Li-sa-X Band - One More Chance is Enough / Just Be My Treasure (Review)

Li-sa-X - this nickname lingered in my head only in the form of several covers, several posts on twitter and one interview in Metallion magazine (Vol 65). I didn't follow the activity of this artist. As it turned out, it was in vain. In March of this year, the first single of an interesting project with her participation was released.

My Rating: 77/100 Best song: Just Be My Treasure

There are only two tracks, but I can say something about this release. The first thing you can notice is minimalistic cover. Also, something similar can be seen in the overall sound: it's interesting, but not overloaded - this is exactly what you need. First track is something progressive in the spirit of the later Dream Theater. Second track is something groove and technical with a taste of NWOBHM. Two different tracks on single is a nice detail.

Next is the composer. Сomposer's work at middle level. It's noticeable that in first track there is a lot of emphasis on melodic improvisation, and in second - on rhythm section. But all this is implemented according to the standard scheme, in which nothing significant was introduced. Yes, it's noticeable that the task was not to adhere to any strict patterns. And even in the first track there is a certain attempt to do something unusual, which is expressed in virtuoso improvisation after a small vocalist's part. This is also evident in the sighted pause and interesting timing in the spirit of Sergey Mavrin. But I don't think that anyone can be greatly surprised at this now.

Now about the vocalist. Vocalist seems to me some kind of machine that just performs the parts according the sheet music (I hope that I'm wrong). No, I don't want to say that the vocalist is bad, just the opposite. But it seems to me that the performance of vocal parts is somehow too orthodoxal, too conservative. This is especially true for segments in English. But overall, vocalist did an excellent job.

Instrumental parts sound cool. Despite the high overall intensity of sound exstraction, it's difficult to write a lot of text. First is guitars. It's noticeable that there are two guitarists with different views and different approaches to business. Shades at this level are a nice detail. There is also something to say about rhythm section. Bass is not heard in mix - that's as usual. However, drum parts are something unbelievable. If the first track does not pay much attention to drums, then in second a rather high intensity of drum loops. Additional instruments are also present here, for example, a piano in the first track. But they are used quite trivially - as an addition to the overall structure. However, this is also a nice detail.

“The brighter the flame, the faster it goes out” - I hope the leader was guided by this principle. Because the members showed not all their skills, it's noticeable that they are capable of more. Overall, this album can be called attractive. From the point of view of technic, everything is great here. From the point of view of composer work, there is little interesting here. Seriously, they have enough expression, but I can’t understand how they stand out in their region. It would be interesting if they would have more local flavor in the compositions. Well, if you take into account the age of the leader, then I can say that this is really cool work.

Maki Oyama - Monster (Review)

Who would have thought - Maki Oyama, who released covers and was an support member, will finally release the original material. Yes, she had original material before - two releases. But album “Monster” became the first serious work. Well, development is always good.

My Rating: 62/100 Best song: Karma

However, here we can observe the first stage of development. That is, the moment when the musician has already formed most of his style and released first work. Well, let's start.

And let's start with the fact that I don't quite understand how the album concept and its name are connected? No, I know Japanese - I have heard many familiar words in lyrics. But I still don't understand. Is the word “Monster” just a beautiful word inserted in the “title” for a psychological effect or something more? The album does not give a clear answer to this question.

Album structure looks like this: something like hard-n-heavy with a pop drum pattern and sections on clean (1 track), true hard-n-heavy (2 track), something in between blues-rock and hard-n-heavy with “walking” bass line (3 track), something very rhythmic (4 track), something very melodic (5 track), something like hard-n-heavy with a blast beat (6 track), song with a very familiar riff (7 track) and a very powerful last track (8 track). As for the structure of the album, then everything looks interesting and you want to listen to it. I especially liked the idea of ​​inserting a powerful song at the end - this way the album leaves a pleasant aftertaste.

However, with the implementation shades is not so simple. It seems that there was originally some kind of lyric under which the instrumental was later made. Moreover, it was made by some very compromise way, because of which some of the charm was lost. Only in track 6, this feeling disappears. I heard something similar in Rami (past vocalist of Aldious) in her newest (at this moment) solo album: it gave the impression of epic ideas about vocal and instrumental parts, but when faced with reality, the ideas were cut and pasted as it came out. In this album, you can hear something similar, although this composer does not act so radically. However, I tend to see this as a negative color, since with good compositional work there are no such sensations. Also noteworthy are very familiar riffs - the feeling of déjà vu torments the listener for three tracks.

Now, about vocalist. The vocalist is good. Voice is very good - the talent is felt through the headphones. Also of note is a rather large variety of vocal parts.

