Nocturnal Bloodlust Thank You Review

Nocturnal Bloodlust has been through a lot recently due to the departure of their ex guitarists Daichi and Cazqui.  After the two guitarists found out that employees at their record label were stealing money from them, they quit the band.  This left the band's future uncertain with many people fearing that they would disband.  Instead, they recruited guitarist, Lin, and recently put out their first song with the new guitarist, "Thank You".

I do like the opening riff that Lin plays in the beginning of the song.  It has a good heavy vibe and is a good way to kick off the song.  Natsu's drumming continues to be good in this song and really does a good job carrying the song through.  Hiro displays his usual combination of growling and melodic vocal work and it continues to be amazing.  However, even with all the good things, the loss of Daichi and Cazqui can be heard and felt in this song.  The lack of guitar solos and great lead lines that were always key things in the band's other songs are missing here and that really hurts the song.  As a result, the song ends up sounding more repetitive then the other songs have sounded in the past.  I've heard Lin doing some soloing in his other band, Abstracts, and he can indeed solo.  However,  he doesn't display any of that in this song and in a band that is so famous for epic guitar solos, you have to be able to deliver on that. I hope that he does that when the band releases their mini album, "Unleashed".

As far as the lyrics go, the band has returned to doing mainly Japanese lyrics as oppose the majority English lyrics they did on more recent songs.  Overall they do flow very well, especially in the chorus. As for the message, there has been a lot of controversy around the message.  This song is clearly a diss track and a lot of people think that it is towards Cazqui and Daichi.  While their names are never mentioned in the song, I can see why people would believe that this song is targeting them.  With lines like "spreading stealth marketing" and "behind your smile is full of deceit", it can give off the vibe that they are saying that Cazqui and Daichi are just trying to promote themselves while leaving the rest of the band behind.  Since they have written songs with these kind of lyrics in the past, I will give them the benefit of the doubt, as far as this song being directed towards the ex guitarists.  Whether it is directed towards the ex guitarists or not, I don't think that doing a diss track so soon after long time members have left the band was such a good idea, because it would only end up causing this kind of controversy. Instead, I think they should of done something like they did with "Deep Inside" where the song would basically be about rising above the pain and soldering on.  It would of had a more positive feel and fans would be more united around a message like that.  The lyrics are not written badly, but I think the theme and message is bad timing.

I said at one point in time that no one in Nocturnal Bloodlust could be replaced and sadly I still feel that way with Thank You.  The song is not bad, but it doesn't feel like a Nocturnal Bloodlust song.  It doesn't have the same level of technicality and power that Daichi and Cazqui brought when they were in the band.  Also, the fact that there is no guitar solo when Lin has proven he is capable of soloing hurts the song as well.  Lin has a lot to compete with in this band and I do hope he succeeds in the future with this band, as I do with all the members, including Cazqui and Daichi.  I give Thank You a 3 out of 5.      

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Top 5 Visual Kei Songs

There are several bands and artists that make up the Visual Kei Genre.  Each band has a certain style to them and it has created one of the most diverse forms of rock and metal in the world.  There are a lot of great songs that have come out of this genre and I'm sure there are more to come.  Here are my top 5 Visual Kei songs.

5.  Prey Shadow by Vistlip

In my opinion, this is one of Vistlip's most underrated songs.  The vocals are spot on and there is great bass and drum work in this song.  However, where I think this song shines most is in the guitar work.  The melodic lead work of Yuh is awesome and he starts right out of the gate with it in the intro. He continues it in the chorus and then brings it to a high point in his guitar solo.  He starts the solo with some great melodic playing and then ends it with some great taping.  If you are  a fan of good melodic guitar playing and some great taping.  I highly recommend this song. 

4.  Risley Circus by Dadaroma

This has a cool eerie, yet heavy feel to it.  The heavy guitar and drums gives this song a great metal vibe and then the vocal work and then the vocals come in and give it that eeriness.  The two feels blend together well and give good spooky feel to it.  My favorite part of this song is the drum work.  The fast paste drumming in this song really hooks me when I listen to it at the beginning and then I can't turn the song off.  If you are looking for a good Halloween song, look no further then this.  

3.  Genesis by Nocturnal Bloodlust

Nocturnal Bloodlust is in my opinion, one of the best visual kei bands out there and this is song is one of the best examples.  The heavy vocals of Hiro, the amazing lead work of Cazqui, and the amazing drum work of Natsu makes this not just a great visual kei song, but a great metal song in general.  The guitar solo in this song is an awesome shred fest with Caszqui displaying some of this best playing.  Hiro displays both some great metal growling and melodic vocal work in this song and both blend together very well.  If you are a metal guy, this is the song for you.

2. Stardust Crystal By Aiolin

Aiolin is a band that has mastered the combination of classical music and rock.  The classical violin and piano in this song adds a nice soothing feel while at the same time giving us an amazing guitar solo by Hikarito.  What is so interesting about this song is how the rock revolves around the classical music.  Usually when rock bands include classical into their music, it is treated more as and addition rather then the center piece.  However, with this band it feels like it is the other way around and it actually works.  Out of all the new visual kei bands, I certainly think that Aiolin is one of the best.

1.  Derangement by The Gazette

I was a fan of The Gazette before this song but this song is one of the songs that made them my favorite band.  Sure there is auto tune in this song but it for effect and not to disguise a bad voice and Ruki does display some great vocal work when the auto tune is off.  Kai's drum work is also very impressive, especially during the guitar solo.  However, my favorite part of this song is the guitar work of Uruha and Aoi.  The opening riff in this song is intense and I can't help but to head band to it every time I hear it.  Uruha's melodic guitar solo is great and adds an eerie feel to what is other wise a very heavy song and it works great.  In my opinion, one of The Gazette's best songs!

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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.  

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.