My association with band Crossfaith is EP Zion (2012). All the rest of their work I don't like. Yes, I can mention several songs from album Xeno, for example, Raise Your Voice, Devil's Party and Paint it Black - I listened to them with pleasure. But you understood my main point.
My Rating: 75/100 Best song: Truth Of Insanity
Earlier, I wrote my opinion about album “Ex_Machina”: I noted too much emphasis on emotions, which had a bad effect on the methods of solving artistic tasks. And now I am ready to express my opinion on EP “Species”. While listening, it seemed that they heard this criticism. This is a pleasant fact. However, not all so simple.
In the new album you can hear technical riffs, a wide variety of synthesizers, extreme vocal techniques (some segments with recitative). At first glance, it looks simple, but when you hear it - emotions begin to pour over the edge. However, for some reason it seemed to me that all five songs grew out of one idea. That is, there was one idea that was implemented in five different ways. I don’t know if this is true or not, but such a feeling is present. However, this time there were no trash and it’s nice to know.
Now about the vocalist - he is good. Here you can hear both pure and extreme vocal techniques. Such a variety is a pleasant fact. However, something here can also be noticed. For example, clean vocals in the refrain of the 3rd track - I think that such a sound is not suitable for such a song (although, for example, in the 5th track it sounds cool). But overall, the vocalist is very cool.
Instrumental parts are impressive. I don’t think that I will be able to write a lot, as there is a big bet on the general idea. But something is possible to highlight. For example, guitars sound interesting. This album has very technical riffs in a very low tuning (if I'm not mistaken, Drop B). More precisely, the guitarist is trying to portray technicality: I immediately realized how this is played. However, there are also slam (4 track) riffs. The rhythm section is very powerful. Here you can hear very intense drum loops. Even at an middle tempo, you can hear the drummer holding a hurricane rhythm. But one cannot say that the rhythm section is overloaded - it's noticeable that the drummer knows his job. And I would like to say that the drummer is the best band member. But no: in my opinion, this title belongs to the keyboard player. Here again, a big bet on synthesizers is noticeable - their number exceeds all conceivable limits. But there is also no overloading feeling - this is exactly what you need.
Will I listen to this album in the future? Perhaps yes - in general, the album is cool. This is a worthy work of professionals. Yeah, I can say that hiding flaws with help of emotions is a bad idea. And usually after such words I list a few bands that made such a bet and whose results were dubious. However, the level of training is felt even through similar methods. However, it's still noticeable that some of their methods have already been established and are not subject to revision. “Special, unique style” - a similar characteristic, although it's respected, but most often it's doubtful. Does this inspire respect in this case - everyone will decide for himself. In the meantime, I can say that the guys did a good job.
Showing posts with label industrial metal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label industrial metal. Show all posts
June 2, 2020
August 30, 2019
BLOOD STAIN CHILD - AMATERAS (Review)
Blood Stain Child - after this name comment is always redundant - not all people live such a long as this guys play interesting music. However, this time the situation is somewhat more complicated.
My Rating: 81/100 Best song: 8bit Blackhole
Here situation is complicated by the side project Yuzukingdom. New album has already received crushing criticism from me for the release of previously released songs and strange methods for solving artistic tasks. However, I will not find fault with the intricacies of their strategy, I will get down to business.
This guys really did something interesting in this release. And these interesting things start from the very beginning. Very first thing I would like to note is a great general idea. It's difficult to see it the first time, although mastery is always felt. Yes, I don’t really like the naming of some songs. But overall, the album looks interesting.
Unlike the general idea, composer's work is not so straightforward. Here you can hear patterns characteristic of death metal with a lot of melody, a little hardcore influence and a synthesizer. This is a good idea. In general, album sound is very powerful. However, the downside is the lack of something very special. This upset me a bit, as I expected something special from these guys. Well, the album is interesting without bells and whistles. Although in some compositions you can see quickie, for example 3 track. By the way, an interesting idea: to start an album with two very powerful tracks, and then insert quickie - this minimally spoils the impression of album.
The vocalist is good. He perfectly copes with both classic and extreme techniques. It's difficult to say more, because feels high skill and professionalism.
Instrumental parts are quite powerful and diverse. However, as expected. First thing you can hear is guitars. Usually I write a lot about guitar parts, but here I can't write a lot of words. It’s hard for me to single out something specific - album itself is powerful. Yes, this is such an interesting feature: sound is powerful, but there is nothing special to highlight. Bassist also does not lag behind: sound is impressive. Although bassist also has nothing special. However, the other part of rhythm section - drummer - sounds very cool. Here's an interesting set of patterns. The only thing that I did not quite understand was the logic in the selection and sequence of patterns in 3 tracks. Otherwise, the sound is cool. And, of course, synthesizers must be noted. The sound of the synthesizers is quite diverse - this makes each composition unique. Perhaps the entire instrumental is drawn due to additional instrument that bring something special to this album.
What can be said at the end? I think it would be better if the Blood Stain Child was engaged in the Blood Stain Child, and not Yuzukingdom. Because nothing good will come of Yuzukingdom anyway, and at least they will do something more like high art. These two albums show that it's impossible to do everything at once and of equal high quality - you must sacrifice something. I can’t know how they work, but these guys most likely sacrifice the Yuzukingdom. I believe that this is correct: they, of course, do it well, but when you look at their ways, you start to feel a little sad. Well, specifically, this work was done well and it's highly appreciated.
My Rating: 81/100 Best song: 8bit Blackhole
This guys really did something interesting in this release. And these interesting things start from the very beginning. Very first thing I would like to note is a great general idea. It's difficult to see it the first time, although mastery is always felt. Yes, I don’t really like the naming of some songs. But overall, the album looks interesting.
Unlike the general idea, composer's work is not so straightforward. Here you can hear patterns characteristic of death metal with a lot of melody, a little hardcore influence and a synthesizer. This is a good idea. In general, album sound is very powerful. However, the downside is the lack of something very special. This upset me a bit, as I expected something special from these guys. Well, the album is interesting without bells and whistles. Although in some compositions you can see quickie, for example 3 track. By the way, an interesting idea: to start an album with two very powerful tracks, and then insert quickie - this minimally spoils the impression of album.
The vocalist is good. He perfectly copes with both classic and extreme techniques. It's difficult to say more, because feels high skill and professionalism.
Instrumental parts are quite powerful and diverse. However, as expected. First thing you can hear is guitars. Usually I write a lot about guitar parts, but here I can't write a lot of words. It’s hard for me to single out something specific - album itself is powerful. Yes, this is such an interesting feature: sound is powerful, but there is nothing special to highlight. Bassist also does not lag behind: sound is impressive. Although bassist also has nothing special. However, the other part of rhythm section - drummer - sounds very cool. Here's an interesting set of patterns. The only thing that I did not quite understand was the logic in the selection and sequence of patterns in 3 tracks. Otherwise, the sound is cool. And, of course, synthesizers must be noted. The sound of the synthesizers is quite diverse - this makes each composition unique. Perhaps the entire instrumental is drawn due to additional instrument that bring something special to this album.
What can be said at the end? I think it would be better if the Blood Stain Child was engaged in the Blood Stain Child, and not Yuzukingdom. Because nothing good will come of Yuzukingdom anyway, and at least they will do something more like high art. These two albums show that it's impossible to do everything at once and of equal high quality - you must sacrifice something. I can’t know how they work, but these guys most likely sacrifice the Yuzukingdom. I believe that this is correct: they, of course, do it well, but when you look at their ways, you start to feel a little sad. Well, specifically, this work was done well and it's highly appreciated.
August 19, 2019
Yuzukingdom - Dadaism (Review)
And again, Blood Stain Child with his side project. Four months - and now in the stores a new album, moreover, full-length. Such a regularity would deserve respect. However, here the case is somewhat different.
My Rating: 47/100 Best song: -
I was disturbed by the fact that the second full-length was released quite quickly. Indeed, quite often a large amount of work is performed due to its low level. And something like that I can say about this release. First, half of the tracks in the album had previously been released. Question: why? There was no inspiration, but should it be released? The mere fact of having such questions looks strange.
