#crystal lake

Kenshi Yonezu - Stray Sheep (05.08.2020)[★★★★★]*REVIEW*

In the vastity of Japanese pop scene, Kenshi Yonezu is a incredible exception, thanks to a fascinating commistion between music and arts. With his fifth album, he confirmed to deserve his growing popularity, bringing up a nice genre variety on the plate, going from upbeat themes to more melancholic and nostalgical ones, helped by his compelling singing style. Thanks to this recent work, Kenshi’s music will definitely see a bigger audience, for a which exceeds the imposed limits of pop music.

ARTIST REVIEW

REVIEWS:Diorama (16.05.2012),Yankee (23.04.2014),Peace Sign (analysis)

TRACKLIST

1. Campanella

2. Flamingo

3. Kanden (Electroshock)

4. Placebo (ft. Yojiro Noda)

5. Paprika

6. Uma to shika (Horse and deer)

7. Yasashii hito (Kind person)

8. Lemon

9. Machigai sagashi (Look for a mistake)

10. Himawari (Sunflower)

11. Mayoeru hitsuji (Stray sheep)

12. Décolleté
    

13. Teenage Riot

14. Umi no yuurei (Spirits of the sea)

15. Canary
    

Mary’s Blood - Re>Animator (26.08.2020) [★★★★★]

Already appeared with: Revenant (2018),Confessions (2019)

Like many other metal bands in Japan, even Mary’s Blood decided to take a turn from their musical path, releasing a cover album which quite reflects their own skills. The band chose to bring famous anime themes into a new life, filling them with energetic notes, strong rhythms and charismatic vocals, where the tones change according to the song’s style. These four girls could definitely make an anime opening of their own and this album is a strong confirmation of this.

TRACKLIST

1. PegasusFantasy(Make-upcover)
   
2. Kouga ninpouchou (Ninja scroll of Kouga) (Onmyo-zacover)
   
3. Magia (Kalafinacover)
   
4. Syuukyoku Battler -Kouryoutaru shinsekai- (Final song battler -Desolate new world-)
5. Unravel (Tk from Ling Tosite Sigurecover)
   
6. Forever Love (X Japan cover)
7. Zankoku na tenshi no teeze (Cruel angel’s thesis) (Yoko Takahashicover)
8. Invoke (TM Revolutioncover)
9. Driver’s High (L'Arc~en~Cielcover)
10. Exterminate (Nana Mizukicover)
11. We Are! (Hiroshi Kitadanicover)
    

Nothing’s Carved in Stone - Futures (26.08.2020) [★★★★]

Already appeared with: Maze (2015),Existence (2016)

Nothing’s Carved in Stone has built a solid image in their eleven years of career, bringing on a paced and refreshing rock sound. For their latest work the band decided to cover some of their most famous themes, in an album made of two discs, where their sound is the result of their maturity, including catchy themes and great rhythmic touches. This band has grown so much since their debut and there’s a lot of interest of what the future has in store for them.

REVIEWS:Parallel Lives (06.05.2009)

TRACKLIST

DISC 1

1. New Horizon
2. Isolation
3. Spirit Inspiration
4. November 15th
5. Red Light
6. Rendaman
7. Hakutyuu (Day)
8. Out of Control
9. Like a Shooting Star
10. Kirameki no hana (Shining flower)
    

DISC 2

1. Dream in the Dark
2. Youth City
3. In Future
4. Brotherhood
5. Midnight Train
6. Around the Clock
7. Milestone
8. Pride
9. Tsubame Crimson (Swallow crimson)
   
10. Blue Shadow

Crystal Lake - The Voyages (05.08.2020) [★★★★]

Staying on the subject of self-cover albums, the metal band Crystal Lake has repurposed some of their old songs, precisely the ones made with Kentaro Nishimura as singer, this time empowered and modernized by Ryo’s harsher tone, along with a more refined sound and an improved technique. Despite being a brand-new release, Crystal Lake managed to make it fresh and addicting, and we can’t wait to hear more of their music.

TRACKLIST

1. Fabricated Refuge
2. Twisted Fate
3. Open Water (ft. Daniel McWhorterandTakashi Uesugi)
4. The Passage (ft. Kentaro Nishimura)
5. The Burden
6. Freewill
7. Innocence
8. Daylight (ft. Go Nakaharada)
9. Voyages
10. Into the Great Beyond (ft. Kentaro Nishimura)
    

Arlequin - The laughing man (19.08.2020) [★★★★]

Already appeared with: Utopia (2016)

After four years made of a bunch of singles and a mini-album in the middle, the visual kei band Arlequin delivers a full album, disproving whoever thought that their sound had become boring. The album is made of distinct songs, ranging from energetic ones, which see a reinforcement of the rhythmical component which characterized them since their debut, to passionate ones, mixing cheerful and aggressive notes without any effort. If you think that visual kei has nothing to offer, maybe Arlequin’s latest work will surprise you.