Instrumental parts - there is nothing special to write here. Perhaps one of few albums in which I am not particularly ready to talk about instrumentalists. You can discuss the relative diversity for a long time, but here it's difficult to find something interesting. The only thing that can be distinguished is a guitarist who performs both “something bluesy” and hard riffs. Bassist also wants to highlight - he has a very diverse parts. Drummer is cool too. The only awkward moment - I don't like pop patterns in the first track.

I was not surprised when I learned that this album is the first serious work of this artist. Because here the composer acts within patterns that have already been heard many times. Yes, this album gives the listener exactly what they want to hear, but it does not contain anything special. Well, album is good and there is hope for future progress.

D_Drive - Maximum Impact (Review)

“New or old?” - this question in our life sounds quite often. I ask this question for the second time in a year - such periodicity is considered a rarity, since I am used to something new. However, I answer him again.

My Rating: 67/100 Best song: GEKIRIN

I ask this question because today I am considering a new album by D_Drive. In this album, only one new track, and the rest have previously been released. Moreover, at different times. I will not remember the funny case with the CDBaby label, I will simply communicate my general opinion: here the listener will not find something new. However, this does not negate the presence of great talent.

Now more. Let's start with composer: his work is good. However, there is no new feed for previously released songs. Yes, in 3 track, sound designer performed the panning, which differs from the original version, and intro lasts a little longer. However, this is not enough to talk about something new.

Since the album is completely instrumental, the next in line will be instrumental parts. If you don't take into account the fact that this is not a new compositions, then we can say that work was done perfectly. Why I don't take this into account, you ask? Because here it's noticeable that the album is completely overwritten. However, the first members you hear are guitarists. Guitar parts are very complex. The exception is 2 track - I realized how it's played while listening. Otherwise, we can say that such parts require high skill and guitarists cope with them excellently. Separately, I would like to mention the rhythm section. Rhythm section is uncompromising and it's nice to listen. Let's start with a bassist who shows good abilities. Also at bass attack is very well underlined. Drums - there is a good variety. Particularly interesting is the use of a crash cymbal with pop patterns in track 2. However, drums intensity is not very high for metal. The exceptions are tracks 5, 9 and 10, where you can hear the blast beat. However, in almost all tracks you can hear interesting additions to standard heavy metal drumming.

If Captain released something really new, then these guys just repeated what they had, only slightly changing some segments. Nobody forbids doing so, but I don't quite understand why? Just because of new label? Or creative flow is declining? I can guess for a long time. But one thing is certain: they do their job well. But I can not put a high rating on the material that had already been heard many years ago. If there would be another submission here, the score would be higher. Well, I hope soon they will still show something new.

IMARi ToNES - Overture (Review)

My last review this year is not the most difficult (the most difficult was review of ikd-sj - Yvideo). But there is one subtlety: my review may seem biased to you - I am an atheist, and this is a Christian band. But I managed to look at the positive and negative sides of this album.

My rating: 64/100   Best song - Discarded World

Overall concept is very pleasant. Also there are specific ideas. For example, an idea with an abundance of reverb on voice in the absence of it on the instruments. This is a hint of street performance, proximity to ordinary listener. Also noteworthy is the album structure. In the beginning, the classic hard-n-heavy with a high voice (1, 2, 3, 5 tracks), among which there is something pop (4 track), a song with complex chords (6 track), a calm song on a clean (7 track), acoustic songs (8, 9 tracks) and at the end (10, 11 tracks) you can again hear the classic hard-n-heavy.

Composer's work is not very difficult. It's noticeable here that the composer set himself the task of transmitting to the listener some philosophical views, and not the creation of something new. I don't want to say that this is something bad. But it seems that initially there was one idea, which was divided between 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 and 11 tracks, and also slightly changed in 4 tracks. And then they inserted something acoustic and on the clean in the form of 7, 8 and 9 tracks. Composer tries to portray diversity, making it accessible and understandable to ordinary listener by means. I tend to see this as a negative color, as professionals don't have to be clear.

Vocalist is good - there is a lot of variety here. Vocalist copes with their tasks. There is almost no voice processing, but with one exception. As I wrote earlier, there is a lot of reverb on the voice. It's not clear why there is no reverb on instruments.