Then what do we have? Composer's work? It seems that here the composer is just a formality. In new songs, composer's work is kind of sluggish. That is, the instrumentalists performed their parts well - there are no complaints. But the feeling remains that the original idea is somehow weak. Because of this, overall sound is not perceived so brightly. Because of this, I will not even describe the album structure. Also, I don’t like different volume level of the songs, and the volume level of individual instrumental tracks raises some uncomfortable questions (for example, guitar track that do sweep picking in 3 tracks).
Now the vocalist is good. In the mix you can hear some tricks in the spirit of Steven Slate and this is a nice detail. Contrasts game is also interesting: extreme vocal techniques are replaced by a cute voice in a second. However, even the vocal parts have a feeling of not fully developed idea.
Instrumental parts are difficult to discuss for a long time. Here you can hear patterns typical for death metal with a lot of melody, a lot of synthesizer, dropped guitar tuning and a strong influence of pop music. It would seem that it's very difficult to spoil the work in such a framework. Well, if you don't take into account the fact that not all the songs are original, then we can say that the instrumentalists did a good job. However, the sound of instrumental parts as a whole is not so bright. I could describe guitar parts from beginning to end. However, in this album it's not necessary. On album Genesis, the guitar parts sound good. Here they just sound. Now the rhythm section, which in some places is not as intense as we would like. In previous release, even pop patterns sounded bright. And here? The only thing worth paying attention to is a synthesizer. Although, most likely, due to the fact that you don't expect much from this.
So, this is not an album. These are some album bits that were roughly paste together and put into the store. Okay, nobody's perfect. However, this work is completely incompatible with the high status of its participants. Disadvantage of previous release, I found a somewhat strange fit of instrumental to the lyrics. But this album is one continuous disadvantage. Instrumental is good, but when you start looking at the shades of composer's work, you want to turn it off. Yes, they do something like a game of contrasts, but you can’t get far at this trick. I cannot order them, but one thing I can say for sure: need more original material. Don't be afraid to create even if it will be quickie - any creativity is always held in high esteem. So, work is done.
My Rating: 47/100 Best song: -
Then what do we have? Composer's work? It seems that here the composer is just a formality. In new songs, composer's work is kind of sluggish. That is, the instrumentalists performed their parts well - there are no complaints. But the feeling remains that the original idea is somehow weak. Because of this, overall sound is not perceived so brightly. Because of this, I will not even describe the album structure. Also, I don’t like different volume level of the songs, and the volume level of individual instrumental tracks raises some uncomfortable questions (for example, guitar track that do sweep picking in 3 tracks).
Now the vocalist is good. In the mix you can hear some tricks in the spirit of Steven Slate and this is a nice detail. Contrasts game is also interesting: extreme vocal techniques are replaced by a cute voice in a second. However, even the vocal parts have a feeling of not fully developed idea.
Instrumental parts are difficult to discuss for a long time. Here you can hear patterns typical for death metal with a lot of melody, a lot of synthesizer, dropped guitar tuning and a strong influence of pop music. It would seem that it's very difficult to spoil the work in such a framework. Well, if you don't take into account the fact that not all the songs are original, then we can say that the instrumentalists did a good job. However, the sound of instrumental parts as a whole is not so bright. I could describe guitar parts from beginning to end. However, in this album it's not necessary. On album Genesis, the guitar parts sound good. Here they just sound. Now the rhythm section, which in some places is not as intense as we would like. In previous release, even pop patterns sounded bright. And here? The only thing worth paying attention to is a synthesizer. Although, most likely, due to the fact that you don't expect much from this.
So, this is not an album. These are some album bits that were roughly paste together and put into the store. Okay, nobody's perfect. However, this work is completely incompatible with the high status of its participants. Disadvantage of previous release, I found a somewhat strange fit of instrumental to the lyrics. But this album is one continuous disadvantage. Instrumental is good, but when you start looking at the shades of composer's work, you want to turn it off. Yes, they do something like a game of contrasts, but you can’t get far at this trick. I cannot order them, but one thing I can say for sure: need more original material. Don't be afraid to create even if it will be quickie - any creativity is always held in high esteem. So, work is done.
March 11, 2019
IScream Never Ground - Runners High (Review)
And again band IScream Never Ground is releasing a album. Such regularity deserves respect. However, such regularity can also cause concern.
My Rating: 73/100 Best song: Endless Relay
Most often, a large amount of work is performed due to its cheap level. And when you remember that pop patterns are also used in their music, the desire to listen further decreases. Here you can again hear melodic death metal / metalcore with a lot of synthesizer, but now pop music influence has increased even more. Many tend to see this as a negative color and this can be understood. However, it's not so simple.
Composer's work is good. Composer decided to play on contrasts: on the one side - pop patterns with a synthesizer and a high voice, on the other side - extreme vocal techniques, low guitar tuning (Drop C) and very, very, very heavy riffs. However, the advantages don't end here. Vocal and instrumental parts are interestingly composed: they are not complicated, but are structured so that the listener never gets bored. Another evidence in favor of the high professionalism of composer. The only inconvenient moment: in 2 tracks, structures of instrumental parts are too simple. It seems that composer no longer had any ideas, but the work plan had to be carried out. Interestingly, this song is located after on 2nd position after powerful introduction - listener will be still impressed by this moment.
Vocalists also do their jobs well. There are quite interesting structures of vocal parts that are not repeated in the next song. These structures are hard to hear from the first time and this is a nice detail. Here you can hear three voices - 2 male (with a different range) and 1 female, and, for a female voice, the parts are small. Some interesting ideas should also be noted. For example, the abundance of reverb after changing the composition in 1 track.
Instrumental parts can hardly be called complex. But the patterns are structured so that it looks interesting. There are very simple patterns here - I understood how it's played while listening. However, here you can see a large number of different shapes, which are also not repeated. This is all I can say about the instrumental parts, since the limit of 5000 characters does not allow describing everything in detail.
Still, I was right - this project has changed. Yes, change is not always a sign of development. But if we compare it with another cow group (for example, we take the Nocturnal Bloodlust), then here we can really see a development. But I doubt that initially there was just such an idea, which can be seen in this release. I don't presume to say that they were just lucky - band has too much talent to be able to state this unequivocally. And nevertheless, I am tormented by doubts because of how the vocals from previous releases will be performed - project format has changed a bit. Well, we'll see it later. In the meantime, I can say that the work is good.
My Rating: 73/100 Best song: Endless Relay
Composer's work is good. Composer decided to play on contrasts: on the one side - pop patterns with a synthesizer and a high voice, on the other side - extreme vocal techniques, low guitar tuning (Drop C) and very, very, very heavy riffs. However, the advantages don't end here. Vocal and instrumental parts are interestingly composed: they are not complicated, but are structured so that the listener never gets bored. Another evidence in favor of the high professionalism of composer. The only inconvenient moment: in 2 tracks, structures of instrumental parts are too simple. It seems that composer no longer had any ideas, but the work plan had to be carried out. Interestingly, this song is located after on 2nd position after powerful introduction - listener will be still impressed by this moment.
Vocalists also do their jobs well. There are quite interesting structures of vocal parts that are not repeated in the next song. These structures are hard to hear from the first time and this is a nice detail. Here you can hear three voices - 2 male (with a different range) and 1 female, and, for a female voice, the parts are small. Some interesting ideas should also be noted. For example, the abundance of reverb after changing the composition in 1 track.
Instrumental parts can hardly be called complex. But the patterns are structured so that it looks interesting. There are very simple patterns here - I understood how it's played while listening. However, here you can see a large number of different shapes, which are also not repeated. This is all I can say about the instrumental parts, since the limit of 5000 characters does not allow describing everything in detail.
Still, I was right - this project has changed. Yes, change is not always a sign of development. But if we compare it with another cow group (for example, we take the Nocturnal Bloodlust), then here we can really see a development. But I doubt that initially there was just such an idea, which can be seen in this release. I don't presume to say that they were just lucky - band has too much talent to be able to state this unequivocally. And nevertheless, I am tormented by doubts because of how the vocals from previous releases will be performed - project format has changed a bit. Well, we'll see it later. In the meantime, I can say that the work is good.
