Anime Review: Ruin Explorers

Welcome back fellow Otaku & Metalheads (Once again, especially of the female persuasion) to part 2 of Power Metal Pandemonium!

Like I said at the end of my review for Battle Beast’s second album, I would be checking out an anime that fits the theme of Power Metal. I have to admit it’s actually been a while since my last anime review (Late March, if you were curious), and I apologize for this. Compilation Month & Catchup Month really didn’t leave much room for me to check out a shows, and that is the only excuse I will give. Anyways, onto the anime for today’s review. Given how often fantasy (Both Eastern & Western) enters this animated medium, there were a wealth of options to pick. Ultimately, I picked a more simplistic show to close out the month. Something that would be easy for all of you to digest, given I got something intense to end out this fantasy-flavored event. In any case, sharpen your sword, dust off your spellbook, and get ready for a look at Ruin Explorers. Let the review begin!

Story/Setup
Taken from the description on Amazon:

“Ancient curses, enchanted artifacts and plain old fashioned dungeon diving: that's what Fam and Ihrie do for a living - whenever these lovely young ladies can get someone to pay them for it, that is. As two highly trained magic users with slightly faulty spelling abilities (Fam can't do anything destructive and Ihrie keeps turning into a mouse,) they're off on a quest for the "Ultimate Power." All they have to do is find three artifacts: the Proof Of Royalty, the Sword of Sargus and the Mirror of Truth. So how hard can it be? Unfortunately, Sorceress Rasha and her muscle-headed partner Migel are on the same quest, as are the mysterious Prince Lyle, the anything for a buck merchant Galuff with his dog Gil, and the sinister magician Rugudurol! And to make this epic odyssey even more odd and complex, it's not really clear as to exactly which ones are the bad guys! Hold onto your talismans and amulets, because the road to high adventure is about to have a multi-mage pileup, and the fate of all humanity may just be in the hands of two underpaid young women trying to make a living as RUIN EXPLORERS!”

I have to admit, but this is a really cool story! It’s got all the signs of a really great fantasy anime, and it can really draw you in. Here’s the problem.....this show doesn’t last long. In fact, Ruin Explorers runs for only 4 episodes! With a story like this, I’d expect it to go on for 10 to 13 episodes. Due to this short run time, you really can’t get attached to the story & characters (Although I think the characters fair better somewhat). In fact, once you get to episode 3, it almost feels like you missed a few episodes that probably had some story elements to them. It’s a crying shame, as what we are given works. I just wished we had a few more episodes to flesh things out more. That’s all.

Animation
As you’re watching this show, you’re probably thinking to yourself “Huh, this reminds me of Slayers”....and you’d be right! In fact, the original creator/director of Slayers actually worked on this, and it shows. Both have the same strengths, weaknesses, issues......and I like it! Both Slayers & Ruin Explorers are consistent with how they look, and it’s always great to see this, especially in old-school anime. I’ll explain in greater detail when I review Slayers itself, but that might be a while.

Voice Acting
I am pleasantly surprised by the voice acting in Ruin Explorers. ADV Films always had a good stable of voice actors, and for the most part their dub jobs were good, although there were some exceptions (Ghost Stories comes to mind). This show has a good dub job, as everybody puts in a good amount of effort with their assigned roles. Though I wasn’t able to recognize most of the actors, I was able to pick out Jessica Calvello & Brett Weaver when I was watching. You might recognize those names from the list of voice actors that worked on Excel Saga. Jessica voiced Excel for the first half of the series, which Brett took on the mantle of the psychotic Nabeshin. The effort from that show seems to come over to Ruin Explorers in regards to their roles, but overall everybody does a good job.

Characters
Due to the short length of the story, you’re not given enough time to bond with the cast of Ruin Explorers. However, what time you are given does give you some understanding of how they work. Ihrie, the spellcaster & swordslinger of the group, is very headstrong & tomboyish. Fam on the other hand is a little ditzy & innocent, but at the same time is very optimistic & kind. The rest of the cast have personalities that seem very typical, but at the same time work so well it’s actually hard to complain. As the story goes on you see changes in everybody, but their core nature never really shifts.

Availability & Pricing
ADV Films were the original holder of Ruin Explorer’s license, and as such has become something of a tough title to find. Luckily, Amazon always seems to pull through. I should mention that I bought my new copy years back, and it was relatively inexpensive (Forgot the price). Nowadays a new DVD from ADV will cost you about 20 dollars, while used copies start at $7.75. Luckily, Section 23 re-released Ruin Explorers back in 2013, and the prices are a little more reasonable: $11.99 for a new DVD, and $7.72 for used.

