get recommendations and maybe find other people with similar music taste. And for me, that purpose is still being fulfilled, so I have no reason to complain.
 
 
I think they should just scale down a bit, go back to their core functions, stop trying to be a radio/streaming/news site.

^ I'm into it.
 
I do hope that they add the following, but I doubt it would happen:
 
 
1.) Different charts to represent data.
2.) A better API that returns more than 10 tracks of info per call
3.) A way to organize artists by releases or some other key factor
4.) A way for users to add official releases, not record labels. It's so fucking annoying when entire discographies are not listed OR they're wrong and there's no way to fix them
5.) When suggesting a correction, don't have it take months to take place (if it even happens!)

Here comes my contribution to this topic.
 

Raised Fist - From The North 
 
A very brief introduction for those who don't know this band: "Raised Fist is a Swedish hardcore band formed in 1993, Luleå, Sweden."
 
A great release from Raised Fist, they never disappoint. Love at first listen. Not even a track deserves to be unnoticed, it is really awesome. Almost all the songs are really catchy, the one I prefer the most is Chaos. But as I said, all the tracks are really good and overall the album is a real success. Highly recommended for hardcore/punk fans.
 
Listen to the full album here.
 

Toundra - (IV) 
 
Another brief introduction: "Toundra is a post-rock/post-metal/instrumental band from Madrid, Spain, formed in 2007."
 
I discovered Toundra near the end of last year, and after listening all of their stuff, I can say that this new release may be classified as their 2nd best work (behind (III)). To me, this band has everything to be an awesome and not-boring instrumental band. They proved it with (IV) which is a sensational album. It's ambiental, relaxing and yet can be aggressive. You can feel a harmony between all the instruments through your listen, which makes this album even better. I don't have a favorite track yet (only listened to this album 3 or 4 times only) but I'm going to drop here the promotional video for the album posted on YouTube: Kitsune. I could have chosen the song "Viesca" but sadly I haven't found a studio version of that song on YT. Basically, a band that I recommend you if you like instrumental stuff.
 
Full album not available on YT.
 

Colibra – Damnatio Memoriae 
 
These guys are newcomers (awesome ones, btw). I don't know when they formed (last year for sure) but I discovered them by coincidence and I really liked their music. They are a Progressive Metal/Alternative Metal band from UK. Their debut album is a good one for sure and it's worth giving it a try, reason here. The album overall is superb, and even if it has its flaws, it's still a good one.
 
Full album not available on YT.
 
That's it for me. These three albums released in January are the ones (among those that I listened) that I recommend you to listen to. You won't regret it, in principle.
 

Some months this would be hard, but the following are really the only albums I had any strong feelings for.  Of the three, i'd talk up Knock Out Monkey the most. They've really come a long way to me since the first thing I heard, which was Skank Up I think. Anyone in to say, bands like One Ok Rock should check them out lol.
 
As for the others, I love the crap out of SEKAI NO OWARI because their stuff sounds like playing old RPGs and KANA-BOON is just solid indie, alt rock whatever you want to call it like, NICO, Galileo Galilei, Czecho, et al there's a million of them so.
 
 
SEKAI NO OWARI - Tree Death Disco Knock Out Monkey - Mr. Foundation  How long? KANA-BOON - Time A.oh!!

Okay, here it goes~
 

Napalm Death - Apex Predator - Easy Meat
 
Napalm Death are of course a legendary band, but even so, it still surprises me how much quality they can still deliver. This album packs a furious tornado of death-grind-like energy as usual, with some pretty cool new tricks here and there -- such as the amazingly sinister opening track with its blunt industrial clanging (old Swans comes to mind). Totally recommended for fans of heavy and aggressive stuff! 
 
 

Carpenter Brut - EP III
 
Catchy and totally retro "synthwave"? I can dig it! This EP feels a little bit darker than your usual brand of nostalgic synth acts, conjuring up images of desolate wastelands, mutants, zombies and whatnot. It's also full of non-stop coolness and has a very nice variety of tracks, leaning a bit towards the up-tempo side. Perfect to listen to in itself or as background music to some action-packed game even.
 
 

Vlasta Popić - Kvadrat
 
I've only very recently come across this Croatian group but they immediately won me over! A fun blend of jittery punk, noise-rock distortions and occasional poppy hooks that make it all the more memorable. There's nothing more to say really, only that you have to try it out, now.

