[L to R:] Sohei (bass), Lidy (vocals), Kouichi (guitar, programming)
FEAR FROM THE HATE have been representing Japan’s metalcore scene for the past few years, regularly playing the country’s festivals for loud music, including SCREAM OUT FEST, MOSH IT LOUD and GEKI ROCK, often accompanied with foreign bands. Now the fierce electronic-metal trio are taking the first step at breaking out of Japan by signing with OKAMI Records for a European release of their latest single Silverwalker, out from digital outlets from 15 January 2014.
The group’s biggest success so far has been the music video to their early song PAINT A TRIP PARTY, produced with the maxilla team (they also did Crossfaith’s Omen video, NOISE MAKER’s NEW ERA PV, and plenty of others). The video, right at this very moment, has achieved a mighty 900,000+ views. Click the song title to have a watch. The band themselves say the PV features ‘dance, heavy music, and pop culture with an original Japanese flair’, which also acts as a pretty accurate description of FEAR FROM THE HATE’s sound too.
We’re looking forward to see how their upcoming album shapes up, and cross our fingers for a European tour sometime soon. Until then, here’s the lyric video Silverwalker:
Hikagyaku ZiprocK is An Cafe’s first full length album in over four years. A lot has changed in the ‘Jrock’ landscape in those years, but this album shows that AN CAFE hasn’t changed a bit. If you liked them before, you’ll love the new songs. Similarly, if they irritated you before, we highly doubt any of the new offerings will win you over (but do listen to ‘O No Saki Ga Ienai’ just for the ‘lulz’.)
The album is a mixture of styles. They have their ‘Harajuku’ high-tempo disco stuff with tracks ‘ROMAN’ and ‘Love Me Tender’ (our favourite on the whole album – and one of the European version’s three bonus tracks), Jpop-meets-Jrock with ‘Utsukushi Hito’, ‘Bee Myself Bee Yourself’, there’s some goofy chiptune fun with ‘Gendai Soldier Now’ and even a fair few ballads included too. Perhaps the most surprising element, at least for us, was the heavier approach on a few tracks. Just check out the video at the bottom of this review – that’s a little more ‘grr’ than we’re used to! And we’re liking it! Even if they do balance it out with a scary / cute girl-Miku.
Summary: Existing fans will love it. As for us, we’ve never been the biggest An Cafe fans (sorry Cafekko), and although ZiprocK certainly has its moments, it also has plenty more irritations. But that’s just us. 6/10
Hikagyaku ZiprocK is due for release in Europe from Friday 13 December (and 6 January 2014 in the UK, according to Amazon) and boasts three bonus tracks and an extra booklet with translated lyrics. Don’t forget the boys are also on tour in 2014. Click here for all the dates.
01. Juryoku Scandalous
02. ROMAN ~Let’s make precious love~
03. Hachimitsu+Lemon=?
04. Utsukushi Hito
05. Gendai Soldier Now.
06. O No Saki Ga Ienai
07. Shomi Kigen 2010.01.04
08. Itai Onna ~NO PAIN,NO LOVE ? JAPAIN GIRLS in LOVE~
09. Inazuma no Senritsu
10. Bee Myself Bee Yourself ~Jibun Rashiku Kimi Rashiku Umareta Story wa Hajimattenda
11. Kiminomachi ~5 person sing along ver.~
12. Itsumo no Kiss de / MaT [European Bonus Track]
13. Love Me♡Tender / Paku x2 Pakuchi [European Bonus track]
14. Merry Making ~Anti-aging ver~ [European Bonus Track]
It took its sweet time coming, but Girugamesh‘s sixth album has now been released in the UK and Europe courtesy of Gan Shin Records. It follows in the questionable footsteps of the band’s 2011 effort GO. Sure, single COLOR had its moments, but for the most part the whole album went the way of INOCHI NO KI and stripped the power and aggression that powered some of Girugamesh’s greats over the years. If you were looking for something to rival Break Down, Owari to Mirai and our personal favourite volcano, you’d probably GO [ahem] right off this album… thankfully, MONSTER redeems all the wrongs of recent years and brings the electro-metal quartet right back to their former glory.
