It's been a long time since we last met here on the A-Z. I know you've all been twisted up in knots worrying about where I've been all this time. Well, worry no more, for today I have an all new listing of Japanese bands for you to peruse at your leisure.
Actually, the A-Z has a new home of sorts. I've been collecting it over at the official ZB's A-Z of J-Music blog. Check it out if you just can't wait to get your J-music fix. I'll be collecting the updates from time to time and lugging them back to Jtor, which is what I have for you today. Since I've previously made the trip from A to Z as well as a few numbers, this is simply a collection of eight more Japanese bands to add to the list. Much like Japantor Radio, this group ranges from rock to pop to viz-kei.
So, make with the jump!
Blood
Blood is a vis-kei band formed in 2002. The have the typical over the top visual style and typically gothic mission:
From 2004 to 2006, BLOOD worked under the concept VENGEANCE for BLOOD, basing all band activities on the theme of vampires. From 2006 to 2007, they conducted all activities under the concept of the French poetry collection Les Fleurs Du Mal (The Flowers of Evil) by Charles Baudelaire.
Their sound has evolved over the years from a simpler glam-rock based style to a more electronic and metal approach. Fu-ki's vocals are high and a little weak on the softer songs, with the usual forced smooth darkness slathered on top.
While they are working hard to tour across the world, they are also strongly against music downloading of any kind.
Many people can listen to our sample MP3s on the internet. But there are some bad persons that make illegal download sites. I can't forgive this kind of shit person. Illegal download means they rape me and our songs. [link]
They continue their quest for grassroots domination of the world with a tour in Mexico at the end of 2007 and the US in 2008.
Members Vocal: Fu-ki Programming & guitar: Kiwamu Bass: Kaede
Releases DEAD-HEARTED (September 9, 2007) best collection 2002-2007 (August 8, 2007) LES FLEURS DU MAL (July 7, 2007) Spleen ~Despair~ VENGEANCE for BLOOD VENGEANCE for BLOOD2 2nd PERIOD DX 1st PERIOD DX THE FUNERAL FOR HUMANITY
The Brown
The Brown are a relatively young post punk, progressive indie rock trio (with a revolving bass player.) They're a bit like Buggy Craxone with a dose of Evanescence in the vocal department. The Brown throws out a lot of changes in every song, bouncing from frenetic, almost heavy metal riffs ala 9mm Parabellum Bullet, to softer passages where vocalist Ai gets to strut her stuff. All of the arrangements are equally schizophrenic, with waltz tempos and acoustic guitars interjecting in between the faster passages, all the while gradually building back into a massive math rock workout. With only one album released, there is hopefully much more to come from this very promising group.
Coltemonikha is yet another electro project from producer Nakata Yasutaka, the man behind Capsule and Perfume, among others. This time he brings along vocalist Sakai Kate to add the sugary frosting to the Daft Punk-like beats and Pizzacato Five sense of style. Coltemonikha is almost an exact replica of the aforementioned bands. In a blind taste test I would be very hard-pressed to tell the difference between songs like Coltemonikha's "Sora Tobu Hikari," Capsule's "Sugarless Girl" and Perfume's "Computer City." They are essentially the same song. Not that there's anything wrong with that. A good pop/dance/electro song is a good pop/dance/electro song is a good op/dance/electro song, and Nakata Yasutaka has the formula down to a science.
Members Sakai Kate (vocals) Nakata Yasutaka (everything else)
Major Releases COLTEMONIKHA (2006.05.17) COLTEMONIKHA 2 (2007.09.26)
After you watch the Coltemonikha video above, check out the perfume and Capsule videos below to see what I'm talking about.
Eufonius
Simply put, Eufonius are an anime band. For the past four years the duo of Hajime Kikuchi (music) and Riya (vocals) have created a large number of songs used in anime openings and endings, including those for Himawari!, Noein, and most recently Clannad. Their sound is a bit like that of Under17, only much more mellow and mature. Most of their songs are mid-tempo and light, with twinkling electronic backing tracks under soft, lilting vocals. They occasionally kick things up a notch or two for some fun pop songs, but for the most part they play it safe and soft.
