Top 5 Dadaroma Songs

It was recently announced that Dadaroma is disbanding.  I wasn't a fan of this band at first but the deeper I dove into their music the more I came to like them.  They may not be my all time favorite Visual Kei band but I do think they are talented and I am bummed they are disbanding.  In recognition of Dadaroma, here are my top 5 Dadaroma songs.

5.  Romance Gray

This may not be one of the bands most famous songs but it is still a pretty good song.  The melodic guitar work is good and the vocals are spot on.  The taping guitar work during the bridge is also pretty good.  Dadaroma focuses more on the atmospheric end of their sound and it works well.  It may not be the most heavy or eerie song in their catalog but it is still a good song all the same.  

4.  Risley Circus

Risely Circus was the song that I really liked from Dadaroma and made me more curious about the band. The drum work in the opening of the song creates a great instrumental hook that gets you into the song right away.  Then when the main intro gets going, the song produces a great combination of creates a great heavy intro that I rock out to every time I listen to it.   The other great hook in this song is the chorus.  The great combination of heavy and eerie creates a great chorus that is memorable and shows a good representation of this bands style.

3. Dendrobium

This song is another great combination of heavy and eerie.  You get the heavy elements in the guitar playing with the heavy riffs in the intro, pre chorus, and chorus.  You then get the eerie element in the vocals.  The singing in this song gives a very eerie feel that works very well.  Both styles are well balanced and work very together.  

2.  Day By Day

Day by Day has more of an emotional feel to it then an eerie feel.  This is a nice change of pace for this band.  While emotion isn't super uncommon for them, they usually don't make the center piece of what they put out there. Before this song it was usually either eerie or straight up heavy metal that they would release as a single.  However, this song proves that the band was capable of variety and they pull it off very nicely.

1.  Boku Wa Android

Boku Wa Android is one of the bands most well balanced songs.  It is heavy with some great melodic guitar playing and the same with the vocals.  The song structure is also very well written.  They way it transitions from the intro to the verse and then into the chorus are all well done and don't feel out of place.  I also really like this song's message about humanity acting like androids and just doing what they are told without questioning.  With well written music and a good message, I put Boku Wa Android at number 1.

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Top 5 Aiolin Songs

If there is one visual kei band that has caught my attention a lot recently, it would be Aiolin.  With good musicianship and a great musician to lead them, this band has put out quite a few songs since they debut in 2017.  In that time, they have put out several great songs.  Here are my top 5 songs from this band.

5.  Breathing

Aiolin does a great job when it comes to ballads and this one of my favorites from them.  I really like how the song has a good slow build and then really picks up in the chorus.  I've always like this set up at the beginning of a song and they pull it off very nicely.  The chorus in this song is also very nice.  it is just the right level o energy but not so over the top that it kills the song.  The violin solo in this song is also very well executed.  He does a good job of adding classical elements to rock and that solo is a good example of that.

4.  Ark Night

  

This song was a great song to use as the opening song for their first album (Tear In The Rain).  The high energy in the intro is a great hook that made me want to rock out, as well as look forward to the rest of the album.  I also really like the melodic vocals of the chorus.  It is perfectly balanced with the music and creates a chorus that creates feeling while at the same time making me want to rock out. 

3.  Remember the Name

This is the first song I heard from this band and man did it make an impression.  The taping guitar work along with the violin in the intro hooks you right off the back.  Then there's the awesome guitar solo.  Hikarito bust out a really good fast solo with hints of melody thrown in and it works really well. 

2.  Dusk Reaper

Being this band's newest single, they continue to produce great music.  The melodic vocals continue to serve this band well and it carries throughout the entire song. The best part of this song though is the awesome violin solo.  I've heard a lot of violin solos from Hikarito and this is one of this best.  The great melodic sound with moments of speed work very well together and gives a very epic solo.

1. Stardust Crystal

My favorite song without a doubt has to be Stardust Crystal. I even made a video using this song.  It has a lot going on in it from the piano, to the guitar and violin, yet it all works together.  As far as ballads go, this one does a great job of reminding you it is a rock song while still having that emotional feel that a ballad goes for.  The energy works well with the melodic music and has some of the best instrumental moments I have ever heard out of this band.  As far as guitar solo's go, this is Hikarioto's best, in my opinion.  He does some great melodic shredding in this song and I enjoy listening to it whenever it shows up on my playlist.