Let's continue with instruments. Instrumental parts - everything is predictable here. Classic hard-n-heavy - this is not the platform on which in our time you can come up with something new. But, as I wrote earlier, composer had no such task. Guitar parts - there is few interesting. Guitar, mainly, has power chords. And only scales allow you to hear a little charm of this genre. However, it was not without interesting ideas - there is a complex chord in track 6. Unfortunately, interesting ideas end here. Bass lines are more interesting. Most of the rantings I give for bass lines. Another part of the rhythm section - drums - doesn't look so interesting. However, for track 3, something interesting was inserted into ordinary heavy metal drum patterns. Also note the intro in track 6. That's all.

I have already seen many such band: exists for a long period of time, but the methods for solving artistic tasks are not very impressive. Steel Emblem, Baskerville - this is just the first thing that I instantly remembered. I can also add this band to this list. Perhaps because it comes straight out from composer's heart - emotionality hinders rationality. Perhaps the listener influenced very powerful album Victory In Christ (2010), after which wants something more. It's difficult to make unambiguous conclusions. But still something can be said with confidence. The expression of philosophical views of love and kindness is good. But I would like the reader to understand one simple thought: “a good person” is not a profession.

Asterism - Ignition (Review)

Earlier, I wrote that Dmitriy Demyanenko’s solo album is the best instrumental album I've heard this year. But these young talents made me think about it.

My rating: 74/100

Source: discogs.com

This guys from the start release powerful work. This is a very dare statement at the beginning of a career because listeners will want better work next time. Well, work is done and now I will tell you what's interesting about it. Album is still very far from ideal. The idea is not so hot - the guys just take the instruments and plays metal. From the band, the valiant valor flows, which more than compensates for a not very good idea.

A separate item would like to note the presence of covers on the Beatles (Helter Skelter) and DIO (Stand up and Shout). I will not say that the song Helter Skelter is quite common for Japanese covers and it was very predictable. I wonder why? For quantity? I can not understand this.

Composer's work can not be considered very carefully. It's noticeable here that the composer didn’t have the task to create something very complicated - there is a big bet on emotions. He just knows the benefits of band members well and uses it most effectively. It's rather difficult to discuss the composer's work further as instrumentalists create most of the impression.

Since the album is completely instrumental, now we should tell about the instrumental parts. But it's not so. There is also a voice here, but not quite as usual. Here the voice is used as a small addition to the design. But the voice in the instrumental album is a negative point, as it shows the composer’s uncertainty. Uncertainty about understanding of the listener.

Instrumental parts are something incredible. Everything is so interesting here that one blog entry will not be enough to fully describe everything. At first you do not understand what is happening. Then you don't understand either. But I still managed to find art here. Guitar parts are great. I did not think that I would say this about a novice. But guitarist is so good that we can only wonder. Also noteworthy is the interesting use of a looper in track 5. The bass player is not far behind. Here you can see that bass is well heard in the mix. A little later, you understand why. Repeating for a guitar player in some segments (even with a tapping), bassist also shows a good skill. And drums are a separate topic. There is a wide variety of drums, despite the fact that a lot of time is spent on guitar and bass.

It's just a job well done. Yes, there are flaws on composer's part, but in general the work is good. If they ask me “What does a good work of musicians mean?”, I will give this album as an example. There are no perversions here, just an honest skill. Few experienced musicians can boast such. There is still a lot to fix, but I definitely did not waste time.

Asura - Eternal (Review)

Band Asura is a mixed phenomenon. On the one side, they are difficult to call somehow unambiguously. On the other side - if you listen carefully and analyze composer's work, then it's difficult to find something very interesting.

My Rating: 63/100

Source: asuraofficial.info

However, for 4 years of their existence, they have proven themselves as a good project. And if earlier it was something incomprehensible, then in this release it is metal with atypical inserts. Progress is noticeable and it pleases. And recently a new album was released.

In this album, the overall structure is very heterogeneous and here it's the main feature. In one song, we hear a speed / power metal (2, 8 tracks), in the other - patterns that are typical for nu-metal, but on a standard E tuning (3 tracks), slightly strengthened hard-n-heavy with an industrial synthesizer and drum machine (4, 6 tracks), typical hard-n-heavy (9 track), typical heavy / power (5 track) and even melodic instrumental composition at high speed (7 tracks). And this song is finished with a piano song. This album controls the listener's emotions from beginning to end and this is evidence in favor of good composer's work.

But composer's work is strange. That is, here the work is done well, but there are several incompatible things. The first is a common standard thinking - here within three chords. The second is desire to diversify the sound in general (different patterns), as well as in specific cases (with the help of drum machines and synthesizers). That is, the composer wanted to make the album sound good and popular at the same time. So does not happen. It's a pity that the composer did not understand this.