Overall Impression & Rating
Ruin Explorers is a fun little OVA. It might not be the most essential anime to watch, nor is it the most required for one’s collection, but if it somehow comes your way, give it a look. You’ll find this little series to be a lot of fun. It might be forgettable in some ways, but it has enough energy & intensity that you’ll definitely be paying attention when it’s on the screen. In short, I say get & watch Ruin Explorers. It might not be high on your chart, but it certainly gets the job done if you need a fix.

Ruin Explorers gets a 7.5 to 8 out of 10.

So that was a look at Ruin Explorers. Maybe a little like Slayers, but at the same time has enough of it’s own identity to be a series all on it’s own. It might not be massively memorable, but it’s fun regardless. With this, we conclude Ladies Month here during Power Metal Pandemonium. So see you all next month (Technically tomorrow) when we reach the final part of this fantasy-fueled journey, as we look at a band that’s devoted to the tradition of Power Metal, but has a militaristic twist to their music. Until then, may you explore all sorts of ruins.

Album Review: Battle Beast's Battle Beast

Welcome back to part 2 of Power Metal Pandemonium, fellow Otaku & Metalheads (Especially those of the female persuasion)!

2 weeks ago we looked at an iconic album from the equally iconic Nightwish, and man was it a hit! It was as strong & impressive as a man, but thanks to Tarja Turunen's vocals, gave it a feminine edge & sensibility that was really refreshing to the metal scene. However, not all women who enter the realm of Heavy Metal posses grace & beauty. Sometimes, you get a girl that’s full of fury, toughness, and strength. Sometimes, you get a girl that when she opens her mouth & sings, you swear that you heard a guy. I can think of no better example than those Finnish badasses known......as Battle Beast!

Yes, Battle Beast. Though they’re a relatively recent band, it’s obvious that from the very beginning that these guys have a bright future ahead of them. They’re very dedicated to the ways of Power Metal, but at the same time have a deep reverence for metal from it’s heyday back in the 1980s. Coupled with references to anime, manga, and science fiction, and you have a band that’s perfect for old-school metalheads, and new-age geeks of all stripes. Yeah Power Metal can be nerdy sometimes, but not all bands that take up the mantle go in that direction. So sit back, maybe get a soda and your d20, and get ready for a look at Battle Beast’s second release. Let the review begin!

Background
Taken from Wikipedia:

“In Autumn 2012, after touring the Finnish rock festivals for the summer, Nitte Valo was announced to be leaving the band because of family issues. With the news of her departure, came the announcement of a new lead singer Noora Louhimo from Tampere, Finland. With Louhimo in the band, Battle Beast started another European tour in November, this time supporting the Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica.

After the tour, the band immediately went into studio to record their second album. The label Hype Productions had gone out of business and the band moved on to Warner Music Finland, with Nuclear Blast still handling international releases. The first single with Noora Louhimo on vocals, "Into the Heart of Danger" was released on 26 April 2013, followed by the album Battle Beast on 17 May 2013. Another single and a music video for the song "Black Ninja" was released to coincide with the release of the album. The album topped the sales of its predecessor easily, peaking at No. 5 and staying on the charts for 17 weeks. The album also charted on various European countries including Germany. The following autumn Battle Beast headed on another European tour, this time supporting the German bands Powerwolf and U.D.O..”   

Now here’s my story about an experience with the band: for a few years I never actually heard of Battle Beast, apart from listening to a song or two from their 2015 release. Come April of this year, and I have a ticket to a concert that my Dad bought me, and on the docket were 3 bands (Never knew it was 3). There was Battle Beast, Leaves Eyes, and the main band I went to see (I’ll be talking about them next month). Battle Beast was the first band up, and it was actually their first time in the United States! For their first time in the USA, they brought their a-game, and for a brief moment in time, I felt like I was transported to the heart of the Heavy Metal scene back in the 1980s. Not many modern metal bands can say they do this, but Battle Beast is a rare exception.

Basic Description
Old-School vibes wearing a modern suit.

Alright, let’s get the old-school part out of the way. Battle Beast are the living embodiment of all things 80s metal, not to mention Power Metal. They play like they’re an old-school band, and they have the look of one as well (Noora Louhimo had a streak of pink in her hair if I remember right, and it was definitely a wild hairstyle). It’s obvious when the old-school kicks in when certain beats, rhythms, and moments of vocal work show up. There’s a general cheesiness that comes with 80s Heavy Metal, and coupled with what seems like the older style of Power Metal they play, it just makes these aspects that much more obvious.