Alucarda - Raw Howls
 
Alucarda plays fuzzy, filthy doom metal punk in the vein of Satan's Satyrs with lyrics about biker and exploitation films, horror and the occult. Just my cup of coffee. The riffing are sleazy, the vocals are buried behind tons of smoke and the production filthy. These danish motherfuckers nails everything with this album and it is nothing short of perfect. 10/10
 
To get an impression of what the band sounds like, follow The Filthy Few
Check the full album here: http://caligarirecords.bandcamp.com/album/raw-howls
 
 

Tarot - The Warrior's Spell
 
Tarot plays mystic heavy rock in the vein of Uriah Heep and Rainbow with a touch of Pagan Altar. This is a compilation of Tarot's 3 EPs released in 2014, as well as two new songs. Beautiful and powerful heavy rock with tons of mysticism. Music-wise the band isn't very original, but it doesn't sound like a carboncopy of anything either. Got lots of character, as well as charm and quality. And it feels good to have all three EPs gathered on one release. 9,5/10
 
To get an impression of what the band sounds like, go to the Twilight Fortress
Check the full album here: http://heavychainsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-warriors-spell
 

Spectral Voice - Necrotic Doom
 
Dark, putrid and lurking death/doom with plenty of Rippikoulu and Eternal Darkness influences. Great, disgusting atmoshere, superb, raw production and awesome riffs. The band's third demo and by far their best one. Very, very promising band. 9/10
 
To get an impression of what the band sounds like, get close and feel the Rotting Auras

I never got super-into this band but they always had good quality stuff to deliver. Shame to see such a unique and talented band go.

Don't know if anyone's mentioned these guys (or even heard of them), but I'm really into DEAD IN THE MANGER. They are anonymous, they don't even title their songs, and I wouldn't be surprised if their physical releases didn't have any lyrics written down, all to let the music speak for itself. They have been described as having a "blackened grindcore" sound, with influences of other types of extreme metal.
They just released their second mini album a few days ago called "Cessation," and here is one of the songs from that mini:

You don't speak for all of us. This isn't only a vk forum. It's a Japanese music forum and there are users here who don't listen to or like vk. 
That's not to say that anyone is telling you not to discuss vk, but people who listen to more than just vk are welcome here just as much as anyone else.

The Ukrainian black metal pioneers from Drudkh have revealed the title of their next full-length, which will march under the flag of "A Furrow Cut Short."

The album has been scheduled for release on the 20th of April 2015. Pre-sale will commence late February, which will also mark the revealing of the album's cover art and tracklist.

Season Of Mist comments:
"Drudkh maintains a strict policy of no interviews, no pictures, no live performance, and no statements. Yet everybody following the career and art of the band's mastermind Roman Sayenko will be aware that 'A Furrow Cut Short' cannot have been conceived without the dire situation of his Ukrainian homeland under military attack of a nuclear power playing a role in its inspiration."
 
 
 
This is awesome news. While I wasn't too impressed by Estrangement, Microcosmos and Handful of Stars to start with, I've grown to become quite the friend with these albums, especially Microcosmos. But their last full lenght, Eternal Turn of the Wheel, was a massive step up in quality and they delivered an album which was harsher and bleaker, and more similar to their first four albums, than Estrangement, Microcosmos and Handful of Stars. So I really look forward to this album. Stil have a long way to go before they're matching any their first four albums both in quality and atmosphere, though.

Here's my list of top 10 grindcore albums:
 
 
1. Blood Freak - Sleaze Merchants
Blood Freak is one of my all-time favourite bands, and this is one of the best albums ever released. The band is mainly inspired by 70's and 80's horror and exploitation films, an that is something that I always felt Maniac Neil always managed to get through the disgusting music. 36.55 minutes divided on 22 tracks of sleazy grindcore, and like their biggest musical inspiration, Impetigo, they use a lot of movie samples as intros to the songs. The band plays dirty and sleazy grindcore with lots of nods towards both death and thrash metal. I'd say that the album is pretty varied for being a grindcore album.
 
Awakening the Beast
One of the most catchy grindcore songs ever. Slow, heavy and dirty as fuck.
 
2. Impetigo - Ultimo Mondo Cannibale
Old school grindcore and one of the albums that help define the genre. Lyric-wise it's all about 70's and 80's horror films and gore, just the way I like it. This isn't the most brutal album out there, but it's one of the best and a must-have for any fans of death metal or grindcore.
 
Bloody Pit of Horror
 
3. Repulsion - Horrified
Another one of the early classics that helped define the genre. It's brutal, it's catchy and it's immense. The production is so fucking good and the songs are even better. Everything you can say about this album have already been said. Great album!
 
