Album Review: Queen's Innuendo

Fellow Otaku & Metalheads, I have a confession to make.....I wasn’t a Queen fan growing up.

I was born right at the end of the group’s career, and when Freddy Mercury passed away in 1991, I was too young to understand. In the years after, I never really got into the band, as my folks always seemed to play the same songs over & over. I didn’t think they were bad, but if that was all Queen had to offer, I wasn’t interested. It really hasn’t been until 2014/2015 that I’ve truly appreciated the work they’ve done, and for that I’m sorry. Anyways, with this month devoted to a 3-part overview on Motorhead, you’re probably wondering why I’m talking about one of the world’s most iconic rock bands. Well.....

This month marks the 25th anniversary of Freddy Mercury’s death. 25 long years without one of music’s most powerful voices. So to celebrate the life of such an amazing person, not to mention an amazing band, I’m going to take a look at Queen’s final two albums. These are the ones that closed this chapter of the group, and concluded a remarkable story. Today’s review is of their last album recorded with Freddy, Innuendo. Let’s take a look!

Background
By the dawn of the 90s, touring was out of the question for Queen. Freddy Mercury’s health at this point was in the pits, as he was supposed to die in 1988, but somehow managed to make it to the early 90s. However, this allowed the band to completely focus on the production, which was made all the better with their signing to Hollywood Records (A division of Disney). After working their asses off, Queen released one of their final albums, Innuendo, on February the 9th, 1991. Reviews for this album were mixed at first, with Rolling Stone magazine stated "Innuendo is so lightweight you'll forget it as soon as it's over", & People magazine wrote "If this is cartoon rock and roll, at least it's good and brazenly cartoonish". However, Allmusic wrote years later that “Innuendo was a fitting way to end one of rock's most successful careers”.

Basic Description
Beautiful yet cryptic.

It’s very obvious that Freddy was on death’s door in 1991. If you’ve seen video footage from that time, or a couple pictures, you can tell he could pass away at any moment. So many of the songs on here have a finality to them, and some just come across as “This is it. It’s over.”. It’s truly heartbreaking, as he was quite beautiful. Beautiful in his humanity & personality, and beautiful in voice as well. Innuendo closes the ranks between all members of the band: in this rare instance, all four members feel like their jamming & singing as one. Despite the finality of the album, there is a aspect of hope & vitality. Freddy Mercury, along with the rest of Queen, stare down the grim reaper, and offer some of the most triumphant music of their entire career.

Best Track
I’m Going Slightly Mad! Even in the face of death, Freddy Mercury still had a sense of humor, and the rest of Queen pretty much had the same mindset. While the instrumentation has this melancholic vibe for the most part, and Freddy’s voice is much lower than it was in prior albums, it’s hard not to go along with the beat. Not only that, but the lyrics are just outright goofy. Almost upon Weird Al levels of silly! Coupled with one of their finest & equally funny music videos, and this becomes a memorable piece of music.

I’m Going Slightly Mad

A good second place track would be the concluding song, The Show Must Go On. Often misinterpreted as Freddy’s goodbye to his bandmates & the fans (That accolade would be credited to Was It All Worth It on their prior album, The Miracle), The Show Must Go On was instead Freddy’s acknowledgment of his imminent death, and the band’s goodbye to Freddy. Equal parts sorrowful, melancholic, and metallic, this track is a fitting concluding song, and represents everything that Queen has ever done.

The Show Must Go On

Worst Track
There nothing’s bad on here. Given that they weren’t going to tour for this record, they devoted their entire time and energy to Innuendo’s recording & production, creating perhaps their best record ever. The only thing that could be considered bad about Innuendo, is that this would be the last time that all 4 members of Queen would be together. The last time that Freddy, Brian, Roger, and John would ever create music. It’s a rather haunting thing to think about, and it’s made all the more tragic when you consider what was to come.

Other
If you’re interested in purchasing Innuendo, check out the link below & give it a listen to.

Innuendo

Overall Impression & Rating
Innuendo is the kind of album that a band (Metal or Otherwise), should aspire to end on. Queen has never been more connected & more focused in their career than they were on this record, and it shows: the instrumentation is tight, the vocal work superb, and the emotions in the songs are powerful. There is a grim aura around this record, but the band has never been better. Listen to this albu

Innuendo gets a 9 out of 10.

And that was a look at Innuendo. A damn fine but reluctant way for Queen to bow off stage. However they still had a little bit of gas left in the tank, and around the mid 90s they were gonna use it. That review will have to wait however, as Motörhead is knocking on this blog’s door, and I’m definitely gonna answer. So see you all next week, as part 2 of my overview on Motörhead continues, when we’ll look at their time in the 90s. See you then!

Metal Overview: Motörhead (Part 1)

Welcome fellow Otaku & Metalheads, to my 13th Metal Overview!

I know I just put out 2 of them yesterday, but this time is special. 1 year ago this November, legendary drummer Phil “Philthy” Animal Taylor of Motörhead passed away, and in December, the almighty Lemmy Kilmister’s life ascended to heavy metal heaven (Nice U.D.O. reference, don’t you think?). I had been waiting to do an overview of this band for a long time, and considering the circumstance, I feel it was only appropriate. Not only do I consider this to be an overview, but I consider this to be a tribute to a pinnacle of Heavy Metal. However.....

With 23 albums to their name, this was a monumental task. The band is so prolific with their music, that it would take up a large space. On top of that, you be seeing 2 to 3 “Best Track” points throughout this overview, making for even more stuff to read. So for just this rare time, I will be splitting up my look at a band. Today will begin with their prime, the 70s & 80s, so without further delay, here’s my first look at the iconic Motörhead. Enjoy!

Motörhead (1977)

If there was one thing that was constant throughout the early years of this band, it would be drugs. After getting fired from Hawkwind in May of 1975 due to a drug arrest in Canada, Lemmy was on his own, and assembled a band of his own. Wanting his band to be fast & loud (He was inspired by the iconic rock band MC5), he acquired the services of guitarist Larry Wallis (Originally from punk rock band Pink Fairies) & drummer Lucius Fox. Unfortunately, things did not work for long, as Fox was proven to be unreliable. In his stead, Lemmy acquired the services of Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor, who’s drumming skills would prove to be invaluable to the formation of Heavy Metal itself. Larry Wallis left as well, and he was replaced by the excellent “Fast” Eddie Clark, a guitar lord in his own right.

With these 3 individuals together, the classic lineup of Motörhead congealed, they finally began work on their self-titled first record. Recorded from April the 27th to the 29th of 1977, Motörhead was officially released on August the 21 of that same year. Though it was only a minor chart success, as Alex Ogg of Allmusic states:

“Motörhead patented the group's style: Lemmy's rasping vocal over a speeding juggernaut of guitar, bass, and drums...no wonder the punks liked them”

Best Track? Bit of a tie between the title track, and the ode to drugs that is White Line Fever. These tracks don’t come across as Heavy Metal, but more of a mix of punk & hard rock. I’m normally not a fan of punk (Personal reasons), but the band manipulates that genre to great effect on these song. Not to mention the record in general.

Motörhead

White Line Fever

Worst Track? The worst thing you could say about Motörhead’s inaugural album is how old it feels & sounds. Make no mistake, I’m not calling this album bad. Far from it! This a great album for a party, and the potential for headbanging is definitely high! That said, you can definitely tell this comes from the infancy of Heavy Metal. The vibe & sounds of that genre still had to walk a few steps before it could finally get it’s footing. All things aside, Motörhead is a great first record. If you like this band more on the punk & hard rock side of things, then this will be that fix. Next album!

