Hello, fellow Otaku & Metalheads, and welcome........to the summer of Thrash!!!!!!
From the month of June, all the way to August, I’ll be devoting time to one of the must iconic sub-genres of Heavy Metal. Since it’s arrival in the early 80s, Thrash Metal has gained a Genghis Khan sized horde of fans, and even in this modern time still has plenty of devoted followers (Including yours truly). Influenced by the speed of Punk & bands that would form the bedrock of Metal, Thrash is a genre that’s fast, catchy, and most definitely heavy!
So, for this most metallic of celebrations here on the Heavy Metal Otaku blog, this will be a little different. To spoil things a little, June will be devoted to the earliest days of Thrash Metal, when it was just an oddball among a new genre of music. Back on topic: for each month during this celebration, I’ll be doing two album reviews for each part, and they’ll both be focused on a particular Thrash theme. I’ve still got my standard reviews & such I’ll put out during this time, but because of the nature of this special event, I’m really going to limit myself so I can concentrate more on the theme in question. As such, I’m only got to put about 1 normal review up each month, although June will have two special posts up. In fact, the first of these special posts will be up tomorrow, and it’ll be celebrating my number 1 game of 2015 (Hint Hint). In the meantime, put on your leather coats & ragged jeans, cause for three months, this blog will be thrashing like never before. See you next week, when we’ll look at a Thrash release from one of the most iconic founders of the genre.
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Monday, May 16, 2016
Album Review (Obscurus Metalus) - Septicflesh's Revolution DNA
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| 1999 Original Cover |
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| 2016 Reissue Cover |
In recent weeks, I have finally slain my white whale. Since about the spring/summer of 2009, I have been in a on-off pursuit for the album that’s covered today. An album from a band that I didn’t like back then, but one that I absolutely enjoy now. As you can see by the review title, the band in question is Septicflesh. I’ll get into further detail in my eventual overview of the band, but let’s just say I wasn’t a Death Metal fan back then. This album, however, is rather different. While it still comes from a Death Metal band, the music in question is.....unique. So I won’t waste any more of your time, and let’s check out a Septicflesh album that’s been lost to the shadows, Revolution DNA. Let the review begin!
Background
Taken from Season of Mist's website:
"‘Revolution DNA’, the fifth full-length in the 25-year career of Greek metal luminaries SEPTICFLESH, is finally about to be reissued on Season of Mist just like its four predecessors. Originally released in 1999, ‘Revolution DNA’ occupies a unique space in the band's history. Embracing melodic and atmospheric influences that got it filed in the gothic metal movement, the album ranks amongst SEPTICFLESH’s most avant-garde works to date. The heightened atmospherics, synthesized orchestration, and mesmerising clear vocals of Sotiris Vayenas affirmed the bold and adventurous creative direction the band had begun to follow with 1998's 'A Fallen Temple'. Adorned with brand new artwork and bonus tracks that were not included on the original edition, ‘Revolution DNA’ is also available on vinyl for the very first time. Side A: Science / Chaostar / Radioactive / Little Music Box Side B: Revolution / Nephilim Sons / DNA / Telescope Side C: Last Stop To Nowhere / Dictatorship Of The Mediocre / Android / Arctic Circle Side D: Age Of New Messiahs / Misery's King / The Thief Of Innocence / Telescope [French version] "
Basic Description
The lost Septicflesh album.
There’s a perfectly good reason why I put Revolution DNA in the “Obscurus Metalus” sub-section of my album reviews. In addition to finding little on this album’s background (Apart from the CD booklet & Season of Mist's website), there’s not a lot of people talking about this album (Apart from fans). It’s bad enough to the point where this album is practically a ghost, with the album’s before it & after getting way more attention. If I had to guess as to why Septicflesh fans don’t talk about this album much.....is because it is perhaps the band’s most experimental album to date.
Up until this album, Septicflesh has remained in the realm of Death Metal. They never strayed away from their comfort zone, but at the same time always tried something new with each release. With Revolution DNA, they reached the height of experimentation. For the first (and only) time, the band went in the direction of Industrial Metal. Yes, one of the biggest Death Metal bands in the world, went Industrial. Not necessarily full Industrial however, as there are some Death Metal elements within the album, along with bits & pieces of Gothic Rock & Metal. This mix of musical elements creates one of the most unique albums in the pantheon of Heavy Metal, and one in which should be listened to by anyone even remotely curious about it!
Best Song
Gonna turn a bunch of your heads when I say this, but I consider Last Stop to Nowhere to be the best song of this album. It’s a very Philip Glassian kind of song, but what do I mean exactly? Well, Mr. Glass’s music has repetitive vocal work, repetitive instrumentation, and even repetitive sound effects. From Koyaanisqatsi all the way back in 1982, to the Russain-produced Leviathan that’s as recent as 2014, Philip Glass has taken a minimalistic & repetitive approach to his songs.
However, it’s this repetition that simultaneously gives Last Stop to Nowhere it’s strength. A Dark, moody, almost gothic atmosphere is painted through how the band manipulates music, creating a depiction of purgatory, where a lost soul is waiting for a train to wherever he destined to go. It’s a song that’s actually a little moving, and that’s something I’ll always give a metal band credit for!
Last Stop to Nowhere
Honorable mentions, however, should go to 3 extra songs. The piano-driven & operatic like Misery's King, The Thief of Innocence, and a version of Telescope with some French vocals used in parts. It should be noted that the first 2 songs were originally cut off of the original track listing, as it actually put the album's running time to just past an hour. As for the French Version of Telescope, I'm not sure if it was meant for the original or not.
Misery's King
The Thief of Innocence
Telescope (French Version)
Worst Song
Android is about the only bad song on this album, and even then it’s not really all that terrible. It fits in with the rest of Revolution DNAs sci-fi atmosphere, with it’s references to technology & such, but I find the particular usage of vocal work & effects to be grating on my ears. The vocal work is this weird raspy kind of deal, and the sound effects are at a pitch that gets annoying a little into the track. You won’t be missing anything if you skip this song, but you won’t be wasting anytime listening to it either.