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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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Dadaroma Dendrobium Review

Dadaroma is a band that is making headway in the visual kei scene.  Forming in 2014, they have developed an image of a dark circus band over the years with songs and music videos like Risely Circus,  The Kinky, and their latest single, Dendrobium.  The singer portrays himself as a dark, scary looking clown and their music sounds like a combo metal and carnival music.  Giving them, one of the more unique styles in visual kei.

The main intro to this song is pretty cool, the guitar in the intro  is a great way to get you hooked into the song.  The verse takes a little more of a darker feel, with the mysterious sounding vocals coming in to play.  This leads into a heavy pre chorus that makes you think you in for a big chorus.  However, this is where the songs gets weak for me.  They have this big build up that makes you think your in for a loud, big chorus and instead they drop the energy in the chorus.  It doesn't sound bad, but the way the energy drops hurts the chorus for me.  I do like the way the bridge plays out though.  The vocals sound great in that section and the combination of eerie music and heavy guitar sounds pretty cool.  Overall, the music is solid, but not great, certainly not the best this band has done in my opinion.

The lyrics in this song kinda play out like a love song. It seems like the message is about love being more of a necessity of life rather then a feeling.  This would make sense, because the title of the song, Dendrobium, is a flower that is attached to trees and needs trees to survive and when they bloom it is beautiful.  I have heard some people say that the song is actually about wanting sex but no relationship.  Given some of the bands other songs, I can see why people would interpret that but I don't think that is the case with this song.  The lyrics do flow pretty well but they are repetitive at times.  For example, the entire bridge is just one line being repeated, "She's a girl who wants real love song".  It is sung differently so it doesn't sound overly repetitive but I would of added one more line to the bridge.  Overall though, the lyrics work well.

The intro and verses to the song are great but the lower energy chorus hurts the song a little bit.  The lyrics are a little repetitive, but the flow is good and message is very interesting.  While I don't think it is this band's best song, I do enjoy listening to it and recommend checking it out.   I give Dendrobium a 3.5 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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Mejibray Divergence Review

Mejibray is a band that is a hit or miss for me.  Some songs I love, while others I don't care for.  It isn't because I think they are a bad band, it's just that some of their songs are not my taste. This could be argued as a good thing though because it shows how diverse of a catalog this band has. Some times they are a melodic metal band, sometimes they are an angry thrash band, and other times they are a dark death metal band.  Let's see how I feel about one of their earliest songs, Divergence.

First off, the music in this song is some of their best.  The bass riff played by Koichi at the beginning of the song is very catchy.  It catches your interest and then when the main intro starts, the song really picks up.  That intro riff that Mia plays sounds awesome.  It is a great melodic solo that really sets up the rest of the song very well.  His guitar solo in this song is very impressive as well.  In the guitar solo, Mia plays a solo that combines both melodic and fast playing.  The guy is a great guitar player and he demonstrates that well in this song.  Meto does some good drum work in this song as well.  He is not a great drummer, but he is still pretty good and his drum work in this song is very solid. I don't think that Tsuzuka is that great a singer, but he does have an interesting voice that helps to make this band unique.  I think of him like Geddy Lee of Rush or Vince Neil of Motley Crue.  They are not the best singers in the world but their voices give their bands something that no one else has. As a result no one else can take their places in the bands they are in.  That is what Tsuzuka is to Mejibray, not that great a singer but works very well for the band he is in.

Lyrically, this is a deep song about not settling and wanting more.  Basically, the entire song is about not being happy but not giving up.  It is about wanting to push yourself to become better, no matter what obstacles come your way.  I like songs like this that try to inspire people to want to improve themselves and to keep going to reach their goals.  I do think that the phrases and lines could have been written a little bit better but it is a very minor problem that doesn't turn me off to the song.

Overall, this is a pretty solid song.  The musicianship is great and the song writing is pretty good.  I may not be this bands biggest fan but I cannot deny that they are talented and this song proves that.  They play well together and they clearly have a lot of skill.  Mia is without a doubt a very underrated guitar player that deserves more recognition world wide.  The songs message is very good and makes you want to push yourself in life.  I give Divergence a 4 out of 5.    