Overkill (1979)

And thus begins Motörhead’s classic trilogy. After aligning themselves with legendary produced Jimmy Miller (Who’s prior work was with Traffic & the Rolling Stones), the band jammed together like no other Metal/Rock band ever did, and on March 24, 1979, Overkill was released. A massive improvement over their first record, Motörhead had some troubles beforehand, which lent to the energy & intensity that was used during the recording sessions, not to mention projecting from the songs on here. This album was also important for another reason: Phil Taylor’s drumming, along with Lemmy & Eddie Clark’s guitar work, helped the foundation of Heavy Metal harded, and develop into the monstrous music genre it is today.

Best Track? Right away, the title track of this album hits my mind like 1000s bricks. Phil Taylor’s drumwork is out of this world, as it planted the seeds for Thrash Metal & Speed Metal to come out of the ground. Lemmy’s raspy vocals, along with his Rock-N-Roll style of guitar play, created the fierce attitude that Motörhead would be know for. Eddie Clark plays right along side Mr. Kilmister, and the two’s work is practically inseparable as the song goes on. Even if you listen to the first few second, the beat will stay in your mind forever!

Overkill

Apart from that, practically everything on Overkill is phenomenal. From hard rock, to blues-style croonings, to early Heavy Metal, nothing on this album is bad! The worst thing you could say is that it kinda come across as old, but this would only be a point for the most pickiest of music listeners, metal or otherwise. I simply cannot recommend this record enough, as more than likely you’ll be immediately brought into the Motörhead fold. Next album!

Bomber (1979)

Every trio has that oddball that never seems to stand as high as it’s older & younger companions. An oddball that has great worth, but people don’t seem to give enough credit to. In the case of Motörhead’s classic trilogy, Bomber is that oddball. Upon it’s release on the 27th of October, 1979, Motörhead had been around for a few years. They had gained a successful following in both the Punk & Heavy Metal scenes. Thanks to Overkill, their popularity got even better. Sadly, the recording sessions for Bomber had a few issues. As quote by Lemmy:

“..I wish we'd played the songs onstage first, like we did with the Overkill album, if we could've played them for three weeks on the road it would have been less slick.....Listen to the way we play them live and compare that to the album..”

The issues didn’t end there: Jimmy Miller was suffering from an increasing heroine addiction. Some he would be half a day late, and other times it would be worse. As Lemmy said in his autobiography:

“..Overkill was supposed to be something of a comeback album for Jimmy Miller, which is exactly what it turned out to be for him. He had gotten very heavily into heroin (which likely began when he was working with the Stones) and he had lost it for a couple [of] years...but months later, when we were working with him on Bomber, it was sadly clear that he was back on smack..”

He elaborates further:

“..[Clarke] had been bitching that I was getting all the limelight, but he wouldn't do anything about it. I got sick of him complaining, so I said, 'Right, you're gonna fucking sing one on this album'...he hated it, but really, he was a good singer, Eddie..”

It was this environment that Bomber was created. Among Motörhead fans, it was regarded pretty well. Among reviewers & critics, it was more of a mixed bag (Past & Present). Jason Birchmeier of AllMusic wrote:

“There are a couple killers here, namely "Dead Men Tell No Tales", "Stone Dead Forever," and "Bomber," but overall, the songs of Bomber aren't as strong as those of Overkill were. Granted, this is somewhat of a moot point to raise, as Bomber is still a top-shelf Motörhead album, one of their all-time best, without question.”

Motörhead biographer Joel McIver has this to say in 2011:

“Some think that the effort of writing two killer albums in the space of a year was too much for Motörhead at this early stage, and that Bomber – released on October 27, seven months after its predecessor – couldn't hope to match up to Overkill”

Best Track? Bit of a tie between the title track, and the Blues Metal style croonings of Step Down. Step Down is unusual in the fact that Lemmy Kilmister isn’t singing, but it’s Eddie Clark at the vocal helm. Strangely, Eddie’s vocals complement the instrumentation well. Whenever this track comes on, you’re transported to a seedy bar: there’s roguish individuals all over the place, carefully sipping their drinks, and keeping an eye on each other. Songs like this always manage to put a smile on my face.

Bomber

Step Down

Worst Track? Bomber’s only flaw is it’s strange sequencing of it’s songs. You know an album has a weird track listing when the title track.....is at the end! Later re-releases of Bomber would have different listings, but for simplicity’s sake, I’m going with the original 79 listing. Despite this one flaw, Bomber is a nice little album, and acts as a bridge from their origins in the 70s, to the titanic album that was to come.

Ace of Spades (1980)

For some metal bands, there’s multiple reasons for their fame & success. For Motörhead, there was just one, and it was the legendary Ace of Spades. Released on November 8, 1980, Ace of Spades has since become one of, if not the most, iconic albums in Heavy Metal to date, and makes for an appropriate concluding album in their classic trio. After the success of both Overkill & Bomber, the band had gained a sizable following in both the Punk crowd & the Heavy Metal crowd. However, in 1979, Sounds writer Geoff Barton coined the iconic term New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM for short), and put in bands like Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, and Saxon. Motörhead was placed in the NWOBHM as well, and it generated a lot of positives vibes for the group, and helped Thrash Metal form as well. Ironic, given that they’ve never considered themselves a metal band at all. Here’s what Lemmy had to say about it:

“..I like Iron Maiden and Saxon out of the new mob, and that's about it, really...We were too late for the first metal movement and early for the next one...Motörhead don't fit into any category, really. We're not straight heavy metal, because we're a rock 'n' roll band, which no-one knows how to market anymore..”

Despite this, Ace of Spades was received in a overwhelmingly positive light. It has since been described as "one of the best metal albums by any band, ever"and has become a significantly influential hard rock classic. Even though they called themselves a rock ‘n’ roll band, Ace of Spades (The album & title track) is considered by most to be Motörhead’s definitive anthem. You ultimately know you’ve got a classic album when it’s listed in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, which is a book I have to pick up.

Best Track? Ace of Spades in it’s entirety is nothing short of perfection, so picking an individual song to hold above the others is practically a crime. There’s Thrash Metal, Speed Metal, Blues, Rock, and a good dose of Punk in this entire record. So, for maybe just once in this 3-part series, I’m gonna say that this entire album is the so-called best track.

Worst Track?.....I am about to commit Heavy Metal blasphemy by saying this, but if Ace of Spades had any fault to it, it would be how incredibly......overrated the album is. Make no mistake, there’s no bad track in sight on this record. From top to bottom you’re being treated to a sonic assault, and one in which still sounds awesome here in 2016. That being said, just the sheer reputation of this record has practically elevated it above much of Motörhead’s discography. Even the title track is spoken about more that other songs (On this album & others) that the band has created. In fact, even Lemmy himself at one point was sick of Ace of Spades. Don’t believe me? Here’s something he said in his autobiography about the track:

“..I used gambling metaphors, mostly cards and dice — when it comes to that sort of thing, I'm more into the slot machines actually, but you can't really sing about spinning fruit, and the wheels coming down. Most of the song's just poker, really - 'I know you've got to see me, read 'em and weep, Dead man's hand again, aces and eights' - that was Wild Bill Hickock's hand when he got shot. To be honest, although "Ace of Spades" is a good song, I'm sick to death of it now. Two decades on, when people think of Motörhead, they think "Ace of Spades." We didn't become fossilised after that record, you know. We've had quite a few good releases since then. But the fans want to hear it so we still play it every night. For myself, I've had enough of that song..”

Ace of Spades. Maybe it has a over-bloated reputation, but at the same time this reputation seems to be deserved in some way. Listen to this record (Title track & all), or hand in your Metalhead card to the nearest shredder. Next album!

Iron Fist (1982)

All was not well by the time 1980 passed. Motörhead was riding on a great deal of success thanks to their classic trilogy, so when it came time to record their next record, they once again teamed up with their producer Vic Maile at his Jackson's Studio in Rickmansworth, England. During a break in recording, the band went to do some shows in November and December with fellow British metal band Tank, and “Fast” Eddie Clarke produced Tank's debut album with help from Will Reid Dick. Shortly after this, Maile left his job, and to this day there’s been conflicting explanations about the matter. In his stead was Clarke himself, as he produced what would become April 17, 1982 release, Iron Fist.