Android
Perhaps more than this track, Revolution DNAs biggest problem is availability! There is a reason why I labeled this review under my “Obscurus Metalus” sub-series: finding a physical copy of this album is quite rare. A few years back Septicflesh re-released some of their older material, but for whatever reason, this album wasn’t included along with them. As such, Revolution DNA will popup at random in the weirdest of places. Pricing itself can also vary, with the highest (From what I’ve heard) reaching into the hundreds, and this applies to the original releases as well. I was fortunate enough to see a used copy available on Amazon for the price of $66.66 (Go ahead & laugh), excluding tax. I had ordered it on Monday the 2nd of this month, and it was supposed to come in on the 9th at the earliest (25th was the latest), but it got shipped on Tuesday, and got to my house on Saturday, two days before the earliest arrival. That’s good service if you ask me!
However, a reissues of the album was finally put out on the 5th of August. More specifically, this is a reissue of the 2005 reissue (Which included the 3 previously mentioned songs). A tongue twister to be sure. Pricing of this reissue is incredibly more merciful than finding an original 1999 release: at this moment in time on Amazon a new copy starts out at a nice 10 dollars in price, and the lone used copy is almost 15 dollars. I pre-ordered mine a few days before, and that cost 17 dollars & 25 cents.
Overall Impression & Rating
Revolution DNA is just one of those albums that gets lost in a sea of popularity. It’s so unique with it’s variety of genres, that it might be off putting when compared to more contemporary records of it’s time. The 90s was always a time of musical chaos, but the late 90s were especially crazy. It’s a shame that Revolution DNA got lost in the shuffle (in a sense), as it’s uniqueness really sets it apart from more generic albums. You will not regret listening to this album. Not even for a moment!
Revolution DNA gets a 9 out of 10.
So this is the real ending to May. Again, I just couldn’t contain myself when I got a hold of this album. If any of you manage to snag a physical copy after reading this, then you got lucky like me. Even if you didn’t, the digital release is readily available. See you again in June!
***
If you want to listen to this album before you go out to purchase/download it, there’s a link right below:
Revolution DNA
(Updated on August 8, 2016. 9:24 PM, Eastern Standard Time)
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Anime Review - Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai Yo Ne
Chances are, we’ve seen anime that’s dumb. Chances are, we’ve seen anime that’s smart. Once again, there’s chances that we own anime that’s incredibly stupid, or incredibly clever. However, there are plenty of series that seem to straddle the line between the two extremes. The subject of today’s review is a big example, and fairly recent as well. Depending on how you look at it, this show is smart but really dumb, or dumb but surprisingly clever. I won’t keep you waiting, so let’s take a look at the quirky Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai Yo Ne, and see just how it accomplishes this balancing act. Let the review begin!
Story/Setup
It has been 6 years since brother Akito Himenokoji & sister Akiko Himenokoji have seen each. Since the death of their parents, the siblings were separated, but are now going to Saint Liliana High School together (and staying at the school dorm). At first it seems as if things are fine, as Akito is pursuing a writing career along with his schoolwork, and his sister is staying by his side. However, it soon appears that something is off, as Akiko is showing incestuous desires towards her brother. It would just be annoying if it was just the two of them, but this is not the case, as there are 4 other women staying with him: the aristocratic Anastasia Nasuhara, Akito’s childhood friend Ginbei Haruomi Sawatari, the seductive Arashi Nikaido, and Akito’s future fiancee (Arisa Takanomiya. BTW, she's also 12 in the anime) shows up at a later time. With all of these oddballs around him, it creates for an interesting & unforgettable life.
Don’t be deceived by this story description! On the surface, Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai Yo Ne has a very basic story, and really doesn’t do anything to prove it otherwise. As the show goes on, layers are slowly pulled back, and a surprisingly clever show reveals itself. It’s still not the deepest thing around, but when it wants to be emotional & serious, it can certainly do so. You may want to have maybe 1 tissue near you when you watch this show.
Animation
I’m rather fond of this show’s animation. I wouldn’t call it godly, as in some scenes the faces seem off, and every once in a while colors are mildly faded, but on the whole it looks nice. There is a great usage of color despite the faded moments, and there’s an otherwise cute aspect that permeates all of the scenes & characters. It’s not sickeningly sweet looking like Love Hina & Oshiete! Galko-chan can be, but Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai Yo Ne definitely has an inviting atmosphere.
Voice Acting
Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai Yo Ne isn’t out in the United States, and as such there’s only subtitles & Japanese dubbing out there. As for the Japanese dub, I consider it to be okay. Not god awful, but I swear I’ve heard all of these character’s voices in other shows. As such, this bleeds into the characters, and ultimately kind of stains them for me. Speaking of which......
Characters
I also swear that I’ve seen these characters before. Alright, maybe not all of them, but a majority of them are in other anime that I have watched. You’ve got the pervert/sex-fiend, the childhood friend, etc. On the surface, the cast of this show don’t really have much depth. They all play their part, and they rarely if ever deviate from their personalities. It’s frustrating, and it can really be a turnoff. It’s on the inside that really counts, and is actually the show’s biggest strength. Arashi, for example, is quite a sex fiend. Guy or girl, it doesn’t matter, as she will find some way to get to her prey. Underneath, she’s not quite what you think: she has a tender side to her (In a later episode she performs the tea ceremony for Akito, and has a softer personality during the ceremony), and has some mild motherly tendencies, as she genuinely cares for everybody at the dorm, albeit in a quasi-seductive way. Everybody in the cast is like this: a standard personality/character, but with something interesting underneath, and this is what drew me into the show once I got further in.
Availability & Pricing
Like I said earlier, Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai Yo Ne isn’t available for purchase in the U.S., and as such you can find it here physically. On top of that, Crunchyroll doesn’t have the series available for viewing. Your only way to watch this show is to either find it on Youtube, or on one of dozens of independent anime sites (Legal & spicy).
Overall Impression & Rating
Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai Yo Ne is absolutely baffling to me. On the one hand, this show’s dumb. A lot of the humor is juvenile, crude, and rather basic (Even though I love that kind of comedy most of the time). On top of that, you’ve got a story that really isn’t all that fantastic, and some of the fan service scene are odd. On the other hand, Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai Yo Ne has a surprising amount of heart. The characters are all very connected to one another, despite how dysfunctional they can act. All of the girls are connected to Akito in some emotional way, and Akito has a bond of friendship with each of them in turn. If you want a smart anime with dumb moments, or a dumb anime with smart moments, then Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai Yo Ne might be the show that’ll scratch that itch.
Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai Yo Ne gets an 8 out of 10.
So this is my last post for May. I know I’m selling myself short this month, but in June I’ve got something special coming. Hope you don’t mind the wait, and I’ll see you all in June!
Monday, May 2, 2016
Metal Overview: Alcatrazz
I had to admit that this was a tough one, fellow Otaku & Metalheads.
It’s not that the music is bad, cause it isn’t! Despite their short run, Alcatrazz released some of the finest progressive music the 80s has ever seen. Headed by Graham Bonnet, the group was quite the tour-de-force, and to this day has a respectable cult following. My problem.....is that I don’t consider this band to be metal. Make no mistake there’s a healthy does of heaviness, as you’ll soon seen, but I don’t quite hear it as Heavy Metal. With that out of the way, lets look at the short lived but awesome Alcatrazz, and see why they’re worth your time!
No Parole from Rock n Roll (1983)
Sometimes, if you can’t go back to your old comfort zone, it’s best to make a new one, and that’s Exactly what Alcatrazz was. After his time within the iconic Rainbow, and his stint in the Michael Shenker Group, Graham Bonnet decided to form a band that would replicate the groups he was in before, and thus Alcatrazz was born! Composed of Graham Bonnet on vocals, Gary Shea, Jimmy Waldo, Jan Uvena on Drums, and Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen (A man as talented as he is egotistical). Then on October 15, 1983, the band released the first of only 3 albums, No Parole from Rock n Roll. It charted on the Billboard 200 for 18 weeks, with it’s peak at no. 128. Perhaps the strangest thing about No Parole from Rock n Roll is the fact that it has a strong following in Japan, and certain tracks can still be found in karaoke bars to this day!
Best Track? Gonna have to go with Hiroshima Mon Amour. Dedicated to the survivors of the atomic bombing at Hiroshima (Hence the name of the song), this song holds a different meaning for me. You see, I had an uncle in WWII that was part of the Army Surveillance Corps, and was at Hiroshima after the bomb went off. I never met the man, but from stories I’ve been told, he wasn’t the same when he came home. He was drained by what he saw, and became rather slow. Until his dying days a few years ago, he was scarred by the horrors of war. So for me, Hiroshima Mon Amour can be a powerful song for both sides of the battle.
Hiroshima Mon Amour
Worst Track? Suffer Me is the only bad track on No Parole from Rock n Roll, but even then it’s not unbearable. Graham Bonnet is wailing as hard as he can, but it comes across as strained a little. There’s great instrumentation, but it’s all played rather slowly, and the keyboarding comes across as incredibly meh. Definitely not an awful song, but the flaws prevent me from saying it’s good.
Suffer Me
No Parole from Rock n Roll. A strong start from the band, and a interesting look at what may come in the future. The gateway into Alcatrazz, but not my favorite of their records. Next album!
Disturbing the Peace (1985)
Despite the success of Alcatrazz’s initial release, there were rumblings between Graham & Yngwie during their tour for No Parole from Rock n Roll. Eventually, these rumblings caused Yngwie to leave the group to pursue his own solo career at Polydor Records, but that’s for another time. In the search for a new guitarist, the group eventually landed upon another musical genius by the name of Steve Vai, who some of you might recognize as the man that helped introduce Devin Townsend to the world. With Vai in the group, and a new deal at Capitol Records, Alcatrazz set-out to craft another killer record, and on March 22, 1985, Disturbing the Peace was released. Staying on the Billboard 200 for 16 weeks, Disturbing the Peace was a lower-charting album than No Parole from Rock n Roll, with it’s peak at no. 145.
Best Track? God Blessed Video! Everything right & wrong with 80s rock and metal can be found in this track. Hokey, cheesy, stupid, and all sorts of fun. The mix of Steve Vai’s guitar work, couple with Graham Bonnet’s singing, makes for any awesome experience. The rest of the band does a good job too, with drumming that fits perfectly, and keyboarding that’s not too over the top, but not underwhelming either. A great way to open an album!
God Blessed Video
Worst Track? Breaking the Heart of the City. Dear god this is an awful way to end an album! I can understand the intent behind this song, but I can’t enjoy this at all. The band is playing at a snail’s pace, the keyboarding is irritating, and Graham Bonnet’s vocals really don’t work. In a lot of ways it kind of reminds me of the Heavy Duty/Defenders of the Faith combo from Judas Priest’s 1984 release, albeit a longer running time (And the fact that it’s only 1 song). Just end listening to this album at Skyfire, and you’ll be fine.
Breaking the Heart of the City
Disturbing the Peace. The middle brother of Alcatrazz’s miniature discography, but a middle brother that’s got some bite to it. A mid-80s record that you should have in your collection, or at the very least listen to it once. Next album!
Dangerous Games (1986)
It’s not that the music is bad, cause it isn’t! Despite their short run, Alcatrazz released some of the finest progressive music the 80s has ever seen. Headed by Graham Bonnet, the group was quite the tour-de-force, and to this day has a respectable cult following. My problem.....is that I don’t consider this band to be metal. Make no mistake there’s a healthy does of heaviness, as you’ll soon seen, but I don’t quite hear it as Heavy Metal. With that out of the way, lets look at the short lived but awesome Alcatrazz, and see why they’re worth your time!
No Parole from Rock n Roll (1983)
Best Track? Gonna have to go with Hiroshima Mon Amour. Dedicated to the survivors of the atomic bombing at Hiroshima (Hence the name of the song), this song holds a different meaning for me. You see, I had an uncle in WWII that was part of the Army Surveillance Corps, and was at Hiroshima after the bomb went off. I never met the man, but from stories I’ve been told, he wasn’t the same when he came home. He was drained by what he saw, and became rather slow. Until his dying days a few years ago, he was scarred by the horrors of war. So for me, Hiroshima Mon Amour can be a powerful song for both sides of the battle.
