Therion Birth of Venus Illegitima Review

Therion is a band that has had many changes in their long career.  Having gone through over 20 members and putting out 16 albums they have done a lot over time.  When a band has so many changes, it can lead to a lot of debate over which era is the best.  For a lot of people thought, this band started to really reach their full potential with Birth of Venus Illegitima.

This isn't one of the heaviest songs I have ever heard, but the mysterious tone of the song does catch my interest and keeps me listening to the song all the way through.  The vocals in this song are very impressive.  The male backgrounds vocals sound great and add a real chilling feel to the song that I think works very well.  Martina Astner did a great job on lead vocals for this song.  Her opera style vocals sounds great  and really helps to carry the song.  The the music is simple but it does work well with the song.  The musicians knew not to go to crazy musically otherwise it would hurt the feel they were going for.  The guitar solo continues with the simplicity and like the rest of the music, it doesn't try to hard and in this song, that is a good thing.  Overall, this song has a very mysterious feel to it that I enjoy.

The lyrics in this song are a bit of a mix bag for me.  They flow very well and a executed with great excellence by the vocals, but they are also very repetitive and don't go anywhere.  I get that they are singing about the Goddess Aphrodite (AKA Venus) but because both verses are exactly the same and there isn't really a bridge to help add on to the lyrics, it kind of falls short of an overall story or message.  I get the sense that the music and tone of the song was a bigger priority than than the lyrics.  

Overall, this song delivers some good music and great vocals.  The vocals really carry this song well and I got plenty of enjoyment listening to them.  The guitar solo was good in it's simplicity and kept to the songs tone well.  However, the lyrics didn't do much for me and as a result hurt the song a little for me.  Having said that, if you are looking for a mysterious sounding song, I recommend giving this song a listen to.  I give Birth of Venus Illegitima a 3.5 out of 5.  

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Alia Hide and Seek Review

Alia a new band to the JRock scene, debuting back in July 2018, this band is a little less then a year old.  However, they are gaining traction and are starting to get more global attention then most bands this young do.  This is partly due to some well placed advertising. They put out an add to promote themselves on Instagram and that surprisingly got them a decent amount of attention on a global scale.  However, their single, Hide and Seek, is also a pretty good song.

One thing I really like about this song is how well all the instruments blend well together in this song.  You got guitar, violin, and keyboards all doing their own tricks and lead lines through out the song, yet nothing is overpowering everything else and the instruments all work well together. This is mainly due to Okamua Eren who handled the composition for this song.  He clearly did a great job and paid great attention to detail.  I like the melodic violin playing of Rina in the intro of this song.  It has nice melodic feel to it that really works well with the keyboarding of TKT.  His playing in the intro and verses is constant and flows very well.  He's playing a lot of notes but it's not over the top and works very well with the tone of the song.  I also like the guitar solo that is played by Okamura Eren.  It isn't the most technical solos I have ever heard, but his execution is well done and his playing is very solid.  The vocal work of Ayame is very impressive.  Her melodic, yet energetic voice is perfect for this kind of music.  Her singing works hand in hand with the music to a degree I haven't heard that often in a lot of my favorite music. It is really interesting to me how much is going on and nothing sounds out of place, very impressive.

  The lyrics are uplifting and about finding yourself and not being ashamed of it.  The lyrics flow very well and really do a good job of getting it's message across.  This is mainly due to TKT, who wrote the lyrics for this song.  He clearly put a lot of work into how these lyrics would sound and play out, even to a point that Ayame could execute these lyrics very well.  I get a sense that he spent a lot of time making sure that these lyrics fit well with her singing ability and that isn't easy to pull off.  

Alia is off to a great start with this song.  They are clearly very talented and have a great chemistry as a band.  If they keep this up, I can see them having a very successful career.  Hide and Seek has great music, great vocals, and great lyrics.  I give Hide and Seek a 5 out of 5.  

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The Winking Owl Try Review

I consider The Winking Owl as a band of constant improvement.  While not the biggest band in the JRock scene, they are one of the most solid.  Their music gets better with with each album and you can tell that they put a lot of work into their music.  They continue to show that with one of their latest singles, Try.