February 24, 2019
Pulse of Humanity - SIGnAL (Review)
After I listened to the new album by Pulse Of Humanity, I wondered “what is skill”? Most of the peoples will say something like “skill is the ability to influence emotions”. A narrow aesthic circle will say "masters are not obliged to be understood by the majority." However, my words are difficult to fit into one sentence.
My Rating: 66/100 Best song: Dystopia / Utopia
No, this album did not surprise me. Here you can hear fairly simple patterns with lots of synthesizer. But the main album feature is a wide variety of patterns. Needless to say that composer did a good job? I think this is superfluous. Composer has worked hard on diversity. Of course, there is still a long time to improve their skills. Nevertheless, the first thing that can be heard is a large number of sounds with not very high sound extraction intensity. That is, the listener's ears are constantly busy with something. There are no clever intro here. The album has just begun - right away Korg synthesizers and guitar on Drop A tuning flow into the listener's ears.
Vocalists perfectly complement this picture. Here you can hear two voices - male and female. Male voice is predominantly occupied by extreme technicians. Extreme techniques are quite diverse: here growling, screaming, pigsqueal and even guttural. Female voice uses classical techniques and is similar to discantus (it’s not even a coloratura soprano, which I like so much). However, you can also notice the use of vocoder in some vocal parts. Moreover, several tracks with a clear voice and several vocoders are used simultaneously. I never understood why vocoders are needed if skill can be expressed with a clear voice? However, sound designer here showed cunning and did not mixed up anything - this is a nice detail.
Instrumental parts are very intense, but not very difficult. The first thing to notice is guitar. Guitar parts are also not very difficult - only in track 3 you can hear an interesting riff. However, it's noticeable that guitarist also wrote the synthesizer's parts. This is noticeable in the structure of guitar and synthesizer parts - they complement each other perfectly. Synthesizers in this release are a separate topic that cannot be solved in one entry. Also with the help of synthesizers they tried to recreate an interesting solo in the style of Tom Morello in track 8. But it looks like cucumbers were added to ice cream. Rhythm section - there are a lot of pop patterns that scratching the ears. The rest - interesting sets of rhythms.
The whole album is a pile-up of many sounds in one pile, and the main part of composer's work was to make it sound as acceptable as possible. I'm scared to imagine the number of tracks in sequencer (if there are usually more than 50 of them) and butthurt of sound designer. Well, I can say that these guys did their job well. They play well on contrasts, on intensity and on unusualness. But they lack something of principle. It's difficult to explain rationally, it's at the level of shades of composing work. The best idea for the band would be not to pile up a large number of notes, but to work on compositions structure as a whole. Because the composer, instead of removing the excess from the music editor, could do something more useful.
My Rating: 66/100 Best song: Dystopia / Utopia
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| itunes.apple.com |
Vocalists perfectly complement this picture. Here you can hear two voices - male and female. Male voice is predominantly occupied by extreme technicians. Extreme techniques are quite diverse: here growling, screaming, pigsqueal and even guttural. Female voice uses classical techniques and is similar to discantus (it’s not even a coloratura soprano, which I like so much). However, you can also notice the use of vocoder in some vocal parts. Moreover, several tracks with a clear voice and several vocoders are used simultaneously. I never understood why vocoders are needed if skill can be expressed with a clear voice? However, sound designer here showed cunning and did not mixed up anything - this is a nice detail.
Instrumental parts are very intense, but not very difficult. The first thing to notice is guitar. Guitar parts are also not very difficult - only in track 3 you can hear an interesting riff. However, it's noticeable that guitarist also wrote the synthesizer's parts. This is noticeable in the structure of guitar and synthesizer parts - they complement each other perfectly. Synthesizers in this release are a separate topic that cannot be solved in one entry. Also with the help of synthesizers they tried to recreate an interesting solo in the style of Tom Morello in track 8. But it looks like cucumbers were added to ice cream. Rhythm section - there are a lot of pop patterns that scratching the ears. The rest - interesting sets of rhythms.
The whole album is a pile-up of many sounds in one pile, and the main part of composer's work was to make it sound as acceptable as possible. I'm scared to imagine the number of tracks in sequencer (if there are usually more than 50 of them) and butthurt of sound designer. Well, I can say that these guys did their job well. They play well on contrasts, on intensity and on unusualness. But they lack something of principle. It's difficult to explain rationally, it's at the level of shades of composing work. The best idea for the band would be not to pile up a large number of notes, but to work on compositions structure as a whole. Because the composer, instead of removing the excess from the music editor, could do something more useful.
February 19, 2019
THE SOUND BEE HD - DEAD SILENCE (Review)
Band THE SOUND BEE HD is a serious guys with good experience. After the interesting releases “WALKING DEAD” and “ENDLESS DEAD”, they could create something really cool. However, this time something went wrong.
My rating: 58/100 Best song: DEADMAN’S WALK
This album is very different from what was previously released. The general idea of album is too banal. At the beginning of the listener meets the narrative, content of which is easy to guess. Then follows a very good song. Next two tracks are some kind of dregs about emotions and features of perception. And at the end you can hear a piano song. Composer wanted to control the listener's emotions, but it turned out weakly.
By the way about composer. His job is fucking up. I didn't understand, due to which the composer wanted to highlight his work. Here it's noticeable that the general idea is built around sadness, grief and similar topics. But the methods of solving artistic tasks are something strange.
Vocalist is good. Here, a weak variety of vocal parts, as well as vocal techniques are monotonous. However, some shades in performance in favor of great talent. It's a pity that such a great talent was badly manifested in this album.
Instrumental parts - I see no reason to discuss this. Only in the third track can you hear something relatively interesting. And also in the second track, a heavy riff and an interesting solo. The rest - nothing worth paying attention to. The only one who showed himself well in this album is drummer: in this album you can hear an interesting set of rhythms.
If you don't want to spoil your opinion about this wonderful band, then this album is better not to listen. I did not quite understand what it was all about and for this reason the review turned out to be brief. And if other similar bands (for example, Spider Lilly, who already split-up) have at least a higher sound extraction intensity, then what is it? If you want to say “the author knows better what he wants” - let him carry the torch. But I don't see anything of value here.
My rating: 58/100 Best song: DEADMAN’S WALK
By the way about composer. His job is fucking up. I didn't understand, due to which the composer wanted to highlight his work. Here it's noticeable that the general idea is built around sadness, grief and similar topics. But the methods of solving artistic tasks are something strange.
Vocalist is good. Here, a weak variety of vocal parts, as well as vocal techniques are monotonous. However, some shades in performance in favor of great talent. It's a pity that such a great talent was badly manifested in this album.
Instrumental parts - I see no reason to discuss this. Only in the third track can you hear something relatively interesting. And also in the second track, a heavy riff and an interesting solo. The rest - nothing worth paying attention to. The only one who showed himself well in this album is drummer: in this album you can hear an interesting set of rhythms.
If you don't want to spoil your opinion about this wonderful band, then this album is better not to listen. I did not quite understand what it was all about and for this reason the review turned out to be brief. And if other similar bands (for example, Spider Lilly, who already split-up) have at least a higher sound extraction intensity, then what is it? If you want to say “the author knows better what he wants” - let him carry the torch. But I don't see anything of value here.
January 22, 2019
Amiliyah - Departure (Review)
The brighter and more pompous the cover, the worse the product that is hidden under it. This pattern can often be traced in the modern market. But works of art are a special topic.
My rating: 72/100 Best song: Ever
Four months after the great album Hidden Door (2017), guys from band Amiliyah again release a new album. I can’t know exactly how they work, but this is a very dare tactic: it's hard to write, record, process, arrange and start selling 8 songs in 4 months. And while listening to this album, you begin to understand what made them fit in such a short time.
Album structure begins with a cover arts. If earlier the cover arts looked dark, gloomy, mysterious, now they look very bright, colorful, pompous. About the general idea of album can be said about the same. Here you can hear not very complex (sometimes even pop) patterns on extended range guitars. This album looks quite vigorously, which is very uncharacteristic both for gothic metal in general and for this band in particular. Oh, I completely forgot, you can still notice very simple naming of songs.
