#aldious

Dexcore - [Metempsychosis.] (30.09.2020) [★★★★★]*REVIEW*

Although they have formed only about four years ago, Dexcore have already estabilished their own status within the visual kei scene, thanks to a powerful and distinctive sound. Their first full album summarizes at best what they are able to do, with energetic themes, accompained by unique vocals and shades of experimentation, in seventeen tracks of pure metal energy.

TRACKLIST

1. [Metempsychosis.]
2. Dragout.
3. Replace our Souls
4. Collapse -2020-
5. Breath
6. the Ground
7. Scribble
8. Two-Dimensional
9. Don’t be Afraid -2020-
   
10. U.N.Know
11. 「T.c.b.t.s」 
12. Demise
13. Truth=Betrayal
14. Period
15. Cibus (ft. Ryo from Crystal Lake)
16. Needle in the Dust
17. Visitor

Buck-Tick - Abracadabra (21.09.2020) [★★★★★]

Already appeared with: Atom Miraiha no.9 (2016),No.0 (2018)

The veteran band Buck-Tick is back to shake off things after two years from their last album, heading back to their roots, such in a way. In their latest work, their sound maintains the gritty and enigmatic vibe which always characterized them, but there’s also a pleasant electronic vibe, distributed on each track according to the style, driven by Atsushi Sakurai’s sumptuous vocals and a really refined instrumental work. If you are looking for something different, but also belonging to Buck-Tick, this album is definitely your choice.

REVIEWS:Jupiter (analysis),Kurutta Taiyou (21.02.1991),Romance (analysis),13kai wa Gekkou (06.04.2005),Atom Miraiha no.9 (28.09.2016)

TRACKLIST

1. Peace
2. Que sera sera Elegy
3. Urahara-Juku
   
4. Sophia Dream
5. Tsuki no sabaku (Moon desert)
   
6. Villain
7. Kogoeru -Crystal Cube ver.- (Freezing)
8. Maimu maimu (Mime mime)
   
9. Dance Tengoku (Land of dance)
   
10. Kemonotachi no yoru -YOW-ROW ver.- (Night of the beasts)
    
11. Datenshi -YOW-ROW ver.- (Fallen angel)
    
12. Moonlight Escape
13. Eureka
14. Boukyaku (Oblivion)

Hazuki - Souen -Funeral- (16.09.2020) [★★★★★]

Everyone knows the energetic and compelling metal band named Lynch., but few people know that their singer, Hazuki, has also a solo project, which has recently seen a sparkle thanks to the first album. In this release he gives vent to his own creativity, managing from covers of known Japanese songs, including something of his band, to newer songs, all transformed into magnificient and deep ballads, each one with its own shade and well driven by Hazuki’s melting and touching vocals. Hazuki has definitely a softer side compared to what he does with Lynch. and we’d like to explore it more.

TRACKLIST

1. Eternity
2. Phoenix
3. D.A.R.K.
4. Keibetsu (Despise)
5. Misshitsu (Closed room) (Buck-Tickcover)
6. Mizukagami (Water mirror) (Coccocover)
7. Tsuki no shizuku (Moon droplets) (Shibasaki Koucover)
8. Ray (Luna Seacover)
9. Shijou no yurikago (Supreme cradle) (Kuroyumecover)
10. Another day comes (Pay money to my paincover)
11. Tamayura no hi (Short-time lantern)

Climbgrow - Culture (09.09.2020) [★★★★]

Climbgrow is a metal band formed on 2015, and since then they released some EP and two albums, both last year. The second one caught the attention thanks to a paced and energetic rock sound, well provided by a quite good instrumental work, along with Taisei’s piercing vocals, giving an unique spin to an already addicting sound. This band appears incredibly interesting and has all the cards for going even beyond.

TRACKLIST

1. Tight Rope
2. Door
3. Senkou (Fast)
4. Suiseimushi (Drunk life, dream death)
   
5. Bang Bang Bang
6. Mont Blanc
7. Hello Goodbye (Newrec ver.)
8. Mother
9. Fall Out
10. September (Newrec ver.)
11. Mado (Window)
12. Dress o kite (Wearing a dress)

Smany - Illuminate (26.09.2020) [★★★★]

Smany is a young Japanese electronic artist, active since 2013 and recognized more for her collaborations with other alternative projects, such as World’s End Girlfriend. In her second album since signing up with Virgin Babylon Records, she brings up an enigmatic sound, closer to dream pop, made of vibrant notes, shaded vocals and unpredictable changes of rhythm and atmosphere, leading up to an unusual and fascinating work of pop music.

TRACKLIST

1. Dye the darkness
2. Blurry moon
3. w
4. Usagi -ft. Go-qualia- (Rabbits)
5. Yume (Dream)
6. Fall
7. Hide me
8. Himitsu -ft. World’s End Girlfriend- (Secret)
9. Illuminate -ft. Matryoshka-
10. Over

-HONORABLE MENTIONS-

Aldious - Evoke II 2010-2020 (30.09.2020)

The first mention is for the Japanese all-female metal band Aldious, which has released the second chapter of their “back to the roots” project, started six months earlier. In this second disc, the band decides to reprise some of their recent hits, mixing up with the genres, going from thrash metal vibes to ballads and catchy hard rock notes. If this Evoke phase is a teaser of what Aldious has become, we can’t wait to experience what they have to offer.