Iron Fist also marked the last time that Eddie Clarke played with Motörhead. Bad feelings between him & Lemmy had actually been simmering for a while, but what finally set Clarke over the edge was Lemmy deciding to record a cover of the Tammy Wynette country classic "Stand By Your Man" with Wendy O' Williams and the Plasmatics. In his 2002 memoir, Lemmy had this to say:

“..actually, Eddie used to leave the band about every two months, but this time it just so happened that we didn't ask him back. We didn't try to persuade him, which is why he stayed away - that surprised him a bit. But we were just tired of him because he was always freaking out and he was drinking a lot back then. He's become much better now since he stopped...Looking back - and I must say, hindsight is 20/20 - it was good for us that we fell apart when we did. We wouldn't have been going now if we had carried on getting more and more famous. We would have wound up a bunch of twats with houses in the country and gotten divorced from each other. So it was just as well, I think, for Motörhead's morale overall. It's important for a band to be hungry because that is the motivation that makes all bands work. And if anyone knows about being hungry for long periods of time, it's me..”

Best Track? Definitely the title track: echoing the title song of the previous record, Iron Fist tells the tale of a angry deity, smiting anyone who displeases him, and conquering all lands in his vision. Much like Ace of Spades the song, this track goes by in a flash, but the impression it leaves definitely doesn’t go away. No wonder’s it’s become an anthem for Motörhead fans.

Iron Fist

Worst Track? Iron Fist’s only fault is that it comes across as somewhat similar to their previous record, Ace of Spades. I don’t necessarily have a problem with this: Ace of Spades is a iconic release, and anything following suit would have been seen as a adequate follow-up. Iron Fist is indeed that follow-up, but I swear I was listening to Ace of Spades 2.0, not a different record. Granted, this vibe I felt was more in certain places rather than the album as a whole, but it was enough that I could tell something was off.

Iron Fist. Maybe a little similar to Ace of Spades in places, but for the most part remains it’s own thing. If their previous record was a little too intense, then this might suit your taste. Now as I said above, “Fast” Eddie Clarke left the band, breaking up the original lineup of Motörhead. Without a guitarist, it seemed like the band would breakup. Little did they know, a momentary savior would arrive, and that savior would be........

Another Perfect Day (1983)

Brian Robertson! Formerly from Thin Lizzy fame, Brian was brought on the remainder of their Iron Fist US tour after Eddie Clarke left, it was suggested by Phil Taylor (A big fan of Thin Lizzy, btw) that he join the band permanently. Phil & Lemmy initially enjoyed having Robertson in Motörhead, and Lemmy was quoted saying:

“..[the sound] changed a little now that Brian's joined the band; I think it's gotten more musical..”

However, these positive vibes would change drastically once they entered the studio. Quoting from the documentary The Guts and the Glory:

“..Recording Another Perfect Day was fucking torture. Brian, he'd take seventeen hours doin' a guitar track. It fuckin' took so long compared with the other albums. And then when it was released everybody fucking hated it..”

Things got even worse & stranger when they were on tour, as the contrast of clothes made for an awkward environment on stage. Lemmy once said:

“..Brian's fashion sense continued to shock and horrify fans throughout the tour of Europe at the end of the year. Let's face it, ballet shoes and Motörhead do not mix!..”

In a interview with Classic Rock magazine, Lemmy made light of the situation:

“..All that shit about being dressed differently; all the wearing of stupid shorts, it was just to get at me. Or make sure everybody knew he wasn't in Motörhead, just a featured guest artist, doing us a favour from the great heights as a Thin Lizzy guitar player..”

In his memoir, Lemmy brought the album into perspective:

“..We had to get another guitar player fast so we could continue the tour, and we chose Brian Robertson, who had been in Thin Lizzy. Technically, he was a better guitarist than Eddie, but ultimately he wasn't right for Motörhead. With Robbo our slide downwards began to pick up speed, which was unfair really, because the record we made with him, Another Perfect Day, was very good... Another Perfect Day stood the test of time - a lot of fans have recanted now and come to like it. But that didn't help us back then..”

It was this environment that one of Motörhead’s most misunderstood albums was produced. Release on the 4th of June, 1983, Another Perfect Day marks the first & only time....that the band went prog. Well, not completely prog. The band was still rock, punk, and metal, but with Brian Robertson on their team, the Progressive Rock stylings of Thin Lizzy come through on much of the music. Those who are fans of Motörhead but not necessarily interesting in prog would do well to focus on this album, as there enough prog to satisfy your urge, but not so much that it’s not overwhelming.

Best Track? While the entire album is great, my personal favorite comes in the form of One Track Mind. A bluesy little number, One Track Mind is one of the very few songs to not really contain much prog at all. This tune falls more into the rock side of things as well, but there’s a metal edge that cuts things just right as you listen. A great bar song if there ever was one.

One Track Mind

Worst Track? Really the nature in how Another Perfect Day was recorded could be considered bad. There was definitely potential when Brian Robertson first joined, but it all immediately seemed to go to hell, thanks in part to Brian’s immense ego & self-importance. They say one-bad apple can ruin a whole bunch, and in a sense that’s what happened here. Luckily, it didn’t ruin the album, as it’s stood the test of time, and Motörhead fans have come to appreciate it since it’s release.

Another Perfect Day. A downright odd album in Motörhead’s discography, but it’s that oddity that seems to make it a fun experience. Those who walk on the prog side of town, this is that album for you. Next!

Orgasmatron (1986)

Contrary to what some people on the internet say, Motörhead is not perfect. No band can ever be 100% all the time. Bands always mess-up in some capacity, whether they do it willingly (aka Metallica) or accidentally (aka Devin Townsend). Even a titan of Heavy Metal such as Motörhead has moments of weakness, and Orgasmatron is the first.....of really only 3 screw-ups in their entire career, although one could stretch it out to 4 or 5 if they were exceptionally nitpicky.

Released on August 9, 1986, Orgasmatron came from a rather chaotic time: Brian Robertson was way over his head when he joined the band. His ego, combined with his perchance for clashing clothes & egging on Lemmy, ultimately left Motörhead. Phil Taylor left the group as well to pursue personal projects, but that didn’t end so well (More on this in a sec). This ultimately left Lemmy as the sole remaining member of the band, but this didn’t last long, as he would recruit new members to carry on it’s name. For the drummer, Lemmy called upon the service of Saxon drummer Pete Gill. Lemmy would remain in his position, but finding a guitarist was something of a challenge. There were 2 that Lemmy had an eye on: Phil Campbell from the horrifically Persian Risk, and Michael Burston, who went by the stage name of Würzel.

In the end, Lemmy picked them both, went to the studio, and on the 9th of August, 1986, released Orgasmatron. Originally titled Riding with the Devil, Orgasmatron is an extension of the prog nature of their previous release Another Perfect Day.....but it’s hallow. With the case of Iron Fist, it was understandable that it would tail Ace of Spades. But in this case? Since the leaving of Brian Robertson, there was really no need to stay prog. I can only assume that Lemmy had no idea what to do next, and simply stayed to course. Does that make the music bad? No! The music on Orgasmatron is actually pretty good. Maybe a little bloated & raised a little too high by it’s fans, but the tunes are still within the realm of Motörhead quality, as exemplified by the title track.

Orgasmatron

Really the fact that Motörhead tried to continue down their Prog Metal path without Brian Robertson is Orgasmatron’s only fault. It’s really quite unusual that the band would do this, and makes the music feel hallow in a sense, despite it being quite good overall. I’m all for prog, but only when it’s being manipulated by a master, and Motörhead is not such a master unless Brian Robertson stayed with them.