Composer's work is good. There are several unsuccessful decisions here, but overall the work is good. It's noticeable that composer tried well. But it seems that the efforts were not enough for the whole album - the logic in some methods of solving artistic tasks remains a mystery to me.
Vocalist is also good. There are a lot of different sounding here. In general, a vocalist has good abilities - it's very difficult to find flaws. The only awkward moment: something is missing at the range top. Maybe these are the features of the performance technique. Maybe these are the features of the equipment and processing. But to me it sounds weird.
Instrumental parts - everything here is not as predictable as it may seem. Yes, I tend to see this as a positive connotation. However, everything is not so simple. In instrumental parts there is something interesting, but the pop patterns in some segmants spoil the charm. Guitars - there is something interesting here. For example, speedy scale at the beginning of 4 tracks. Or an interesting main riff in track 6 with triplets and fifths - it's simple, but interesting. Also there is something simple, but not interesting, for example, 3 tracks are “zeros” with scales, and in some segments with power chords. I understood how it's played while listening. There is also a synthesizer here. Here you can hear an industrial (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 tracks) synthesizer, strings (2, 3, 4 tracks), wind (2, 6 tracks). Not very much variety. Rhythm section is very intense. Here you can hear a standard heavy metal drumming (3, 5, 8 tracks), a blast beat (2, 4, 6, 7 tracks), as well as some inserts of something interesting. However, it didn’t do without pop patterns in some segments of 3 tracks. Also in track 5 you can hear the drum machine. I can't understand this: there is a lot of industrial synthesizer in this release, why else?
This is just a good job with some bad decisions. Well, many don't even have this. But after a great album, quickly releasing “just good” - why? For quantity? Or one for art and another for high sales? We will not know the answer. But one thing is for sure: you should not simplify the patterns in some places to increase the popularity in general - you will find only disappointment. I have an assumption that if this album would have been released not in the spring of 2018, but in the spring of 2019, then some ideas and solutions would have moved on a different, more successful side. But for now we see what we see.
My rating: 72/100 Best song: Ever
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| amiliyah.com |
Album structure begins with a cover arts. If earlier the cover arts looked dark, gloomy, mysterious, now they look very bright, colorful, pompous. About the general idea of album can be said about the same. Here you can hear not very complex (sometimes even pop) patterns on extended range guitars. This album looks quite vigorously, which is very uncharacteristic both for gothic metal in general and for this band in particular. Oh, I completely forgot, you can still notice very simple naming of songs.
Composer's work is good. There are several unsuccessful decisions here, but overall the work is good. It's noticeable that composer tried well. But it seems that the efforts were not enough for the whole album - the logic in some methods of solving artistic tasks remains a mystery to me.
Vocalist is also good. There are a lot of different sounding here. In general, a vocalist has good abilities - it's very difficult to find flaws. The only awkward moment: something is missing at the range top. Maybe these are the features of the performance technique. Maybe these are the features of the equipment and processing. But to me it sounds weird.
Instrumental parts - everything here is not as predictable as it may seem. Yes, I tend to see this as a positive connotation. However, everything is not so simple. In instrumental parts there is something interesting, but the pop patterns in some segmants spoil the charm. Guitars - there is something interesting here. For example, speedy scale at the beginning of 4 tracks. Or an interesting main riff in track 6 with triplets and fifths - it's simple, but interesting. Also there is something simple, but not interesting, for example, 3 tracks are “zeros” with scales, and in some segments with power chords. I understood how it's played while listening. There is also a synthesizer here. Here you can hear an industrial (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 tracks) synthesizer, strings (2, 3, 4 tracks), wind (2, 6 tracks). Not very much variety. Rhythm section is very intense. Here you can hear a standard heavy metal drumming (3, 5, 8 tracks), a blast beat (2, 4, 6, 7 tracks), as well as some inserts of something interesting. However, it didn’t do without pop patterns in some segments of 3 tracks. Also in track 5 you can hear the drum machine. I can't understand this: there is a lot of industrial synthesizer in this release, why else?
This is just a good job with some bad decisions. Well, many don't even have this. But after a great album, quickly releasing “just good” - why? For quantity? Or one for art and another for high sales? We will not know the answer. But one thing is for sure: you should not simplify the patterns in some places to increase the popularity in general - you will find only disappointment. I have an assumption that if this album would have been released not in the spring of 2018, but in the spring of 2019, then some ideas and solutions would have moved on a different, more successful side. But for now we see what we see.
November 3, 2018
Simplest japanese metal songs on 7 string guitar
Extended range guitars is always a professional choice. However, sometimes there is a simple artistic task that does not require something complicated. And in this entry I will talk about such examples.
Usually guitarist from this band has very difficult parts. But during his career, he tried many methods of solving artistic tasks. So many, that he got in my today's list.
If you know what “Nu-Metal” is, then you will understand this.
This artist originally used 7 string guitars, and compositions were not very complicated. Here is one example.
I also find it strange to see these guys on this list, because their music is very complicated from the point of view of a guitarist. However, there is only a complex scale in intro, the rest is simple.
The list turned out even less than usual - 4 pieces.
- Galneryus - Heavy Curse (Heavy / Power / Progressive Metal, Standard B)
Usually guitarist from this band has very difficult parts. But during his career, he tried many methods of solving artistic tasks. So many, that he got in my today's list.
- Pulse Of Humanity - No Excuse (Nu-Metal / Industrial Metal, Drop A)
If you know what “Nu-Metal” is, then you will understand this.
- ISAO - Pudding Busters (Progressive Metal / Instrumental, Standart B)
This artist originally used 7 string guitars, and compositions were not very complicated. Here is one example.
- Nocturnal Bloodlust - Dead End (Deathcore / Djent, Drop G)
I also find it strange to see these guys on this list, because their music is very complicated from the point of view of a guitarist. However, there is only a complex scale in intro, the rest is simple.
The list turned out even less than usual - 4 pieces.
October 27, 2018
SoundWitch - Celluloid Queen (Review)
Guys from band Soundwitch realized that the release “Speak” was a mistake. And finally, they did work better to release something more interesting. But in this world nothing simple happens and this release is no exception.
My Rating: 51/100
It's nice to know that the guys found their mistake and fix it. But here it feels a little different. There are much more interesting ideas compared to the previous release. But still, this is not enough to call it a good album, since the methods for solving artistic tasks are too cheap. By the fact that album meets the listener with a sharp, distorted scream, it's already possible to draw similar conclusions.
Composer's work remains at low level again. Here you can notice the same thing as in the previous release: quickly composed instrumental parts, to which composer sticks “some shades” on the move. Yes, there is a noticeably greater amount of composing work here, but composer somehow managed to spoil even such a diversity of ideas.
But all the same, there is something good here. For example, vocalist. And again vocalist is the only good thing on album. But it also affects the cheap composer's work - vocal parts are written just disgusting. And the use of vocoder on backing vocals in track 1 as well as on the lead vocal in track 2 doesn’t indicate an interesting work.
Instrumental parts - here already less predictable decisions. From the point of view of instrumental parts, album looks more vigorous. But this is also not so simple. The first thing to notice is a synthesizer. A very large variety of synthesizer. If in 1, 2 and 4 tracks the sound is artificial, industrial, then in 3 tracks synthesizer's sound becomes more natural. It's not clear why the composer decided to change the album's sound so dramatically. Guitarist in this album shows how a guitarist's high skill lever can be spoiled by strange compositional decisions. But in the end - too simple riffs. However, djent riff in the second track is a pleasant surprise, although it also cannot be called very complex. In track 3, guitarist tries to play a solo. Keyword is “trying”. The last straw of my patience was the grinding of one fifth in 4 tracks. Drums - here the situation is twofold. In one composition, there can be both a primitive drum pattern and rather complex patterns, such as the Booty Camp beat (1 track).
It can not like a sober person in their right mind. Okay, anything can happen. But I can not understand one thing: why spend so much time if you end up with such a weak job? I can understand if it would be a novice job. But this band has existed for 8 years and during that time it was possible to come up with something interesting. And if this release is the best that they came up with in 8 years, then I'm not impressed.