TRACKLIST

1. Luft (Wing)
2. Re:fire
3. Believe Myself
4. Reincarnation
5. Kanashii otoko (Dear friend)
   
6. Confusion
7. White Crow
8. Step
9. Fragile

Meme - Kokuu wo mitasu ether [Ether filling the void](29.09.2020)

The second mention is for the newest project led by the visual kei singer L, already know for his work in the bands Amber Bullet,The 3rd BirthdayandBalalaika. This EP, exclusively in digital, shows off the band’s sound, made of creepy tones, piercing bass lines, pounding rhythms, energetic riffs and L’s compelling vocals, all filled into the seven tracks featured, bringing on an interesting variety. We can only hope that L’s latest gig will last even more than the other ones.

TRACKLIST

1. Goku (Prison)
2. Yokujou Shangri-la (Lust Shangri-la)
   
3. Anthem
4. Kokuhaku (Confession)
5. Twilight
6. Viola Stigma
7. Montage

Inoran - Libertine Dreams (30.09.2020)

Already appeared with: 2019 (2019)

Inoran, who most of you know as the guitarist of Luna Sea, came out with the eleventh album, made for celebrating his 50th birthday. The album is made of several genres, such as pop, rock and also ballad, mixing up energetic themes with more romantic ones, all of them working with a cohesive harmony. So Inoran is definitely a musician who makes well also outside the highlight of his band, ready to kick in with fresh and addicting music.

TRACKLIST

1. Don’t Bring Me Down
2. Soul Ain’t For Sale
3. Libertine Dreams
4. Purpose
5. Missing Piece
6. Soundscapes
7. 75
8. Kingdom Come
9. Shaking Trees
10. Dirty World

TO BE CONTINUED…

Downy - Dai nanashukin shuu “mudai” (18.03.2020) [★★★★★]*REVIEW*

Whoever is into the Japanese musical scene, can’t but have come into contact with the mysterious and complex music of Downy. The band came back for their 20th anniversary with a brand-new album, the first work since Aoki Yutaka’s death, building up a musical product which is impossible to define with the typical canon, but made of being experienced in all possible ways, thanks to a melancholic and dynamic sound, transporting the listener in a powerful and emotive journey. Few bands manage to break the limit between music and emotions and Downy with this seventh album has once again overcome such barrier.

BAND REVIEW

REVIEWS:Dai nisaku kinshuu “mudai” (22.05.2002),Underground (analysis)

TRACKLIST

1. Contra-post
2. Shikai furyou (Scarce visibility)
3. 36.2° 
4. Good News
5. Kazukatou (Sugar cube)
6. Geranium
7. Sajou, moyu. Zankou (Dune, scatter. Persistent vision)
8. Pianoid
9. Azayagu shiten (Vivid perspective)
10. Adaption
11. Stand alone

Yousei Teikou - The Age of Villains (25.03.2020) [★★★★★]

Already appeared with:Shadow Corps[e] (2015)

Yousei Teikou brings back their fairy and gothic concept to their audience after several years of absence, between member changes and a new musical awareness. Their latest album is composed with an unique and riveting structure, with an energetic and virtuous metal sound, empowered by Yui’s bright voice and a great work by the other musicians, providing the right energy song after song.

TRACKLIST

1. A Treatise of Villainy: The Seventy-Two Villainous Truths (And One Blasphemy)
2. Autoscopy
3. Hitoya no maboroshi (Hell is not an illusion)
   
4. Iron Rose
5. Phantom Terror
6. Ransho Aion (Overrun eternity)
   
7. Eclipsed
8. Hell in Glass
9. Zetsu (Absolute)
10. Paradiso ≒ Inferno
11. Aru tsuioku, bouchou uchuu ni okeru shinkai sunawachi suiten (Memories, mandara and deep sea)
    
12. Sousou Friedian (Friedian funeral)

Kiyoharu - Japanese Menu/Distortion 10 (25.03.2020) [★★★★★]

Already appeared with: Soloist (2016),Elegy (2017),Yoru, Carmen no shishuu (2018),Covers (2019)

It seems that Kiyoharu’s music is a fixed presence in our radars. His will to experimentate, to surprise the listeners and to enchant with compelling and powerful performances allowed him to bring solid works each year and in 2020 he was no less. His tenth album, released for the 25th anniversary of his career, mixes up all his styles, going from energetic notes to melodious themes, featuring a bit of exotic and rebel vibe. Kiyoharu knows how to bring romanticism and potency with his sound, which is a must for true Japanese music fans.