Where the “Modern Suit” comes into play involves the production quality. While Battle Beast plays like an older band, that age doesn’t translate into how the album was constructed. The sound is crisp, the transition between each song is seamless, yet it doesn’t ruin the vibe of the music. This kind of thing doesn’t always happen, but it’s welcome when it does.

Best Track
I’m not sure if I can pick one! Battle Beast did a good job......a damn good job with every.....single.....track! Within each & every single tune there’s a deep love for fantasy & science fiction. A deep love of all things old school Heavy Metal. From Berserk flavored tracks like Golden Age & Kingdom, to the cyberpunk-painted Neuromancer (A song that references the classic Cyberpunk book), you’ll be geeking out just as much as you’ll be headbanging. So for me, I’ll go on the record and say that all of the songs on this album are the best.

As for my favorite track......gotta go with Into The Heart Of Danger. Located right around the middle of the album, this is the song that you should listen to before you go into something big & you need a big dose of courage. Whether it's proposing to the one you love, going for a new business venture, or simply trying something new. Even if you're not doing any of these things, this track is still incredible! A healthy dose of 80s vibes, complete with modern day production & a healthy dose of Power Metal cheese, creates an experience that's just awesome!

Into The Heart Of Danger

Worst Track
If there was anything to complain about, it would be decided to make their 2nd release the self-titled one. Now I’m all for bands (Metal or Otherwise) naming an album after the band’s name, but you usually do it for the first record (Metallica were able to get away with it for their 5th album). It’s just silly!

Other
If you’re interested in listening to this album, check out the link below:

Battle Beast

Overall Impression & Rating
Battle Beast hit it out of the park when it comes to their second album. Though I thought it was goofy for them to name their 2nd release after themselves, it’s blatantly obvious that the music definitely the opposite of such words. With one foot firmly in the past, another foot in the realm of Power Metal, and a healthy dose of respect for both, it’s obvious that this group is a force to be reckoned with. Given that they managed to put an album out back in early February, it’s obvious that they’re not going away anytime soon. My final words about this album: listen to it!!!

Battle Beast gets a out 10 of 10. It’s that damn good!

So that was a look at Battle Beast’s 2nd & self-titled album. The band channels to glory of the past, and brings it right to the modern day for everyone to enjoy. There’s a little bit of Ladies Month left on Power Metal Pandemonium, so 2 weeks from now I’ll be looking at an anime that positively screams Power Metal. Until then, may you know the beast in your mind, and the beast in your heart.

Convention Review - Connecticon 2017

Welcome to my annual review for Connecticon fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

I have to admit.....I might have been a little about the con in my review last year. Even though I had fun, I certainly gripped about a bunch of stuff. I can only attribute my frustration to having gone to the convention for so long, that I’d kind of expect it to stay the same. However.....Can 1 year make a difference? Can 1 year allow for fixing & improvement!? Well, take a look below and find out!

Good Points
So let’s start off with the part of the review that I like the most, and that’s the good stuff about the convention!

Once again I decided to pre-reg for the convention. Like last year, it was a quick & easy process, and while it was expensive (75 dollar base price + 5.99 dollar surcharge), I had a badge on standby for when I got there. The pre-reg line was quick, and it only took a few moments to get my badge. Funny story: lanyards for the badges weren’t available at the time, and one of the con-staffers say they apparently had lost them on the way there, but the next day they received them. Something I thought that would get you a little chuckle.

The people were a big treat as usual at Connecticon. Cosplayers of all grades were there, ethnicities of so many groups, it was impressive. They were all talkative in their own way, and were really friendly. There were some really cool costumes, with the most intriguing being a girl cosplaying as Chun-Li from Street Fighter, and she incorporated her Hijab into the costume. A great way to keep your own culture while dressing up as another. In fact, I like it so much, here’s a picture of her!

The various merchants & sellers were great as usual. Though my budget was a little strained this year (My fault), I still walked away with a healthy amount of goods. 3 boxes of pocky, 2 bottles of Ramune, 2 anime DVDs, 1 volume of manga, 1 Commander 2015 deck (Call the Spirits. A nice black/white enchantment deck), and the Commander Anthology pack at a con-special price (129.99 compared to 144.45 on Amazon). Even the booths I didn’t buy stuff from had a wonderful selection of stuff for others to buy. Artists had some awesome stuff, and even the guests that came were great & varied as well (Pricing for autographs & pictures from some guess were unfortunately high again).

