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Showing posts with label nocturnal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nocturnal. Show all posts

Friday, August 11, 2017

Nocturnal Bloodlust Break This Fake Review


I have said before that I am not the biggest fan of death metal or metal core music.  By nature I am more of a melodic metal kind of guy.  However, if there is one death metal band that has won me over, it is Nocturnal Bloodlust.  This band has amazed me time and time again and they do it yet again with their new single, Break This Fake.

Write off the back the bands lead guitarist, Cazqui, busts out that heavy yet groovy guitar intro.  A few measures later, the whole band joins in and plays a great intro that has the lower tuned, heavy sounding instruments but with very groovy music.  While everybody does a great job in the intro, and I love the guitar work in the intro, I have to give props to  the bands drummer, Natsu.  This guy is a very good drummer and showcases it very well in this song.  Just in the beginning he busts out great unique drum work and continues it through out the rest of the song.  When the verse comes in, the band continues playing the intro riff while the band's vocalist, Hiro, starts out with the traditional death metal style vocals.  I am not a big fan of that vocal style, but the music is very good and keeps me engaged in the song.  However, when the chorus comes in, then Hiro busts out the melodic side of his vocals.  He does a great job vocally and really delivers a powerful sound chorus vocally.  Another thing that makes this band unique is their song composition.  Typically, most songs are written in the form of intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, solo, then either ending chorus's or another verse then the final chorus.  However, this band structures this song differently.  The way this song is constructed is Intro, verse, chorus, bridge, verse, bridge, solo, chorus, ending.  This unique song structure really works well for this band and they make if sound good.  After the final bridge, Cazqui plays a short little melodic solo before the band heads into the final chorus.  After the chorus, Cazqui displays his amazing guitar skills by playing a fast finger tapping solo that leads into a great melodic solo.  What's great about Cazqui is how diverse he is as a guitar player.  He can be fast like Yngwie Malmsteen, at the same time very melodic like David Gilmour.  The man, is really underrated and deserves more recognition for his guitar skills.  Then before the songs ending, the bassist, Masa, does a cool short bass section before the songs ending that is very cool.  The one member I haven't mentioned yet is the rhythm guitarist, Daichi.  While he isn't the lead guitar player, the guy is still a very good guitar player and deserves more recognition then he gets.  He is very good and the few times he gets to solo he plays his heart out.  Don't overlook Daichi, he contributes just as much as the rest of the band.  Musically, this song continues to display this bands talent and creative mastery.

Lyrically, this is a rebellious song about people not being real and being in it for themselves.  The band is saying that they won't become that and they don't respect anyone who is.  I like how real the band is when they right lyrics and this song is no exception.  They are saying what they feel and despite a few phrases seeming to be not constructed properly, the lyrics are amazing and the band is clearly being real with the world in this song.  

This is a great song that is a must buy.  If you are a guitar guy, this song has a lot to offer and to take away from.  If you are a metal head this is a song you need.  While I am not a big fan of the growling vocals and think some of the lyrics could be written a little better, this song is still awesome.  I give Break This Fake a 4.5 out of 5.  

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Nocturnal Bloodlust Libra Review


Nocturnal Bloodlust is one of the most interesting visual kei band and death metal bands I have ever heard.  While they certainly have a good amount of songs that fit in the traditional death metal, hardcore feel, they are also very melodic with good riffs and powerful vocals.  This song brings out all those different elements this band has very well and as a result you got a unique metal ballad.

Musically this song has a lot going on.  It starts with that mellow build up and then goes into a powerful intro with  Daichi playing a melodic solo and Natsu playing a unique drum beat as he is famous for in this band.  Hiro's vocals are very good and very mixed in this song.  In the verse and chorus he gives a good melodic singing voice and in the middle he gives his death metal, hardcore vocals, giving a good diverse feel to the song.  I personally am not the biggest fan of growling and screaming vocals, however it doesn't kill the song for me and it adds a nice twist to the song that  I can appreciate. Cazqui's solo is a good combo of melodic guitar playing and speed.  He starts out with the classic Japanese speed solo and then goes on to add melodic touches through out and delivers a very good solo.  Cazqui is a very good guitar player and in my opinion he is very underrated.  He is very diverse in his playing and is able to go in whatever direction he chooses rather then sticking to a certain style of soloing as many other guitar players do. 

Lyrically this is a good song as well.  It is basically about standing by the things you love you matter what the obstacles are.  A good message and one that I wish music brought up more often lyrically. The lyrics fit the tone and music perfectly which really makes the message stick out more.  The lyrics are deep and with Hiro's singing matching that deepness, the message really comes through and resonates with you.  

This song certainly has a lot going for it.  With the deep lyrics and a band that has great musicians, you get a real unique and memorable song.  I highly recommend checking this song out, even if you are not a fan of screaming or growling vocals, this song still has a lot to offer.  The guitar playing of Daichi and Cazqui is amazing, Natsu's drum work is impressive, and when Hiro gets melodic he delivers great vocals.  Considering all that and the deep lyrics I give this song a 4.5 out of 5.