Vocalist's tasks look more real. There is a lot of different sound on this album and vocalist copes with it perfectly. No quickie - here you can hear only excellent abilities.

Instrumental parts also performed well. But there are a few strange synthesizer inserts and drum machine. If, for example, in 2 and 8 tracks, the synthesizer inserts look quite logical, then why do it in tracks 4 and 6? The number of questions is more than the number of answers. Guitarist also has a lot of different parts. But there is nothing complicated. Also there is nothing difficult in the bassist's parts. And drummer has a standard set of rhythms: standard pop music drumming, standard heavy metal drumming, blast beat, booty camp beat.

This release aims to influence emotions - it turned out perfectly. But apart from influencing emotions, you need something else. Unfortunately, nothing more the composer and sound designer could offer. This greatly spoils the impression of the album. Well, I hope for them it will be just the beginning of something interesting.

Her Name In Blood - Power (Review)

I know many projects that perish under the press of standard ideas. I have already enumerated such projects and will not repeat them. I'll just say that I recently got acquainted with the new album of Her Name In Blood. And this time everything will be quite simple.

My Rating: 59/100

I remembered it because here I see a similar path of development. More precisely, this can not be called development. Nevertheless, when I took off the headphones, I asked myself "what the fuck did I hear right now?". Here you can hear modern hard-n-heavy on hardcore rhythm section, a dropped guitar tuning (Drop C) and a very malicious voice. I would not say anything about general concept, but in fact they used to play metalcore / deathcore with non-standard ideas. You can also notice a very standard naming of tracks.

It's noticeable that composer's work became easier. Of course, this became apparent 4 years ago, in the release of 2014. But it's in this album that the composer is finally mired in mallcore patterns. Yes, it can not even be called "work" - it's just a simulation of activity. It seems that the composer did not have any ideas at all, but it's necessary to work. The result is very standard ideas.

Although this release is not so bad. For example, vocalist. Vocalist tries to portray diversity. Here we hear an attempt to escape from the solid growling into more classical techniques. I can not say that this is going well, but the attempt already indicates that he is not afraid to show his abilities.

Instrumental parts - everything here is very predictable. Here it will not be possible to find something interesting. Everything is so standard here that I don't even want to discuss it. But even with a great desire to do this will not work, as most of the impression is the work of sound designer and arranger.

I did not describe this album in great detail for one simple reason: the higher you climb, the more you fall. I can say that in this album a lot has been done correctly. But compared to DECADENCE and THE BEAST EP, it will seem like a total disappointment. Where is this enthusiasm, which can be heard in the early releases? Where are the constantly changing compositions and non-standard ideas? Where are the interesting shades in performance? Where? The album caused a lot of questions. Too many questions for a positive evaluation. And I believe that the project will not live long. If this is not the end, then it is very close.

Steel Emblem - Fight Against the Destiny (Review)

Usually I write about rare bands that never fall into "popular" section. And this brings a good result - this niche has poor filling, so any information instantly finds its audience, albeit small. But this band, most likely, will not bring me anything.

My Rating 67/100

Band Steel Emblem reminds me of band Baskerville. For 18 years of existence, they could come up with something interesting, something that you rarely see in other bands. This idea suggests the presence of only 4 releases: less quantity - higher quality. But I mentioned similarities because this band also exists for 18 years and here too there is nothing that sharply distinguishes them from the others. But if Baskerville has a more powerful overall structures, then here ... Uh ... Well ...

In general, here we hear the typical power metal (1, 9 tracks) and also something similar to classic hard-n-heavy (3, 4, 7, 8, tracks), and the latter is more. Usually in similar releases there is also something similar to NWOBHM, but here such is not present. Nevertheless, we can say that the compositions are diverse. It's also worth noting that album title does not fit perfectly with the general idea.

Vocal parts are monotonous and boring. It's difficult to say something about vocalist's abilities, since he does not strain much. This and all that can be said, because throughout the whole album we hear a monotonous stream of boredom, which is compensated only by pathos in lyrics.

Instrumental parts are nothing supernatural. Ordinary hard-n-heavy with small inserts of power metal and sections on clean. But if you compare with something similar, for example, new album of Show-Ya, - there every instrumentalist is a unique person whose talent is fully revealed by composer. And here is just a combination of patterns. First thing that is noticeable from the instruments is synthesizer. A lot of synthesizer. Usually it's annoying, but here everything is done competently. Also note the great variety of synthesizer sound. I was very pleased with Hammond's organ. Guitar parts are not particularly interesting, but performed well. Riffs is difficult to call complex, but performance is good. Guitar solos - it would be better if they did not do it at all. Rhythm section is also nothing of interest. Basically, here is standard heavy metal drumming, about which has long been said enough.