My Rating: 51/100
It's nice to know that the guys found their mistake and fix it. But here it feels a little different. There are much more interesting ideas compared to the previous release. But still, this is not enough to call it a good album, since the methods for solving artistic tasks are too cheap. By the fact that album meets the listener with a sharp, distorted scream, it's already possible to draw similar conclusions.
Composer's work remains at low level again. Here you can notice the same thing as in the previous release: quickly composed instrumental parts, to which composer sticks “some shades” on the move. Yes, there is a noticeably greater amount of composing work here, but composer somehow managed to spoil even such a diversity of ideas.
But all the same, there is something good here. For example, vocalist. And again vocalist is the only good thing on album. But it also affects the cheap composer's work - vocal parts are written just disgusting. And the use of vocoder on backing vocals in track 1 as well as on the lead vocal in track 2 doesn’t indicate an interesting work.
Instrumental parts - here already less predictable decisions. From the point of view of instrumental parts, album looks more vigorous. But this is also not so simple. The first thing to notice is a synthesizer. A very large variety of synthesizer. If in 1, 2 and 4 tracks the sound is artificial, industrial, then in 3 tracks synthesizer's sound becomes more natural. It's not clear why the composer decided to change the album's sound so dramatically. Guitarist in this album shows how a guitarist's high skill lever can be spoiled by strange compositional decisions. But in the end - too simple riffs. However, djent riff in the second track is a pleasant surprise, although it also cannot be called very complex. In track 3, guitarist tries to play a solo. Keyword is “trying”. The last straw of my patience was the grinding of one fifth in 4 tracks. Drums - here the situation is twofold. In one composition, there can be both a primitive drum pattern and rather complex patterns, such as the Booty Camp beat (1 track).
It can not like a sober person in their right mind. Okay, anything can happen. But I can not understand one thing: why spend so much time if you end up with such a weak job? I can understand if it would be a novice job. But this band has existed for 8 years and during that time it was possible to come up with something interesting. And if this release is the best that they came up with in 8 years, then I'm not impressed.
October 21, 2018
Soundwitch - Speak (Review)
While listening to a lot of music, I noticed one regularity: if music critics designate the band genre as “industrial metal” without any shades, then this always means simple common constructions with small inserts of a synthesizer. In 99.9% of cases for such bands, the question is as follows: can they compensate simple constructions using a synthesizer?
My rating: 43/100
I remembered this regularity because this band plays industrial metal and nothing more can be said about the genre. And this release is no exception. While listening to this release it seems that it was done in one or two days. No, I don't want to say that here is a rough work - after all, it feels here that the composer has a great talent. But the methods for solving an artistic task are too simple for metal and because of this it's difficult to see talent. It is not difficult to guess that the overall picture looks very simple. Well, maybe this release somehow affects the emotions? And here, too, the answer is negative. Attempt to cause at least some emotions can be traced on the cover of the album - it's so provocative that I did not insert it into this entry.
Composer's work is very bad. I did not understand what the composer wanted to do. Not only are there very simple instrumental parts, there is not even any interesting ideas to be seen. One feels that the composer sculpted it all out of the templates in a few hours, and then wanted to immediately stick “some shades”. This is a bad idea, the result of which was very predictable.
Vocalist is probably the only positive thing on the album. Vocalist tries to portray the diversity and the attempt can be considered successful. But I don’t see any ideas here - as if they were just given a sheet music and ordered to act.
Instrumental parts - everything is very predictable here. However, there is something to say. There are a lot of synthesizers here. The whole album is a synthesizer. Well, this is also a promising direction of thought. But then the most interesting begins - the rest instrumental parts are quite simple. Yes, in third track there is an interesting riff, but this is not enough.
So this is not an album. This is what the album could have been made with enough time and desire. Maybe not enough time. Maybe not enough desire. But now I don't see anything interesting. And I don't think anything will change in the future.
My rating: 43/100
I remembered this regularity because this band plays industrial metal and nothing more can be said about the genre. And this release is no exception. While listening to this release it seems that it was done in one or two days. No, I don't want to say that here is a rough work - after all, it feels here that the composer has a great talent. But the methods for solving an artistic task are too simple for metal and because of this it's difficult to see talent. It is not difficult to guess that the overall picture looks very simple. Well, maybe this release somehow affects the emotions? And here, too, the answer is negative. Attempt to cause at least some emotions can be traced on the cover of the album - it's so provocative that I did not insert it into this entry.
Composer's work is very bad. I did not understand what the composer wanted to do. Not only are there very simple instrumental parts, there is not even any interesting ideas to be seen. One feels that the composer sculpted it all out of the templates in a few hours, and then wanted to immediately stick “some shades”. This is a bad idea, the result of which was very predictable.
Vocalist is probably the only positive thing on the album. Vocalist tries to portray the diversity and the attempt can be considered successful. But I don’t see any ideas here - as if they were just given a sheet music and ordered to act.
Instrumental parts - everything is very predictable here. However, there is something to say. There are a lot of synthesizers here. The whole album is a synthesizer. Well, this is also a promising direction of thought. But then the most interesting begins - the rest instrumental parts are quite simple. Yes, in third track there is an interesting riff, but this is not enough.
So this is not an album. This is what the album could have been made with enough time and desire. Maybe not enough time. Maybe not enough desire. But now I don't see anything interesting. And I don't think anything will change in the future.
October 14, 2018
My favorite riffs on 7 string guitar
Despite the fact that I listen to a lot of music, few of my favorite bands play on 7 string guitars. In this post I will list my favorite riffs on a 7 string guitar. I think this would be a logical continuation of the “My favorite %itemname%” lists. As usual, I will list them in the format:
So, let's begin.
Let's start with something easier. The first experience with a 7 string guitar - and immediately a great song. Excellent talent.
I consider the newest album of this band controversial and ambiguous. However, I liked one riff.
This time the list turned out to be more voluminous - 13 pieces.
- Project name - Song title (genre, guitar tuning)
So, let's begin.
- Rie Aka Suzaku - Dreaming Eyes (Heavy / Power Metal, Standard B)
Let's start with something easier. The first experience with a 7 string guitar - and immediately a great song. Excellent talent.
- HETEROGENEOUS ANDEAD - Demise of Rein (Melodic Death / Thrash / Symphonic Metal, Standard B)
I consider the newest album of this band controversial and ambiguous. However, I liked one riff.
- SoundWitch - Suzy the Mouth (Industrial Metal, Standard B)
- Amiliyah - Serpent (Gothic / Industrial Metal, Standard B)
- Alphoenix - Give Me Fire (Melodic Death Metal / Metalcore, Standard B)
- Isao - Gravity Core (Progressive Metal / Instrumental, Standard B)
- Cube-Ray - Golf (Progressive Metal / Instrumental, Standard B)
- Levrage - End Of Time (Thrash / Groove Metal / Metalcore, Standard B)
- Levrage - Lost Nation (Thrash / Groove Metal / Metalcore, Standard B)
- Levrage - Playing With Fire (Thrash / Groove Metal / Metalcore, Standard B)
- Levrage - Life Is Calling (Thrash / Groove Metal / Metalcore, Standard B)
- Inescapable Dehumanization - Dishonored (Brutal Death Metal / Deathcore, Drop A)
- Nocturnal Bloodlust - V.I.P. (Metalcore / Deathcore, Drop A)
- Nocturnal Bloodlust - Malice Against (Deathcore / Djent, Drop G)
This time the list turned out to be more voluminous - 13 pieces.
September 26, 2018
IScream Never Ground - Zenryoku Natsugasshuku (Review)
Before discussing the new release of IScream Never Ground, I want to leave my small idea in introduction. This is second release for the year. It's very difficult to produce two or more high-quality (from composer's point of view) release for the year, this ability is possessed only by "Iron" Chino. For the rest, regularity looks like this: a large amount of work is done at the expense of its simplicity.