If there is one parts of this song I really like, it is the intro.  I really like the melodic lead guitar playing combined with the heavier rhythm guitar.  Yoma continues to display great guitar work in his playing.  He isn't one of the fastest guitar players I have ever listened to, but his melodic style works very well and delivers guitar solos with a lot of emotion behind them. He is a musician driven more by feeling rather then displaying technique.  The drumming in this song is also very good. Kent keeps a good beat and is very energetic.  Luiza continues to display some great singing in this song.  Her melodic voice is great and works very well with the inspiration feel this song is going for. 

As far as the lyrics go, The Winking Owl continues their uplifting style.  The song is basically about realizing your full potential and pushing to achieve it.  The flow of the lyrics works very well and they communicate their message very effectively.  Some people criticize them for not singing in English more like they did with Open Up My Heart.  I do think that  Luiza sounds good singing in English, but I'm not picky about language as long as it sounds good and is set for a good delivery, vocally.  The lyrics in this songs do just that and it makes the feel of the message really stand out.    

This song is very uplifting and has a good energy to it.  If you are feeling down and need something to lift you up, or you want to feel inspired, then this is a song you need to check out.  It has a good message and the melodic feel will put you  in a good mood.  If The Winking Owl continues to make songs like this, I see a great future for them.  I give Try a 4.5 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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Sabaton Fields of Verdun Review

Sabaton is considered by many to be one of the best and most unique modern metal bands.  With the way they convey history through music and the amazing performances this band display's it is very understandable why they have gained so much traction in the past few years.  As a history guy myself, I can certainly appreciate a band like this that brings attention to so much history that often gets overlooked and doesn't get the recognition it deserves.  One period of history that is often overlooked is the World War 1.  World War 2 is what more people remember because of the higher loss of life and all the events that happened outside of the battle field such as The Holocaust.  World War 2 certainly is a very important part of history and deserves all the recognition it has.  However, the carnage of World War 1 is something that should never be forgotten and Sabaton gives us a good reminder with the Field Of Verdun.

Musically, this is the classic Sabaton sound,  melodic guitars and powerful vocals.  The guitar work in this song is nothing too fancy or tricky but it sounds great and carries the intense feel that is very fitting, considering the songs topic.  Joakim Broden's vocals are superb for this type of music, as he is able to convey the intensity of the battle field perfectly with his voice.  The powerful vocals really carry this song and makes you really want to sing along and add on to the intense vocals.  This shows up most in the big chorus this song gives off.  I also really like the guitar solo in this song.  It has a cool melodic style to it that gives a nice emotional feel, almost to make you feel sympathy for the men who died.  The music is great, but the lyrics are where this songs really shines.

This song's lyrics perfectly depict how harsh and brutal the Battle of Verdun was.  With lines like "father and son fall under the gun" you get a sense of how intense the battle was.  The rhyming in the chorus is very well done and well executed.  Like the big vocals, the way the chorus plays out (lyrically) also makes you want to sing along and get more into the song.  This one of this band's biggest strengths and the continue to display it here.

This is a great song and it really pays great service to men who fought at what is considered the bloodiest battle of World War 1.  The music and vocals are superb, the lyrics are great and convey the message very well.  The way that Sabaton conveys history through music is unique and very masterful.  I think this song might actually be one their best songs yet.  I give Fields of Verdun a 5 out of 5.

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Children of Bodom Under Grass and Clover Review

When is comes to band musicianship, few have it together as well as Children of Bodom does.  From the guitar work of Alexi Laiho, to the keyboard skill of Janne Wirmen, this band demonstrated that they have real chemistry as a band.  With their unique blend of melodic euro metal and death metal, they have created one of the most unique styles ever and they continue to demonstrate that with Under Grass and Clover.

As far as the music goes, this is one of my favorite songs from Children of Bodom.  The opening duel solo with the keyboards and guitar sounds amazing and has a cool melodic style to it that hooked me from the beginning.  I also like the few lead lines that Daniel Freyberg plays through out the intro as well.  they are brief, but they are executed very well and are a nice addition to the intro.  I also like how they go about the verses in the song as well.  The way the music comes in after Alexi Laiho delivers the lyrics is awesome and the bends they play in those sections helps to keep you hooked to the song.  Alexi Laiho's guitar solo is very impressive.  With the combination of speed and melodic playing, he continues to display his amazing talent as a lead guitarist.  I really enjoyed listening to this solo and it could possibly one of my favorite parts of the song.  Musically, this one of the best Children of Bodom songs I have every heard.