What do we see here? You can say that a good band released a good release. But there is a noticeable great desire to put pressure on feeling of nostalgia for 70s - 80s. This significantly affects the uniqueness of band and value of this album. Something unique or interesting is weakly noticeable here. If for 18 years of creativity they have guessed only to the repetition of patterns from 70s - 80s, then I'm not impressed.

RiViNi - Resistance (Review)

Rie Tomimatsu is one of the very few people about whom nothing bad can be said. It's so excellent professional that it remains only to silently admire. But in last couple of years something has gone wrong.

My Rating: 76/100

The peak of skill I consider album Noah's Ark (2015) - it was magnificent, but was difficult to understand. It's not difficult to guess how ordinary listeners reacted to this. Result was very much reflected in single Don't Hide Your Face - it was very simple. I don't know if the result has so severely offended our sensei, or inspiration has dried up, but at about the same time band Prototype, later renamed RiViNi, begins to exist. And on May 9 their first album is released.

Some ambiguous feelings from the album. When I started listening to this album, I started to think that it would be boring and monotonous. Really. Lyrics are mainly associated with emotions, and cover art and two MV are strongly focused on the visual component. I did not quite expect this from high-class specialists. And first two tracks are very similar. And when you hear that second track is similar to first - then you will start to think that the entire album will be monotonous. Not all listeners can have patience. But you need to listen further - and album will be more interesting. Composer's work is pretty good. On one side, overall constructions is quite simple - it's more like pop music with metal elements. On other side, there are quite interesting methods of solving artistic tasks. Yeah, professionalism is not only the famous brands, but also ability to make any composition well.

Vocal parts are monotonous. Of course, in 5th track there is an attempt to portray something, but this is not enough. And in the rest - nothing interesting. Yes, it's noticeable that voice was almost not processed - vocalist is not afraid to show skill. But in general, about vocalist can not say that she is good.

Instrumental parts can not be called difficult. But they also can not be called boring. Guitarist - everything is predictable here. Of course, strange looks the standard E guitar tuning (although in some compositions 7 strings are used). Nevertheless, here you can hear virtuosic melodic parts (especially in the 6th track). Also very pleased with guitar solo with a lot of whammy bar in the style of Tom Morello (4 tracks). Bassist is also not perfect, but I can say, he is also good. This is not an ordinary grinding one note on C1. Especially liked bass parts in 3, 5 (partially) and 6 track. But there is still the impression that basist was chosen in appearance. Little was invented for drummer. Yes, at the end of 5th track more bass drum are added. You can also note 6 tracks for a typical heavy metal drumming. But in the rest - it's monotonous. Also there are a lot of interesting parts for the synthesizer. For example, the "acid" synthesizer in the style of Korg Wavestation (1 track) or piano (2, 4 track), as well as several atmospheric inserts.

Was it worth it to reduce the attention of solo project? I think that it was not worth it. If you set a goal to achieve popularity, then this will necessarily affect the intellectual value. Someone has less, some have more, but it will still happen - most people do not have ability to think. But still it's worth noting that the members showed a high level of skill. A lot has been done here very well. A simple general constructions, a bad vocalist, a weak variety of drums, and bass lines are not ideal - if in the next release these points are corrected, then this will be a masterpiece. In the meantime, I can say just "good".

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Anlique - ANSWER / Wilderness sign (Review)

It's better to search for music projects in such cities - not the capital, but not the villiage. In capitals, people are determined solely to earn money (this affects the choice of methods for solving artistic tasks), and in villages there are few good musicians. Today my choice fell on band Anlique from Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture.

My Rating: 66/100

Source: anlique04.official.ec

I will not discuss economic subtleties. I'll just say that the release is done well. Yes, it's hard to be surprised at anything. Nevertheless, the overall structures is quite pleasant. Here we hear something between indie rock and hard rock with some elements of post-punk. First track is dominated by features characteristic of hard rock, in second - typical for the indie rock. A simple, but good idea, although I don't know how many releases this will be enough. Also in the release there are instrumental (without voice) songs versions. This is also a good idea.

Since these are newcomers, you also need to look at the quality of mixing/ mastering. Here the minimum for commercial level. That is, the shortcomings are hidden and it can be sold, but there is no special sound here.

Now about vocalist. I can say, that voice are good. Vocal parts are correct, but they are monotonous. In both tracks identical vocal parts, although the songs are completely different. Yes, you can try to write it down as "some post-punk elements". Nevertheless, in first track the voice is absolutely not suitable for instruments. For a "heavy" sound, a very high (even falsetto), emotional voice would suit. But everything is monotonous here.