  

     

Arlequin Eclipse Review

Arlequin is interesting band in to me. They have some songs like "Paranoia" that I like, but others I am not a fan of like "Makka Na Uso".  When they keep a song to a specific tone they are great, but sometimes they try to merge tones musically and they don't do it well.  Where songs like "Libra" by Nocturnal Bloodlust  are able to transition between ballad music and heavy metal smoothly, Arlequin has trouble with that in some of their songs. They try to merge metalcore and power ballads together and sometimes they don't merge the two styles well and it leaves you confused.  However, one song I have come to appreciate from this band is their song "Eclipse".

The guitar work in this song is very well done.  With the guitars being tuned down, they have a deep sound that creates a great intro and hooks you into the song.  The verse keeps the energy of the intro going and the melodic vocal work really works with the music and stays true to the tone of the song.  The guitar solo is very good, very melodic.  It isn't anything super technical but it still sounds good and sets up the final portion of the song well.  My only problem with the song musically, is the form of electronic dubstep they have in the intro and at the end of the guitar solo.  While it doesn't ruin the song for me, it seems unnecessary and it doesn't really enhance the music.  If they left it out, the guitar work, the drums, and bass easily have enough to make this song great.  

When it comes to the lyrics this song is a good form of building charisma.  The lyrics are basically  start out about people doubting you and saying you can't do anything.  Then the pre chorus is when you decide not to listen to them. Then the Chorus is you saying your going to rise above.  The lyrics are very well constructed and carry the message very well.  It is uplifting while at the same time addressing hardships you go through in life.  Overall, a great song lyrically.    

As far as I'm concerned, this is one of Arlequin's best songs.  The music is good, the vocals are good, and the lyrics are written well.  The energy is great and it really keeps you engaged in the song from beginning til end.  While the dubstep hinders the song a little bit, it doesn't ruin the song and I still enjoy listening to it.  I give Eclipse a 4 out of 5.  

  

Unite Rev Review

I have stated in another blog post that I like this band and their music.  While they are one of the more poppy visual kei bands, they are still very heavy with very well composed music.  They are, for the most part, a more uplifting band with positive music.  The very first song that I ever heard from this band was Rev.

Musically, this is definitely one of the bands more heavier songs.  The build up in the beginning itself starts out with heavy, deep sounding guitar that leads into a main intro where everything is heavy.  The guitar continues with the heavy chords, the drum work is heavy as well.  This really builds up the energy in the song and is really effective in keeping the listener engaged. The way the music is composed  almost makes you think you are listening to a story.  With the verse sounding down and depressing, the pre chorus shows hope, and then the chorus is the happy ending.  It is done very effectively and really helps to communicates the songs message.  The guitar solo is another great point in this song.  Shiina Mio bust out a very melodic solo that builds up to the final pre chorus and it is done very effectively.  It isn't technical but it doesn't need to be.  It is a brief melodic solo that is supposed to set you up for the final portion of the song and it does it very effectively.  Vocally, this is one of Yui's best songs.  He really captures the song perfectly by how he sings each section.  In this song he is able to match his vocals with each section very well.  When the song is depressing so are his vocals. When the song is happy, so are his vocals.  Also, this is one of the few songs that he sings a lot of English in.  The verses in this song are completely in English and Yui actually sings it pretty well.  He does have a bit of an accent, but you still understand him and he is able to make himself sound very good vocally.  

Lyrically, this a song about pushing yourself to be better and do great things.  Like I said earlier, this is one of the few Unite songs with a lot of English in it.  The verses are completely in English and basically talk about pushing and wanting to be something great.  The rest of the song is completely in Japanese with the exception of Revolution at the end of the chorus.  The lyrics in both verses are exactly the same though.  The band probably did this to make it easier on Yui.  While this is a turn off to some people, it doesn't bother me.  The verse is constructed well enough that they can use it twice though. Overall, the lyrics are great and well written, they flow well and really get the point across.  

When it comes to Unite, this is a unique song.  Musically, this is one of their heaviest as well as one of their best vocally.  Yui does a fantastic job on vocals and the band really busted out a very energetic, yet deep song.  The lyrics are uplifting and really communicate to someone about striving for more.  I consider myself to be very fortunate to have this song be my introduction to Unite.  It is a great song and really showcases this bands talent.  I give Rev a 4.5 out of 5.   

