%D0%93%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BF %D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%86 %D0%BD%D0%B0 %D0%B0%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C. %D0%93%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BF %D0%BD%D0%B0 %D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4. %D0%93%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BF %D0%BD%D0%B0 %D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BD%D1%8F. %C2%AB-%D0%94%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BD-%D0%A7%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%B0-%C2%BB %D0%94%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BD %D1%87%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%B0 %22-%D0%94%D0%98%D0%97%D0%90%D0%99%D0%9D %D0%A7%D0%95%D0%9B%D0%9E%D0%92%D0%95%D0%9A%D0%90-%22 %D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BF %D0%B8 %D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%B8%D1%8F. %D0%9D%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8B%D0%B9 %D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BF %D0%B4%D0%BB%D1%8F %D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B0. %D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BF%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%8B%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B9%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%8C – instagram – batmanapollo | Search Results

January 30th, 2024 Features

Selected Singles – January 2024

…e newest cut from Kuroguro leans more into idol brightness, but it doesn’t abandon the frantic and metallic underpinnings that made “Black Burst” such an enjoyable ride. “never never” still gallops in its riff department in the verses, but the chorus has a more pristine feel that is definitely going to end up stuck in many a head after they hear it. If anything the contrast between the brighter chorus and more urgent verses makes for a great dynam…

January 28th, 2024 Features

Hiraes – Awakened Resilience

…practicing our live set every day, so if you asked me two weeks ago, I probably would have picked different songs [laughs]. The lyrics do not follow a predetermined concept, but all the lyrics were written just like the music was, in a very short time. So it’s kind of like a snapshot of my emotional landscape during that time, which might make it a concept but not an intentional one. The music comes first in Hiraes, so I listen to the demo in my…

January 25th, 2024 Features

Any Given Day – Unbroken Spirits

…ne? Stiller: First things first, I think when you have the metalcore scene, 95% of bands write about more negative stuff. It’s more natural, because most of us aren’t as healthy or sane in that frame of mind [laughs]. I can understand it. You are always stressed with your job, family, or town – there’s always shit going on in the world. It’s ok to rant and scream and let the negativity flow out of your body. In Any Given Day, even in the past, mos…

January 19th, 2024 Reviews

Nextanative – Prologue: Burn it Down (Velvet Records)

…nal idol movement. Hopefully they can catch some eyes and ears and make a bigger name for themselves as they continue to generate new content. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdhaBAR7DpA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0X112SRhtM Nextanative official website Nextanative on Instagram Nextanative on Facebook…

January 17th, 2024 Reviews

Metalite – Expedition One (AFM Records)

…. The plodding grooves of “Outer Worlds” and the chorus is a definite ‘sing-a-long,’ though admittedly “In My Dreams” takes the award for the strongest ‘sing-a-long’ with it’s ballad-y approach and potent use of Erica Ohlsson’s charismatic vocals. Those interested in the high-energy driving tempo showcases the band is known for should be quite happy as well. “Cyberdome” is an all-out romp of energy and fun, from it’s big synth section to the stomp…

January 11th, 2024 Features

Metalite – New Expeditions

…then [laughs]? Premberg: No [laughter]. Have you heard Axel Rudi Pell? How about Ballad Number 10 [laughs]? They might be able to release ten albums of ballads. But no, that’s not for us. Dead Rhetoric: You released a large number of singles before the album. How do you feel the reception has been to the individual tracks? Ohlsson: I think it’s been good! It’s a new way for us to work as well – releasing that many singles before the album is relea…

January 8th, 2024 Reviews

Ryujin – Ryujin (Napalm)

…r flashy melodic death metal riffage and a soaring chorus that urges a sing-a-long. The songs with Matthew Heafy in the mix offer more of a change-up as well, particularly standout “The Rainbow Song,” which jettisons harsh vocals entirely, shifting more into a glorious, jovial power metal track that oozes positivity while still staying true to the core of the Ryujin sound. Some other highlights include the cover of the Attack on Titan opening song…

January 8th, 2024 Reviews

Exit Eden – Femmes Fatales (Napalm)

…elves offer just as much entertainment. The aforementioned “It’s a Sin” probably stands the tallest to this writer, with it’s bouncy riffs turned into an almost gothic display, taking the track into a clever direction and allowing the energy to really be channeled into a lively direction, and Brunner’s vocals in particular stand out for their sheer power at certain points. On the more melodic side is Heart’s “Alone,” which may be significantly hea…

January 7th, 2024 Features

Exit Eden – Breaking the Mold

…movies. There’s this term femme fatale in Germany and Europe, which is probably the same in the West. You have these seductive women – taking this symbol that people are aware of, and turning it into a positive empowerment. We stand together. We use our femininity in this world. We are proud to be three frontwomen in this band. That’s one of the many facets to offer with this record. Dead Rhetoric: What did you feel were the necessary ingredients…

January 3rd, 2024 Reviews

Alluvial – Death is But a Door (Nuclear Blast)