The album starts in standard Girugamesh style (like most of Danger Crew’s releases for that matter) with an upbeat electronic track that leads directly the first proper song. The transition is perfect and Drain sets the pace for the rest of the record, as well as Girugamesh’s progression. It’s clear they’ve been listening to a bit of Skrillex recently, but that’s no bad thing. MONSTER’s electronic elements are their most mature, proper sounding efforts to date. If you felt some of their previous efforts fell flat, MONSTER’s electronic parts have found that much needed oomph. Similarly, production this time round is perhaps at the band’s most solid. The double kick pedal gives the kind of thick, deep thud that very few Japanese bands seems to achieve, while the lower end riffs on guitar and bass feel powerful yet clean. In a nutshell; this is the Girugamesh album we’ve all been waiting for for years. Let’s hope it persuades them to return to the UK for another live show soon.
Our top 3 tracks: takt, Live is Life, Drain.
MONSTER Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. Drain (Music Video)
3. VOLTAGE
4. INCOMPLETE (Music Video)
5. Zantetsuken -MONSTER ver.- (Music Video)
6. antlion pit (Live Video)
7. Resolution
8. BAD END DREAM
9. Live is Life
10. Zecchou BANG!! -MONSTER ver.- (Music Video)
11. Another way
12. ALONE
13. Limit Break (European Bonus Track)
14. takt (European Bonus Track)
Summary: MONSTER is a great album. If we had to compare it to anything, we’d say it falls somewhere between the GazettE and Crossfaith, while sounding nothing like either. Essentially it’s party metal with substance. 7/10
Last Friday, London played host to the first ever UK show of electro-pop group, Perfume. After beginning their international campaign last year, Perfume’s complete discography has been made available around the world via iTunes and the group announced WORLD TOUR 2nd, a tour that would expand their horizons more than ever before, including a debut date in London.
Produced by one of Japan’s best DJs and armed with some of the most acclaimed choreography in pop culture today, Perfume have all the equipment for a knockout performance. Combining a vibrant electro-house sound with super sweet vocals, the music they create has the potential for a great big party live, so we were definitely looking forward to their performance since the announcement by Live Nation in April.
Fresh from successful sold-out performances in Germany and France, the trio did not disappoint! London fans were treated to a show bursting with light and electric dance moves as well as good tunes. Using projection mapping techniques popular among DJs all over the world, Perfume took electro to a new level, turning themselves into magical light screens during their performance. Their super-robot stage personalities are easily believable with the opening of the show including moving wings on their costumes which sparkled with projected lights.
Performing a mixed set list mostly of newer material, the group showed so much energy and excitement it was difficult not to get swept up and join in. Standout performances were a brilliant opening remix of Spending All My Time and the brand new dance track for this tour, Daijobanai. Fans were also touched by the performance of the super uplifting Dream Fighter, complete with translated lyrics and dance moves which the taught their audience during their comedy P.T.A Corner MC.
Completely denying language barriers, Perfume made good use of their talented fans by using a member of the audience to translate their MCs. The main topic of conversation was Fish & Chips, which made everyone hungry.
The show was also broadcast all over the world via Internet TV, meaning Perfume were able to show off to many more fans around the world than could fit into the Shepherds Bush Empire in London.
Since the beginning of their International Campaign in 2012, Perfume’s music has been released all over the world via iTunes. Making their music easily available has endeared them further to their many fans all over the world, and we’re sure this tour will also serve to impress many more fans of electro.
Although idols are commonplace in Japan, Perfume have levelled up to bring their super-robot powers to the international electro game, and we think they can only succeed. With mesmerising choreography, incredible light shows and just the right amount of humour, Perfume are ready to impress.
We were able to offer a few lucky followers of the Japan Underground Facebook some amazing Meet & Greet passes for the show. We hope they enjoyed the fantastic experience! (It looks like they did.)