Top 5 Japanese Metal / Visual Kei Ballads

Japanese Visual Kei has been know for its over the top looks and great rock diversity.  Some bands are in you face heavy metal, while others are more pop rock/metal driven.  One thing I have come to like about these bands that a lot of them have written very good ballads.  Musically, they sound very powerful and deliver some of the best melodies I have heard in a ballad.  Lyrically, they are very effective, if they are singing in Japanese, they are constructed well and sound great.  Even some of these actually do good English singing when they decide to go in that direction.  Here are the top 5 Japanese Metal/Visual Kei Ballads.

5.  Guren by The Gazette

Guren has sorrowful feel to it with lyrics that are about missing someone who passed away.  Ruki does a great job delivering a vocal melody that conveys the songs message well and sounds amazing.  The rest of the band delivers great music that shows the great musicianship this band has while at the same time sounding simple enough for a casual listener to enjoy.  Uruha's guitar solo is a nice melodic solo that really adds on to the sorrow feel of the song.  

4.  Chimera by Vistlip

Vistlip is known for delivering great ballads and many consider Chimera as one of their best. While Guren was more of a sorrowful song, this song is more of a romantic ballad.  Lyrically, it is about being with someone when they are hurting and the structure communicates it very well  The simple piano works very well to give the romantic feel this song goes for.  Tomo has a voice works very well with softer music and this song demonstrates that perfectly.  Yuh does some cool guitar tricks through out the song that really demonstrate his guitar skills without it becoming a distraction and in my opinion enhances the song musically.

3.  Libra by Nocturnal Bloodlust

 

Libra is a song that fuses hard core metal and the soft melodic feel of a ballad. The song starts off with Daichi playing that soft melodic guitar opening that leads to a heavy hard intro.  This is one of the few times I have heard Daichi do any lead sections in a song and he honestly is pretty good.  He is not as tricky as Cazqui, but he can clearly solo and I wish he would do it more.  Hiro does great melodic vocal work in the verse and chorus of this song before busting out his growling vocals in the bridge.  The music follows suit and goes into a more heavy mode when the bridge comes.  Even though it might seem sudden, it doesn't feel or sound out of place and works with the rest of the song.  Part of the reason is that lyrically, this song is about with someone in the toughest situations.  With a message like that, the heavy sections can really enhance that message and bring it out more. 

2.  P.S. I Love You by Gackt

 

P.S. I Love You is very powerful song, lyrically.  Basically, the entire song is someone reading a goodbye letter from a spouse that past away.  This makes the song more personal and you really feel the sorrow it represents.  Gackt is a good singer and conveys that message really well.  Even if you can't understand the language, the tone and the melody really makes you feel sad  and know that this is a sorrowful song.  The music is pretty good as well.  The piano sounds good and the rest of the band does a great job capturing the tone.  The guitar solo is a little short, but still well done.  Overall, a very powerful song.

1.  Linaria by Nocturnal Bloodlust

This song is another great example of how Nocturnal Bloddlust is good at writing ballads.  However, unlike how Libra was more of a combination of hard core and melodic metal, this song stays more on the softer melodic side.  There is some hard core vocals at the end, but it isn't there most of the song and it almost sounds like it is supposed to be in the background.  This song is one of Hiro's best performances vocally in my opinion.  He sounds smooth and brings out his melodic side very well in this song.  He also does a good job with this song lyrically.  This song has more of a sorrowful feel about missing the one you love.  Basically, the entire song is about longing to be with that person again.  Musically, Daichi did a fantastic job composing this song.  The soft melodic music sounds really good, the piano and softer guitar captures the mood perfectly.  Cazqui also does a great job in his guitar solo.  He puts away the tricky and speedy solo's for a soft melodic solo that sounds good.  This is one of the big things I like about Cazqui as a guitar player, he is very diverse.  He can be real heavy and fast while at the same time soft and melodic and that is really cool to see.  

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.  

Purple Stone Panic Panic Review

Purple Stone is a relatively young, new visual kei band out of Osaka Japan.  They started in 2013 and have since gone through many changes since they started.  At first they were more of a hard, heavy band and has changed into more of a party rock band.  This change is made very clear in one of the bands newest singles, Panic Panic.