The lyrics in this song are good but they are not anything special.  The lyrics are basically about someone trying to remember something awful they did but are unable to.  They then turn to the bottle to try to forget and have hope but still battles the memory.  This is the one weak link I would say this band has.  They don't tend to write very memorable lyrics and it certainly isn't the main strength this band has.  I think they are well aware of this though, as they clearly always put more focus on the musical side then their lyrics and in their case, I think it is for the best.  Because what they lack in terms of lyrical ability, they more then make up for with their music and musicianship.

While the lyrics are nothing special, the rest of the song is amazing.  Everybody is on point and everybody plays very well.  Alexi Laiho continues to show that he is a very talented lead guitarist and this is one of my favorite solos from him.  I give Under Grass and Clover a 4 out of 5.  

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Skyrim a Soundtrack of Battle and Peace

When it comes to video games, Skyrim is considered one of the biggest classics of all time.  It is a game that has a lot going for it, from an open world with a ton of things to do, a lot of interesting characters as well as interesting quests.  Critics and audiences alike have a lot of love for this game and the impact it has made on how video games are made going forward. One component of that game though that is sometimes overlooked is the amazing music score this game has, composed by Jeremy Soule, as seen below.

I've listened to a lot of video game soundtracks and there are very few that I like every song on and this is without a doubt one of them.  It has a nice blend of battle ready songs like Dragonborn theme, Tooth and Claw, and Steel On Steel.  It also has nice calm soothing songs like Secunda, Tundra, and Masser.  Every song blends fits the overall sound and theme of the soundtrack and nothing feels out of place. Considering that this soundtrack has a total of 53 songs on it, that is a real accomplishment.

The fact that it has 53 songs is not just amazing because Jeremy Soule was able to compose that many songs for this game and make them blend, but because it also adds to the feeling of exploration when playing the game.  Because there is such a wide range of songs, it keeps the exploration feeling fresh and makes every area feel different even if you have been to an area more then once.  Usually, most games have one designated theme that works for every specific area like The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time soundtrack.  I love that soundtrack but sometimes hearing the same theme over and over, especially in Hyrule Field, would play a part of me getting tired of that area and not want to go back to it for a time.  Jeremy Soule was able to compose songs that work for multiple areas and multiple interactions.  This way the world feels more diverse and you don't get a sense of repetition as you play the game.

I got to give credit for how well put together the Dragonborn Theme is.  The orchestra and choir in this song really work well together to give a really cool Norse Viking feel. Another cool thing about this song is that is written in a language that is based in the game and not in real life.  The lyrics are written in Dragon language and the fact that it is composed in a way that makes people sing along with it even though it is in a language that no one speaks is very amazing.  It was smart for Bethesda to use this song as one of their main selling points.

As much as I love the battle music in this game, I got to say that I actually really love a lot of the softer, more ambience songs in this game.  Songs like Secunda and Tundra, I listen to when I just want to relax and enjoy the scenery around me,  especially when I'm in nature.  Some songs, like The Gathering Storm, have a bit more of an emotional feel to them, when played in certain spots in the game.  I remember hearing The Gathering Storm start playing when I came across a burned down tavern with a bunch of dead people in it that were killed by vampires.  This song actually made me feel a little sad and uneasy as I walked through the burned down tavern.  When you have music that is able to effect your mood while you play a game and not just serve as background music, that is really impressive.

 

I personally consider this to be one of the greatest video game soundtracks of all time.  It is in my top 5 easy and I highly recommend you get it.  There are 53 songs on it and I like every single one of them.  It is long but it never gets dull and each song is very enjoyable. You can listen to this soundtrack on Spotify, Deezer, or Apple Music.  If you want to purchase the soundtrack, you can get it on Itunes or purchase a physical copy on Ebay, or get the box set from Barnes and Noble.  Links will be in the description below.

Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-original-game-soundtrack/596951310 

Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/i/273795726755?chn=ps

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/the-skyrim-library-volumes-i-ii-iii-bethesda-softworks/1125815481/2677925781

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