My Rating: 71/100
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| Source: artist.aremond.net/ing |
And when you listen to this album, you understand, due to what the composer composed a few more songs in such a short time. Here we again hear a melodic death / metalcore with a moderate amount of synthesizer. But in this release you can hear a stronger (compared to previous release) pop music influence. Apparently, they chose what I was most afraid of.
Composer's work is pretty good. Here composer plays on contrasts, opposites. But here the elements of pop music and metalcore are about the same amount - in this form this is a very dangerous game. I don't like this composer's decision. Nevertheless, composer showed a fairly high level of skill - here you can hear many shades, which testify in favor of masterful work.
Vocal parts are diverse. Not even the fact that there are two vocalists here - male and female. Here, clean, growling, recitative and even guttural. Vocalists are very much focused, and the lyrics emphasize strong emotions.
About instrumental parts also have something to say. The first thing you can notice is synthesizer. Synthesizer's parts are very diverse. You can also notice that there is a moderate amount of synthesizer here and this is a good solution - there are usually a lot of it. Guitar riffs are difficult to call diverse, although there is an obvious attempt to portray diversity. There are very brutal breakdowns with "zeros", there are also many riffs with power chords and some hint of melody, sometimes you can even hear scales. Bassist has some areas with a slap in 4th track. That's all. But rhythm section continues on drummer. Here a wide variety of drums - hook pattern, standard heavy metal drumming, blast beat and booty camp beat.
Yes, this release is also more complicated than it seems. And maybe I could not describe the whole charm of this release. But one thing I can say confidently: they have chosen a bad path. Pay more attention to simple patterns and release many songs in one year - this is not what we expect from experts of this class. This does not cancel the members's talent, but it will be better if the composer is more selective in relation to the methods of solving artistic tasks.
August 4, 2018
Crossfaith - Deus Ex Machina (Review)
Usually band Crossfaith is associated with a lot of emotions. And it's no wonder - a simple material is easily served, if you grumble pathos face and wildly scream. It's good, if you are technically developing at the same time. It's bad, if you are increasingly exploiting this model.
My Rating: 69/100
I remembered it because here you can see all the same pattern 6 years ago, but slightly modified. Here you can hear again the riffs characteristic of groove metal and metalcore with a lot of synthesizer. This idea is very risky, because success depends very much on composer and sound designer abilities. That is, if you try, as they say in Russia, to jump higher than your head, it will only get worse.
And in this release you can notice that there is a big bet on composer's work. But composer's work on medium level. Of course, it is worth noting the filigree arrangement of instrumental parts - a large number of difficult to place within 3 or 4 minutes. Also, changing the composition in tracks 4 and 6 is an interesting solution. But in general, I do not see the composer as something very complicated. Also there was not without frank hackwork (7, 8 tracks).
Vocal parts are very diverse. In addition to standard extreme / clean set, you can still hear the recitative (4 tracks). Vocal parts structures can not be called very complicated or unusual, but vocalist is good.
Instrumental parts - everything is predictable here. The first thing you can notice is a huge amount of synthesizer. A large number poorly compensates for the technical simplicity, but it's located in right places. Although if you listen, it's, most of all, a standard set from Korg Wavestation. Of course, there are also other FX that complement the structures in an interesting way, but this is not enough. Also here you can hear the guitar riffs on Drop B tuning. But you can only hear a complicated guitar riff in 2 tracks. In the rest - nothing interesting. Also worth noting is the very intense rhythm section. Even in areas where you can do with the usual patterns, drummer grinding as a machine. I don't know if it's a composer's idea or something else, but drummer shows himself well.
10 years ago it would be interesting. But in our time it has become something standard. While listening to this album you can wildly headbanging with beer, but it's hard to call "the art". I remember listening with pleasure to EP "ZION". But now I don't see something very surprising. Yes, work is good. But the only thing they've learned to do better in these 6 years is screaming louder and more pathos.
My Rating: 69/100
 |
| Source: amazon.com |
And in this release you can notice that there is a big bet on composer's work. But composer's work on medium level. Of course, it is worth noting the filigree arrangement of instrumental parts - a large number of difficult to place within 3 or 4 minutes. Also, changing the composition in tracks 4 and 6 is an interesting solution. But in general, I do not see the composer as something very complicated. Also there was not without frank hackwork (7, 8 tracks).
Vocal parts are very diverse. In addition to standard extreme / clean set, you can still hear the recitative (4 tracks). Vocal parts structures can not be called very complicated or unusual, but vocalist is good.
Instrumental parts - everything is predictable here. The first thing you can notice is a huge amount of synthesizer. A large number poorly compensates for the technical simplicity, but it's located in right places. Although if you listen, it's, most of all, a standard set from Korg Wavestation. Of course, there are also other FX that complement the structures in an interesting way, but this is not enough. Also here you can hear the guitar riffs on Drop B tuning. But you can only hear a complicated guitar riff in 2 tracks. In the rest - nothing interesting. Also worth noting is the very intense rhythm section. Even in areas where you can do with the usual patterns, drummer grinding as a machine. I don't know if it's a composer's idea or something else, but drummer shows himself well.
10 years ago it would be interesting. But in our time it has become something standard. While listening to this album you can wildly headbanging with beer, but it's hard to call "the art". I remember listening with pleasure to EP "ZION". But now I don't see something very surprising. Yes, work is good. But the only thing they've learned to do better in these 6 years is screaming louder and more pathos.
July 2, 2018
6 japanese metal songs that never officially released
I think many of us have faced a situation where you do not have time to do some things. It's the same with musicians - bands are created, bands split-up, and songs that did not have time to write remain. In this entry, I want to tell you about quite interesting songs that, due to various circumstances, have never been officially released. So, let's begin.
Disqualia - Guilty Of The Crime
Initially, quite an interesting project quickly going to pop. I don't know if it's right to say this or it's a ordinary template, but I think I'll be understood. Of course, then the leader in an interview with Metallion magazine admits that the band did not plan to play metal. Nevertheless, the apogee was EP right NOW, where the pop patterns were compensated only with pathos. So could not last long, after which Ibuki - author of all songs, - go out of this bisness. Of course, this did not happen instantly - the band continued their activity and composed new songs. The most interesting of them - Guilty Of The Crime - is already impossible to find anywhere, since a large number of concerts were not recorded.
Coma Countess - Incitement White
Officially existed only 10 months, band Coma Countess still managed to leave a small, but still a trace in history. Officially, only three songs were released on demo-single, but they performed six at concerts. You can see the fulfillment of the most interesting of them now.
Yes, you are not mistaken, here are two past members from Destrose - Miho and Miki.
Albion - Innocent Lilly
Band Albion - is an attempt to grab the maximum amount of popularity, - this was very lacking for Tengusakura. Attempt was unsuccessful. Yes, for me the album Campanula was the most anticipated album of 2014. But, apparently, it did not turn out as the members wanted, and soon project split-up. Moreover, the project split-up gradually, but this is another story. Now I want to say that a song was written with the name Innocent Lilly, which they did not have time to release.
As you can hear, it's about the same thing you can hear in full-length.
A Drop Of Joker - Liar
A Drop Of Joker - Scream For Me
The next point we have at once two songs from one composer. Period from 2014 to 2015 for the band A Drop Of Joker was the peak of activity: release of full-length album and EP, a large number of concerts and a lot of PR on Twitter. But guitarist Mi-ya, in the end, chose not skill, but popularity and activity suddenly stopped. But Mi-ya left a little material, which was intended for this band. Later these songs found their place in band Lovebites. But the difference is significant: A Drop Of Joker played a melodic death / metalcore (at the last concerts already went djent elements), and Lovebites play heavy/thrash/power metal. Accordingly, the original was intended for 8 string guitar, and Lovebites plays on 6 string guitars with a standard E tuning. Yes, it's better than nothing, but it's impossible to hear the original.
Kanimega - Wake Up
Despite the fact that even a whole MV was released for this song, team split-up due to problems with bassist. So they did not have time to release a new release.
Yes, Kenji has a solo project and I hope that it will be much better.
Do you like my entries? You can make them better.
