RIZE 2012 Fallin' Tour

RIZE TOUR 2012 - Sponsored by Stride gum

Everyone's favorite Japanese grunge-rock band RIZE is back at it again, along with the release of their newest single, "Local Defense Organization." 

Song of the Day: ChthoniC - KAORU

By now, it should be painfully obvious to most of our regular readers that I am a HUGE fan of ChthoniC. Their latest album, Takasago Army embraces the theme of a WWII Taiwan. I am especially fond of the art style they chose for the posters and flyers - it really draws people in, as if it is another piece of wartime propaganda.

Song of the Day: Loreena McKennitt - Marakkesh Night Market

I am very fond of Celtic music, and Loreena McKennitt is probably the main reason for this. When I was in junior high school, my father gave me one of her albums to listen to, The Book of Secrets. I fell in love with her music, and it is a love that continues to this day. Traditional and innovative, McKennitt's music captures the ear and draws the listener into a world far away, filled with dreams and fragments of histories that long passed by.

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.