The Indies Lineup #1

And now, it's time to do a lineup of current indies VK bands that have been on my radar lately. So, with no further delay, here goes.

RENTRER EN SOI has been on an up-down-up-down kind of release path. With their recent Diruisms, one would expect at least a pinch of awesome, but, even though they've been making good music, it's not really praiseworthy. Their latest album, THE BOTTOM OF CHAOS was a big letdown after all the hype that I had for it. I hate myself and want to... and Amongst Foolish Enemies were amazing singles, and I expected more awesome, and was met with horrible remakes, bland new songs, and overall horrible production. Also, bad PVs. I want to forgive them, but I don't see it getting better from here. Rejected.

Sadie is a good band, who also has their share of Diruisms, but, has been also a bit on the 'disappointment' side. Sorry to say it, but The Bullet Storm hasn't really lasted more than a few listens, and quite frankly, it doesn't have much of an effect on me anymore. A Holy Terrors was a stinker, and the following mini album didn't make up for it. Can't really keep trying to fully support their current direction. No thanks. Rejected.

The Piass is just under Dir en grey on my "List of bands who can do no wrong" list. Dolei is still settling in my ears, but, I know, once I'm used to it, I'll really love it. Takayuki is the coolest VKer ever, because he never sold out or toned down his music or visuals. While I'm most likely missing out on alot about them because I don't live in Japan, I still enjoy him them alot. And the new vocalist is awesome. ..Even though I prefer Takayuki's voice. I was actually expecting disappointment, but they really impressed me. I'm hoping that the chemistry with the new vocalist builds more so that they get a feel for eachother's styles and can write with them better. Approved!

Kaya is getting hard to like. With the freshness of both his voice and his gimmick wearing off, I find it hard to care about anything he does. His vocals have not changed a bit, his music is still Schwarz Stein-ey, and he has done the same thing forever. I'm waiting to see something besides drag queen dance music with drag queen clothing. I'd like to hear him do something more. Sure, die hard fans will eat up anything he does, but I'm sick of him singing to the same beat with the same voice. Sorry, Kaya. Rejected.

Skull is pretty good. They have lots and lots of potential (And this could go either way, with a VK band), and they have a good sense of rhythm. Their key changing and sudden happy choruses are pretty nice. Not much to say about them, since they're so new, but I'm eager to hear more from them. Approved.

Maverick is pure awesome. I can't even begin to explain how much I love their music. I wasn't expecting much out of SILENT DEATH, an, actually, I was expecting a dark rehash of previous songs. Of course, I was forgetting that even though Kray has an odd voice, he has a good sense of vocal harmony and melody. Everything is so.. together. They get the job done with just one guitarist (With a suprising lack of cheating!), and actually have an interesting bassist. Sure there are alot of young angry visual bands out there, but MaveRick stomps them all out. Approved.

Versailles is just another face in the VK crowd. Diddlediddle synth. Widdlumwiddlum guitars. Deep Engrishy vocals. we've heard this a million times. Next. Rejected.

Rentrer en Soi - Self Titled

Today I will be reviewing Rentrer en Soi's self titled album. Couldn't review Kaya's single because it is not available at the moment. So here goes.

I was impressed with this, but not TOO impressed with this album on first listen, and now.. It's at 'okay' level. EIther I haven't completely gotten into it, or it just is average. But here's the track by track on it.


Mawaru - This is another... intro. Does not fit in with the next song.

Bunretsu LE+DD Jinkaku - I don't know about anyone else, but I think this is amazing. I've heard people say things about how Satsuki screams, but I actually like it. The growling at the end is also a definate win. This song is very strange for ReS because most bands lose their edge after a while, but ReS doubled theirs! They became.. awesome! Not much to say about the guitarage because... well it's kinda average. The drumming is very nice though.

Giragira - This song isn't bad. It's kinda weak, but oh well. It's also generic. I find it to be listenable though. Which makes it good enough for me. Around 2:00 the song picks up though. So, that's acceptable.

DEAD believe ME - This song has just enough THUD for me to enjoy. It sounds like kids playing a Withering to death song. Or something.

PROTOPLASM - Well, this was my first taste of Satsuki's screamage. And I loved it. It sounds adorably Kyo-like. The acoustic guitar parts are just.. wonderful! It's to be expected of ReS. I find the chorus to actually be quite catchy. There are a few corny moments in this song, but they're ignorable, because the song is that good. Nice lead single.

Gedoku magai ni SUICIDE - It's okay if you do that, but not LIKE that.

Strawberry Oblaat - Reminds me of Alice Nine at the shouty part in the beginning. I like this better though. It's a strange song. Sounds like it'd be very fun live! With all the shouting and jumping and hand motions.

Misemonogoya - Am I allowed to cringe at the crappiness of this song? It tastes manufactured and poppy.

Karasu iro no taiji - This song is booooring.

Seishinshi Jusandome - This on the other hand, isn't. I like it. It has plenty of punch, growling, and the likes. I like that. It sounds like a harder, swingless, simpler Merry. And I'm okay with that. Because that's kinda what Merry has turned into anyway.

JUDE. - This song isn't bad, but it isn't good either. I might love it later, but eh.

Song With Long Title - NO.


There we have it. Another review. Yeah.. That one was boring to me because the album doesn't really appeal to me as much at the moment. Maybe later I'll be listening to it alot more.