Orgasmatron. Definitely overrated, and maybe it shouldn’t have copied their previous release, but the songs themselves are good under the right circumstances. Recommended, but more as a curiosity. Next album!

Rock ‘n’ Roll (1987)

From the overrated Orgasmatron, we transition to the underrated Rock ‘n’ Roll. Released on September 5,1987, the record was a welcome return to their late 70s/early 80s sound, as exemplified by it’s blues & rock influence. With Phil Taylor back on board, the band got an infusion of energy back into their system. However, the recording for Rock ‘n’ Roll wasn’t without issues: As the group was about to appear in a movie (Eat The Rich), Pete Gell had left the time. As Lemmy said in his autobiography:

“..Peter was his own worst enemy, he was another one who wouldn't just be content in the band. He went up against me on a couple of decisions, and he was making Phil and Wurzel upset too. I got tired of him moaning, so when he kept us waiting while he hung around in the lobby of his hotel for twenty minutes while he read the paper or something, that was the proverbial last straw. I know it sounds trivial, but most flare-ups in families are, aren't they? And a band is a family..”

He went on to say that Phil Taylor, who was playing with Frankie Miller & Brian Robertson, wanted to come back for this record. Released on the 5th of September, 1987, the recording of Rock ‘n’ Roll had difficulty as well, in part of Taylor’s return. Once again from the words of Lemmy:

“.Anyhow, with Pete gone, we gave Phil Taylor his job back. It was a mistake in retrospect... things weren't the same, and I should have known they wouldn't be... Rock 'n' Roll is a fair album, but it isn't one of our best... Our biggest mistake was choosing Guy Bidmead to produce it. He was just an engineer, really, so we were pretty much producing ourselves... And (guitarist) Wurzel was having a bad time personally... In addition to all of this, we didn't have enough time to do the songs properly and when that happens you're pretty much wasting your time..”

Despite this, I rather like Rock ‘n’ Roll. It is considerably more polished than Orgasmatron, and is reminiscent of their earliest material. If anything, I think I might enjoy this more than anything that Motörhead produced in the 80s. Even more so than Ace of Spades, and that album’s great!

Best Track? Bit of a 3-way tie between the title track, the sadly obscure Blackheart, and a protest song in the form of Just 'Cos You Got the Power. The previously mentioned track is unusual in that it wasn’t included on the original release. You can only find it on the Castle Communications 1996 re-release, and the Sanctuary Records 2006 2CD deluxe edition. As for the song itself, it’s a great example of the band trying out different genres, while staying firm in their metal haven. The hard rock/punk flavor of the track makes for a great listen to, especially at a political rally.

Rock ‘n’ Roll

Blackheart

Just 'Cos You Got the Power

Worst Track? Rock ‘n’ Roll’s only fault isn’t with the music, but the people who bash it. Given how unjustifiably (For the most part) elevated Orgasmatron was, the expectations for the next album would be incredibly high. Regardless, Rock ‘n’ Roll is a great record. Absolutely buried by it’s detractors, it’s a classic example of a diamond in the rough. Dare I say it, out of every album from this part of their career, Rock ‘n’ Roll is the release you should pick up the most. Recommended to the highest degree!

And that concludes part 1 of my look at the metal icons known as Motörhead. The 70s & 80s were an important period for this group, as some of the most iconic albums of their career came out during this time. If you like your metal old-school, this is the period you’ll enjoy. I’ll see you all next week, when I’ll begin a somber 2-part memorial to one of the finest rock bands to have ever existed. See you then!




***
If you like to know more about Overkill’s history, check out my review of it below.

Album Review - Motörhead’s Overkill

On top of that, sorry about getting this one up later. I had it mostly finished, but still had some stuff left to flush out. Hope you don’t mind!

Metal Overview: Nocturnus

Happy Halloween once again, fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

Time for our second metal overview treat, and have I got a band for you! Much like Alcatrazz from back in May, today’s group is rather obscure, and it’s a crying shame that they are. In the early years of the formation of Death Metal, this group was already unique & ahead of the curve. The band appropriately in question.....is Nocturnus.

Yes, Nocturnus! Ever since their founding, this short-lived Death Metal band was unique for their usage of keyboards, which was practically unknown in the realm of Extreme Metal, and for their science-fiction themed lyrics, which was also unknown. Even after the breakup in 2002, Nocturnus still maintains a cult following of loyal fans, who continue to spread the word of this special Death Metal band. This will go by as quickly as my look at Alcatrazz, but this gem will shine just as bright. So get into your personal spaceship, blast your enemies into gory piles, and enjoy a look into the short-lived act Nocturnus. Engage!

The Key (1990)(Album)

The origins of Nocturnus begin all the way back in the 80s. 1987 to be exact. After the breakup of his band Incubus, drummer & vocalist Mike Browning assembled a group of his own: composed of former Incubus guitarist Gino Marino, former Agent Steel bassist Richard Bateman, and a second guitarist by the name of Vincent Crowley. This original lineup recorded one self-titled demo in 87, but shortly after Crowley left the band to join another (Acheron), and was replaced by 18-year old Mike Davis, a guitar prodigy & cousin of Gino Marino. Bateman quit shortly afterwards as well, joining Nasty Savage in the process.

After Bateman’s departure, in 1988 the band added new bassist Jeff Estes, and a keyboardist by the name of Louis Panzer. The addition of Panzer made the band unique within the Death Metal scene, providing an atmosphere that enhanced their science fiction theme & lyrics. This lineup managed to put out a demo by the name of Science of Horror, but in 1989, Marino quit the band. In his stead, Davis’s longtime friend & neighbor Sean McNenney. Together, Davis & Sean’s technical playing became another focus of Nocturnus.

In 1989, thanks in part to his friendship with Morbid Angel’s guitarist Trey Azagthoth, Browning managed to get Nocturnus signed to Earache Records. Recording with producer Tom Morris, the band released their debut album The Key in August of 1990. The theme & story was quite original: blending sci-fi and the occult, The Key tells the story of a cyborg, who time travels to 0 B.C., destroys Christianity, and in the process creating a modern empire.

The album was a surprising success, managing to eventually sell 70,000 copies worldwide. Sadly however, bassist Jeff Estes developed a drinking problem during this album’s production, which in turn caused his bass playing to deteriorate. So much so that Mike Davis ended up playing a majority of the bass on the album. Estes was eventually replaced with Jim O'Sullivan, and after the band toured on the Grindcrusher tour in support of The Key, but Jim departed not long after their tours were done.

Best Track? Destroying The Manger hands down! Perhaps one of the most controversial songs in Metal’s history, this track’s message of destroying the manger in which Jesus was cradled certainly got some people spooked. However, it’s not quite as insulting as some would say, despite it’s nature. There’s a nice keyboard buildup at the beginning, and then the listener is pushed right into a pit of furious guitar playing & drum work, all the while hearing Mike Browning describe everything that’s going on. I like a little spice in my music sometimes, and this just has the right amount of it.

Destroying The Manger

Worst Track? Much like any story-driven album (Metal or Otherwise), it’s kind of hard to pick things apart, positive or otherwise. To be honest, I like everything on here. The sci-fi & keyboard makes the Death Metal aspects come across as hokey, but on the whole The Key is a fantastic record, and serves as a nice alternative to the more traditional offerings of Extreme Metal of the time. Next album!

Thresholds (1992)(Album)

With the success of The Key, it seemed to be a bright future for Nocturnus. However, dark times were coming. In 1992 the band decided to get a full-time vocalist, although Browning was allowed to focus on drumming, and Earache promised the group a music video if they got a “Real” vocalist. Said vocalist came in the form of former Tortured Soul vocalist Dan Izzo, and  new bassist Chris Anderson to play with them for their 2nd album, Thresholds. With Browning focused more on the drums, Thresholds went in a far more space and sci-fi oriented direction when it came to lyrics. As far as instrumentation was concerned, things weren’t quite as intense, but things where made up in terms of diversity. There was an instrumental track, employment of acoustic guitars, and exotic forms of percussion.