REVIEWS:Poetry (08.03.2004),Under the Sun (07.11.2012),Yoru wo, omou/Charade (09.02.2017),Slow (analysis)

TRACKLIST

1. Survive of Vision
2. Geretsu (Vile)
3. Outsider
4. Greige
5. Sakkaku Refrain (Illusion refrain)
   
6. Ryoujoku (Rape)
7. Senrei (Baptism)
   
8. Uso to oroka (Lies and stupidity)
   
9. Yume oi (Dream chasing)
   
10. Romantic
11. Boukyaku no sora -25th anniversary ver.- (Oblivion sky)

Mai Yaijma - Hell on Earth (25.03.2020) [★★★★★]

Already appeared with: Vampiress (2018)

Mai Yajima is a rising phenomenon within the Japanese metal scene, whose style doesn’t go unnoticed. Being active since 2014, she started a band two years later, going on with her powerful and obscure sound, which led her to release several EPs. Her first work of this year goes straight to the darkest side of her style, bringing on dynamic and powerful metal themes, driven by her charismatic voice. Mai Yajima has all the cards to shake off things in the metal world and we’re ready to experience it.

TRACKLIST

1. Dominator
2. Phantom Pain
3. Chimera
4. Bloody Sword
5. Shinen (Abyss)
6. Absolute Moon

Aldious - Evoke 2010-2020 (18.03.2020) [★★★★]

Already appeared with:Radiant A (2015)

Staying in the Japanese metal scene, there’s another band ready to bring something new. Aldious was already estabilished as a cornerstone for the genre in the past years, but they recently gained a new singer, R!N, on 2019, who substituted Re:NO after five years. The new vocalist has definitely brought a Western influenced approach in the band’s sound and before going on with this new phase, they decided to going back to the past, reworking their hits in a refreshing way, with deeper riffs and more energetic vocals, as shown in this first part of the compilation.

REVIEWS:Deep Exceed (13.10.2010)

TRACKLIST

1. Spirit Black
2. Yokazura (Cherry flowers by night)
   
3. Ground Angel
4. Kochou no yume (Butterfly dream)
   
5. Eversince
6. Ultimate Melodious
7. Utopia
8. Dominator
9. Absolute
10. Bind
11. Dearly
12. Deep
13. I Wish for You

-HONORABLE MENTIONS-

Hana Sekitori - Kitto watashi wo matte iru [I am sure you’re waiting for me](04.03.2020)

The first mention of the month goes to Hana Sekitori, young Japanese singer who mainly grew up in Germany. She had her debut on 2010 and released some EP, two albums and few singles. This year she brought up a mini-album, composed by six tracks exalting her simple and bright voice, accompaining melodious and enjoyable pop themes, making her sound fit for everyone.

TRACKLIST

1. Touhikou (Escape)
2. Ao no gosenfu (Blue staff)
3. Hajimari no toki (At the beginning)
4. Machi wa usukurenaiiro (The city is light red)
5. Kangaeru dake (Just think)
6. Ieji (Home)

Fake Island - Cell Division (04.03.2020)

A metal band fronted by two female vocalists is quite unusual, especially in Japan, but Fake Island has shown that they shouldn’t be underrated at all. With a rebellious concept and a gritty metalcore sound, the band started their path on 2017 with a mini-album, followed up by their first full work three years later. The sound offered in the release is adrenalinic and pumping, empowered mostly by the coupling made by Erica and YuuriBJOUX’s voices, creating a perfect contrast between aggressive and clear tones, along with a pounding instrumental work. Fake Island have a bright future next to them and we can’t wait to hear more of them.

TRACKLIST

1. All at Once
2. Fortune
3. Who The Hell Made This?
4. Just Wanna Live
5. Hang Onto My Dream
6. Throw Down
7. No Trust
8. My Tranquilizer
9. No Solution

Develop One’s Faculties - Inverse Яeverse(11.03.2020)

Already appeared with:Bukkakou na machi boku to kimi (2018)

Develop One’s Faculties is definitely one of the most remarkable visual kei bands of the recent times, thanks to an unpredictable soul, allowing them to approach each song with a unique and impressive style. Despite Detto, their historical bassist, departed on 2019, substituted by Hiromu, ofLack-Co.andMerry Badend fame, the band didn’t lose their extravagant style and in the second album their sound changes in each song, featuring electronic, deep bass lines, rhythmical changes and vocal versatility, bringing up a tune for each kind of listener and pleasing the visual kei audience.

REVIEWS:Hope (13.05.2015), I Want my Freedom (02.11.2016)

TRACKLIST

1. Inverse
2. SevenStars
3. Uitenpen wa yononarai (The meaningful change is a world tradition)
   
4. Y
5. Borderline
6. “Taihaiteki” (Decadence)
7. Boutoku (Blasphemy)
8. Ephemeral
9. Schadenfreude (Malicious joy)
   
10. monochro
11. Shinjitsu no kuro (True black)
    
12. Henken to shouken (Prejudice and correctness)
    
13. My Name is R&R
14. Jun (Tour)
15. Ao to sora (Blue and sky)
    
16. Яeverse

TO BE CONTINUED…