Set List: Spending All My Time (remix)
Magic of Love
Laser Beam
polyrhythm MC Spring of Life
SEVENTH HEAVEN
SPICE
Handy Man (instrumental)
Daijoibanai [I’m Not OK]
Electro World
P.T.A Corner (MC)
FAKE IT
Dream Fighter
Chocolate Disco (remix)
MY COLOR
How’s your alphabet? Got all your A’s, B’s and LM.C’s? They aren’t convinced. LM.C think you might be missing a few essential B’s, so they have brought their latest album full of B-Side BEST!! to Europe. How kind of them!
Starting as a live band project and finding major Visual Kei success in 2006, this electro-rock guitar duo have carved out a style of their very own with their loud, bright costumes and seriously complicated music. With all their experiments and adventurous sounds, it’s fair to say that LM.C are one of the most musically interesting Visual Kei units there is. Maya and Aiji are veterans of how to rock, and get a chance to show it off with this heavy B-Side party.
This seventeen track album collects B-Sides from throughout Maya and Aiji’s entire career together, including some contributed by their evil alter egos, THE MAD LM.C. We can see why LM.C have decided to make an album by collecting all these tracks together – it’s time they had their chance to shine. The chance to get whimsical and weird on B-Side tracks has always been a thrill for this band, and it has produced some seriously cool music.
Out of the seventeen tracks, it’s difficult to choose highlights, but the return of Haunted House make a Secret and …with VAMPIRE has got to be a big one. Two of LM.C’s debut tracks, these creepy, sweet songs will have you groovin’ in no time. The combination of electronic samba rhythms, rap vocals and super heavy guitar, which all became B-Side staples for LM.C, started with these tracks.
For a different sound, check out ningyo no namida, a ska driven track with a killer guitar solo in LM.C’s favourite gritty, tough guitar sound. It also features some random steel drum sounds which momentarily transport you to the Caribbean. Alternatively, try Bad Spider or Shibuya Cantabile for some super speedy riffs and curious lyrics. No matter where you look on this track-list, there’s something exciting.
The album closes with three of LM.Cs most recent B-Sides, contributed by evil reincarnate, THE MAD LM.C. It must be useful having an alter ego this good at writing B-Sides, their remix of ★Rock the LM.C★ will knock your socks off.
As an all ’round album, this album showcases a full timeline of LM.C’s best experiments, hard rock and the cutest vocals you’ll hear this year. Furthermore, how often do you stumble upon a band whose sole purpose in life seem to be to scare you with cuteness? Not often, so you should definitely consider acquiring it from our good friends over at GAN-SHIN immediately.
Title: B-Side BEST!! Release Date: June 28th, 2013
Tracklist: 1. GEKI FANFARE (4:04) 2. @Funny Phantom@ (4:27) 3. mR. century (4:07) 4. Haunted House make a Secret (4:43) 5. marble-s (4:40) 6. maple leaf (4:46) 7. Tiny Circus (4:19) 8. …with VAMPIRE (3:38) 9. DAYS (3:52) 10. ningyo no namida (3:59) 11. A Blueberry Night (4:07) 12. YASHA姫 (PRINCESS YASHA) (4:11) 13. Bad Spider (3:36) 14. Shibuya Cantabile (4:48) 15. ★Rock the LM.C★ by THE MAD LM.C (4:37) 16. No Fun. No Future. by THE MAD LM.C (2:58) 17. MAD or DIE by THE MAD LM.C (3:59)
FEAR FROM THE HATE have been representing Japan’s metalcore scene for the past few years, regularly playing the country’s festivals for loud music, including SCREAM OUT FEST, MOSH IT LOUD and GEKI ROCK, often accompanied with foreign bands. Now the fierce electronic-metal trio are taking the first step at breaking out of Japan by signing with OKAMI Records for a European release of their latest single Silverwalker, out from digital outlets from 15 January 2014.
Japan Underground | JPU Records Ltd. 