Released on May 26, 1992 in the UK, and August the 18th here in the States, Thresholds didn’t sell quite as good as it’s predecessor (Mostly because of the direction it took), but fans & critics were generally favorable towards the album, with tracks like Arctic Crypt and Subterranean Infiltrator becoming fan favorites. During this time, Nocturnus got a new permanent bassist by the name of Emo Mowery, who’s prior commitment was for the band Malediction.

However, with this new acquisition, things continued to worsen for Nocturnus. There was a European tour for Thresholds, but the band was unsatisfied with Earache’s lack of promotion of the album, leading them to make little money off the tour. Things escalated even more when they came back to the United States: musical differences between Mike Browning and the rest of the band became more and more apparent, with the pinnacle of these differences being Sean McNenney and Louis Panzer, behind Browning’s back, ensuring rights to the bandname Nocturnus, which they also signed Mike Davis onto, but not Izzo or Mowery. Browing got fired shortly after this action, and to this very day there is bad blood between the McNenney/Panzer and Browning camps, and he was replaced by James Marcinek.

Best Track? For me it’s a tie between the atmospheric instrumental Nocturne in Bm, and the underwater brutality of Aquatica. The former sounds like something space marines would listen to during a voyage through the void, with the thoughts of war brooding in their minds. The later track comes across as simultaneously brutal yet ethereal. The sounds of water are sprinkled all over the song, but when things aren’t drowning in wetness, you’re treated to a sonic assault the likes of which have rarely been heard since 1992. A wonderful treat, if I say so myself!

Nocturne in Bm

Aquatica

Worst Track? This entire album is fantastic, not a bad song in sight! If one wanted to be nitpicky about Thresholds, one would complain about the slight bent more towards the prog side that the band experimented with in their first record. I don’t have a problem with this, as both Prog & Death Metal lend a lot to each other, and in the process create a fantastic record. If you like your Death Metal a bit on the stranger side, then Thresholds is the album for you!

Ethereal Tomb (1999)(Album)

With the new lineup, Nocturnus began recording new songs for a 3rd album, which included tracks like "Mummified", "The Invertebrate Plague", "The Great Spot", and "Orbital Decay", and all of these tracks were written by the combined efforts of Davis, McNenney, and Panzer. Unfortunately, Nocturnus began to lose label support from Earache as their contract was dropped around this time. The band eventually released a 2 song & self-titled EP in 1993, which included the track Mummified, along with a recycled song by the name of “Possess The Priest”. Unfortunately, Panzer, McNenney, and Marcinek all departed the band after this, and Nocturnus was effectively split-up, and the band members basically fell off the grid (Except for Mike Davis). However.....

In the late 90s, Sean McNenney and Louis Panzer started up again, creating some ambient metal riffage. Thinking that this new material could work for a brand new Nocturnus album, Mike Davis and Emo Mowery were brought back onto the project, along with their new drummer Rick Bizarro, and on October 1, 1999, Ethereal Tomb was released. Sadly, Ethereal Tomb was the last album from Nocturnus to be made, as the group broke up for good in 2002.

Best Track? Bit of a tie between Orbital Decay (The opening track) and Outland (The closing track). With the former song, I can picture the same space marines that were listening to Nocturne in Bm on Thresholds entering the orbit of a hostile planet, headbanging to this track. Outland is a pure instrumental track: there’s a breathtaking quality to everything despite the brutality in the first portion, and a mystical/astral presence comprising the second portion. I can picture a starship sailing through the milky way, and this track just echos throughout the void as they sail on.

Orbital Decay

Outland

Worst Track? If there was any problem with Ethereal Tomb, it would be the rather clean sound production. With their previous 2 records, there was a rawness to the sound that melded with the sci-fi flavor. Here, everything is much more crystal clear, ruining how gritty the last two albums were. Ethereal Tomb is still a heavy release full of headbanging riffage, but it's cleanliness is a little off putting.

Ethereal Tomb. Maybe a little more pure in terms of sound, but the overall quality of the music is still fantastic to listen to. If you like your Death Metal a bit cleaner, then this record might be what you’re looking for.

And that was a look at the obscure Nocturnus. Unique for their time, the band’s influenced has managed to touch a few bands, and still has a cult following to this day. If you like Death Metal, and you’re a fan of the funkier side of music, these sci-fi slayers might be for you.

Well, Halloween has come & gone here on the Heavy Metal Otaku blog, but we’ve got November coming, and it’s time for perhaps my biggest overview yet. It’s time......for the month of Motörhead.

Metal Overview: Ghost

Happy Halloween, fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

Have I got a treat for you today! Usually some people during this holiday are quite the tricksters, but I’m gonna give you all something sweet. A spooky metal overview, to be exact. It’s rather quick, but chockful of great music at the same time. This band’s only been producing material since the 2010s, but they’ve already left quite an impression. So put on your Sunday best, get your prayers ready, and have a look at the Swedish sensation Ghost. Enjoy!

Opus Eponymous (2010/2011)

Sometimes the origins of a band can be ironic & funny, and Ghost is no exception. Originally founded in 2006 when the band members were in different groups, a nameless ghoul (the masked band members that are on instruments & keyboard) said that he played a riff that would become a song on their first album (Stand By Him). He went on to say that "I said that this is probably the most heavy metal riff that has ever existed ... When the chorus came to me, it haunted my dreams. Every time I picked up the guitar, I ended up playing that progression, and when I fit the words in, it seemed to cry out for a Satanically-oriented lyric."

Upon picking the name Ghost and acquiring their first singer (An anonymous man later called Papa Emeritus, who’s character is a “Demonic Anti-Pope”), the band decided to use their love of horror films & the traditions of “Scandinavian Metal” in the imagery of the group. Another nameless ghoul said that “Everything started with a bunch of songs. We knew very early that to make this material work we needed to fulfill our dream of putting a horror show together with music.” In 2010, Ghost produced a three-track demo and the vinyl-only single "Elizabeth” (More on that in a sec). Later on, the group released their first record, Opus Eponymous (Latin for The Self-Titled Work), on October the 18th (January 2011 in the U.S. & April 2011 in Japan) the album was released. Opus Eponymous was met with universal praise, both in their native Sweden & worldwide.

Best Track? Elizabeth was always a song I remembered when Opus Eponymous was over with. Dealing with the subject matter of Elizabeth Bathory, this track seems reminiscent of 60s/70s rock, as there a fair bit of organ work that’s being played, and the way the guitar & drums are used as well. Emeritus the First isn’t speaking behind his pulpit, as this song isn’t that religious, but the way he weaves his words is oddly hypnotizing. Downright bloody, Elizabeth is a fun song to listen to, especially when it’s so close to All Hallow’s Eve.

Elizabeth

Worst Track? Papa Emeritus the First I thought had weak vocal work. He’s got strength behind his voice, but I don’t know if it’s me, but he doesn’t seem to put all of said strength into his singing. As such, the album might not leave a complete impression on the first go through. Apart from this one issue, Opus Eponymous is not a bad album, and actually makes a good first impression. However, the album that was to come......would definitely leave an impact upon the Heavy Metal scene.

Infestissumam (2013)

Translated from Latin as very or most hostile (Used as a reference to the Anti-Christ), Infestissumam was released on April the 10th, 2013 (April 16th here in the states). This record was important to Ghost for a number of reasons: the band was signed to an American record company (Universal Records), the band changed their outfits & lead singer (Papa Emeritus the 2nd, later revealed as Tobias Forge of Magna Carta Carte), debuted at no. 28 on the Billboard 200, and sold 75,000 copies by November of last year. However, Infestissuman wasn’t without some controversy....