If it looks & sounds like I’m repeating things from last year, then you have my apologies. I’m not trying to be lazy, but in a way not much changes per year in regards to what I thought was good. The one new thing I can talk about is the expansion of the game areas. Last year in place of where the rave was is a big tabletop room. Games fill a part of the room, and you can pick & choose which one you want to play (All you have to do to borrow one is give them your license to hold onto). The other game area takes place in a portion where the dealers area was. Though the 2016 version certainly brought the goods, the 2017 was expanded with more arcade, console, & PC gaming. I never thought I’d ever see Quake 3 Arena at a convention, anime or otherwise!

Okay Points
There’s really only 1 thing that I’m putting here, and concerns the wee hours of Friday morning. I’m up, I’ve had breakfast, and I’m ready to go......only to find that the convention center wasn’t open (It was supposed to open at 9, but instead was an hour late). The reason I’m not putting this in the section below is that it really wasn’t the con staff’s fault. If I had to take a guess, I’d say that the convention center staff had a few things that weren’t up, and if that’s the case I can understand. Granted 1 hour was shaved off the day, but I can get it.

Bad Points
And here’s where I get a little critical. Unfortunately, Connecticon 2017 is chained down by the prior year in terms of issues: curfew, not as many quality panels, reduced staff size, etc. All of what I complained about last year has come back, but in it’s defense, some faults were more obvious than other. What really bugs me was the entire feeling of the con. To a certain degree I felt like I wasn’t at Connecticon. Instead, I felt like I was at a Comic-Con. Now, I think the idea behind Comic-Con is cool, and see it work so well all over the United States is great! However, Connecticon should not become a Comic-Con. At first the rumors I heard last year were nonsense, likening it to people complaining too much. After talking with someone (Who’s name I can’t remember).....my fears might not be completely unjustified.

Overall Impression & Rating
Connecticon 2017, kinda like last year, was equal parts fun & flawed. There was definitely fun to be had, and I most certainly did, but the ghosts of the previous year’s convention seemed to have come back to haunt the place. Strangely, I wasn’t quite as annoyed, but at the same time reaffirms my fears of what the convention is turning into. Regardless, I came in with a smile on my face, and I left with one. Connecticon 2017.......nice job!

Connecticon 2017 gets a 7.5 out of 10.

So that was Connecticon 2017. Still a fine geeky weekend to have fun at, but has a few kinks in the armor thanks to 2016. With this review out of the way, it’s time to get back to part 2 of Power Metal Pandemonium, and we’ll get to my second review next week. See you then!




***
If you’re curious about my review from last year, the link is below:

Connecticon 2016 (Review)

Also, I’ll post up the attendance number when they come out.

Album Review: Nightwish's Oceanborn

Welcome to part 2 of Power Metal Pandemonium fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

Like I alluded to my last review back in June, the month of July is devoted to Power Metal bands where girls are the star! Though Heavy Metal could certain be sexist at times in it’s history, once women were allowed to enter the clubhouse as it were, every single guy that doubted the power of the fairer sex to rock & jam as hard as them were quickly evaporated. When it comes to Power Metal, it seemed like women found a place they could call home in a sense. The more graceful/beautiful voice of a woman really lent a force to the sword-and-sorcery stylings of this subgenre, and I could think of no other Power Metal band to first show this off....than Nightwish.

Yes, Nightwish. Since 1997, the group has crafted some of the finest Power Metal tinged Symphonic Metal ever put to a CD. Though they’ve had female leads change over the years, I can think the one that stands out over the rest would be their original lead, Tarja Turunen. A soprano that has a vocal range of three octaves, this woman’s voice helped put Nightwish on the map, and her sweet notes still ring in many of our ears to this very day. So to celebrate this phenomenal women and the power she wields, I though it would be fun to take a look at the band’s second album Oceanborn, and see just what the group was all about. Let the review begin!

Background
Taken from Wikipedia:

“Speaking to Kerrang! in 2008, band founder Tuomas Holopainen reminisced that the band got really ambitious after the debut album "that was never meant to be released as a proper record. It happened almost by accident, so we decided to put everything into making Oceanborn great." He added:

    We were all such amateurs when it came to recording. We didn't really know what we were doing, so we were just experimenting with a lot of different things, we even brought in this string trio who were complete shit, then another violin, then another violin on top. So we ended up with 'Moondance' having 20 tracks of violin, just because we hadn't done this before and didn't know what we were doing! It's a pretty stuffed album, but I also think it's one of our best because you can hear the excitement of trying all these new things. It seems strange that this became a breakthrough album, because back at the time the music was so funny. It was really operatic, and when you look at the pictures, they look pretty horrific.

