Looking for some new music filled with intensity as well as a handful of other hidden surprises? You've clicked on the right article!!
Hello all, the name Ro! As some of you may know via my twitter I'm always talking about a number of bands that I really enjoy listening to. I felt that for this entry, Id just give people a brief introduction to some of my top five favorites and explain why I like them as well as provide a few starter releases/songs. Hopefully by the end of this entry, you'll have some new music you'll wanna check out and add to your collection. Ready? Let's go!
1. DIR EN GREY- I came across these guys in late 07 on an Asian music sharing site. The Marrow of A Bone was the album that was posted and after the first listen of this release, I was VERY impressed. I listened to a lot of Japanese bands through Anime OP's and while I did enjoy them, DIR EN GREY did what a lot of them didn't and that was stand out. Each song packed a punch whether it was their metal/hard rock tracks or their slow mellow tracks. This is due to their rather complex musicianship that is pretty unorthodox compared to what a lot of other Metal bands (both Japanese and non Japanese) put out nowadays. You have an amazing bass player (Toshiya) who's presence is felt in each track mixed with a drummer (Shinya)who carries the beat with abstract patterns. This driven by what I like to call "fresh and nasty" guitar riffs from the lead guitarist/song writer, followed by the classy and funkyness of their rhythm guitarist (Die). Next you have the mastermind of majority of the bands songs (Kaoru), who's song writing and playing is a blend of in your face hard metal mixed with ambient, obscure, and pretty much "never know what to expect next" feel to it. To top it all off the very versatile lead singer (Kyo) who graces each song with amazing vocals and deathly screams and growls The band is very keen on evolution and it shows through out each release. I can guarantee if you listen to everything they've released in chronological order to what they have out currently, you're going to be mind blown and say "there's no way this is the same band..." I can keep going about these guys but If you're really in for some new music, this is who I would recommend your first go to band be. You will he headbanging for days.
Starter songs:
1. Kodou
2. Lie Buried With A Vengeance
3. Vinushka
4. Hydra 666
5. Ware Yami Tote
6. Different Sense
7. Dreambox
8. Lotus
9. Hageshisa
10. Rinkaku
11. Kiri To Mayu
2. The GazettE-There was a brief period in time where I stopped listening to DIR EN GREY for awhile and came across these guys via a list a good online friend of mine gave me of Japanese bands to check out. The first song/PV came across was FILTH IN THE BEAUTY. The acoustic intro part made me raise my eyebrow and once the main riff started, I was blown away. From then, I checked out all their releases up to that point, thus birthing my love for the GazettE. Besides from their pretty boy looks, one of the reasons that these guys are popular in J-rock today/ an amazing band to check out is because they are very versatile. They have and continue to incorporate many styles of music into their signature sound and they make it work for the most part so whether you're into dubstep, rap, metal, alternative, or easy listening, they have songs of that nature. Individually, each member is also a crucial part of why the band is as popular as they are. Ruki, has a pretty unique voice that works well whether its Screaming, growling, or singing and live, he sometimes uses effects that helps the songs more. Reita, one of my personal favorite bassists, stands out so much and is very noticeable in the songs because of his creative bass lines and solos (a long side his mysterious nose band). When starting out wanting to learn the bass, he was my main inspiration and I imitated him in the mirror (air bass) because he is that good. Aoi, is what id like to call the melodic man. He's def not a guitarist in terms of skill that stands out much to me but he makes up by writing some of the bands best songs such as Kare Uta, YOIN, $ocial Riot Machines, DLN, among many others. Uruha. I can go on about how much the band wouldn't be where they are today without him as their guitarist. He is actually one of my personal heroes and inspirations when I play guitar. Besides him being well known for writings a good chunk of the bands heavier songs( 13STAIRS, AKAI KODOU,HESITATING MEANS DEATH),, he's a beast on the guitar from chugging to pulling off some of the greatest solo's of all time, he's that guy...man just listen to him. Last but not least Kai. I legit have one word to describe him by. Intense and passionate. I don't know if this makes sense but besides the fact that he is a great drummer who's the driving force behind their songs, you can feel the raw power and intensity as well as the emotion he puts behind the songs. Especially on songs such as Ganges, Filth In the beauty, Baretta, Kugutsu e, just to name a few. In conclusion, these guys are another must listen. You wont be disappointed and there's something that this band offers that has something for everyone!