Hiroshima Mon Amour
Worst Track? Suffer Me is the only bad track on No Parole from Rock n Roll, but even then it’s not unbearable. Graham Bonnet is wailing as hard as he can, but it comes across as strained a little. There’s great instrumentation, but it’s all played rather slowly, and the keyboarding comes across as incredibly meh. Definitely not an awful song, but the flaws prevent me from saying it’s good.
Suffer Me
No Parole from Rock n Roll. A strong start from the band, and a interesting look at what may come in the future. The gateway into Alcatrazz, but not my favorite of their records. Next album!
Disturbing the Peace (1985)
Best Track? God Blessed Video! Everything right & wrong with 80s rock and metal can be found in this track. Hokey, cheesy, stupid, and all sorts of fun. The mix of Steve Vai’s guitar work, couple with Graham Bonnet’s singing, makes for any awesome experience. The rest of the band does a good job too, with drumming that fits perfectly, and keyboarding that’s not too over the top, but not underwhelming either. A great way to open an album!
God Blessed Video
Worst Track? Breaking the Heart of the City. Dear god this is an awful way to end an album! I can understand the intent behind this song, but I can’t enjoy this at all. The band is playing at a snail’s pace, the keyboarding is irritating, and Graham Bonnet’s vocals really don’t work. In a lot of ways it kind of reminds me of the Heavy Duty/Defenders of the Faith combo from Judas Priest’s 1984 release, albeit a longer running time (And the fact that it’s only 1 song). Just end listening to this album at Skyfire, and you’ll be fine.
Breaking the Heart of the City
Disturbing the Peace. The middle brother of Alcatrazz’s miniature discography, but a middle brother that’s got some bite to it. A mid-80s record that you should have in your collection, or at the very least listen to it once. Next album!
Dangerous Games (1986)
Despite the acquisition of their new guitarist, success seemed to escape Alcatrazz. Things didn’t improve when Steve Vai left to join David Lee Roth’s solo. The leaving wasn’t bad this time around, as Steve & Graham remained on good terms, and Vai credits Alcatrazz as a high point in his career. His replacement came in the form of Danny Johnson, who’s prior bands included Axis, Alice Cooper, and Rod Stewart’s backup band. With their new guitarist signed, the band set out to create what would become their final album, Dangerous Games. Released in September of 1986, Dangerous Games was a drastic change from their previous two records, as a heavy Japanese style was the main influence behind this release. It didn’t really do anything positive for the record, as it failed to even chart. This was the last straw for Alcatrazz: shortly after the release of Dangerous Games, Danny Johnson left to join the group Private Life, and being disheartened by the revolving door of guitarists & shrinking album sales, Graham Bonnet broke up Alcatrazz in 1987. It’s a crying shame, as this is my favorite out of the trio of Alcatrazz’s albums, and to quote the almighty Razorfist, this is the single most 1980's album ever released.
Best Track? Blue Boar just seems to catch my attention, and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s the instrumentation, with it’s slick & sensual feeling. Maybe it’s Graham Bonnet’s singing, as he balances between soft & mild wailing perfectly. Or maybe it’s because of the Japanese-like vibes I’m getting off of this track (And the album in general). I’m not exactly sure why, but what I do know is that Blue Boar is incredibly catchy, and I’m sure that most of you will like it as much as I do.
Blue Boar
An Honorable Mention has to go to not the music, but the album cover. I have never seen such a ridiculous cover in my life: a darkened living room, in which a panther is staring right at you, with a zebra-print couch on the right, and a table with a vodka martini on the left. I challenge any of you to find a album cover that’s even more ridiculous!
Worst Track? Only....One....Woman. You see, long before his time in MSG, and his brief stint in Rainbow, and even during his commercial jingle days, Graham Bonnet was part of a brief UK duo called The Marbles. Despite being around for only a year, it actually achieved some success, and Only One Woman became their one major hit (Reaching number 5 on the UK charts). It’s actually pretty damn good, as Graham really hits the high notes throughout the whole thing, and the minimal instrumentation complements the singing.
Only One Woman (The Marbles Version)
With this version, the band is really trying too hard to replicate the sound & feel on the original. Graham is trying too hard to sound like he did back in the 60s, and the rest of the group are really holding themselves back as they try to match-up with the pacing of the 60s version. This is only one of the few times I would say to ignore a song from this band (Apart from Breaking the Heart of the City, of course).
Only One Woman (Dangerous Games Version)
A dishonorable mention would have to Ohayo Tokyo, but even then it’s due to the mild absurdity of the thing. Graham Bonnet’s at the top of his vocal game, and the rest of the band is putting in their dues, but the keyboarding really makes this track just goofy to listen to. If anything, the tune comes across as slightly Wapanese/Weaboo, but that might be just me. Definitely not terrible, but like Suffer Me from No Parole from Rock n Roll, it’s just “Meh”.
Ohayo Tokyo
Dangerous Games. Alcatrazz’s heaviest album by far, and the only one that I would consider to be metal. Out of all of the releases that this band put out during it’s brief existence, I have to say that this might be the most essential. Definitely recommended!
So that was a look at the brief existence of Alcatrazz. Maybe not a full-blown metal band, but definitely fits the bill if you want some nice & heavy. Give these guys a go, and let me know what you think. See you next week!
***
If you're curious about listening to these albums, check out the links below:
Monday, April 25, 2016
Top 5 Weirdest Music Videos: Part 2
The strangeness continues, fellow Otaku & Metalheads!
Last week we looked at part 1 of some of the weirdest music videos out-there. They were certainly some bizarre ones, but they’re only the tip of the iceberg. Today, we go further down the insanity mountain, and observe another selection of music videos that probably should have been locked up in the insane asylum. Without further delay, let’s look at the top 5 weirdest music videos......part 2!
5) Type-O Negative - Everything Dies (Video)
Let’s start off part 2 with a rather morbid video.
I’ve talked about Type-O Negative twice so far on this blog. The first time during my review of October Rust on Halloween of 2014, and my overview of the band in April of last year. Once again, the band has come forth on this site, and it’s at their most depressed. I’ll eventually talk about it more in depth, but World Coming Down is the bleakest that Type-O Negative will ever be, and this is more than evident in the only video from this album, Everything Dies.
