Song Of The Week: Detroit Metal City - Satsugai

Lyrics:

I am a terrorist from hell
I raped my mom yesterday
I will carve my dad out tomorrow
I am a terrorist straight out of hell

I don't have a mom or dad
It's because I killed them
I have neither friends or lovers
It's because I killed them

Kill kill kill your close ones
Kill kill kill everything kill

Murder it's murder
Murder it's murder
(KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!)
Paint your memories in blood
Murder it's murder
Murder it's murder
(KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!)
Paint your future in blood

Kill kill kill your close ones
Kill kill kill everything kill

I have support from hell
This morning my brothers disappeared
I destroyed my relatives
I am a terrorist straight out of hell

I have neither brothers nor relatives
It's because I killed them
I don't worship and gods
It's because I killed them

Kill kill kill your close ones
Kill kill kill everything kill

Murder it's murder
Murder it's murder
(KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!)
Paint your memories in blood
Murder it's murder
Murder it's murder
(KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!)
Paint your future in blood

Kill kill kill your close ones
Kill kill kill everything kill

Murder it's murder
Murder it's murder
(KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!)
Paint your memories in blood
Murder it's murder
Murder it's murder
(KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!)
MURDERRRRRRRR!

Once again, I must ask too much of you readers.

Firstly, I have to apologise for the lack of a flash widget to conveniently display this song's lyrics within a quarter of a page length. Couldn't find any so far that has the translated version of the lyrics of this week's Japanese death metal song.

Secondly, as with most of my Songs Of The Week, this is yet another long overdue song. Had originally intended to put it up soon when I first learned of it last year, but kept pushing it back as I had other things to attend to (like socialising perhaps).

Okay, I presume that anyone who is reading this now would have already watched the music video above. Anyone ever heard of Dethklok from Metalocalypse? An adult cartoon on a fictional metal band? Well, Detroit Metal City is like the Japanese version of it, only wackier and crazier. This cult series originally began as a manga series, but was soon developed into a 13-episode anime series and even had a live-action movie shot of it that was shown worldwide in the first quarter of this year. I am not going to spoil the series for you, so go read/watch it to find out more about what it is all about.

Anyway, back to the main thing - DMC's music! This fictional Japanese death metal band plays sick numbers throughout the series, with only one being really popular though, that being "Satsugai", which literally means "Murder" in English. And why wouldn't it be? Those plodding, sick guitar riffs that come in from the start, that shrill scream-growl from Johannes Krauser II, and the guitar shredding that follows all complete that perfect death metal moment.

Despite the song's vocals being actually sung by the real-life Kenichi Matsuyama ("L" from the Death Note movie series, and "Johannes Krauser II" + "Soichi Negishi" from Detroit Metal City the movie), whom is by profession an actor, it is simply amazing how he can portray that image of the demonic Krauser II so well on-stage as vocalist of DMC by doing crazy death metal stunts such as the 'teeth guitar' (the only real-life person I know who had done it before is Alexi Laiho from Children Of Bodom) and saying "F**k!" 11 times within a second (until he bit his tongue). I would like to see a Hollywood actor (perhaps Johnny Depp? :D) play tribute to a harsh vocalist from a Western metal band someday (Marilyn Manson, anyone?).

Johannes Krauser II - DMC's vocalist as seen in the live-action movie, with the DMC logo being clearly seen at the top right, and bassist Alexander Jagi at the bottom left

Some trivia too, if you hail from the '70s or '80s, and find DMC sounding vaguely familiar, that would be because it is a reference to KISS' "Detroit Rock City" single from back then. Also, I personally feel that Krauser II's image is heavily based on Alexi Laiho, the vocalist for melodic death metal band Children Of Bodom, except for the face painting which the author obviously took inspiration from KISS, the heavy metal band that started the visual-kei fad in Japan.

DMC's antics - Krauser II making the Eiffel Tower "wet"

All in all, if you are kinda surprised why not only various weird styles of metal appear on this site, but even cross-culture styles of metal too, do keep up to date with us. We are even planning to do Korean and Chinese metal if possible, and when we can find the materials to do so. Lastly, check out DMC, and if you like their music, do not forget to...

GO TO DMC! GO TO DMC! GO TO DMC!

