After immersing myself to MIGMA SHELTER's latest EP: NAMES (2019) I had to put the glow sticks down and give my first impressions. Opening track SPIDER LINE really sets the tone as I spiral into an EDM abyss of goodness followed by my fave track 69, a total headbanger. Rounding it all out is NAME which is yet another solid entry to this mesmerizing ass shaking hell of an album!
My first impressions on NECRONOMIDOL's latest album Scions of the Blasted Heath which dropped yesterday (June 12, 2019) is nothing too critical as I'm still getting over Sari's graduation (jk). As in the past, NECRONOMIDOL's albums have always taken me a while to appreciate (and that's a good thing) but I have to say while this latest entry didn't blow me away it didn't disappoint me one bit. It's all there classic NECRONOMIDOL sound, dark undertones, heavy guitar riffs and a few new twists of uniqueness to the added overall production. This album will definitely be receiving heavy rotation and two tracks in particular have already won me over, track 3: The Festival & track 5: Lament Configuration. This album is a must own/listen for any NECRONOMIDOL fan, new and old.
Another monthly overview of my musical excursions begins with discovering the IDOL group NO MARK. I was immediately hooked on the album SET YOU FREE (2018) after only hearing about half of it. Three songs in particular were the cause of my repetitive indulgence but I don't want to jump the gun just yet so let's start from the beginning. Intro aside the opening track I'm Not You starts upbeat and a bit heavy, sporting some killer guitar riffs and bangin drums which only ups the ante with the next track. This Rulez is a song that really stands out as it's layered with growls and harsh vocals which I was not expecting but it's a treat.
The following three tracks are my bread and butter starting with Melancholic, it has a slow tempo and lighter vocals but has a powerful chorus. The next track Regret seems to be my fave as I find myself constantly listening to this, it's a beautiful song and the vocals are amazing! Last for my top three is Thousand Sky, it sorta reminds me a little of EMPiRE as it has a great build up and solid vocals start to finish. I didn't get into the second half of the album until a week later when NO MARK dropped their MV SET YOU FREE to youtube, which is an upbeat catchy track and the video really helped me identify who sings what.
NO MARK - SET YOU FREE
official MV
On a side not note, as seems to be the trend with IDOL groups I get invested in, NO MARK recently is down a member from 4 to 3 but this isn't a bad thing as my oshi made the cut! SET YOU FREE is a solid album definitely check it out!
As promised, I continue my January 2019 overview with some Japanese cinema goodness starting off with my recently acquired copy of Deadball (2011) on dvd. I have always been a fan of the Sushi Typhoon titles as they offer everything I enjoy in a film including memorable characters, weird plots, buckets of blood and hot women!
This entry is directed by Yudai Yamaguchi who also directed one of my faves Meatball Machine (2005) and stars Tak Sakaguchi. Tak is known for action choreography and has been in some amazing films including Versus (2000) and Re: Born (2016). Highly entertaining and makes for a great flick to watch with a bunch of friends and a few cold beers.
Deadball (2011) movie trailer
Next up is a film I had heard about but most recently caught my full attention when I was skimming through a top 10 video on youtube titled Weirdest Movies From Japan.
Big Man Japan (2007) directed by Hitoshi Matsumoto is an experience one should partake in as soon as possible. Luckily I found it streaming on TubiTV and was rewarded with a very unique storyline with a kaiju twist. I am now very eager to check out his other 3 films and have tracked down R100 (2013) which I'll be getting to very soon.
But Man Japan (2007) movie trailer
Finally I have to talk about Anime and this is a series that completely took me by surprise!
Hi Score Girl (2018) took me down memory lane (early 90's) a time when I frequented the arcades and dabbled with innocent crushes. If you ever grew up during the Street Fighter 2 craze and partook in it, this anime is for you. The opening music by Sora Tob Sakana (New Stranger) is very good as well as the ending theme song. I'm looking forward to the 3 OVA's coming to Netflix this March!
Thought I'd kick off 2019 with a new blog entry, something I haven't done before. Basically an overview of my month, highlighting all the cool things I've discovered in music, cinema, anime and entertainment from Japan. First up is music.......
Ok what can I say, I really wasn't a fan of HAMIDASYSTEM when I first listened to them last year but things changed when early January the weather was getting colder. It could've been the gloomy atmosphere but I went ahead and put on the album Yuganda Enpitsu ha Dareka ni Orarenaitameni and everything clicked. The second track Yoru no Hakoniwa is my go to jam, love everything about it and I can honestly say the entire album is solid. I'm now a fan.
HAMIDASYSTEM - YORU NO HAKONIWA
official MV
I absolutely love Kaqriyo Terror Architect and I admit I had been putting their latest EP Identity Crisis on the back burner but I finally gave it it's due attention this month, alot. While I can't really feel the impact the new members bring to the album vocally, the original trifecta still bring it in a rather impressive fashion. Yamakomaro really stands out for me this go round, she has a deeper voice than the other members but vocally it compliments each track beautifully.
