AN CAFE – Hikagyaku ZiprocK: the Review

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]

Order from Amazon: Special European Edition, Japanese Limited Edition.

New Single from Hard Rockers, lynch.: BALLAD

lynch. are generally posted as a hard metal band. In the past when we’ve reviewed their releases, we’ve even gone so far as to describe them as masters of metalcore. However, with thier new single, they seem to have forgotten they are raging rockers and taken up with some melancholy piano playing instead. BALLAD is set for release in Europe and Japan tomorrow (20th February), and this is no ordinary four-to-the-floor release from them.

When we first recieved our copy of this single from their European record label, we were really surprised by BALLAD, and how moody and soft it is. As vocalist Hazuki pointed out on his Twitter, the B-side CRYSTALIZE, sounds more like a lead track for lynch., but they went with BALLAD instead because it ballances out their heavier sound. To be honest, we aren’t fussed what kind of song Hazuki wants to song, we’re sure his voice sounds fantastic no matter what. BALLAD is very melancholic, but with strong vocals and a complex arrangement it makes a very convincing single.

CRYSTALIZE is a more straight up rock song, but wether it was originally intended as the lead track or not, it is too simple to be a single by itself. That said, where BALLAD is full of feelings, and piano, and great vocals, CRYSTALIZE reminds you that lynch. are usually more hard core.

This single is a great addition to lynch.’s fantastic recent releases, and we have to give them credit for their release schedule. Eight months ago they gave us a full album, INFERIORITY COMPLEX. Four months ago, they dropped their single, LIGHTENING. They are piling us with up with great music, and we love that.

You can watch the music video for BALLAD below. The single will be available from 20 February for download and stream in Europe and Japan.

We recommend this single to fans of DEATHGAZE, Gackt or CROSSFAITH

Artist: lynch.

Tracklist:
BALLAD (4.17)
CRYSTALIZE (3.54)

Release Date: 20 February 2013

Available from: Amazon MP3, iTunes, Spotify

AWOI: BIRTHDAY – New Album Reviewed and Out Now

How do you imagine your perfect birthday? A riot of screaming, growling madness? If so, this BIRTHDAY is just the one for you. Post-hardcore visual kei band AWOI are bringing their album to Europe, available for digital download through Gan Shin Records. Get ready for a blast of eleven full tracks of fun, but unfortunately there’s not much by way of balloons or cake at this birthday party.

If you’ll excuse the party pun a little longer, there’s something for everyone at AWOI’s birthday; dance around to jazz driven track, Yakou Boogie, have a metal feast with Abelcain or go for the cherry on top of the cake, Unhappy Birthday To Me. The outstanding thing about this album is that despite being heavy in every track, the variation of vocals between singing, screaming and screaming gives a fast paced stamp of originality to every track. From chilly melodies to red hot rampages, one of the most surprising things is how quickly this album is over and you find yourself hitting play again.

AWOI show more improvements in style than ever before, they excel at quick changes and an impressively fast pace. Although the opening is not especially strong, it quickly builds up from the second track and keeps going until the brilliant finale, Unhappy Birthday To Me.

I would recommend AWOI to fans of Cradle of Filth, DIR EN GREY or SCREW

Title: BIRTHDAY

01. Rensa (4:20)
02. Butterfly 16441 (4:01)
03. Rainybaby (3:34)
04. Parasite (3:53)
05. Sentimental Lastscene (4:58)
06. Anti Music Funny Man (4:05)
07. Yakou boogie (4:09)
08. Yubikiri (3:52)
09. Abelcain (3:47)
10. Nightmare (4:02)
11. Unhappy Birthday to Me (4:14)

European Release Date: 19 December 2012

Available from Amazon MP3, iTunes and Spotify.