…has some eerie, ominous feelings to it as it rumbles along, occasionally dabbling in jackhammer grooves – overall it’s a slower song than the opener, but it really goes all in on delivering more of a murky, haunting atmosphere, particularly at it’s slowest. “Area Code” switches gears to showcase the more frenetic side of the band, also giving vocalist Kevin Muller a greater chance to showcase some massive growls and screams as the band stomps thr…

December 29th, 2023 Reviews

At the Plates – Omnivore (Self-Released)

…pirations in their titles, while waxing poetic about wild tales of culinary-based lyrics, it unfortunately may lead to a portion of the audience to dismiss them as a bit of a gimmick. But truth be told, At the Plates may have very punny song titles and some crazy yet fun lyrics, Omnivore is a ‘melodic’ death metal release that’s going to start your 2024 off in very satisfying ways. While it’s quite fun to look at the titles, such as “Punish My Wai…

December 23rd, 2023 Features

Selected Singles – December 2023

…I Legion, Isiliel, Ketulo, Killt Melt Land (pictured above), Kuroguro, Ladybaby, LuciDreaM, Mana Diagram, Mellows, REIRIE, Togenashi Togeari and Yosugala. Axelight “AIMAI” Having one of my favorite releases of 2023 already in Hydrogen, Axelight recently debuted a new single in “AIMAI,” which jumps directly into the fray with intense electronics running at a blazing tempo. It’s a visceral start that maintains the tempo through the track, firing off…

December 22nd, 2023 Reviews

East of Eden – Forbidden Fruit: 1st Piece (Victor Entertainment/JPU Records)

…tively in some of Akane’s vocal performance. Truthfully, this chorus is probably her strongest in terms of sheer power of the EP. “Mujuryokuhiko” feels the most epic of the bunch, with the playful violin giving it an almost jovial feel that effectively contrasts the more rock-driven nature of the rest of the group. Ayasa’s solo in this song is a real stunner. Last in the mix is “Hanabi,” which has the most fun and rock-ish attitude. Emphasized by…

December 18th, 2023 Reviews

Bloody Cumshot – Deflorantism (Self-Released)

…swing in a more neo-classical and power direction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHYpaeKl9Ag https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq37Zip9P1I&pp=ygUOYmxvb2R5IGN1bXNob3Q%3D Bloody Cumshot on Facebook Bloody Cumshot on Instagram…

December 10th, 2023 Features

Gama Bomb – Exploring New Adventures

…I think we are really happy with it. I think it’s our best album. It’s probably the closest representation to the music that we love since we’ve made our first two albums. This album represents what we are really into musically. In terms of the creative process, it was a long road. Joe: We made the last record over a long period of time. We were able to work on this for a long time, obviously separately because of the time period. Because of the…

December 9th, 2023 Features

Kaivs – Decisively Carving Forward

…That’s always been that way! Tony Iommi used to work in a factory; Black Sabbath was just a hobby after work. We all know who they are and what they did! Every one of us hopes one day to leave our jobs instead of music. I’m just a workman by now, maybe skilled and one day, who knows? Feet on the ground by now, and necessarily don’t be fucked up. Mortician: It would be very pleasant and satisfying for all of us to make Kaivs unique from now on. It…

November 28th, 2023 Features

Isiliel – Living for Tomorrow

…Tolkien, it seems a perfect fit for an idol whose most accomplished works dabble in the more mystical sides of black metal and folk, outside of the normal idol territory. This next step for her felt somewhat familiar to her beginnings as an idol. “When I started my solo activities, it was similar to when I first started as an idol. It just sort of started. It didn’t have this big, dramatic start to it,” notes Himari. Though this new starting point…

November 25th, 2023 Concert Reviews

Isiliel – November 7, 2023 – PhilaMOCA, Philadelphia, PA

…where everytime she stopped to take a drink of water, people would chant “H-2-O.” That excitement led into the music itself of course, and looking across the room you could see everything from people swinging lightsticks to the music to others headbanging along. It was hard not to be pulled into Himari’s intimate performance. The heaviest moment came with the thrilling “Keisei Densetsu,” which borders on a melodic death metal rampage at points, an…

November 22nd, 2023 Reviews

TRiDENT – Dream Up (松山制作委員会)

…panese act that skirts boundaries between rock and metal, with some light dabbling into pop as well. Their first full-length was 2021’s Advance Generation, and for the last two years, they have been releasing some singles which turned into EP efforts. Dream Up is the latest of these, a 5-song affair that follows last year’s D-X. TRiDENT’s consistent energy and knack for catchy melodies makes Dream Up an easy point to be introduced to the band, as…

November 18th, 2023 Features

An Introductory Guide to the Burgeoning Kawaii Metal and Alt Idol Scene

…Hanabie., PassCode (featured above), Broken by the Scream, and of course, Babymetal (whom I assume you already know so I will not waste your time below). And for some, discovering some of the larger acts is well and good, but this simple truth is that for this scribe, the surface level is never enough. Particularly as it’s been very inspiring as of late, the way many of these acts defy genre conventions and toss in a variety of influences that so…