Instrumental parts are diverse, but they can not be called very interesting. Guitar does not particularly surprise - even I can perform such parts, although I am not a professional. Yes, pinch harmonics in main riff are cool, but interesting ideas end here. But guitar re-amp is done well. This was done by a good specialist with knowledge of his work, and not just cut resonances with the help of an equalizer. About the same I can say about bass. 5 string bass - it's cool. But here, a patterned twitching of two strings. Also, bass re-amping was very simple. I made such a conclusion because I very badly heard the upper part of tone. However, this may be due to a weak attack. Drummer - here everything is predictable. The maximum that the composer could create was the abundance of hi-hat in first track.

"Right" and "Good" are not always synonymous. It's all right, but there's nothing special to find here. Here only what is needed and not a anymore. On the one side, nothing superfluous - you can not think about every trick. On the other side, nothing special - you want to think about it, but it will not work. But also it's worth noting that for the second release in a row they show good abilities. And if in next release they show something more interesting, then I can say that band has good prospects.

Velatria - Dorothy (Review)

When you are starting your career, there is a great temptation to follow the path that has already been passed - it frees you from the need to think about next step. But in meantime, competitors can break a big jackpot, just stepping aside.

My Rating: 56/100

Source: metal-archives.com

I heard a lot of music, which is usually called "J-Rock." Yoshiki (drummer from X-Japan) said that J-Rock was a mistake. Аnd I see confirmation of his words more and more: lately it has turned into a bunch of one-day bands. I also noticed a common pattern that unites them: a pompous look, standard guitar chords, pseudophilosophical lyrics about "something sublime."

I also see something like this here. We see a bit of a kind of hard-n-heavy. That is, here the standard (for hard-n-heavy) constructions tried to somehow diversify. Keyword is "tried." I think that the attempt failed: the same pattern, but with solo on Hammond organ. Here is a rather weak composer's work. The last straw of my patience was too standard chorus in second track.

We continue with voice - it's hard to call it good. Yes, a soft mezzo-soprano is always a joy for ears. But here is a rather monotonous voice sound. Nevertheless, it's noticeable that vocalist knows his limit and does not overexert himself. Well, I hope she knows where to develop - there is a good potential here.

Guitar does not particularly surprise. Here are guitar parts at the level of a 15-year-old student who learned yesterday the difference between cadence and tempo. Yes, in second track there is a delightful solo, but compared to the general constructions, it looks like an attempt to save the situation. And what really pleased me was the availability of a keyboards. Yes, a lot of piano in second track are a bad idea. Solo on Hammond organ in first track is a pleasant surprise. Rhythm section looks more interesting. In both compositions. Yes, I don't hear anything very unusual here, but drummer knows his work well.

Yes, they are beginners who do not know much. But in this form they have no prospects. Okay, me, for example, don't have opportunity to devote much time to art. The most I can do is release a new review every 3-7 days. But these guys have everything: talent, equipment and good opportunities. Even this release sounds very high quality, which is a rarity for first work. But they lack something fundamental. Perhaps they have already changed - six months have passed since the release of this release. But one thing is for sure: in this form they will reach a certain popularity, but not for long. They will necessarily change. The only question is what will change: playing style, project name or costs of promotion.

Loudness - Rise to Glory (Review)

Usually I don't pay attention to popular bands - degree of fame is not an quality indicator. But the classical bands from 80's are a special phenomenon. They have a special charm that can be explained quite simply. But I will not explain all features for a long time. I will talk about new album of band Loudness.

My Rating: 82/100

Source: metal-archives.com

80's ended, 90's began - the time of musical experiments. This also affected this band. In period from 2000 to 2010, band's work was something incomprehensible. First a strange album Pandemonium (2001). Then doom metal in album Terror (2004). Then there is progressive sound on dropped tuning in albums Breaking the Taboo (2006), Metal Mad (2008) and The Everlasting (2009). And only King Of Pain (2010) marked a return to classical sound on standard tuning.

Well, band has a very rich experience, so you expect a special sound from them. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find something very special here - classical hard-n-heavy has long been researched from beginning to end and it's hard to come up with anything new in this field in our time. But nevertheless it's worth noting that composer managed to make the compositions interesting and diverse. There are slow tracks (5, 10, 12 tracks), and fast (6, 9 tracks) and instrumental parts very well emphasize the ideas of each of the songs. Also really liked the idea of ​​using "industrial" sounds to emphasize the idea (6 tracks).