The first thing I like about this song is the vocals of the singer, Keiya. While I don't think he is the greatest singer in the world, he still sounds good and his voice works very well for what this song is going for.  The guitar work of Gak isn't bad but it is also nothing special.  The riffs that he plays throughout the song sound good, but are also pretty simple and very repetitive.  I am not a big fan of the techno elements in this song, but those elements are not overbearing and they work with the tone this song is going for.  Another thing I am not a big fan of is the programmed drum track they use in this song.  While it doesn't sound bad, I feel like the song would be much more powerful if they were using real drums instead of programming.  Overall, the music is not bad, but it is isn't super unique either.

Lyrically, this song fits the party feel this band is going for.  The songs lyrics are simple, yet catchy, being simply about having fun and partying on Halloween.  I am not personally a huge fan of party lyrics, I feel they are easy, cliche, and in many cases written because the record label told you to rather then coming from a real place in your life.  Having said that, I am not going to get on this bands case too much about the lyrics, because this an artistic move on their part and not because the record labels were looking over their shoulders telling them what to write.

Overall this is a good song but not a great song. The vocals are good and while the guitar sounds good it is very simplistic.  If they added a guitar solo in the songs it would have really helped the guitar stand out more.  This band also needs to get a drummer.  The drum tracks work, but if they get a drummer, their music will sound more powerful and add more energy.  However though, I still liked listening to the song and found it entertaining.  While I wont be in a rush to go buy it, I still appreciate it and would listen to it whenever it comes on.  I give this song a 3 out of 5.    

Diaura Universe Review

Popular Japanese Visual Kei band, Diaura, came out with a new song in February, called Universe.  Diaura has made a name for themselves among the visual kei music scene in Japan with songs such as Trigger, Lily, and their biggest hit, Lost November.  Many people have considered Diaura one of the most popular bands of the visual kei music scene in Japan.  With all that, lets see how good Universe is,

Musically, Diaura continues with the heavy melodic metal sound that the band is known for.  The first thing I would like to recognize is the melodic guitar work of Kei.  Kei does great melodic guitar soloing in this song that is superb and adds a good emotional feel to the song.  He also busts out some good heavy riffs in the songs verse that really adds to the energy.  It seems to me that with each new release for Diaura, Kei keeps on getting better as a guitar player and in this song he demonstrates it very well. Yo-ka does great vocal work in this song as usual.  His deep, melodic voice is very unique and really plays a huge part in what make this band unique and great.  

Lyrically, the band continues their deep emotional message of sticking together through hard times.  The band does a great job with these lyrics and communicates the message very well.  However, this is a message the band does a lot and as a result it feels a little generic and not unique anymore.  To be clear, the lyrics are not bad, but they are safe, the band didn't really venture into new territory with this song, lyrically.  

While the song isn't new lyrically, the music is great.  The band continues to progress musically while staying true to their core sound.  Kei seems to be getting better at his instrument and Yo-ka continues to display amazing vocal talent.  This is a song you should check out if you are a fan of Diaura and visual kei.  If you are a metal fan looking for some new music, this song is defiantly something you should check out.  With great music that show the bands progression I give Universe a 4 out of 5.  

Top 5 Gackt Songs

Gackt has become one of the most famous singers to come out of Japan.  Getting his start in the 90's with the visual kei band, Malice Mizer, Gackt developed a reputation as a good singer and after seven years with Malice Mizer he left the band to pursue a solo career that would make him one of the biggest celebrities in Japan  and would develop a good following in Europe and the U.S.  He has written several hits and is without a doubt one of the biggest rock stars in Japan.  With that, lets count down the top 5 Gackt songs.  

5.  Black Stone

 Black Stone is one Gackt's early songs that is basically a love song about that talks about going through life together through the good and bad times.  Gackt sounds great in this song vocally, and the band and music overall sounds great as well.  Compared to a lot of his other songs, this is a good soft easy listening enjoyable song.  The guitar solo is a little repetitive, but the overall the song is enjoyable and certainly worth a buy.  