Sadly KTA has lost 2 of its original members recently, first Kotetsu who left in December of 2018 and a few days ago Nonamera. In my opinion Nonamera's high pitched vocals were the driving force of KTA's uptempo energy, she will be missed.
KAQRIYO TERROR ARCHITECT - IDENTITY CRISIS
official MV
Aside from those two albums I've been giving heavy rotation, I placed an order for a CD bundle from one of my favorite rock bands the Molice yesterday and I'm stoked as I've been a fan for years. I'll get more into it next month as I expect the package to arrive in 2-3 weeks. That wraps part 1 of this blog entry, stay tuned for tomorrow when I get into cinema, anime and entertainment.
Spotify link for HAMIDASYSTEM - Yuganda Enpitsu ha Dareka ni Orarenaitameni
After nearly a 5 month hiatus from writing for this blog, I have officially returned with an album review courtesy of the idol group 969 and my mind has been completely blown! I first stumbled upon the group early this year when I was looking to quench my "darker" idol thirst and discovered their official live video Catch The Light via youtube and was instantly hooked. Fast forward to this past August when 969 dropped their latest MV A New Level to youtube followed up two weeks later by a full length album release and then sadly one of the four members graduating from the group. Regardless, the remaining three members are still bringing it 100% and I felt it was about time I immerse my eardrums with their latest album release also titled 969. As I have in the past I'll rate each song by a 5 star system, 5 being the highest rating and then give my overall score of the album.
I'm very familiar with the opening track Catch The Light which is one of my favorite tracks and it really sets the tone for the album with its hard rock fueled chorus breaks and Chirimen showcasing her lethal growls. Untitled is a beast of a track going full on metal and throwing you into its moshpit atmosphere face first leaving you a bloody pulp but in a good way. The following track Moment slows it down a notch showcasing the groups vocals and the band compliments this track with just enough rock to give the choruses its potency. The sixth track, A NEW LEVEL would definitely be considered a party starter with its layered vocal work, uptempo music and its catchy chorus will have you chanting wow wow wow wow WOW! Nearing the end of the album, REAL is a solid track and grew on me immediately, laced with heavy riffs and a killer breakdown midway that kept me banging my head in delight. The final track TONIGHT closes out the album in spectacular fashion, it's hardcore, it's catchy and you'll be jumping up and down pumping your fists in the air before you know it!
This album surpassed all my expectations by miles and I'm extremely grateful I gave it a chance. Highly recommended check it out as soon as possible!
What can I say, I absolutely love Candye Syrup and my anticipation for their latest music video release has been quenched earning them MV of the month! Musically this track has hints of another idol group (PassCode) but Non owns it belting out growls as the beat drops with deadly precision. The rest of the girls are great too especially Colomo who has such a unique anime sounding voice, pretty soon she may beat out Non as my oshi! Visually the MV boasts some really cool visual effects like their previous videos and the highlight is the girls rocking out in their usual kawaii outfits only to don an all black look by midway, lots of fun. Highly recommended!
BiS 2nd
Don't miss it!!
I have slowly been catching the BiS bug as of late and after the awesome music video WHOLE LOTTA LOVE it left me craving for more. My patience was finally rewarded June 1st when both BiS groups dropped an MV for Don't miss it!! and I absolutely loved them with BiS 2nd edging out as my fave of the two. Musically the track is a head banger, pumping heavy guitar riffs laced with killer vocals and a very catchy chorus. Visually this MV is a demented treat, from seeing the girls have a black liquid poured over them to executing their dance routine in a steaming salvage yard filled with sparks, the look comes off as bad ass! I'm extremely stoked to see YUiNA perform in this too as she grew on me from her time in EMPiRE, the rest of the girls are awesome and KiKA FRONT FRONTALLE looks especially sinister in this with her killer face paint. Watch it!
BRATS
Doudatte yokatta
You can't go wrong when BRATS drop an MV because it's sure to assault your eardrums and provide a rockin head banging experience. The trio, Rei, Aya & Hinako deliver killer riffs and vocals that easily become catchy and the MV boasts a dark tone and sense of confinement, laced with a bluish grey color palette making it easy on the eyes. Watch!
Shiina Pikarin
About happiness or the like
Pikarin is an interesting Idol in the industry and I absolutely admire everything she's about especially the "horror" side of her. This MV treats its audience to her unique style as it sucks you in with her cuteness and then spits you out in a pool of blood and gore. This MV also coincides with her upcoming movie release Girl Pikaresque directed by Noboru Iguchi (my favorite Japanese movie director) who is just as twisted as Pikarin and full of fun mischief. Give this a watch!
YUZUKINGDOM
National Anthem
I just found out about this band yesterday and I'm diggin it hence I'm including this as the last entry for this column. The vocals by YUZUKI are heavy and her growls are pretty potent, the band is top notch combining for a head banging, horns throwing, assault on the senses. Check it out!