All throughout this video, Pete Steele sings of death, loss, missing family members, and even suicide. It’s done very plainly, and without much spectacle. Most morbidly, parts of the video took place at the docks were Pete Steele’s father worked, and he passed away only 4 years prior to the release of this album. What is most weird about this album is that there’s an odd kind of beauty behind what’s going on. I can only assume that this was unintentional, but that doesn’t stop Everything Dies from being one of the weirdest music videos out there!
4) Green Jelly - Three Little Pigs (Video)
I absolutely loved this video back in the day, but man did I not realize how screwed up it was!
For starters, everything was made right out of clay, and it gave off a really childish vibe. However, this childishness immediately goes away when you find out that Green Jelly decided to turn a nursery rhyme into a Heavy Metal story. The first pig is a farmer with dreams of being a rocker, the second pig is a stoner, and the third is a famed architect. Then there’s the big bad wolf, who’s dressed up like the terminator, and hunting down the pigs for sport. It all concludes in a violent confrontation with Rambo of all people, as he blasts the wolf into Swiss cheese. If you watched this back in the 90s, then your childhood was awesome!
3) Primus - Mr. Krinkle (Video)
Sometimes, insanity & artistry go hand in hand. From Devin Townsend to modern artists at Mass Moca (An art museum in Massachusetts I know about), the most creative are also the most bonkers. Primus is a great example of a band that’s off it’s rocker, and Mr. Krinkle is perhaps their most insane video. For starters, you’ve got Les Claypool in a pig outfit playing a cello, and the camera is set right square on Les and all the shenanigans. The camera never moves away in any manner, and you’re essentially forced to watch the bizarreness. There’s a dude on fire, a kabuki dancer on the drums, Chinese dragons, and circus performers coming in & out at various intervals. It’s simultaneously very confusing, yet creating a weird kind of clarity. Whether Primus intended for this or not, I don’t know. All I can say is Mr. Krinkle is a messed-up work of art, and you should give it a glance!
2) Prince - Partyman (Video)
I have to admit that Prince might still be a touchy subject for some people. Having been dead for only 5 days, fans of the purple one are still pouring their hearts out for one of the most iconic rock/pop artists to have ever lived. The video placed on number 2 is definitely something that everyone still mourning should watch, and perhaps it will lift one’s spirits. It is simply Prince at his finest: the whole crowd is absolutely mesmerized by his mere presence, not to mention how ridiculous his getup is. Things go bonkers one he commands the band to start up the music, and the party knob is turned past 11! Prince is getting the whole room to go along with his antics, and the end result is just pure 80s magic. A treat for anyone interested in this glorious artist!
1) Betraying the Martyrs - Let It Go (Video)
And to end off part 2 of the weirdest music videos in the world, we have a rather tame one. Well, tame on the video part that is. It’s really nothing special: just the band singing and playing with their instruments, plus some small random things. What gets this on here......is that the band decided to turning the iconic Frozen tune.......into Death Metal. I’m not joking, friggen Death Metal! From the moment you hear the first chords, you just have to stay glued to the screen of your computer. Much like the number 1 of my first list, you just have to watch the video yourself to get the magic.
So this was part 2 of my descent into the world of weird music videos. Certainly a group of brain scorchers, that’s for sure! I’ve got a part 3 in the works, but that’ll have to wait until July. In the mean time May is fast approaching, so it’s time for the 3rd metal overview of the year, and trust me when I say that it will be the quickest one yet. See you soon!
Last week we looked at part 1 of some of the weirdest music videos out-there. They were certainly some bizarre ones, but they’re only the tip of the iceberg. Today, we go further down the insanity mountain, and observe another selection of music videos that probably should have been locked up in the insane asylum. Without further delay, let’s look at the top 5 weirdest music videos......part 2!
5) Type-O Negative - Everything Dies (Video)
Let’s start off part 2 with a rather morbid video.
I’ve talked about Type-O Negative twice so far on this blog. The first time during my review of October Rust on Halloween of 2014, and my overview of the band in April of last year. Once again, the band has come forth on this site, and it’s at their most depressed. I’ll eventually talk about it more in depth, but World Coming Down is the bleakest that Type-O Negative will ever be, and this is more than evident in the only video from this album, Everything Dies.
All throughout this video, Pete Steele sings of death, loss, missing family members, and even suicide. It’s done very plainly, and without much spectacle. Most morbidly, parts of the video took place at the docks were Pete Steele’s father worked, and he passed away only 4 years prior to the release of this album. What is most weird about this album is that there’s an odd kind of beauty behind what’s going on. I can only assume that this was unintentional, but that doesn’t stop Everything Dies from being one of the weirdest music videos out there!
4) Green Jelly - Three Little Pigs (Video)
I absolutely loved this video back in the day, but man did I not realize how screwed up it was!
For starters, everything was made right out of clay, and it gave off a really childish vibe. However, this childishness immediately goes away when you find out that Green Jelly decided to turn a nursery rhyme into a Heavy Metal story. The first pig is a farmer with dreams of being a rocker, the second pig is a stoner, and the third is a famed architect. Then there’s the big bad wolf, who’s dressed up like the terminator, and hunting down the pigs for sport. It all concludes in a violent confrontation with Rambo of all people, as he blasts the wolf into Swiss cheese. If you watched this back in the 90s, then your childhood was awesome!
3) Primus - Mr. Krinkle (Video)
Sometimes, insanity & artistry go hand in hand. From Devin Townsend to modern artists at Mass Moca (An art museum in Massachusetts I know about), the most creative are also the most bonkers. Primus is a great example of a band that’s off it’s rocker, and Mr. Krinkle is perhaps their most insane video. For starters, you’ve got Les Claypool in a pig outfit playing a cello, and the camera is set right square on Les and all the shenanigans. The camera never moves away in any manner, and you’re essentially forced to watch the bizarreness. There’s a dude on fire, a kabuki dancer on the drums, Chinese dragons, and circus performers coming in & out at various intervals. It’s simultaneously very confusing, yet creating a weird kind of clarity. Whether Primus intended for this or not, I don’t know. All I can say is Mr. Krinkle is a messed-up work of art, and you should give it a glance!