Vocalist has long proved his high skill level. And now again it confirms. His interesting timbre of voice is difficult to describe - you can only enjoy it.

After name Akira Takasaki, comments are superfluous - such a great talent is indecent to discuss. But nevertheless it's necessary to say that guitar parts are performed at highest level. Also worth noting is very interesting construction of riffs. It would seem that there is nothing complicated, but it makes a great impression. Sometimes you can hear segments on clean - this perfectly complements the constructions. About guitar solos do not say - they are so beautiful. Rhythm section is also very diverse and interesting. Here, both calm (7, 10 track) and very intense (6, 8, 9 track) parts. Even at a moderate pace the drummer performs very interesting parts (2, 11 tracks). A real master, there's nothing more to say.

This release is for people who are stuck somewhere between the late 70s and early 80s. I don't want to say that it's bad - quality is determined by intellectual value, not the release date. I want to say that here you will not find something new. Well, in this genre has long been nothing new. But real talent does not know the word "genre".

Show-Ya - Aurora (Review)

Japanese music scene crisis in 2000s has hit hard on many projects. One such project was band Show-Ya, which from 1998 to 2012 existed only formally. Members were engaged in their projects. In main - just released compilations and DVDs. Nevertheless, 2015 was marked by final return of this project - they release a very interesting album Progress. And this year they release album Aurora, which we will consider today.

My Rating: 87/100

Source - metal-archives.com

Frankly, I can be impressed only by methods of solving an artistic tasks. When I evaluated this release in front of me were not specialists with 40 years of experience and not even 60 year old grannies. There were only 11 pieces of audio data. And this album was able to impress me. Here we hear classic Hard Rock/Heavy Metal exactly as it was created in the West in 70s. It would seem that almost 50 years have passed, what else can be surprised? It turned out that this is possible. There are no strictly limited patterns. Here composer very expertly approached his work: the fineness of talent of each member is maximized.

Almost 40 years of experience are noticeable here - vocalist knows that he knows how. No show-offs, only a clean skill. Of course, there were voice effects (end of 4th track), but this was required by context of artistic task. Even in 9th and 11th tracks, you can see an excellent voice control, despite the rather aggressive drawing.

Standard string (4, 6, 8 track), academic piano sound (5, 6, 8 track), "Acid" synthesizer (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11 track), Hammond Organ (1, 2, 3 , 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 track) and even a harpsichord (3 track). After all this list it's already difficult to give comments. But in addition to this, we still hear nice scales and a very precise underline of each composition. Keyboardist knows his business well.

Guitarist here is not particularly surprised - we saw a much steeper guitar technique. Nevertheless, here the general structures pleases hearing. A pleasant surprise was the overall aggressive structures of guitar parts in 9th and 11th tracks. And also use of whammy bar in solo (5, 11 track), tapping (11 track).

"Classic Hard Rock/Heavy Metal rhythm section" - usually comments here are superfluous. Nevertheless, here you can see many interesting things. But basically, it's a bassist's job. Here we hear interesting bass parts, and this is a very rare phenomenon. We also hear bass solo (3 tracks). About drummer can say a little. Yes, there are interesting fills (3, 5, 8, 11 track), but there is nothing more to note. Nevertheless, big surprise was for me a blast-beat (9, 11 track).

No crises, no time frame will stop real talent. But if, for example, Akira Takasaki (guitarist from Loudness) has been experimenting with sound for a long time, then these girls just waited for a moment. Yes, they will never repeat legendary album "Outerlimits". But they show us again and again that it's too early to leave the stage.

Unique guitars: the shovel

When I pick up a shovel, sometimes I imagine that it's a guitar. But then I stop doing it - prosaic reality puts everything in its place. But later I learned that a guitar really can be made from a shovel. The first in the world to full-scale production came up with leader of band "Krasnaya Plesen" Pavel Yatsyna.



Video shows manufacturing process. Comedy style of narration is typical for this band. And even now he adheres to this style. At 2:50 author of video tries to play on this instrument. And sound is better than for cheap sticks for 250-300 USD. This fact makes you think. Also on the video there is a second guitar made of a shovel. Also on the video there is a bass guitar made from a shovel. As you can see, human ingenuity is unlimited.

Today I remembered an interesting videogame

I really like to play video games and always look for free time for game. But today I remembered about game, which combines my two favorite passions - playing games and rock music.

This is Rock'N'Roll Racing. There are many different versions, but I prefer the version for Sega Mega Drive / Sega Genesis. As you can guess from title, it's a race. But here there are several principal differences. If in other games cars fall apart from one touch with something, then for the leadership it's necessary to destroy opponents. Of course, with weapons. Yes, you were not mistaken. It's not just a race, it's real survival.