REVIEWS:Near Equal (12.11.2014),Dilemma (25.02.2015),Utopia (08.06.2016),Puzzle (analysis),Exist (15.03.2018)

TRACKLIST

1. In the Mirror
2. Veludo
3. Ikasama (Trickery)
4. Sora ni ochiru (Falling into the sky)
   
5. Kasabuta (Scab)
6. Todome wo sashite (Stop it)
   
7. Fireworks
8. Himawari (Sunflower)
9. Kimi to no Aida ni (Between you)
   
10. The laughing man

-HONORABLE MENTIONS-

Seventeen Years Old and Berlin Wall - Abstract (05.08.2020)

The first mention of the month is for the not-so-known shoegaze band Seventeen Years Old and Berlin Wall, active since 2015 and become quite notable thanks to the indie music platform BandCamp. Their latest EP sees a really enigmatic sound, with shaded notes, electronic vibes and a cohesive rhythm, creating an unique atmosphere, driven by an awesome vocal work by the singers Yusei Tsuruta and Eriko Takano. Literally made for shoegaze lovers and not only.

TRACKLIST

1. Rakuen wanai (There’s no paradise)
2. Paraglide
3. Machi no tobira (Doors of the town)
4. Touketsu-chi (Frozen land)
5. Darekaga ita umi (Someone by the sea)
6. Tounen (Ten years)

Tatsuya Kitani - Demagog (26.08.2020)

Tatsuya Kitani might not be a familiar name for you, but maybe you know the Vocaloid band Sajou no hana, whose he is the bassist. Between a single and the other, he has found time to shape up a solo project of his own and releasing also some album. The latest one offers a catchy pop-rock sound, well driven by his good vocals, along with electronic, dance beats and funky vibes. Tatsuya Kitani may be another name which can rise within the Japanese pop scene and this album is definitely worth checking.

TRACKLIST

1. Hide and Seek
2. Panopticon
3. Dead Weight
4. Humanlike
5. Bad Dream
6. Demagog
7. Lotuses

Spoilman - Body (05.08.2020)

The final mention is for a pretty indie rock band, Spoilman, active since 2019 but came out only last year with an album. Their sound is quite adrenalinic, with roots into noise and punk rock, empowered by quite heavy vocals, energetic riffs and bass lashes, making each track more pumping of the previous. Spoilman can definitely shake the ground of Japanese rock and they deserve more recognition.

TRACKLIST

1. Amaryllis
2. Declaration
3. Ghost
4. Inner Haze
5. Sunday
6. Drunken Man
7. Cloudy Eyes
8. Monotonous
9. Comfortable
10. Life is REM
11. Body
12. Pail and Ladder
13. Rampage
14. Woodcutter
15. Utonagan
    

TO BE CONTINUED…

Here I am with a new review in “Let’s Listen to”! Today’s subject is the first full album by the metal band Dexcore, named [Metempsychosis.] and released on 30th September 2020. This release is a really important one for them, as it is the first work with the new drummer Reizi, who joined the band during the year, replacing the historical member Naoki, and it represents a musical rebirth for them, with a refreshed sound and including new takes of some past song. And now… let’s review!

-[Metempsychosis.]: the album starts with the title-track, opened by chilling piano notes; Kagami kicks off the thing with a powerful screamo, leading up to an heavy and really paced metal theme, well articulated by the compelling guitar work; a great song for opening the album, emphasized by a fascinating vocal interpretation. —> 9/10

-Dragout.: the lead of the eighth single maintains the highly heavy sound, with a compelling rhythm leading up an adrenalinic theme, well underlined by the guitar; Kagami’s voice is aggressive and powerful, with a good alternance between screamos and clear notes, showing his remarkable versatility; an heavy metal song per definition, with a really astonishing finale. —> 9.5/10

-Replace our Souls: this song starts with a fast guitar, along with Kagami’s screamos and a pretty aggressive and freaking rhythm; the vocals are strong and well coordinated, thanks also to the song’s good structure; a really good track, with a distinctive guitar solo. —> 9/10

-Collapse -2020-: a new take of the lead-track of the seventh single sees Kagami’s screamed vocals opening the theme, leading up to a paced and dark sound, with dark notes underlined by chilling electronic effects; the vocals are dark and whispered, contrasting with the strong guitar notes, where the refrain has a major emphasis of the clear notes; a good track, with a unique technique, especially in the breakdown. —> 9/10

