Song of the Day: Silver Ash - Gorgeous Devil

Many of the veterans of the visual-kei scene will be familiar with the name Silver Ash. Silver Ash are one of the first visual kei bands to come out from China, having been founded in Beijing. They are not well-known to most younger fans (who, at most, are familiar with ParanoiD, Venue, and other current VK bands from Hong Kong), but at one time they were rather popular. Their song Gorgeous Devil is one of my favorite tracks. 

Song of the Day: Melechesh - Negative Theology

I will admit that I find metal rooted in traditional music to be  one of the most engaging genres possible. From Orphaned Land to ChthoniC, from Kagrra to Rudra, I find myself enchanted by the timeless melodies that echo amidst the clanging chaos and the sounds of battle. Metal is meant to portray a battle - perhaps that is why some of the heaviest metal comes from Scandinavia, where vikings had once feasted in the name of Odin and planned their battles. In that line of thought, the Middle East should also produce music of battle, music of war, music steeped in blood and tears and sweat and history - and they do. Melechesh is one such band, and today's song of the day is a prime example of excellent metal. 

Megadeth - Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!

Megadeth's first album. Definitely my favorite! It keeps to amaze me the fact that their first album is so good, usually first albums are not necessarily bad, but not the best either. It amazes me even more the fact that they managed to record such a great album even after they spent half of their already limited budget in drugs/alcohol, I wonder what it would've been like if they didn't... but I guess we can see some of that on the remastered version, which I recommend over the "original" if you're looking for sound quality. This album enters my top 3 Megadeth albums right next to Countdown To Extinction and Youthanasia

Magenta Beach

Some bands make it, some bands don't. Some bands have great music, and terrible PR. Other bands just don't give a f*** and make music for the love of it. Magenta Beach is one of those bands...

Magenta Beach has 5 members:

Ali (Vo,)

Candy (Bass, Vo.)

Kosuke (Guitar)

Maro (Drums)

Chemizalfa (DJ)

I can't accurately recall the first time I met these guys. I want to believe it was in 2008, at a show at Club Asia in Shibuya. At the time, I had no idea their music would find its way to my iPod, but flash forward to 2012 and I can't help but smile every time I hear one of their songs come up on shuffle.

Hakai Hayabusa ( ハカイハヤブサ )

While waiting in the clubs for the headliners to play, I've often discovered new bands I would have otherwise never known existed.  I've been introduced to some really great bands, and really great people via this method. One such notable group I've met via a random encounter is the band Hakai Hayabusa (ハカイハヤブサ).

Pictured: KZ (Gu./Vo.)

Hakai Hayabusa was formed in 2002 and was originally a three piece band. Hakai Hayabusa currently consists of four members:

KZ (Guitar, Vocals)

Nori (Drums)

Moby (Bass, Chorus)

WACK (Guitar, Chorus)

I've rocked out with Hakai Hayabusa live a few times. I remember first seeing them (meeting them, and partying with them) on August 8, 2008 at a show in Tokyo. I was at the show to support my friends in the band Chokesleeper, but before they were due up to the stage that evening, this super chill, surf-punk band ruled the stage (Hakai Hayabusa).

Song of the Day - HellHounds - Dante

What do you know, I'm back folks. Following a flood of biblical proportions in the studio, of course. In any case, I'd like to bring you guys a little something that floated up in my Youtube suggestions today: Hellhounds, by Dante. 

Song of the Day - Norra el Norra - Orphaned Land

We have previously featured Orphaned Land on this site, and the fact is, we love their music. So, today, we are featuring another of their songs as song of the day. This time, it is Norra el Norra, from the album Mabool.

Interview & Free Music: Koboloris

 Today, we have a special treat for everyone! This is our 100th blog post - on the 2-month anniversary of our founding. It is a big anniversary for all of us and we are delighted to bring you guys an interview with the rising stars of British black metal - Koboloris from Leeds!! So, read on for more info on these guys, as well as a FREE DOWNLOAD!

Song of the Day - Lupinotuum - Koboloris

Today's song of the day comes to us from the gloomy, rainy Leeds, where angry people make black metal music worth listening. 

PaymoneyTomyPain

One of my personal favorite bands from Japan, PaymoneyTomyPain offers up a collection of rhythmic hits, each with their own catchy guitar riffs and punk/rock hooks. Formed in 2005, PTP continues to make waves throughout the Japanese music scene.