You see, Ghost has a fondness for the usage of Satanic & devilish imagery within their music. In fact, their first record ended with the track “Genesis”, and represented a coming darkness as the band said in a interview. The interview in question also stated that “Everything on the first record was about a coming darkness, an impending doom. Whereas the new record is about something present, and literally, the new record deals with the presence of the Anti-Christ, the Devil. But subliminally, the meaning of it is more how mankind-- predominantly men-- what they have deemed to be the presence of the Devil, throughout history and even nowadays. And that’s why the record is so fueled with sexual themes and females. That’s basically it, the Inquisition was basically men accusing women of being the Devil just because they had a hard-on for them.”

This theme didn’t help matters, as Ghost recorded Infestissumam down in Tennessee, and that state is quite religious. In fact, the band had trouble looking for a choir to sing with them, given the album’s theme. Ghost would be met with religious controversy again later on: Kuma’s Corner added a hamburger named after the band. One of the ingredients for the burger was a communion wafer, and local Catholic institutions have called it “tasteless”. The owner has refused, saying that it’s “Tasty & Popular”.

Best Track? Bit of a tie between Year Zero & the concluding song, Monstrance Clock. The former song is simultaneously sinister & bombastic, with a dark kind of sensuality being spread around by Emeritus the 2nd & the Nameless Ghouls. Monstrance Clock comes across as a piece from a gospel rock opera: Papa Emeritus II is standing behind his pulpit, speaking to the listener with a conviction that just seems to resonate with one’s soul. There’s no tricky with his voice, but you get the sense that he has another purpose behind his singing.

Year Zero

Monstrance Clock

Worst Track? While the vocal work was upgraded when they picked up Papa Emeritus II, it seemed that one problem was traded for another. Instead of a whispy-like voice, Papa Emeritus II comes across as more nasily with his vocal work. Some songs don’t have this quirk very much, but others make this very apparent (My favorite & best tracks, for example). I wouldn’t call this a detriment, but it is a little annoying.

Infestissumam. A far stronger release than Opus Eponymous, and (In my view) marks Ghost’s real reveal to the word. Absolutely recommended, and now for the next album!

Meliora (2015)

Riding upon the success of Infestissumam, Ghost began making their 3rd album at the end of 2014. The spacey theme that became the identity of Meliora actually had it’s origins a month prior to their tour for Infestissumam, a Nameless Ghoul was trying out a new guitar rig during a rehearsal. As the ghoul said: “The guitar rig had a "spacey echoed" effect that made a guitar riff sound futuristic & sci-fi.” At that point, the ghoul had the idea for the new album. Another ghoul said that “Because guitar work took a backseat on Infestissumam, the band focused on guitar riffs from the beginning of the new album.” He went on to explain that this was partially achieved by having four different guitars, each played through three different amps, making four performances going through 12 amplifiers. 2 Gibson SGs (One from the early 80s, and the other from the 60s), a 1962 Gibson Les Paul & a Fender Telecaster. After getting the right producer (Klas Åhlund, known for his work with pop singers), the band continued working, and on August 21, 2015, Meliora was released.

Continuing with the religious theme alongside the sci-fi aspect (Opus Eponymous was about the birth/coming of the Antichrist, Infestissumam dealt with the Antichrist’s presence, and Meliora was about the absence of God), Ghost changed up their physical image, and switched out their singer. In this case, the new singer was Papa Emeritus the 2nd’s younger brother (More on this in a bit). As for lyrical content, a nameless ghoul had this to say:

“The lyrics deal with the void that happens when there is no god, when there is no one there to help you. But even then, there will always be some fucker there to give you guidance. And the band is basically portrayed as the religious party that comes in there with a guiding hand. We offer the one place in the world that is spiritual”

Another band member said this:

“It was "more about the modern man and woman in their pursuit of purpose in life. It's hard to live in a society if you're not willing to buy that you are in a collective, yet usually in the Western world, there is a big disregard for individual responsibility”

Best Track? Another 2-way tie, between the glorious Majesty and the highly religious Absolution. Majesty is quite rhythmic, even during the louder portions, and Emeritus the 3rd’s vocal work slides along with the instrumentation, making for a great fit! Absolution comes across as kind of a Monstrance Clock 2.0: Papa is standing behind his pulpit, speaking out to his flock. This song, however, comes across as a bit darker, almost nihilistic in a sense. A little bit of merriment can be had, due in part to the beat & cheesy keyboard used in parts.

Majesty

Absolution

Worst Track? Ultimately, there isn’t that much of a difference between Papa Emeritus II & Emeritus the 3rd. In fact, Emeritus III was the 2nd’s younger brother, and there’s no real notable difference because of this. Emeritus the 3rd comes across as a little more youthful than his older brother, but that’s about the only thing I can complain about.

Meliora. Similar to it’s predecessor, but different at the same. If Infestissumam wasn’t quite your thing, then give this record a go. Next album!

Popestar EP (2016)

Released only a month ago on the 16th, info on this EP is limited. It should be noted, however, that my favorite track actually got released 4 days earlier as a music video (More on this in a sec). Following the release, Ghost has started touring in the United States to promote the ridiculously named Popestar. This EP is a nice nugget of music, with 1 brand new tune, and 4 covers.

Best Track? Square Hammer is easily the best thing on here, Mixing the hokiness of old-school horror films, with a healthy touch of Heavy Metal & Rock, and you have a great recipe for a fantastic song. In many ways it comes across as a extension of their material from Meliora, and this makes sense because Emeritus the III & the 3rd-generation Nameless Ghouls have returned. The video just adds on the cheese, as the band made a art-deco tribute to horror films. The atmosphere provided by both the song & the video mix together, and the end result is nothing more than magic!

Square Hammer

Worst Track? The band’s cover of Missionary Man is about the only thing I can complain about. It’s clear that Ghost loves the track, and they’re putting in a lot of soul, but for some reason I don’t like how the track feels. Either Emeritus is trying too hard to sound like Annie Lennox, or I’m just missing something. It’s not a horrendous tune, but maybe it should have been on a bonus cd for their next album.

Missionary Man

Popestar. A tasty little morsel, that functions as a nice appetizer before the feast next year. Do yourself a favor, and grab this!

And that was my look at the sensation known as Ghost. If this is how they started out their career, then I & the rest of the fan can expect nothing but good things from this group in the future. Join me Halloween day, when I’ll have a second overview put up, taking a look at a Death Metal band that’s sadly become obscure in this modern time. Until then, hope your day gets a little more spooky!

Anime or Manga: Which is Better (Rosario + Vampire)

I have to admit, this one was easy fellow Otaku & Metalheads.

I’ve known about today’s subject matter for a long time. If you recall from my top-10 anime: new school edition post, I discovered Rosario + Vampire the anime due to my friend Amanda back in 2007. For the most part, I enjoyed it. Granted, I liked the anime for pervy reasons (I’ll get to this in a bit), but I liked it all the same. Then I found the manga around 2009, and boy of boy did I suffer some whiplash! There hasn’t been many times where I came across an anime, only to find that the manga is so diametrically opposite.

So, for the second time this year, it’s time to find out which is better. The anime or the manga? Let’s begin!

Story
The base core of the anime & manga’s story is essentially the same: Tsukune Aono is an average joe that can’t get into local high schools because of his grades. His folks enroll him in a private school (Yokai Academy), only for him to find out that it’s a school for monsters (Not monster girls.....sadly). He bumps into Moka Akashiya, who shortly after their encounter reveals that she’s a vampire, and become friends. Over the course of time, more supernatural women cross Tsukune’s path, becoming friends with him in the process. However, trouble brews, and it’s up to Tsukune & his paranormal harem to solve the problem.....and that’s where the two are the same.