2) Prince - Partyman (Video)
I have to admit that Prince might still be a touchy subject for some people. Having been dead for only 5 days, fans of the purple one are still pouring their hearts out for one of the most iconic rock/pop artists to have ever lived. The video placed on number 2 is definitely something that everyone still mourning should watch, and perhaps it will lift one’s spirits. It is simply Prince at his finest: the whole crowd is absolutely mesmerized by his mere presence, not to mention how ridiculous his getup is. Things go bonkers one he commands the band to start up the music, and the party knob is turned past 11! Prince is getting the whole room to go along with his antics, and the end result is just pure 80s magic. A treat for anyone interested in this glorious artist!
1) Betraying the Martyrs - Let It Go (Video)
And to end off part 2 of the weirdest music videos in the world, we have a rather tame one. Well, tame on the video part that is. It’s really nothing special: just the band singing and playing with their instruments, plus some small random things. What gets this on here......is that the band decided to turning the iconic Frozen tune.......into Death Metal. I’m not joking, friggen Death Metal! From the moment you hear the first chords, you just have to stay glued to the screen of your computer. Much like the number 1 of my first list, you just have to watch the video yourself to get the magic.
So this was part 2 of my descent into the world of weird music videos. Certainly a group of brain scorchers, that’s for sure! I’ve got a part 3 in the works, but that’ll have to wait until July. In the mean time May is fast approaching, so it’s time for the 3rd metal overview of the year, and trust me when I say that it will be the quickest one yet. See you soon!
Monday, April 18, 2016
Top 5 Weirdest Music Videos: Part 1
Hey fellow Otaku & Metalheads!
It seems that weirdness is still clinging to this blog of mine. So far, we looked at 2 bands in a single overview, and last week I reviewed a rather strange anime. This week, I thought I take a break from anime, and concentrate a bit on the world of music (Metal included). More specifically, I wanted to look at music videos. Even more specifically, I wanted to look at the videos that are a little odd. The kind of videos that leave an impression on your brain.....and said brain stays bruised because of the oddity that went through your eyes. With that said, let’s take a look at some of my top 5 weird music videos..........part 1!
5) Stereo Type-O Negative - Last Christmas (Link)
We start off this list with perhaps the most harmless of these videos. A few years back, a tribute band for the legendary Type-O Negative formed from Sweden (If I remember correctly), and has been rocking out as hard as their source of inspiration. This group has the distinct fame of covering the songs of other great bands, but putting a Type-O twist on things. Late last year, Wham was in their sights, along with their Christmas classic....Last Christmas. A little redundant, I admit.
Like I said above, the video itself is rather harmless. It’s basically portions of the original video spliced together, but with a green splash on the footage. The actual song is great, as Stereo Type-O Negative add a healthy dose of sensuality to the track, while simultaneously following the letter of the song in a strange way. Of course, since this is a tribute to Type-O Negative, the ending is.....well, I won’t spoil it. Just watch the music video, and you’ll see what I mean!
4) Metallica - Enter Sandman (Link)
Okay, a little story: this video came out in 1991 (It’s 25 years old this year). I was four years old. So imagine little-old me, sitting on the couch with my Dad, watching this music video play before me. The images were so jarring, that I had nightmares for the rest of the week. Suffice it to say, my Mom wasn’t happy.
By today’s standards Enter Sandman might come across as a little hokey, and to a certain extent I agree. The band really comes across as cheesy, as they’re doing the best they can to look as menacing as possible, and failing ever so slightly. During the nightmare portions they all look cheap, and come across as tablescraps from a late 80s/early 90s horror movie. However, when Enter Sandman first came out, it was spectacular! Maybe not as amazing of a debut as Michael Jackson’s Thriller, but it was most definitely attention-grabbing. It also marked itself as the last time that Metallica was truly a great band. If you want to watch a thrash relic from way back, then Enter Sandman might be for you!
3) Slipknot - Psychosocial Baby (Link)
I.........um........where to begin.
For starters, anything involving Justin Bieber is sure to be a disaster. Going from an annoying little kid to an absolutely obnoxious young adult, his vocal work sounds like the death throes of a cow at a slaughterhouse. Considering that he’s singing insipid boy-band style lyrics, it’s not surprising as to why people hate him. However, even a black hole of talent such as Justin Bieber can have a moment or two to shine. For starters there’s the moment where he got shot to death on C.S.I., and then........there’s Psychosocial Baby.
Perhaps the most horrifying thing about this video is just how well the two mesh with one another. The beats & rhythm of Baby just seem to go along with the vocal work & pacing of Psychosocial. Both sides create what is the most Yin/Yang viewing experience: the bubbly nature of Justin Bieber placed alongside the violent lyrics that Corey Taylor is spewing, not to mention the dark atmosphere of the video. A truly bizarre experience that one should experience at least once in a lifetime.
2) Genesis - Illegal Alien (Link)
Alright, here’s where things get a little offensive.
When one thinks of the 80s, Genesis is typically one of the first bands that comes to mind, and why not! Whether fronted by Peter Gabriel or Phil Collins, one can’t deny that the group has created some classic 80s pop music, many of which are still sung today by many of us. However, Illegal Alien comes from a more.....shameful moment in Genesis’s history. Let me paint the picture: in the early 80s Phil Collins was trying to get a VISA citizenship into the United States, but was met with roadblocks coming from the U.S. side of things. In response, Phil Collins equated his situation with that of Mexican migrant workers. As you can see, this creates a rather awkward situation, and a awkward music video.
For starters, Phil (Who has a stereotypical mustache, btw) and the band decided to go full-blown brownface in this video, and do the best they can to look & act Mexican. Wow Phil, just wow! On top of that, the whole things comes across as rather racist, but whether it was intentional or not, I’m not sure. However, Illegal Alien is a guilty pleasure for me. This is definitely offensive, no question, but the dark part of me can’t help but smile when no-one is looking. If you lean towards the politically incorrect side of life, you might get a chuckle from this.
1) Jan Böhmermann - Be Deutsch! [Achtung! Germans on the rise!] (Link)
Now, I’ve only know about this for the past few weeks. A month or so ago, I joined the Encyclopedia Dramatica group on Facebook, and while some of the content is morally.....questionable, I can’t deny I’ve gotten a chuckle or two. Earlier this month, I happened to watch a section of what would eventually become my number one, and about a week ago I watched the whole music video. Wow, this was quite the thing!