-OZ- (DISBANDED)
I write about this band with great despair inside. As of earlier this year, this great indies band that I had the pleasure of discovering broke up. These guys were also on the list of bands that I was recommended to check out. I believe the first song I heard was DETOX and that one song alone describes their style as a whole. Unique (at least to me) raw/explosive in your face metal that has you headbanging, track after track, after track...after track. In other words, this band is and has been straight forward with what they play and they do have a few ''soft songs'' but other than that, its pretty much heavy hitting songs. Instrumental wise, both Aki and Tama are great guitarists who get the job right by providing the gnarly heavy drop C chugs and chord progressions while also incorporating other effects to add to their unique sound. Nao, is your average metal bassist who 's there to provide the backbone to the songs and doesn't do too much that stands out in my opinion (except for a few exceptional bass lines and solos) but he's still a pretty nice addition to the band. Same goes for Zukki. Nothing to special but is the driving force behind the bands intensity. Last but not last, Natsuki. The man has this great voice that is very distinguishable and next to Kyo and Ruki, he's one of my favorite J-vocalists of all time and can also do a great job at switching between deathly growls and screams to soft vocals when needed. OZ is a band one may enjoy listening to if they really wanna sit there and head bang for hours on end without stopping. Its sad that they disbanded but in their run, they produced a lot of great music and left behind a lasting impression in the J-music scene especially in the indies section. Give them a listen!
Some of my personal fav songs:
1. Succubus
2. DETOX
3. LAST SHELL
4. MIGRANT
5. ENMITY
6. FADE
7. RETROGRADE
8. STIGMA
9. EDGE OF DESIRE
10. MISTY
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
I know whoever is reading this is like, "FINALLY AN AMERICAN BAND!" As you've guessed, I am a huge J-rock/metal guy but TDWP has come a long way since I was first introduced to them a few years ago and heard Danger Wildman (great song followed with a great album!). When i first heard them, I believe I listened to their first album. I wasn't that impressed by it but except for the songs HTML and PLAGUES. I kept listening to them both repeatedly because of the well use of the synth and how creative and awesome the riffs on the songs were. Soon after With Roots And Branches Below dropped and I was blown away at how great of an album that was. It was such an improvement. I can honestly say that album a long side the others that dropped after, is one of my favs of all time. This is another band that has grown and matured with every release, which to me is rare in the American metalcore scene. They went from making songs that they felt were pretty cheesy and didn't have much of a theme or feel to making songs such as those featured on their Zombie EP that give you the feeling that you're actually in a Zombie apocalypse. From that release they've established what exactly what they want to sound like and It is awesome destructive, relentless (with a hint of gloomy) metal. Chris Rubey, who is the main song writer of the band is the brains behind the bands evolution and "ooh ahh that's ridiculously greatly awesomely nasty" breakdowns that the band has become well known for as of recent releases. He's a great lead guitarist, that's all I need to say. Jeremy Depoyster is the bands rhythm guitarist as well as backup vocalist. Guitar wise, he pretty much plays the same things as Chris but is individuality lies with his vocals as well as his solo songs on the bands releases which blow me away because they are full of raw emotion and power (such as Louder than Thunder, and In Heart). Andy Trick, the bands bassist is actually one of the few american metal bassists that I can actually hear and distinguish in songs and this started happening in their recent releases, which I actually love and as of lately the bands songs have really let him shine. He doesn't do anything spectacular but still makes his presence known in the songs, and that totally makes up for it. Mike Hranica is the bands primary vocalist and does the screaming, which fits sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo well with the music. This guy is a beast and actually talks about some pretty deep stuff in the songs which fit the mood perfectly. Last but not least is Daniel Williams. THIS guy right here...HIM. HIM. Is the key driving force and reason why this band is as popular as they are. He's not your average metal drummer. He's also very versatile and gives the songs the beefiness with what he does to spice up the beats. These guys are amazing and are a force to reckon with in metal right now. Prepare to be impressed and wowed.
Favorite songs
1. Forever Decay
2. Danger Wildman
3. Transgress
4. Born to Lose
5. HTML
6. REPTAR KING OF THE OZONE
7. Revive
8. Dead Throne
9. Big Wiggly Style
10. Survivor
Well I hope you guys enjoyed the list! And please let me know via twitter (@Zeohblue3) if you found any that you enjoyed!