The difference’s between the two, however, are radically different! For starters, the story within the anime is considerably watered down when compared to the manga it’s based on. The comic has a surprising amount of depth, good characters, and a mood & atmosphere that comes across as life-like & realistic. With the anime, we have something completely different. With the show, we have a far more watered-down version of the comic’s story. Things are focused much more on the romantic comedy aspects, and with a shocking amount of unnecessary fan-service. If any of you know me, you’ll be surprised by that statement. This watering down of everything trickles to all the other components, but suffice it to say this isn’t good.

Things are worse when it gets to season 2! The 2nd season is basically an extension of the first season: same characters, same setting, etc. If anything, the second season of the show continues to use a weakened version of season 1's, and just cherry-picks pieces of what the animators & editors liked from the 2nd season of the manga.

Setting
The one thing that doesn’t completely change is the setting. Both the anime & the manga take place at Yokai Academy, the school where monsters go. What is different is where both mediums go: whereas the anime seems to stick to mostly the school & a few select places, the manga goes all over the place, and has a far more dynamic world. You’ve still got the school, but you’ve got Tsukune’s home, the beach, the forest & a field of sunflowers, and so many other places. Because of this, the world of Rosario + Vampire in it’s manga form is much more believable & alive.

Characters
Oooookay, where to begin.

If the story was watered-down, then Rosario + Vampire’s characters are almost a drought! So much was sucked out of all the characters in the anime, they are practically shells of their former selves. Tsukune, for example, comes across as far more spineless & whimpy, although he has a moment to shine on occasion. Moka comes across as way more girly in her normal form, and just a generic Tsundere in her greater form. Kurumu comes across as a valley girl in the anime, a far cry from her manga counterpart. Yukari the witch isn’t completely different from her anime incarnation, but does act a bit on the childish side. Mizore is a lot like Yukari in that she’s not completely different, but the anime focuses much more on her stalker side. And that’s just the main anime cast!

Side characters are all over the place. Some remain truer to their manga counterpart, but others might as well be new characters completely. It’s a incredible disservice, as the cast of Rosario + Vampire is one of the best sets of modern manga characters. A shame!

Speaking of radically different...

Mood & Atmosphere
Wow. Just wow!

The anime is a far cry from it’s manga counterpart. There’s much more of a morally-grey/realistic vibe, but still has plenty of room for some lighthearted & comedic moments. It feels believable, much like it’s setting. With the anime, oh hell no! There is far less danger, far fewer threats to the character’s livelihood, and focuses far more on the brighter side of things. Because of it’s focus on the comedy, romance, and fanservice, there’s something sickeningly sunny about everything. Even when it does get serious, something goofy or lighthearted always seems to happen not long after. While I’m normally not a fan of stories with a morally grey edge (Long story), something about having that along the lighter sides of the manga makes for some interesting reading material.

So Which Is Better
Rosario + Vampire could have......no, it should have had a great anime! The manga is awesome, and despite being a Shonen title, has a surprising amount of universal appeal. So with this potential, you would think that it would translate over to an animated medium. You are wrong! I had the misfortune of watching both seasons a year prior to discovering the manga, and I’ve been regretting it ever since. Maybe in bursts the anime is fine, but if you’ve read the comic, you will want to stay away unless you’re morbidly curious.

Rosario + Vampire: The manga wins over the anime hands down!

Now that I’ve got this out of the way, it’s time for some Halloween-themed Heavy Metal! So tune in next week, when I’ve got 1 of 2 spooky metal overviews for you. Until then, hope things don’t suck!

Anime Review - XXXholic

 Welcome back to Halloween 2016, fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

Last week I took a look at the cult classic, Elfen Lied. A show with potential, it ultimately didn’t tap into that potential, yet still remains a mildly entertaining series. Today’s show, however, is something different. It’s a cerebral show like Elfen Lied, but removes the disturbing violence, and maybe doesn’t quite as pretentious. It has it’s own faults, but they really don’t inpact how great this show is. So sit back, throw some salt over your shoulder, and take a look at my review for the CLAMP classic, XXXholic.

Story/Setup
Taken from Wikipedia:

“Kimihiro Watanuki is a high school student plagued by yokai and ayakashi spirits, both of which are invisible to everyone else but him. The series begins when Watanuki stumbles, seemingly by chance, into a shop that grants wishes. The shop is owned by Yuko Ichihara, a mysterious witch of many names and esoteric renown. For a price, she offers to grant Watanuki's wish to be rid of the spirits. The price, according to Yuko, must be of equal value; so, as payment, he must become Yuko's temporary, part-time cook and housekeeper. While his established job consists of household chores, Yuko increasingly sends him on errands of a supernatural or spiritual nature as the series develops. Himawari Kunogi, Watanuki's love interest, and Shizuka Domeki, a classmate whom Watanuki initially detests, occasionally join him in his work as per Yuko's request. The three become increasingly close, and though Watanuki is often annoyed with Domeki, he grows to value the new friendships he makes and his life at the wish shop.”

I should point out that XXXholic the anime has a far more watered down story than it’s manga counterpart. The connections to Tsubasa (The series XXXholic is nominally connected too) are effectively gone, and instead exists in it’s own world. As someone that’s never watched Tsubasa I don’t have a problem with this, but for those who like both series, this will be a sticking point. As for the XXXholic material itself, it uses nowhere near as much as the manga: with the show, it only reaches up to a point earlier on in the comic. This is my sticking point, as while I haven’t read all of the manga, it’s obvious that the show doesn’t quite dip into the lore as much. This also impacts the characters, but I’ll get to that in a bit.

Animation
CLAMP has always been a studio where they’ve made fantastic looking stuff. Anime, Manga, doesn’t matter. With the case of XXXholic, they succeed at making a show that’s simultaneously dark & gothic, yet beautiful & inviting. There’s a great usage of color throughout this entire show, and the human characters are all wirery & spider-like with their movement, yet their motions somehow feel natural. The various spirits, demons, and monsters that populate this show have various forms that range from horrific, to mysterious, to essentially human (The Kitsune come to mind). The world of XXXholic is great to look at as well, with more realistic places like the city & school coming across as natural, and areas like Yuko’s shop having an aura of the supernatural. Great job all around!

Voice Acting
Unlike last week’s show, the voice acting in XXXholic is pretty consistent throughout the series. Outside of a minor character or two, pretty much everybody put on a good performance. Todd Haberkorn brings a lighthearted & serious nature to Watanuki, and Colleen Clinkenbeard’s depiction of Yuko is equal parts wise, tough, & silly. All of the other voice actors are great as well: Cherami Leigh’s depiction of Himawari is kind & loving, and J. Michael Tatum provides a stoic & solemn voice to Watanuki’s companion, Shizuka Domeki. It’s pleasant to hear a modern anime where a majority of the voice acting is of a good quality.

Characters
As with the story, the characters of XXXholic have been altered as well. In defense, their core natures haven’t been touched: Watanuki is still kind, Yuko is still wise, etc. Again, with the Tsubana connection taken away, something is....missing with everybody. They’re still enjoyable to watch, and their personalities are right on target, but something seems missing. Again, I’ve never read or watched Tsubasa, so this isn’t a problem for me. Those who’ve read Tsubasa & watched the anime, this will be another point of complaining.

Availability & Pricing
I bought my copy of XXXholic way back in 2010 (Connecticon 2010, if I remember right), and it was a measly 20 dollars! A good price, if I say so myself. Luckily, you can grab this show for a little bit cheaper, as it’s under Funimation’s S.A.V.E. program. Over on Amazon, a copy of XXXholic can go for as low as 16 dollars. This makes this show incredibly affordable, and won’t damage your wallet.