Before I describe what I saw, I should preface the fact that my knowledge & grasp on politics is tenuous at best. World politics even more so. So if I misquote something, or misjudge, please feel free to say something.
So onto the actual video. Right away, it brings up the state of the world. To be more specific, the video.....well, here’s what It actually says (Translated from German):
“The world is going completely nuts! Europe feels threatened by 0.3% refugees, the USA are about to elect a man, of who no one really knows who is pulling the strings under the toupee and just as if that was not bad enough, Germany of all nations has to disabuse the world of how to behave morally right. I mean GERMANY! They did not even win one single world war in history!”
Yeah, the video is comedic political satire. Quite scatting political satire, might I add. Taking stabs at how insane the U.S. political system is, there’s no punches pulled, and there’s certainly a positive message in here somewhere. I honestly can’t describe what I’ve seen, so you’ll just have to watch it for yourself. You’ll probably leave scratching your head.
So this was part 1 of some of the weirdest music videos I’ve ever seen. Some oddballs to be sure, but this is just the tip of the insanity iceberg So come back next week, when we’ll have another look at some more bizarre music videos. See you then!
It seems that weirdness is still clinging to this blog of mine. So far, we looked at 2 bands in a single overview, and last week I reviewed a rather strange anime. This week, I thought I take a break from anime, and concentrate a bit on the world of music (Metal included). More specifically, I wanted to look at music videos. Even more specifically, I wanted to look at the videos that are a little odd. The kind of videos that leave an impression on your brain.....and said brain stays bruised because of the oddity that went through your eyes. With that said, let’s take a look at some of my top 5 weird music videos..........part 1!
5) Stereo Type-O Negative - Last Christmas (Link)
We start off this list with perhaps the most harmless of these videos. A few years back, a tribute band for the legendary Type-O Negative formed from Sweden (If I remember correctly), and has been rocking out as hard as their source of inspiration. This group has the distinct fame of covering the songs of other great bands, but putting a Type-O twist on things. Late last year, Wham was in their sights, along with their Christmas classic....Last Christmas. A little redundant, I admit.
Like I said above, the video itself is rather harmless. It’s basically portions of the original video spliced together, but with a green splash on the footage. The actual song is great, as Stereo Type-O Negative add a healthy dose of sensuality to the track, while simultaneously following the letter of the song in a strange way. Of course, since this is a tribute to Type-O Negative, the ending is.....well, I won’t spoil it. Just watch the music video, and you’ll see what I mean!
4) Metallica - Enter Sandman (Link)
Okay, a little story: this video came out in 1991 (It’s 25 years old this year). I was four years old. So imagine little-old me, sitting on the couch with my Dad, watching this music video play before me. The images were so jarring, that I had nightmares for the rest of the week. Suffice it to say, my Mom wasn’t happy.
By today’s standards Enter Sandman might come across as a little hokey, and to a certain extent I agree. The band really comes across as cheesy, as they’re doing the best they can to look as menacing as possible, and failing ever so slightly. During the nightmare portions they all look cheap, and come across as tablescraps from a late 80s/early 90s horror movie. However, when Enter Sandman first came out, it was spectacular! Maybe not as amazing of a debut as Michael Jackson’s Thriller, but it was most definitely attention-grabbing. It also marked itself as the last time that Metallica was truly a great band. If you want to watch a thrash relic from way back, then Enter Sandman might be for you!
3) Slipknot - Psychosocial Baby (Link)
I.........um........where to begin.
For starters, anything involving Justin Bieber is sure to be a disaster. Going from an annoying little kid to an absolutely obnoxious young adult, his vocal work sounds like the death throes of a cow at a slaughterhouse. Considering that he’s singing insipid boy-band style lyrics, it’s not surprising as to why people hate him. However, even a black hole of talent such as Justin Bieber can have a moment or two to shine. For starters there’s the moment where he got shot to death on C.S.I., and then........there’s Psychosocial Baby.
Perhaps the most horrifying thing about this video is just how well the two mesh with one another. The beats & rhythm of Baby just seem to go along with the vocal work & pacing of Psychosocial. Both sides create what is the most Yin/Yang viewing experience: the bubbly nature of Justin Bieber placed alongside the violent lyrics that Corey Taylor is spewing, not to mention the dark atmosphere of the video. A truly bizarre experience that one should experience at least once in a lifetime.
2) Genesis - Illegal Alien (Link)
Alright, here’s where things get a little offensive.
When one thinks of the 80s, Genesis is typically one of the first bands that comes to mind, and why not! Whether fronted by Peter Gabriel or Phil Collins, one can’t deny that the group has created some classic 80s pop music, many of which are still sung today by many of us. However, Illegal Alien comes from a more.....shameful moment in Genesis’s history. Let me paint the picture: in the early 80s Phil Collins was trying to get a VISA citizenship into the United States, but was met with roadblocks coming from the U.S. side of things. In response, Phil Collins equated his situation with that of Mexican migrant workers. As you can see, this creates a rather awkward situation, and a awkward music video.
For starters, Phil (Who has a stereotypical mustache, btw) and the band decided to go full-blown brownface in this video, and do the best they can to look & act Mexican. Wow Phil, just wow! On top of that, the whole things comes across as rather racist, but whether it was intentional or not, I’m not sure. However, Illegal Alien is a guilty pleasure for me. This is definitely offensive, no question, but the dark part of me can’t help but smile when no-one is looking. If you lean towards the politically incorrect side of life, you might get a chuckle from this.
1) Jan Böhmermann - Be Deutsch! [Achtung! Germans on the rise!] (Link)
Now, I’ve only know about this for the past few weeks. A month or so ago, I joined the Encyclopedia Dramatica group on Facebook, and while some of the content is morally.....questionable, I can’t deny I’ve gotten a chuckle or two. Earlier this month, I happened to watch a section of what would eventually become my number one, and about a week ago I watched the whole music video. Wow, this was quite the thing!
Before I describe what I saw, I should preface the fact that my knowledge & grasp on politics is tenuous at best. World politics even more so. So if I misquote something, or misjudge, please feel free to say something.
