Review: Black:List - MELANCHOLY

Black:List [site]
MELANCHOLY [download]
2008-05-24 | maxi single | 1890 ¥

I've never listened to Black:List before this single, but I know they just changed vocalists. The new vocalist is Kyotaru, from √eight. Pretty much everyone so far has like Ryo, their old vocalist more, but since I've never heard him before, I don't care XD

MELANCHOLY starts off the single. I know this song is a redone song with Kyotaru, and a lot of people don't like this version nearly as much. Truthfully, his voice didn't click right away for this song, but after a few listens, I love it. The intro flows well into the song, and the overall the song has a great smooth feel, only broken by Kyotaru's rough vocals. Great song. Oh, and I LOVE the synth in it.

grief is the second song on the single, and it's a much faster song than MELANCHOLY. WE also get to hear more of Kyotaru great screams, although other than his screams and growls, I don't like his voice too much in this song. The guitar is pretty good, I like the harsh tone it has. Surprisingly, one of my favorite parts of this song is the drumming. It's a good song with great screams but some poor singing.

Champ213 was awesome enough to include a rip of the PV "Throw hope away" from the DVD that was included with the single. This song is f-ing amazing. Reminds me of eight at thier very best. This song goes from hard to soft and back flawlessly. They should have included this as one of the song on the single, as it is easily the best song out of the three. If anything, just download it for this song alone.

Overall, a pretty good single. I will miss Kyotaru in √eight, cause Illational was amazing, but since I already kind of considered them dead (cause what, they were suppose to have a new album out by fall of last year?) it's great to see him in a band.

Rating: 4 out of 5

CD Review: And& - Tokage

And& [site]
Tokage [download]
2008-05-28 | maxi single

I just downloaded this single randomly. I didn't really have any hopes or expectations, but I went in knowing that they sound like old Gazette. After listening too it, holy poo, it sounds exactly like old Gazette! Unfortunately, to me that means some rather generic VK.

The first track, Tokage, starts off with a really cool synth intro (reminds me of Girugamesh). Sadly, the intro doesn't fit the song at all. It's a rather upbeat song with a kind of a punky feel. Over all, it feels very much like something Gazette would have come up with. That said, the vocals aren't even close to on par with Ruki's. Not saying they bad, it just makes seem like a Gazette song with a not as good vocalist, lol.

The Second song on the single, gishinaki, feels like a blatant attempt to copy Gazette. And I have to give them props for doing a pretty damn good job. The tone of the guitar, the distortion of the vocals, it's all there. While there is nothing original about this song, it still kicks ass. This song chugs along a a fast past and has some great screams. Although, I have the say that the band members return screams are pretty crappy, lol. ignoring the fact that this is such a Gazette rip off, it's a great song.

Tokage over isn't a bad single. If you like Gazette, check them out. On the other hand, if you don't, stay away from this band XD

Rating: 3 out of 5