Black Breath
 
4. Frightmare - Midnight Murder Mania
This was Maniac Neil's band before Blood Freak, and you can hear the similarities. But this has even more death and thrash metal influence. Imagine a slasher film in musical form, that's basically what this is and with titles such as Cropsy, Thorn In Their Side (The Slumber Party Massacre), Friday the 13th, Slasher Holocaust, The Prowler, Be My Bloody Valentine, Black Christmas and Frank Zito, The Maniac it should be quite easy for any horror fan to tell that this band is all about slasher films.
 
Friday the 13th
 
5. Bolt Thrower - In Battle There Is No Law!
When we think of Bolt Thower we think of heavy, crushing and Iron Maiden-esque death metal, but at the very begining they played old school grindcore of the best kind. Crusty, sloppy, filthy and dirty.
 
In Battle There Is No Law
 
6. S.O.B. - Don't Be Swindle
One of the very first grindcore albums, and one that was released the same year as Napalm Death' Scum, and a band that Napalm Death "stole" riffs from for their second album, From Enslavement to Obliteration. That is how good this band is. Lots of hardcore and lots of thrash, but ultimately this is grindcore, and it's great.
 
Raging in Hell
 
7. Napalm Death - From Enslavement to Obliteration
Widely regarded one of the finest grindcore albums ever, and it truly is. Cold, disgusting and hateful grindcore that shouldn't need an introduction. A perfect blend of catchy punkiness and brutal grinding madness.
 
From Enslavement to Obliteration
 
 
8. Terrorizer - World Downfall
Another one of those early grindcore albums that helped define the genre and make it what it is today. And one of the things that made this standout from the rest of the grindcore bands of the time, is how well-played and well-produced the album is. Grindcore used to be pretty sloppy, but this is tight as fuck, and the production is thick and razor sharp. Massive album!
 
Fear of Napalm
 
9. Machetazo - Trono de Huesos
WHat is this you say? This is legendary spanish grindcore with no lyrics. Yeah, you read right. From 94 to 2007 the band released three albums, some EPs, splits and demos, but none which featured lyrics, just noises. A great record by a great band. Brutal, yet catchy, and the production is fantastic.
 
Banquete Funerario
 
10. Extreme Noise Terror - A Holocaust in Your Head
Call it brutal crust or call it grindcore, it doesn't really matter as both termsfit perfectly. Extremely intense, brutal and over the top album which should please fans of both crust and grindcore, as long as you don't mind it sloppy. The dual-vocal is one interesting aspect as well: two vocalist with highly different style handles the vocal duties, and it sounds awesome.
 
Murder
 
 
 
 
 
Follow ups:
 
11. General Surgery - Necrology
A Carcass clone that does Carcass better than Carcass themself. It's that good. It is especially the production that makes this a better listen than Carcass IMO. Most would disagree on this though.
 
Severe Catatonia in Pathology
 
12. Carcass - Symphonies of Sickness
Not as good as General Surgery, but still a fantasticl album. Very unique for its time, especially because of the leads.
 
Embryonic Necropsy and Devourment
 
13. Asesino - Corridos de Muerte
Grindcore in the vein of Machetazo I'd say, but not as good. Fantastic vocals!
 
Corrido del Asesino
 
14. Altar of Giallo - A Bloodfeast for the Dead
Mid-paced Impetigo, Autopsy and Repulsion-inspired grindcore which is more about putrid atmosphere of horror and gore, than brutality and riff-awesomenes.
 
Last Man on Earth
 
15. Gruesome Stuff Relish - Teenage Giallo Grind
Impetigo and Repulsion meet Carnage and Nihilist. Everything about this band is very classic, and I adore the lyrics. Simple and straight to the point, but the horror fan in me can't get enough of that kind of lyrics. Very cool. Good band!
 
How can I not love lyrics like these:
 
 
Jungle Rites

man gearbox is doing god's work by remastering this I'm so excited
 

 
New Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 gameplay
 

 
Bloodborne is really starting too look pretty sweet, I'm vey interested in these "chalice dungeons"

I'm so hyped for type-0 HD, it's gonna be awesome replaying this game on my PS4 with a dual shock 4 and in 1080p 60fps

I had the privilige of playing some Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, and all I can say is that it was absolute insane gameplay, haha. Everything moves so erratically that the framerate has a hard time catching up, but regardless of that everything looks super smooth and refined.