So onto the actual video. Right away, it brings up the state of the world. To be more specific, the video.....well, here’s what It actually says (Translated from German):
“The world is going completely nuts! Europe feels threatened by 0.3% refugees, the USA are about to elect a man, of who no one really knows who is pulling the strings under the toupee and just as if that was not bad enough, Germany of all nations has to disabuse the world of how to behave morally right. I mean GERMANY! They did not even win one single world war in history!”
Yeah, the video is comedic political satire. Quite scatting political satire, might I add. Taking stabs at how insane the U.S. political system is, there’s no punches pulled, and there’s certainly a positive message in here somewhere. I honestly can’t describe what I’ve seen, so you’ll just have to watch it for yourself. You’ll probably leave scratching your head.
So this was part 1 of some of the weirdest music videos I’ve ever seen. Some oddballs to be sure, but this is just the tip of the insanity iceberg So come back next week, when we’ll have another look at some more bizarre music videos. See you then!
Monday, April 11, 2016
Anime Review - Oshiete! Galko-chan
A little over a year ago, February was devoted to some weird reviews. I didn’t realize it when I but my 2nd overview this past Friday, but it seems like insanity has once again crept onto my blog. Today, I’ve got a review for a very recent anime. I honestly don’t know how to describe this show. Equal parts informative, odd, and entertaining, this series really came out of nowhere, and I’m kind of glad I found it. With that said, lets look at a review for the educational & strange slice-of-life series Oshiete! Galko-chan. Here we go!
Story/Setup
Now here’s the first component of what makes Oshiete! Galko-chan so strange. Instead of a single story that spans the entire show, instead the anime covers the subject matter that girls go through. Feminine Hygiene, clothing, physical oddities, and even facts about the body of girls/women are covered throughout the entire anime at one point or another (Galko’s ample chest is often the subject of jokes, and even a little bit of men’s health is covered as well). Even something as simple as friendship (Not the MLP kind) & the construction/destruction of personalities are discussed in this series. All of these are really bizarre things to cover in an anime, and guys watching it might get weirded out by some of the more girly things show discusses sometimes. For me, I thought this was quite refreshing! With a lot of modern anime covering the same subjects, it great for a show to come around that deals with something a little more real. Oshiete! Galko-chan is actually quite an educating anime for boys & girls (Or men & women), and is a highlight for the series.
Animation
A big plus for Oshiete! Galko-chan is it’s animation. This is a damn good looking show: backgrounds are simple but nice, characters look fantastic, and in a pleasant change of pace, the series uses color wonderfully. With some modern anime relying are darker colors & tones, it’s quite refreshing to see an anime look & feel so vibrant, not to mention cheery. If you don’t feel perky while watching this, I will be shocked!
Voice Acting
At this moment in time, Oshiete! Galko-chan isn’t available in the states on a physical level. As such, there are only subtitles available right now. I should say, however, that the Japanese voice actors suit their assigned characters perfectly. Nobody comes across as overtly annoying, but nobody is weak either. If this ever gets dubbed in the U.S., I sincerely hope the actors do it justice!
Characters
Characters are a double-sided coin for Oshiete! Galko-chan. On the one hand, there isn’t much to the characters. Due to the pacing of the episodes (More on that below), you don’t have that much time to get to know them. They almost have a “Flash In The Pan” kind of vibe around them. On the other hand, what personality that does exist gives you a clear picture of what that character is. Galko is a very stylish girl, but unlike the typical Gyaru (Transliteration = Girl), is actually quite innocent. She can be very emotional, enough to the point where she can cry if she gets involved with a book or movie. Galko even makes her own bento lunches & bread, so she’s a little more hands-on than other Gyaru of her generation.
Galko’s friends are personable as well. Otako is her nerdy book-minded friend, who tells & ask Galko about suggestive subjects (And enjoying the embarrassment), and gets annoyed when Galko falls asleep. Ojou is the airhead of the trio, but is quite friendly & innocent, and is the daughter of a rich household. All three complement each other, whether through their strengths or their weaknesses, and it’s fun to see them interact with each other.
The other characters that populate Oshiete! Galko-chan are kinda fun as well. Otao is a young otaku boy that’s quite shy, but has a big crush for Galko. Bomou is a quiet fellow, but changes his attitude one Galko changes his hairstyle. Nikuko, known as “Sonic Meat”, is a chubby girl with a bubbly personality to match. There’s plenty of other side characters as well with their own personalities, but you’ll have to watch the show to find out!
Availability & Pricing
As I said in the “Voice Acting” section above, this series isn’t available in the west on a physical level. Luckily, websites all over the internet have the show available for viewing. In fact, Crunchyroll is one of the major sites that has Oshiete! Galko-chan for people to watch. Here’s a link:
Oshiete! Galko-chan (Crunchyroll)
Other
Oshiete! Galko-chan, as I’ve stated before, is an outright bizarre anime. Along with it’s subject matter, the show’s structure is what makes things strange as well. As per most modern anime, Oshiete! Galko-chan is the typical 12/13 episode long series, but each individual episode is just a minuscule 7 minute & 50 seconds. Due to the runtime, Oshiete! Galko-chan goes by so fast you’ll have to watch them all a second, maybe even a third time to remember them. If there was ever a major flaw to this anime, it would be this.
Also, Seven Seas has recently licensed the manga for Oshiete! Galko-chan. However, you’ve got a while to wait before the 1st volume comes out. November 22nd of this year, to be exact. On top of that, not many chapters of the comic have been translated online, so finding them might be a little tricky.
Overall Impression & Rating
Oshiete! Galko-chan is just one of those anime that comes right out of nowhere, and leaves an impact you can’t quite make out. It’s so down to earth, but so strange, you don’t know how to interpret was you saw. Yet, this series makes for a highly refreshing change of pace, especially when you compare it to most of the modern anime out there. Even when compared to some other high-school based anime, something about Oshiete! Galko-chan makes it better. Despite a short running time, I’d highly suggest giving Oshiete! Galko-chan a watch. Even if you don’t remember all of it, what you will remember will not leave.
Oshiete! Galko-chan gets a 9 out of 10.
So that was my review. I’ll see you all next week, when I’ll have something else a little out there to review. See you soon!
***
If you’d like a more in-depth look at the Gyaru culture, check out the Wikipedia link below:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyaru
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