Disqualia - Guilty Of The Crime
Initially, quite an interesting project quickly going to pop. I don't know if it's right to say this or it's a ordinary template, but I think I'll be understood. Of course, then the leader in an interview with Metallion magazine admits that the band did not plan to play metal. Nevertheless, the apogee was EP right NOW, where the pop patterns were compensated only with pathos. So could not last long, after which Ibuki - author of all songs, - go out of this bisness. Of course, this did not happen instantly - the band continued their activity and composed new songs. The most interesting of them - Guilty Of The Crime - is already impossible to find anywhere, since a large number of concerts were not recorded.
Coma Countess - Incitement White
Officially existed only 10 months, band Coma Countess still managed to leave a small, but still a trace in history. Officially, only three songs were released on demo-single, but they performed six at concerts. You can see the fulfillment of the most interesting of them now.
Yes, you are not mistaken, here are two past members from Destrose - Miho and Miki.
Albion - Innocent Lilly
Band Albion - is an attempt to grab the maximum amount of popularity, - this was very lacking for Tengusakura. Attempt was unsuccessful. Yes, for me the album Campanula was the most anticipated album of 2014. But, apparently, it did not turn out as the members wanted, and soon project split-up. Moreover, the project split-up gradually, but this is another story. Now I want to say that a song was written with the name Innocent Lilly, which they did not have time to release.
As you can hear, it's about the same thing you can hear in full-length.
A Drop Of Joker - Liar
A Drop Of Joker - Scream For Me
The next point we have at once two songs from one composer. Period from 2014 to 2015 for the band A Drop Of Joker was the peak of activity: release of full-length album and EP, a large number of concerts and a lot of PR on Twitter. But guitarist Mi-ya, in the end, chose not skill, but popularity and activity suddenly stopped. But Mi-ya left a little material, which was intended for this band. Later these songs found their place in band Lovebites. But the difference is significant: A Drop Of Joker played a melodic death / metalcore (at the last concerts already went djent elements), and Lovebites play heavy/thrash/power metal. Accordingly, the original was intended for 8 string guitar, and Lovebites plays on 6 string guitars with a standard E tuning. Yes, it's better than nothing, but it's impossible to hear the original.
Kanimega - Wake Up
Despite the fact that even a whole MV was released for this song, team split-up due to problems with bassist. So they did not have time to release a new release.
Yes, Kenji has a solo project and I hope that it will be much better.
Do you like my entries? You can make them better.
March 5, 2018
Spider Lilly - 1st Single (Review)
I always try to convey to reader one simple idea: fame degree of a particular project is not the main thing. The main thing is idea and ways of its realization. At present, there are a lot of good beginners who standing in shade of well-known projects. And today I will talk about one such project and their new release.
My Rating: 66/100
This release is so rare that I could not even find cover art. Nevertheless, I managed to listen and appreciate it. There are only two tracks, so I will be brief. Now professional recording and processing is noticeable. In previous release, this was not enough. Here we again hear groove/nu-metal with a lot of synthesizer. In our time in this framework it's difficult to come up with something very interesting and this release is no exception. But it's worth noting that members work creates a good impression.
About first release, you could say a little - both tracks differed only in some parts of bass lines, a few parts of synthesizer and narrative language (1 - En, 2 - Ja). But this release is much better. Now there is more variety. For example, a sharp change tempo in both tracks. But there is one controversial point: in first track, pop insets - this slightly violates the overall composition.
Vocalist has excellent abilities. And she shows it in form of a variety of techniques. Here we hear a clean, growl and sometimes guttural. Of course, it's noticeable that high notes are given very hard. Also, extreme techniques are still far from ideal. But there is nothing wrong with that. The only controversial issue here is voice effects. What for? Various constructions can be created in other ways.
Instrumental parts can be called interesting. Here we hear riffs on dropped tuning, if I'm not mistaken, on Drop B tuning. Someone can say that here the riffs are a copy of Slipknot and this will be true. But there is nothing bad here: it's good when some bands influence others. In second track slap on bass - bassist did not show himself any more. Drum patterns are diverse and well combined. Approximately ⅓ part of drum parts I have never heard before - this is a good indicator.
I saw good potential in this project. And they lived up to all expectations. Yes, we still have a lot of work to do here. But they are on the right track.
My Rating: 66/100
This release is so rare that I could not even find cover art. Nevertheless, I managed to listen and appreciate it. There are only two tracks, so I will be brief. Now professional recording and processing is noticeable. In previous release, this was not enough. Here we again hear groove/nu-metal with a lot of synthesizer. In our time in this framework it's difficult to come up with something very interesting and this release is no exception. But it's worth noting that members work creates a good impression.
About first release, you could say a little - both tracks differed only in some parts of bass lines, a few parts of synthesizer and narrative language (1 - En, 2 - Ja). But this release is much better. Now there is more variety. For example, a sharp change tempo in both tracks. But there is one controversial point: in first track, pop insets - this slightly violates the overall composition.
Vocalist has excellent abilities. And she shows it in form of a variety of techniques. Here we hear a clean, growl and sometimes guttural. Of course, it's noticeable that high notes are given very hard. Also, extreme techniques are still far from ideal. But there is nothing wrong with that. The only controversial issue here is voice effects. What for? Various constructions can be created in other ways.
Instrumental parts can be called interesting. Here we hear riffs on dropped tuning, if I'm not mistaken, on Drop B tuning. Someone can say that here the riffs are a copy of Slipknot and this will be true. But there is nothing bad here: it's good when some bands influence others. In second track slap on bass - bassist did not show himself any more. Drum patterns are diverse and well combined. Approximately ⅓ part of drum parts I have never heard before - this is a good indicator.
I saw good potential in this project. And they lived up to all expectations. Yes, we still have a lot of work to do here. But they are on the right track.
March 3, 2018
IScream Never Ground - Raibu Asurito Kyouka Keikaku (Review)
Band Galmet in the last 2 years of its activity has changed greatly: at first there was a noticeable strong hardcore influence, then compositions were simplified, and a large amount of synthesizers appeared. These experiments proved to be a failure and band disintegrated. But vocalist does not stay idle. Now we see a new band, which immediately goes into battle. First work result was released on September 1. March 1 came out EP, about which I will now tell.
My Rating: 79/100
I will not remember the past. I'll just say that I liked this release. Impression from the previews is negative: there is a very unusual sound - similar experiments are associated with newcomers. But we just have to start listening - and this album will show all the splendor of professional work.
Here we hear melodic death metal with strong hardcore influence, elements of pop music, and also with a moderate amount of synthesizers. An unusual combination. Usually such music is a slightly strengthened standard power metal pattern. But composer's excellent work is noticeable here. Here you can see that composer tried to compose songs that are both interesting from the point of view of emotions (there are many elements of pop music here), and also from the technical point of view. Not that I was afraid of it, but at the same time two opposites are very difficult to fit in one - you always have to choose one thing. It's hard to say what turned out better. Nevertheless, composer performed his work at highest level.
There are two vocalists here - male and female. When you find out about it, you immediately imagine ordinary vocal parts in the style of late Lacuna Coil, where alternately male and female parts are performed. But first seconds of listening deny it. There is a rather interesting and unusual structure of the vocal parts, which is not repeated in next track. Variety of vocal techniques also gives pleasure.
Instrumental is also interesting. First thing you can notice is synthesizer. Here this is a moderate amount and this is a good solution - usually it's shoved everywhere. There is also a wide variety of riffs here. There are quite interesting riffs and "zeros" here. Here also there are breakdowns that are characteristic of metalcore. Also noticeably several drum patterns - simple, blast-beat, booty camp beat, ect. But drum patterns combination is not repeated in each composition and this is a very positive moment - usually this does not change.
It's tempting to say that if Galmet had continued to work, they would certainly have become something similar. But this release is much more complicated than it seems.
My Rating: 79/100
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| Source - artist.aremond.net/ing/ |
Here we hear melodic death metal with strong hardcore influence, elements of pop music, and also with a moderate amount of synthesizers. An unusual combination. Usually such music is a slightly strengthened standard power metal pattern. But composer's excellent work is noticeable here. Here you can see that composer tried to compose songs that are both interesting from the point of view of emotions (there are many elements of pop music here), and also from the technical point of view. Not that I was afraid of it, but at the same time two opposites are very difficult to fit in one - you always have to choose one thing. It's hard to say what turned out better. Nevertheless, composer performed his work at highest level.