The band consists of four main members: 

K - Vocals

Pablo - Guitar

Zax - Drums

Tsuyoshi - Bass

Albums

• Another Day Comes (September 12, 2007)
• After You Wake Up (March 18, 2009)
• Remember the Name (January 26, 2011)

Song of the Day - Cherry Pie - Warrant

It's Fourth of July here in the US of A, and y'all know what that means - barbecue, fireworks, and pie. Oh yeaaah. It's a party in the USA and everyone's invited! Thus, today's song of the day is Warrant's Cherry Pie. They've managed to fit all the hair metal cliches into one video, it's almost hilarious to watch.

Song of the Day - Sister Christian - Night Ranger

Not going to explain why this song, today, but why not, they're good.

Song of the Day - GOTHIC CIRCUS - Sads

As usual, when low on Song of the Day ideas, we look to Sads for inspiration and material. Generally it is hard to find disappointment - everything is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. 

Song of the Day - Carry on Wayward Son - Kansas

I sweaaaaar I was not watching Supernatural today. Or anytime in the past year, actually. It's an awesome show, I'll give it that - however, my interest in classic rock dates waaaay back before Dean Winchester ever drove a Chevy Impala.

Song of the Day - "AWAKE" by EGG BRAIN

Short Live Show Recap - Suaka at Saint Vitus Bar - July 23rd 2012

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of catching a Suaka show at the undoubtedly haunted Saint Vitus heavy metal bar in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The night was fraught with ill luck, cameras not working and running out of batteries, strange shapes showing up in photos, and dead birds on the sidewalk.

Song of the Day - "PIERROT" CLUTCHO

     Greetings, readers! It's Nex, again. For today's Song of the Day, I present to you, "PIERROT" by the rock band CLUTCHO. The band was formed in Anjoshi, Aichi, Japan in 2002. Definitely check them out!

     Homepage: http://www.clutcho.com/

     Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/clutchoJP

     YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/clutchotv

     Twitter: https://twitter.com/clutcho

     If you enjoy our articles, interviews, and reviews, then keep informed of updates by typing in your email address in the box on the right hand side that says "Follow by email"! You won't get any spam, just emails when we post new articles!

INTERVIEW - JONNY 5 (FLOBOTS) - Cracking the Surface of a Musical Freedom Fighter

Recently I managed to catch Jonny 5 the lead vocalist of Flobots for an interview. This was very hard mind you since they're recording a new album and when I last spoke to him he was off the grid! I really appreciate him taking the time to answer me though! I did this entire interview on my phone and I can ride my bike with no handlebars ;)

Song of the Day - "NO ESCAPE" coldrain

     Why, hello again. Nex here with another Song of the Day!
   

     Today I bring you "NO ESCAPE" by the band coldrain. While I'm not the best at labeling genres, I'd say it's a post-hardcore - hardrock sound. Either way, it's a hard hitting song with great guitar work, and screaming in parts. The song itself was featured in a commercial for the popular game: Biohazard: Operation Raccoon City. 

     coldrain is one of those bands that have been consistently rising up in the rock scene in Japan. They're definitely a band worth checking out.

     Check out their website: http://coldrain.jp
     Twitter: https://twitter.com/coldrain_jp

     If you enjoy our articles, interviews, and reviews, then keep informed of updates by typing in your email address in the box on the right hand side that says "Follow by email"! You won't get any spam, just emails when we post new articles!

Mini-Album Review - SiM ``LiFE and DEATH``

SiM 『LiFE and DEATH』

Release date: May 2, 2012

GILS-1002

     I had heard of the band SiM before, but I never listened to them. It wasn't until I was wandering around a store in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo and walked past a display of their new Mini-Album, 『LiFE and DEATH』 that I actually heard their music.They had the music video for “AMY” playing, and I liked how it sounded, and they also looked cool. I felt very compelled to get the CD.

     SiM (Silence iz Mine) lists their style as “REGGAE PUNK (STREET PUNK / HARD CORE / SCREAMO meets SKA / REGGAE)” on their website. Well, that pretty much sums up the sound of 『LiFE and DEATH』. It's a very intriguing mix that really works for them. I'll be honest, I have never heard anything like it.