-Breath: this song starts with strong guitar notes alternated with some electronic beat, well fit in the melody; Kagami’s voice is softer and shaded, bringing also some piercing note in his performance, another hint of his incredible vocal versatility; the rhythm becomes stronger, accompained by a decise guitar which adds an heavy vibe into the song, including screamed vocals; a quite various and fascinating track. —> 9/10

-the Ground: the song is opened by Kagami’s powerful screamo, leading up to a paced and freaking theme, driven by strong guitar notes and pounding drums; the adrenaline and the technique are the key elements of the melody, pumping up the whole thing at a new level, without forgetting a more melodic shade, featured in the second part. —> 9/10

-Scribble: this song is introduced by dark notes, accompained by weird voices and a crescent melody, where the drums kick off the theme, heavy and highly paced; Kagami’s vocals are fast and efficient, alternating between heavy and light with great ease, bringing out once again his versatility. —> 9/10

-Two-Dimensional: an electronic intro kicks off the song in a quite fast way, leading up to a pretty paced rhythm, making the melody quite different than usual; the vocals are quite aggressive and piercing, for a catchy and enjoyable track. —> 8.5/10

-Don’t be Afraid -2020-: Kagami’s aggressive vocals open the new take of the title-track of the eighth single, leading up to a powerful rhythm, which makes the melody more animated and freaking, adding even some electronic shade; Kagami’s vocal interpretation in this song sees a major emphasis of clear notes, making the song more distinguishable, even thanks to its unpredictable structure. —> 9.5/10

-U.N.Know: this short track is opened by dark and heavy notes, along with Kagami’s screamo which drives a quite adrenalinic melody, with a nice technique and an angry vibe, seen also in the unregular breakdown towards the finale. —> 8.5/10

- 「T.c.b.t.s」 : in this interlude there’s a shift towards more chilling and scary notes, bringing up an horror atmosphere within the album.

-Demise: heavy tones kick off the song, in a track featuring a really steady rhythm and a piercing guitar; Kagami’s performance brings up an alternance between heavy and soft notes, tracing the style seen in most songs of this album. —> 8.5/10

-Truth=Betrayal: a dark and enigmatic guitar opens this short song, leading up to a beating rhythm, showing a relevant technique, along with freaking vocals; a nice song, which keeps interest high. —> 8.5/10

-Period: this song sees an electronic intro, along with Kagami’s screamo kicking off the theme, with a steady rhythm and a relevant guitar presence; Kagami’s vocal performance drives the whole thing, in an intense interpretation, melting and powerful at the same time. —> 9/10

-Cibus (ft.Ryo from Crystal Lake): the lead-track of the album starts with a raging guitar, leading up to an energetic melody, kept up by the duet between Kagami and Ryo, showing up their differences and clashing them in a really pleasant way, with a good tone variety; another outstanding and unpredictable song by Dexcore. —> 9.5/10

-Needle in the Dust: in this song there’s a style change, going towards a melancholic metal theme, empowered by a compelling guitar; the vocals are melting, building up a quite interesting interpretation for an unusual and pretty good song. —> 9/10

-Visitor: the album ends with a song introduced by slow and peculiar notes, bringing up a weird atmosphere within the melody; in a gradual approach, the theme goes on with an unique energy, where Kagami’s voice is mostly clear, well balanced with the guitar, which empowers the whole thing; a good track for ending the album, different but not far from the style offered. —> 9/10

Final Vote —> 9/10

Dexcore is surely one of the most promising visual bands of recent times, which always delivered with their works without being repetitive. Since their debut, occurred on 2016, the band brought out a distinctive metal sound, alternating between heavy and melancholic tones even inside a single track, and their musical world has been put at the center in this first album. [Metempsychosis.] demonstrates how a band can be strong and competitive even if it’s a rookie one and with member changes behind, with seventeen tracks (a large amount for a first full album) made of what Dexcore does best, going from adrenalinic songs to more experimental ones and balancing past and future. The album worked also thanks to the members’ unique skills, on which Kagami stands out among all, thanks to an incredible vocal versatility, allowing to sing every kind of metal song with ease, an awesome thing for an emerging singer like him, without forgetting the other members, who are beginners and very talented, even for their status. If you are looking for a riveting act in the current visual kei scene, Dexcore is definitely your choice, a mixture of energy and talent, being only at the beginning of their path. An album for who is looking for a promising and compelling visual kei band, whose sound is energetic and intense.

That’s all folks! See you with a review in the past in “Throwback Thursday”!

Thanks for the reading!

*I AM BACK! THANKS FOR ALL THE LIKES AND REBLOGS GUYS, YOU MAKE ME HAPPY!*

TGIF