There are two vocalists here - male and female. When you find out about it, you immediately imagine ordinary vocal parts in the style of late Lacuna Coil, where alternately male and female parts are performed. But first seconds of listening deny it. There is a rather interesting and unusual structure of the vocal parts, which is not repeated in next track. Variety of vocal techniques also gives pleasure.
Instrumental is also interesting. First thing you can notice is synthesizer. Here this is a moderate amount and this is a good solution - usually it's shoved everywhere. There is also a wide variety of riffs here. There are quite interesting riffs and "zeros" here. Here also there are breakdowns that are characteristic of metalcore. Also noticeably several drum patterns - simple, blast-beat, booty camp beat, ect. But drum patterns combination is not repeated in each composition and this is a very positive moment - usually this does not change.
It's tempting to say that if Galmet had continued to work, they would certainly have become something similar. But this release is much more complicated than it seems.
February 25, 2018
Bakudan Koukiatsu - Bakukou Hurricane (MV)
I saw quite a lot of talented musicians, whose projects were perish under the pressure of standard ideas. For example, band Area51: formally exist, but release of fast-maded album every few years is not an activity in the full sense of this word.
Why did I remember that? Recently saw a new band of past drummer from Galmet.
There is also a guitarist and bassist from band HERe:Ne. Unfortunately, there is nothing more remarkable to be found here. Main advantages of this composition have little relation to music. It's very much concentrated on visual components, and lyric are associated with strong emotions. This is also good, but not at the expense of instrumental parts. But this is the most interesting: there are quite simple constructions and standard solutions. Guitar has two simple riffs and a solo with whammy bar at beginner's level. Drums has two types of parts - on verse and on chorus. And most interesting action of bassist is jumping. But nevertheless it's worth noting that here one feels a professional approach to song composing. But on one approach only, you will not last long. Okay, if it were beginners, who took up instruments yesterday. But here specialists with good experience.
Frankly, here I don't see prospects. I can not speak for sure, but I doubt that they will last longer than two years. This project will quickly tires the listeners. May be this is some kind of experiment and it will be more interesting later. But in this form this project has no future.
Why did I remember that? Recently saw a new band of past drummer from Galmet.
There is also a guitarist and bassist from band HERe:Ne. Unfortunately, there is nothing more remarkable to be found here. Main advantages of this composition have little relation to music. It's very much concentrated on visual components, and lyric are associated with strong emotions. This is also good, but not at the expense of instrumental parts. But this is the most interesting: there are quite simple constructions and standard solutions. Guitar has two simple riffs and a solo with whammy bar at beginner's level. Drums has two types of parts - on verse and on chorus. And most interesting action of bassist is jumping. But nevertheless it's worth noting that here one feels a professional approach to song composing. But on one approach only, you will not last long. Okay, if it were beginners, who took up instruments yesterday. But here specialists with good experience.
Frankly, here I don't see prospects. I can not speak for sure, but I doubt that they will last longer than two years. This project will quickly tires the listeners. May be this is some kind of experiment and it will be more interesting later. But in this form this project has no future.
November 25, 2017
Spider Lilly - Change/Pain (Review)
From beginners usually don't expect much. Often you are happy if they just did something good.
My Rating: 60/100
Today I'm reviewing first release of band Spider Lilly, which is titled "Change / Pain". I will not say that it's a very interesting title, but for first single it will be enough. So, the first thing you can notice is the poor recording quality. Well, they at least guessed to remove unnecessary resonances from guitar and that's good.
Here we hear riffs on drop tuning that are very characteristic for groove / nu-metal, as well as a large amount of synthesizer. You can also notice that compositions are very similar. But there are noticeable differences: in first track we hear a slap on bass, and in second we have more complicated synthesizer's parts. Also compositions end in different ways. This is all that distinguishes them. It seems that there was originally one composition, which was slightly changed, so it was split into two parts.
First thing we pay attention to voice. There is a reverb that sounds very natural. As if vocals were recorded in a large empty room with two microphones (first - closer to vocalist, second - in another part of the room). If this is true, then this can be called a good idea. But voice sounds very indistinct. And if clean is not noticeable, extreme techniques show all flaws. Sound is as if they just took microphone, performed the parts and inserted result into mix. No, vocalist has a pretty good skill, but voice processing is not noticeable.
Instrumental parts are simple. And guitar part is no exception. Yes, there is an "acid" synthesizer that performs scales. But it could be better. She is such an interesting guitarist, but she plays simple parts. About bassist you can say the same thing. Most of the time bassist performs standard constructions. Nevertheless, even here there are interesting segments. In first track, we hear a slap, and in second interesting scales. And also there is a very "hook" structure of drums, which is a bad decision. Nevertheless, here there are breakdowns, where relative diversity of drum parts is noticeable. And also at the end of composition, drums are changing significantly. A small variety is available here.
This work is rather weak, but for beginners this is a good result. And if they extend this idea, it can turn out very interesting. I can say that they have a good start to their careers.
My Rating: 60/100
Here we hear riffs on drop tuning that are very characteristic for groove / nu-metal, as well as a large amount of synthesizer. You can also notice that compositions are very similar. But there are noticeable differences: in first track we hear a slap on bass, and in second we have more complicated synthesizer's parts. Also compositions end in different ways. This is all that distinguishes them. It seems that there was originally one composition, which was slightly changed, so it was split into two parts.
First thing we pay attention to voice. There is a reverb that sounds very natural. As if vocals were recorded in a large empty room with two microphones (first - closer to vocalist, second - in another part of the room). If this is true, then this can be called a good idea. But voice sounds very indistinct. And if clean is not noticeable, extreme techniques show all flaws. Sound is as if they just took microphone, performed the parts and inserted result into mix. No, vocalist has a pretty good skill, but voice processing is not noticeable.
Instrumental parts are simple. And guitar part is no exception. Yes, there is an "acid" synthesizer that performs scales. But it could be better. She is such an interesting guitarist, but she plays simple parts. About bassist you can say the same thing. Most of the time bassist performs standard constructions. Nevertheless, even here there are interesting segments. In first track, we hear a slap, and in second interesting scales. And also there is a very "hook" structure of drums, which is a bad decision. Nevertheless, here there are breakdowns, where relative diversity of drum parts is noticeable. And also at the end of composition, drums are changing significantly. A small variety is available here.
This work is rather weak, but for beginners this is a good result. And if they extend this idea, it can turn out very interesting. I can say that they have a good start to their careers.
August 25, 2017
IScream Never Ground - New PV
In 2015 band Galmet began to change: hardcore influence became noticeable. The result - unusual release End To The Next. On the whole it turned out pretty good. But it became already noticeable that something is not right here. Next year released a strange release Unlimited World. Then everything became clear: it's the end. The end of the band that we loved. Fast-maded cover art and an abundance of synthesizers where they were not there before is a bad sign. It became obvious that band could not exist for long. Well, if you leave, it's only with your head held high.
But later Miki announced a new project IScream Never Ground. No, not ice cream. Nevertheless, they recently released PV.
Here we hear metal riffs with a lot of synthesizers. Something similar we heard in Unlimited World. And also we hear two voices: male and female. It reminds me of band Mechanical Teddy. But this is where the pop pattern is used. I can't say that such a combination is a good idea. But here is a good overall realization of the artistic task: 11 years of experience can't disappear without a trace.
A simple pattern and a lot of synthesizers: in my opinion if Galmet did not go into hiatus, they would look something like this.
But later Miki announced a new project IScream Never Ground. No, not ice cream. Nevertheless, they recently released PV.
Here we hear metal riffs with a lot of synthesizers. Something similar we heard in Unlimited World. And also we hear two voices: male and female. It reminds me of band Mechanical Teddy. But this is where the pop pattern is used. I can't say that such a combination is a good idea. But here is a good overall realization of the artistic task: 11 years of experience can't disappear without a trace.
A simple pattern and a lot of synthesizers: in my opinion if Galmet did not go into hiatus, they would look something like this.
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