According to Kerrang!, "for all its Royal Albert Hall grandiosity, Oceanborn was actually recorded in a Finnish school."

This album marked a definitive change in musical scope for Nightwish from their folk-laden roots in Angels Fall First, showcasing a more bombastic, power metal-oriented sound with faster tempos, harmonic guitar/keyboard leads, and plenty of double-bass-heavy drumwork. During that time, Stratovarius was Holopainen's biggest inspiration, hence the power metal sound of the album. Oceanborn's sound hearkens a more dramatic approach in the overall musical scope, mostly relegated to the symphonic keyboard work and lead singer Tarja Turunen's vocals. Most of the album is fantasy-themed, with tracks like "Swanheart" and "Walking in the Air", a cover from the animated TV special The Snowman, as typical examples; however, the song "Gethsemane", has a more religious feel to it. In addition, there are also some theatrical tracks like "Devil & the Deep Dark Ocean". Oceanborn is among their darkest albums, making use of the harsh vocals of Tapio Wilska in the songs "The Pharaoh Sails to Orion" and "Devil & the Deep Dark Ocean"”

Basic Description
90s Power Metal classic!

With the 80s out of the way (But with 80s pioneers still around), those that decided to take up the mantle of Power Metal found a blueprint laid out in front of them, and they all went in different directions but stayed true to formula at the same time. Nightwish was no exception to this, as they stayed true to the origins of Power Metal, but kept their symphonic origins intact at the same time. The end result is an album that’s distinctly Power Metal, but coupled with the symphonic element, adds an aura of sophistication that’s become common with many bands that go with this style. Coupled with an incredible female lead, and the staying power continues to stick around.

Best Track
Picking a single best track off of Oceanborn should be something of a crime. The whole entire album is filled with some of the finest Power Metal tinged Symphonic Metal (Or Symphonic Metal tinged Power Metal if you prefer that order), and it’s so incredibly moving you’re swept up in the emotion of it all. As far as my favorites are concerned, I’m torn between the 2nd track Gethsemane and the concluding track Walking in the Air. The former has something of a religious bent to it, which shouldn’t be a surprise since it actually references a passage from the bible concerning Jesus (Which one specifically, I don’t know), and it’s treat with a great deal of respect. The latter is actually a cover of a song. A cover used in an animated film of Raymond Briggs' 1978 children's book The Snowman, to be exact. Kinda like Gethsemane, there’s a level of reverence & respect that’s readily apparent throughout the whole track. Where as Tarja was louder & more operatic in the previously mentioned track, she more slower & melodic on this one, not to mention softer with her voice. It’s really beautiful, and it’s a song I definitely recommend.

Gethsemane

Walking in the Air

Worst Track
In a similar manner to Odyssey from last month, Oceanborn leans heavily towards one style over the other. In this album’s case, Oceanborn leans more towards the symphonic side of things rather than it’s Power Metal side. That’s not to say that there isn’t any Power Metal, or the fact that all of the songs don’t use Power Metal stylings, cause that’s not true in both case. The problem is that for some reason the record prefers to use one sub-genre over the other, and in the process creates a lop-sided product. A lop-sided product with quality, however.

Other
If you’re interested in listening to this album, check out the link below:

Oceanborn

Overall Impression & Rating
Oceanborn marks another step in the evolution of Power Metal. A step in which gender stigma is discarded, and both sides can find equal footing. Tarja Turunen unfortunately is no longer with Nightwish, but with her powerful voice has left a mark that has never gone away. While styles are a little uneven here on this album, it’s obvious that Symphonic Metal & Power Metal can easily become best friends, and can work incredible magic together. If you like your Power Metal more on the 90s side of things, Oceanborn might be the album for you!

Oceanborn gets a 9.5 out of 10. A nearly flawless classic!

So that was part 1 of Ladies Month over here in Power Metal Pandemonium. A look into how women can kick just as much as in the world of Heavy Metal as the guys can, and with a force like Power Metal out there, they can really accomplish a lot! See you all later this month, when I’ll have my annual Connecticon review up, not to mention a look at a modern Power Metal titan, fronted by one of the baddest chicks around! Until then, may you feel empowered ladies.