#xodiack

Here I am with the first part of this week’s review in “Let’s Listen to”! Today’s subject is the debut single of the Japanese singer Ice, entitled Ame wa shindai ni yowamaru (The rain gradually weakens) and released on 26th April 2017. Probably his name won’t say anything to you, but if you are a bit informed of the recent visual kei scene, everything will be clearer; in fact Ice is mostly known for having been the singer of two notable visual kei bands, XodiacK and Black Gene for the Next Scene and this first single is about the rain, symbol of weakness and pain. And now... let’s review!

-Ame wa shindai ni yowamaru: the single is opened as expected by the title-track, introduced by a strong beat, leading up to an energetic and attractive rock sound; Ice’s vocals are piercing and dark and his interpretations is really good, worth of his talent; a good way for starting the release. ---> 9/10

-Over [-]: the first b-side track features a more aggressive sound, with strong electronic elements, intervalled by soft beats and interesting riffs; the vocals are quite intense, with screamo parts, a sure hint to the singer’s musical past, in a good song. ---> 9/10

-Harness: the single ends with another extreme rock theme, incredibly emphasized by the energetic guitar, with darker vocals, which are well put inside the engaging melody, ending an interesting single. ---> 9/10

Final Vote ---> 9/10

With this single, the singer Ice showed to be capable of being good even by his own, thanks to his incredible vocal talent. The tracks here mentioned are a sure example of his ability of delivering deep and energetic performances inside rocking and dark themes, bringing out interesting results, as he used to do in his previous works. So, taking a path taken by other singers of notable bands (think about Gackt or recently ViViD’s Shin), he continues to develop his unique style, in a balanced rock release, hoping that it is a teaser for something bigger. A single for who missed Ice’s deep voice and for who loved XodiacK and Black Gene for the Next Scene.

owner: Sora (DEZERT / ex.XodiacK)

Here I am with a fresh review in "Let's Listen to...". Today's subject is the first mini-album from the Japanese electro-metal band Black Gene for the Next Scene, Haioku no Dance Parade (High-octane dance parade), released last week. The concept of this release is the same of their previous ones: the dance as a device of fun and as a catharsis, for coming out every feeling or thought, good or bad, and this justifies their wide use of electronic sounds in their songs. And now... let's dance!

-Torikago (Bird cage): the opening track starts with a powerful guitar which leads to an energetic rhythm; Ice's voice starts slowly and then becomes strong gradually through the song; then the song assumes a jazzish vibe, and here the rhythm suddenly changes, becoming faster, as always this band did in most of their hits. and finally returning to the starting theme; an excellent opening. ---> 9.5/10

-Haioku no dance (High-octane dance): powerful drums and Ice's screamo open this wonderful song; it has every peculiar feature of this band: electronic rhythm, auto-tune, rhythmical variety; note the wonderful Toki's solo, maybe his best one since the debut and the spectacular death finale. ---> 10/10

-Light be there: the guitar opens another rhytmical song which maintains the tone of the previous ones; a dancing song, typical of Black Gene for the Next Scene; another fabulous Toki's solo and a rhythm hard to forget. ---> 8.5/10

-Sora kara kobore ochiru 100oku no hikari (Ten billions of lights which fall spilling from the sky): their first ballad ever, already released as Christmas song in 18th December 2013, shows that they are capable to create soft songs; the melancholic voice of Ice, remindful of his Xodiack era, drives the whole song, first with piano and then with rock-electronic sound; another wonderful Toki's solo which carries the sadness of this track; therefore, as first ballad is really promising. ---> 10/10

-Yamiyo ni saku hana (Flower blooming in the dark night): this track, with its rock-electro rhytm, makes this release returning heavy; but no much as expected, because this track has a whirling sound but suggestive in its way and Ice helps much in this case; again the rhythmical change, well driven by Sala's drums. A good track. ---> 9/10

-Ouke ni hisomu monster party (Monster party that lurk in the royal family): the ending track reprises the vibe already seen in Cynical wor-world -This is monster world- and maybe it can be considered as a sequel of it; the song goes in a goth-electronic rhythm and in Ice's versatile singing; note the brief interlude between Sala and Rame, powerful Toki's sound, Ice's whispers and finally another death finale. ---> 9/10

Final Vote ---> 9/10

In conclusion, this release shows that Black Gene for the Next Scene is synonym of surprises. While in Dance to Rave -Nounai shake na song tachi-, we were almost prepared because most of the tracks were already known and appreciated, in this mini-album, apart from their first ballad, there were only unreleased songs and this makes the surprise grow more. I wish that they continue in this successful way because they are worth of a greater success. A mini-album for who loves Black Gene for the Next Scene and for who loves uncommon music.

That's all folks! See you tomorrow on the "Throwback Thursday" special!