ROKKYUU Magazine » Review

STARGAZER Reviewed

Leela McMullen — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:49:54 +0000

While maintaining strong atmospheric resemblance to some of DaizyStripper’s classics, the two songs of the new single STARGAZER are in a class of their own. The unprecedented shine of “STARGAZER” and the sexy vibe of “-Z-UNIVERSE,” not to mention its extremely evocative lyrics, make this single a one of a kind.

Silver Ash Are REBORN in Exhilarating Style

Sarah Jones — Tue, 07 May 2013 03:22:41 +0000

REBORN is the second single release from Silver Ash since their return to the international music stage. It is a bold statement from a band that is determined not to be pushed down and are ready to take their place at the forefront of non-Japanese visual kei.

akai SKY Prove Their VK Mettle with Heart,Attack

Sarah Jones — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:29:42 +0000

akai SKY are a band hailing from the US but with designs to play good old fashioned Japanese rock with influences from L'Arc en Ciel and older visual bands. This recent single, Heart, Attack shows a band with much promise.

FEST VAINQUEUR’s 4th Single: TRISKELION

Leela McMullen — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 03:25:12 +0000

In most releases, the single’s title song comes first but in TRISKELION, the title bears no relation to any of the tracks. From the beginning, we can see that this release is as unique as the preceding album. These three striking songs making up TRISKELION represent the powerful numbers that FEST VAINQUEUR have to offer.

lynch. Return to Form with Ballad

Sarah Jones — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 03:15:47 +0000

BALLAD is a curious beast. In the hands of the very capable lynch., it has a fresh sound and unveils its charms gradually—rewarding repeat listening.

defspiral March Release, GLARE

Leela McMullen — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 06:13:12 +0000

Having announced three consecutive releases, one per month from March to May, defspiral started off with the heavy GLARE. When all is said and done, defspiral’s rock sound is a collusion of the full range of instruments and that specialty is aggressively maximized in GLARE.

NINJAMAN JAPAN Electrify with Raijin

Leela McMullen — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:58:56 +0000

In their new double A-Side single, Raijin, NINJAMAN JAPAN offer another dose of their pop-metal style without straying too far from their formula. The first track, “Raijin,” is a song in search of a shounen anime to attach itself to, with an adventurous rock feel and sharp drumming.

NoGoD Back with a Roar in V

Sarah Jones — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 04:37:51 +0000

V brings experimental flourishes and nods to prog rock while delivering some storming visual kei. While there are a few quibbles along the way V is, overall, a sure winner for NoGoD.

Moon Stream Double Down at PMX

Kate Havas — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 01:26:11 +0000

Visual kei unit Moon Stream, the US-based project of Echostream's Tomo and solo artist Satsuki, headlined the music portion of Pacific Media Expo November 9-11, performing two full concerts in addition to talk panels and meet and greet sessions.

DIR EN GREY – RINKAKU Review

Leela McMullen — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 10:12:00 +0000

Despite a disappointing full tour cancellation early in the year, Dir en grey finished 2012 strongly with their fall/winter tour entitled In Situ and the December 19 release of RINKAKU, their first new music release since Dum Spiro Spero in 2011. RINKAKU is a CD which more than proves that Dir en grey is not only back, but back and in action.