4.  Stay The Ride Alive

Stay The Ride Alive is a good combination of rock and orchestra music.  Some people think that the two styles of music don't work well together and I greatly disagree with that. The orchestra really helps the song sound more powerful and while the song would not be bad without it, the song wouldn't be as powerful without the orchestra.  Lyrically, this is a good inspirational song about not giving up about no matter how bad things get. Sadly, only the live orchestra version is available on ITunes, but you can get this CD on Ebay and I highly recommend it.

3.  P.S. I Love You

P.S. I Love You is one of the most powerful and most depressing songs I have ever heard.  Basically, the whole song is someone reading a farewell letter from their spouse that just passed away.  Gackt's vocals and the music match the mood of the lyrics perfectly.  The piano  fits the sadness and then the heavier music expresses the grief one feels when the person they love passes away.  This song is well written, well composed, and is worth a buy, get it on ITunes, Ebay, Amazon.

2.  Jesus

  

Jesus is a song about someone contemplating suicide and the mind set one has when they are going through that.  Now, some people think that this is an anti Christian or an anti religious song.  I personally don't see it that way.  It is about someone who is considering taking his own life, nothing more.  The music is a good combo of dark and heavy rock gives the song the song it's desperate feel. The music video fits the song perfectly and I highly recommend checking it out to get the full feel of the song.  Disclaimer, their is violent imagery in video, but none the less I recommend it.  Both the music video and the song itself are available on ITunes, buy them.

1.  Setsugekka- The End of Silence

  

The End of Silence is another sorrowful song about missing someone you care about deeply that passed away.  I really like the composing method that is used in this song musically.  It starts out with the soft piano, then you get a slight build, a soft verse and pre chorus, and then they bust out a power heavy chorus.  You think you are in for a softer ballad and then you are hit with a powerful chorus and I think that is awesome.  Another musical element I love about this song is the violin solo.  It is a good twist and very unique, especially in an age where you don't see violin in rock too much anymore.  This song in my opinion is a must.  It is available on ITunes, Amazon, and Ebay.  Do what ever it takes, but buy this song.   

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.  

Diaura Lily Review

Diaura is a Visual Kei band out of Tokyo Japan that started in 2010.  Famed for the deep melodic voice of the singer, Yo-Ka, and the melodic guitar playing of Kei, the band has become a fairly popular band in Japan.  They are also one of the most active bands in Japan, constantly touring and writing new music, they have certainly put out a lot of material in their career so far and most of it is pretty decent.  With that lets review Lily.

Musically, this song is a good power ballad feel with music that is heavy, but is soft enough to appeal to easy listening people.  It is not a complex song technique wise, the rhythm is pretty simple and standard, and the guitar is simple as well.  However, even with the simplicity it still sounds pretty good.  One of the biggest highlights is with out a doubt Yo-Ka's vocals.  The guy is a good singer and  his vocal melody adds a great amount of depth to the song.  Kei's guitar solo is also pretty good.  It is not technical or tricky, but it has a good melodic style to is that really works with the song.  

Lyrically this is a great song.  Basically, the song is about someone losing someone they love and the pain that causes and then at the end of the song they wake up to see their loved one is still alive.  the lyrics are a good message  to value those you love and not to let them go.  Yo-Ka has said himself that the lyrics were inspired by a dream he had about him losing his parents. I always love it when a person writes lyrics that come from a real place in their souls rather then from management telling that person what to write and for that the song gets a lot of points from me. 

The music video is pretty simple as well.  First thing to point out is that even though the band is wearing a lot of eye make up, they really are not to over the top with the make up compared to their other videos.  They are not wearing lipstick, no insane colored contacts, and their cloths are not over the top.  Compared to other Visual Kei videos I have seen this one is pretty tamed.  For the most part they look like normal guys in this video, which is refreshing to see every once in a while in Visual Kei.  As for the video it self, it is nothing to special.  I see the symbolism in the chair scene and the scene  where the band members are looking around confused, however though it isn't anything too special.  Having said that, this video goes with the mood and message of the song very well and for that I give this video props.  

While the song is simple in the instrumental section, the lyrical depth is very impressive and defiantly worth noting.  Yo-Ka's voice adds a lot of depth and makes the song feel more effective in it's tone in message.  Kei's melodic guitar solo is a nice section that really adds on to the depth they are going for.  In the end, it is a good song with a very good message and is effective in communicating that message.  I give this song a 4.5 out of 5.