You thought it would be easy?

And only soundtrack made me write a separate post about this game. The playlist is impressive.

• Black Sabbath - Paranoid
• Henry Mancini - The Peter Gunn Theme
• Deep Purple - Highway Star
• Golden Earring - Radar Love
• Steppenwolf - Born to Be Wild
• George Thorogood - Bad to the Bone

Oh yes, destroy all - this is very consistent with the spirit of rock'n'roll.

Today I was attracted by an interesting project

Band name is Malachite. They exist only a few months. But from the beginning they show an excellent performing.



Good job. Lyrics is poorly audible, but voice is good. Instrumental is wonderful. Of course, blast-beat and overhand tapping is not something new. But composition sounds good. It's too early to say anything, but I see good perspective for this project.

Lovebites - The Lovebites EP (Review)

Well, this is my first review on this blog. And today I will view on a very powerful thing. It's album The Lovebites EP. Band name Lovebites. Review is timed to the European release.

My rating: 88/100

Destrose spawned so many similar bands that want to titled them all 破壊の薔薇家族 (hakai no bara kazoku, “Rose Of Destruction Family”). Some of them are successful, like Mary's Blood. Some bad like Aftermath. Some successful, but quickly ceased to exist, like Disqualia. And today me considering another band from this “family”. They play heavy/power metal. Band name was reminiscent of Halestorm.

Here there is a bassist and drummer from Destrose: Miho with her sexy instrument hold and two-fingered pizzicato technique and Haruna with her star cymbal. Together they making a very familiar rhythm section. But further more interesting. No, I'm not talking about guitars - guitarists from this band have already proven their excellent skill level. I was pleasantly surprised by the soft, middle-ranged but very emotional vocals.

Usually new bands characterized by DIY-debut releases, from which the ears are bleeding. But these girls got down to business seriously. Not only professional production and work of many people are noticeable here. Impressions from the album are pretty good. It’s noticeable that the work is performed exceptionally qualitatively. But these girls want to represent something very “Western”. When we say “Japanese band”, we mean something very specific, something that is filled with very interesting shades. As it was said in movie “The White Sun of the Desert” - “The East is a delicate matter”. I'm not saying that all Japanese bands should be like Onmyouza, Wagakki Bando, Tengusakura, ect. I mean that many features are lost at the same time. Also the difference in pronunciation will still be noticeable. For example, in band Reasterisk: can hear that the vocalist instead of the letter “L” pronounces “P”. Here too this difference is noticeable. Hiding this drawbacks by using the features of vocal technique - a simple, but good solution.

Twin guitar melody and the lyrics about overcoming yourself (Don't Bite the Dust) is a great solution. But we heard it from Iron Maiden. Thrash metal riffs with a general melodic pattern and high voice (The Apocalypse) - we also often hear, for example, from band Lujaneeza. But we also hear keyboards. Without it, sounding would be boring. Keyboards is very successfully inserted into the construction, completing the beautiful compositions.

A sad picture in “Scream For Me”. Sad is not only the lyrics, but also the action of composer - they are too cheap. This composition can't be appropriate for this band. But in the end, we hear what we're listening to power metal - affective “Bravehearted”. Completion of the album was chosen very successfully - this album leaves a pleasant aftertaste.

The brighter the fire, the faster it goes out. Destrose released their first masterpiece only 8 years after start. But this band immediately produced a powerful work. We already seen this with Disqualia: a very powerful first single, then the second single, which was not understood. And it all ended in a fail mini-album. Yes, you can lead a long discussion about the fact that there was a completely different situation. But I don't say something bad. If they can even produce another 6-7 years of powerful releases and conduct stunning performances at full-length's duration, then we are present at the birth of a new legend.

Today I start with something classic

First entry

Well, I have long wanted to create a blog where me could write down his own thoughts. And let's start with something funny. A live performance of the band is always a demonstration of skills. But here something went wrong.

Band name is “Kolizei” (“Colosseum”). They perform a beautiful song “Zvezda Polyn'” (“Artemisia Star”). But only lyric is beautiful here.

Hot start. But in the middle of the first verse guitarist have some problems. He begins to stray from the rhythm. Several slides - this is obviously a show-off and a way to save the situation. But unsuccessfully - because of this, he began to stray even more.

Instead of a solo some random set of sounds. A reward for this is a blow to the head and laughter of the audience. Teach your parts and don't be like this guy.