Overall Impression & Rating
XXXholic definitely shines over last week’s series. It’s serious, but it knows when to be lighthearted & silly. Characters can sometimes be dark, but nobody really wallows in that darkness. There’s a message to be had, but it’s not hammered into your head. Even the story, despite my issues with it & the changes to the characters, is great! I honestly enjoy watching XXXholic, flaws & all. If you’re looking for a good spirit-themed anime, then this should be high up on the list.

XXXholic get a 9 out of 10.

And that was XXXholic. Way less disturbing than Elfen Lied, yet still having that cerebral aspect that makes certain shows special. See you all next week, when a rather easy “Anime or Manga: Which is Better?” will reveal itself. Until then, may the cold air of October glide over you.

Anime Review - Elfen Lied

Welcome to October, fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

Unlike last year, I planned this month to be filled with spooky reviews. The kind of stuff that are perfect for this month. To start things off......I’ve got a tough one. I’ve known about this series for over a decade (Around 2005, if I remember correctly), but have never really had the courage to watch it until now. I probably won’t be watching this show again for a long time, simply because of how disturbing it was. In any case, grab an umbrella & your nearest teddy bear, prepare your happy place, and let’s take a look at the cult series Elfen Lied. Enjoy?

Story/Setup
Taken from Wikipedia:

“Elfen Lied takes place in Kamakura, Japan, and focuses on the "Diclonius", a newly mutated species. Their appearance is similar to humans, but with several differences, namely horn-like protrusions on the forehead and the presence of telekinetic invisible arms called "Vectors". One such Diclonius, Lucy, is the main character of the series: Initially held in a facility built for experimentation, located off the coast of Kamakura, she manages to escape and wreak havoc, but is injured in the process, an event which causes her to develop a secondary, childlike personality known as Nyu.

Lucy is found by two locals, Kohta, who studies at the local university, and his cousin Yuka. They take her in, and become involved with the numerous, often brutal, attempts to recapture her by a Special Assault Team and a number of other Diclonius, who shift frequently from oblivious to murderous.”

Alright, before I talk about the other things involved, I should point out two things that Elfen Lied seems to focus on. Frequently, might I add. These two things......are violence....and abuse. I’ll be talking about abuse first.

With perhaps the exception of some of the bad guys, and maybe one or two of the nicer characters (More on this in the “Characters” section later on), practically everyone in some form or another have been abused. In some circumstance it’s as simple as getting shoved around or teased a little, and at worse......well, let’s just say one of the female characters has to wear a diaper to school because of how much trauma she’s suffered (Although this is elaborated much more in the manga). As the show goes on, rarely a moment goes by without some form of abuse is seen. It’s downright horrific to see what so many of these characters have gone through. Speaking of horrific....

Next up is violence. This is perhaps the second component that make watching & reviewing this show so difficult. It seems that nobody is safe from getting killed, often in the most unimaginable ways. Men get killed, Women are mutilated, and even children aren’t safe from suffering from some ungodly form of execution. Even if no-one is falling off their mortal coil, characters can still suffer through some form of excruciating pain. Hence, why this aspect blends in with the theme of abuse that flows through Elfen Lied. The violence & abuse that the children in this show go through......yeah, I’m not gonna talk about it further.

With all of this story going around, you’d think things would be fleshed out & developed, and you’d be.....partially right. Elfen Lied sticks it’s blood-covered toes into some interesting ideas, but it really doesn’t dive into the pool. It seems to want to talk about it’s themes & message, but only seems to touch on them in doses. The “Humanity has a natural predator” theme does have an interesting ring to it, but it’s not written well, and comes across as more hokey than anything. There’s other plot points that don’t make much sense as well, or they weren’t really necessary (The beating of the puppy.....I’ll leave it at that). It’s frustrating, as I was watching Elfen Lied, I could see something glimmer under the water. It just wasn’t afraid to surface. Even the abuse elements in the anime seemed to be scaled back in comparison to it’s manga counterpart.

Animation
Elfen Lied’s animation looks surprisingly well for it’s time. By the time the show came out way back in 2004, it was apparent that computer animation for anime was taking hold. The way it all looks edited comes across as if computers were in control....for the most part. There’s a hand-drawn ascetic that can be found in plenty of the scenes. Especially in the less sci-fi areas of the show’s world, there’s just something nostalgic about seeing more natural drawn aspects, especially our main characters’s house. In a way it complements the black & white nature of the story, for good or for ill.

Voice Acting
The voice acting in Elfen Lied is a mix between meh, and good. Many of the more “Meh” voices are typically among the secondary characters, although Kohta has his moments of “Okay” as far as voice acting is concerned. Apart from this, Elfen Lied’s voice acting isn’t that bad. It’s definitely not one of ADV Films’s better examples of voice work, but I wouldn’t call it criminally awful. Chances are, if you have a preference for dubs, it’s not horrific.

Characters
Okay, um wow.....where to begin.

If there is anytime where I approve of the wanton abuse & violence, it would be when the bad people suffer. Half of the time in Elfen Lied, the people that get slaughtered & mutilated are some of the most wicked individuals ever to populate an anime. While I enjoy the scum of this show getting barbarically slain, too many of them seem over-the-top in their vile nature. Case in point: in a flashback, 3 grade-school boys are picking on Lucy when she’s younger. After picking on her, they bludgeon a puppy she loves, and then Lucy snaps, killing the boys. This over-the-top evil only serves to make Lucy more sympathetic as she goes on a killing spree, and this happens constantly with the various scumbag of the day showing up.

This is tragic, as there are legitimately kindhearted characters in Elfen Lied. Problem is, many of them don’t have much time to shine, as they’re often the target of violence as well. In their case, it’s often because of a mistake, or they had the unfortunate circumstance of meeting one of the’s show’s various pricks. This is ultimately what makes me angry when watching Elfen Lied: this is a show that revels in cruelty, wallows in abuse & horrific violence.......and in the process, constantly dangles the hope carrot inches from your face. In something mindlessly violent like Violence Jack (Trust me. That show will get covered.......eventually.), where everybody’s getting gutted left & right, it’s not necessarily offensive, as it’s not trying to put a message in your head. With this? This overwhelming cruelty vs motes of good motif has always been preachy, and Elfen Lied is attempting to be a moral as possible.

Availability & Pricing
For the longest time, Elfen Lied was difficult to come by. It was an ADV Films title from the mid-2000s, and if you know anything about that company, you’ll know it’s had to find their stuff from this time. I somehow managed to snag a copy from a used video game store for close to 40 dollars. It was in shockingly good condition for it’s age, and that’s always a surprise. However.....

As recently as September 3rd of 2013, Elfen Lied has been re-released on Blu-Ray/DVD, with the ADV Films tag curiously on the front (Sentai Filmworks is the new laber owner). Pricing is actually pretty fair, costing only a little over 27 dollars for starting price. It may be redundant to buy a copy if you already have an original ADV Films version, but considering many of these older copies are probably rather worn, a second & newer copy might be a smart idea.

Overall Impression & Rating
Elfen Lied is.....is certainly something. There is potential in this show, most definitely. There is character, there is story, and hell, there’s even a message that tries to come through! However, thanks to some confusing writing, and some half-assed implementation of it’s message, the potential of Elfen Lied never truly shines. This definitely isn’t the be all & end all the cult following says it is, but it’s not quite the monster it’s detractors describe it. At best, it’s a mildly entertaining show with untapped potential, and a mildly meh to above average series at it’s worse. 

On a good day, I’ll give Elfen Lied a 7 out of 10. Bad day? Probably a 5.5 to 6 out of 10.

So this was Elfen Lied. Definitely one of the harder anime to watch & review, but a strangely good challenge at the same time. Luckily, the show coming next week won’t be so painful to watch & review. I’ll see you all then!



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If you can stomach it, here’s a playlist of the show. Enjoy?

Elfen Lied (Series)