November 15th, 2023 Reviews

Tarja – Dark Christmas (earMUSIC)

…set-up works, so why bother to change it up – Tarja avoided the goofy, over-the-top feeling that many ‘metal Christmas’ releases go for last time, and she does so here as well. Certainly there’s some hesitance to listen to the dreaded (by many at least) Mariah Carey classic “All I Want for Christmas is You,” or Wham’s “Last Christmas” without having to shake off some annoyances, but this is exactly where Tarja shines. “All I Want for Christmas is…

November 13th, 2023 Reviews

Nemophila – The Initial Impulse (Masterworks Publishers Inc)

…s year – merging some frenetic riffing and tempos with a thrilling and hook-based chorus (not to mention the ripper of a guitar solo). Just like “Rise” and “Night Flight,” it provides a ton of promise for Evolve next year. If you haven’t checked out Nemophila, a covers release such as The Initial Impulse is a great way to hear some big songs done with a fresh coat of Nemo paint applied to them. “Rise” is also a fantastic modern rock/metal anthem i…

November 13th, 2023 Reviews

Gungire – Surge (Self-Released)

…follows suit with some rather upbeat riffing and electronics, instantly grabbing your ear with the cleaner vocals and seemingly built for the live show ‘whoas.’ But fear not, ‘the angriest band in Japan’ isn’t going soft on you, with more frenetic thrashy verses that hit just as hard as anything else they’ve done to date – especially the chugging riffs later on. If there’s one theme that does seem to come across when comparing the content from th…

November 12th, 2023 Features

Temple Balls – Prepare For An Avalanche

…album called “Stone Cold Bones”, a bit pop-ish but it’s cool. Energy is probably the key thing, that’s what we want to maintain. It’s how our live presence comes to life, rocking out doing what we do. We don’t really have any limits of what we can or what we can’t do. It comes naturally, I don’t think we have to think too much about things. Dead Rhetoric: You’ve had the opportunity to play across many touring packages and festival stages with acts…

November 11th, 2023 Concert Reviews

Neo Japonism – October 21 and 22, 2023 – PuchiCon, Camelback, PA

…cing around, you don’t bother with taking pictures/videos. Personally, I grabbed a few at the onset but quickly decided I wanted to just get absorbed by the music, and most had the same feelings. That there was maybe 50 people may have been part of it too, but there was just a vibe to get lost in and the idols on stage just took all your attention. It’s hard not to smile along too, when they play more upbeat, fun songs like “Wabisabi Wasabi,” with…

November 8th, 2023 Reviews

Hinayana – Shatter and Fall (Napalm)

…ng sense of introspective, gloomy vibes that encompass everything that the band is about. Shatter and Fall acts as another step forward for Hinayana. If you seek melodic death metal that spends more time in depressive misery than joy, but still packs a pretty mighty whallop, there’s plenty to dig into here. The melodies are majestic yet sorrowful, the riffs thunder along when needed, and the duality of triumph and introspection is a successful one…

November 7th, 2023 Features

Dying Wish – Building a Community

…kes sense that this is the direction that we are heading in, but we aren’t abandoning our core sound as we do it. Dead Rhetoric: The promo states that you’ve ‘found your sound’ with Symptoms. What makes you feel like something clicks with how the band works? Boster: I just think in the process of writing Fragments, the idea of writing a record was really foreign to us. We were able to achieve a lot of things, but there were some marks we had misse…

November 6th, 2023 Reviews

Risky Melody – Reflection (Magnifique Record/Nippon Columbia)

…. Take the adrenaline-fueled “To Survive’ as a prime example, with its fist-in-the-air anthem of a chorus, which Alice really shines on. But she can also pull off more melodic cuts with grace, as “Keep on Running” providing evidence of her more elegant side without it getting too mellow. Truly, Reflection takes some great care to provide an album where you aren’t hooked by one thing, but by all of them. There’s enough oomph behind the riffing and…

November 6th, 2023 Reviews

Spiritbox – The Fear of Fear (Pale Chord Musc/Rise Records)

…ates an intriguing dynamic that feeds both sides of the equation – it’s probably the highlight of the six songs. That said, “Too Close/Too Late” gives it a run for it’s money, as Spiritbox seems to know exactly how to frame a song to operate in that melodic space that channels an absurd amount of catchiness and melodies, but feeds in enough groove that you don’t feel slanted by the more pop-driven elements. But just in case you are one of those pe…

November 4th, 2023 Concert Reviews

Wolves in the Throne Room / Blackbraid / Gaerea / Hoaxed – October 15, 2023 – The Orpheum, Tampa, FL

…and that’s something wholly different. Opening the ritual with the melodic-yet-pulverizing soundscapes of “Mantle” was a perfect choice to show this crowd what kind of experience they were in for. Foreboding clean guitars are layered with grisly enormous riffs, sickly twisted with the ghastly screams and contortions of their enigmatic vocalist. His stage movements can be likened to a snake slithering about, combined with moments of cathartic post…