Formed in 1998, Mix Market have since been mixing fuzzy pop indie rock songs with a mellow, happy outlook through three full length albums. Their forth, Shiawase no Elephant , is set to release in November 2007. They have a mid-'90s "alternative" feel in that they feature dreamy, yet "grungy" rock a bit like The Breeders or the Blake Babies, only much much happier. Singer Yutty downplays the usual over the top girlie vocals one so often hears in female fronted Japanese bands, yet still manages to keep things light and shiny. Despite all of this, the songs aren't quite as catchy as one would expect, making them more of a background soundtrack than a full on, fist pumping sing-along.
Major Releases: Shiawase no Elephant (2007/11/07) Treasure Land (2003/03/15) Chronicle (2004/05/08) Fuzzy Floor (2001/03/25)
You can also watch some Windows Media formatted videos here.
Moi dix Mois
Moi dix Mois is the "solo" project of the undisputed god of Japanese goth (aka vis-kei), Mana. The former guitar player in the seminal vis-kei band Malice Mizer, Mana is a one man goth machine, running his own band, stage show, record label and clothing line. His image is a regular feature in just about every Japanese goth fashion magazine. Oh, and he never speaks in public.
Moi dix Mois is a highly theatrical band, but then again it woulnd't be vis-kei without the visuals. Its songs, written exclusively by Mana of course, rely on an array of harpsichord and organ sounds as their base, filled in with heavy metal guitar riffs (played on Mana's own specially designed guitar, of course) and thundering drums. The vocals swing from syrupy and smarmy, to guttural and growling. The overall result sounds like Castelvania music turned up to eleven.
The name means "me" (moi) and "ten month" (dix mois). Apparently the number ten has a deep meaning for Mana who sees it as the beginning (1) and the infinite (0). Whatever you (don't) say, sir.
The line-up is in constant flux. Here is who is currently in the band:
Mana – guitar Seth – vocals K – guitar and vocals Sugiya – bass Hayato – drums
Major Releases Dix Infernal (March 19, 2003) Nocturnal Opera (July 20, 2004) Beyond the Gate (March 1, 2006) Dixanadu (March 28, 2007)
The Screaming Frogs
The Screaming Frogs are a feel-good indie pop rock band that sound remarkably like Judy and Mary. I even had to double and triple check just to make sure that Judy and Mary singer Yuki wasn't actually the singer Tama from The Screaming Frogs. I still have my doubts, and I really wouldn't be at all surprised if Tama (the ex-Hysteric Blue singer) was just a Yuki pseudonym, they sound that similar. Tama has the same clear and high voice and always sounds like she's smiling when she's singing. Anyway, The Screaming Frogs' music also sounds much like that of Judy & Mary, only more down-tempo and groovy, a bit like The Brilliant Green. It would also seem the The Screaming Frogs is really a glorified Tama solo project, as the other members are listed as "support." While rather unremarkable overall, they do make for nice background music when, say, you're sick and camped out on the couch with some soup.
Major Releases The Frogs At Beautiful Sunset（2004/12/15） For the Frogs（2005/6/22)
Versailles
Versailles is a brand new band formed by an ex-member of Lareine. They are a vis-kei band of the drab and frilly variety. Their sound is just as dark and frilly as their attire, being soaring epic metal. Well, the one song they've released so far is epic and metal. Is it just me, or is it hilarious to see a guy dressed up as a woman in outrageously over the top Victorian lace and totally shredding on the guitar? All with a completely blank and/or board look on his face? Great stuff. Also, the lead singer playing the part of Lestat to a T will certainly go a long way in certain circles. Anyway, they do indeed bring a high level of musicianship to the table. This first song "Revenant Choir" is sung almost entirely in English. Will this pattern of blistering epic metal and syrupy, mumbling English continue on throughout the rest of the Lyrical Sympathy album? I certainly hope so, and you can expect a full review of the album soon after its release this Halloween.
I found a site with more links and videos at http://www.boxsweeper.com Enjoy! ;)
hey all, I just uploaded a bunch of new release movies to my video blog, check it out http://www.whoglog.com :)
OMG I totally love it.. But still.. I think you maid one tiny mistake.. with the band Moi dix Mois.. You can say whatever you want.. but the vocals (singer) is not Seth.. but Gackt.. I mean. the face.. the voice.. it must be him. Gackt not Seth.. But further.. I totally think they are awesome ^_^
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