Dream Theater: Black Clouds & Silver Linings

Year released: 2009
Official website: http://www.dreamtheater.net/
Label: Roadrunner Records

Tracks:

1. A Nightmare to Remember [16:10]

2. A Rite of Passage [8:35]

3. Wither [5:25]

4. The Shattered Fortress [12:49]

5. The Best of Times [13:07]

6. The Count of Tuscany [19:16]

____________________________________________________________

With only 6 songs in it, this sure is a helluva long album, with a total playing time of about 1 hour and 15 minutes. And that's exactly my beef with this album. Yeah I'm afraid I didn't become a huge fan of Dream Theater when I listened to some songs by them, and my first experience with an album of theirs hasn't changed that disposition. The strange thing is: I actually think they're good.

With a career spanning more than 20 years, Dream Theater is one of the most famous progressive metal bands around, so I guess I should be shot for making Black Clouds & Silver Linings, their 10th album released only a coupla weeks ago, my first ever Dream Theater album. But I was never good at appreciating what most people call epic tracks, generally songs that last longer than 10 minutes, and if Black Clouds & Silver Linings is any example, 'epic' describes not only the quality of Dream Theater's musicianship, but also the length of their songs.

See, they've got everything on this album. Heavy atmospheres, emotional playing, melodic riffs, totally sick solos, not bad vocals, I quite like the sporadic death growls, catchy choruses, tight drumming, some cool blast beats, the lyrics fluctuate a little but are generally masterfully written. The problem is, they can have everything on a single song as well. You can almost hear them say, "Alright lets make 15 minute songs and throw everything we've got in them, so everybody can at least like something from them. That way, no one will say we suck!" Mash-up seems to be the idea here, and the transitions aren't always seamless. Even the lyrical themes of the songs are each so different, ranging from experiences of car crashes to writer's block to meeting strange royalty in Italy.

Its not always that bad, "A Nightmare to Remember" is my favourite track because some of the heaviest moments of the albums really do fit in well with the lighter ambience of other parts and the lyrics tie them neatly together. That 20 minute monster of a song, "The Count of Tuscany", on the other hand, is completely lost on me. It was a great display of talent, and I certainly can't say I was bored. But nothing striked me very much either and I can't hide the feeling that if it were separated into 4 five-minute songs, I would have liked each of them much better. This being my first Dream Theater album, I couldn't really appreciate the final part of the Twelve-Step Suite fully, but "The Shattered Fortress" was quite enjoyable both in its exuberent moments and when the quiet vocal work came in. Surprisingly, the shortest song on the album, "Wither" was the one I liked the least, ironically because the ballad was so constantly smooth and repetitive, almost gospel-like.

Left to right: John Petrucci (guitar), Jordan Rudess (keyboards), James LaBrie (vocals), John Myung (bass) and Mike Portnoy (drums)

Ultimately, I guess I like their work, but I'm simply not used to how much of their work is in a single song. But I s'pose that's how they are, its what makes Dream Theater Dream Theater, and their mastery of music just has to come to be manifested in epic tracks. In a final stab at my confusion though, below is a vid I found of "A Rite of Passage", shortened by about 3 minutes and I absolutely found no reason why it couldn't exist just like that, as a 5 minute plus song. Ah wells.

Verdict: 8.2/10

Bury Your Dead: It's Nothing Personal

Year released: 2009

Official website: www.buryyourdead.com, www.myspace.com/buryyourdead

Label: Victory Records

Tracks:

1. Hurting Not Helping [4:10]

2. Without You [4:38]

3. Broken Body [4:30]

4. The Great Demonizer [3:48]

5. Dead End Lovesong [4:43]

6. Swan Song [4:00]

7. Lakota [3:02]

8. The Forgotten [4:21]

9. Lion's Den [4:29]

10. Legacy Of Ashes [4:28]

11. Closed Eyes [4:51]

12. Enough [1:33]
__________________________________________________________________________

Don't be fooled by the album name. BYD themselves have said that what they mean by naming this album in such a way, is really just the opposite of what it says. It IS something personal, at least to the band members that is. This 5th album by groove metalcore band, Bury Your Dead, who formed in 2001 and hails from Massachusetts, USA, is the second album the band is doing with new permanent vocalist Myke Terry, and he is doing a fairly decent job of continuing the BYD tradition of hardcore music packed full of fretboard mayhem and groovy, heavy beats.

Take a listen!: Even the dead would headbang to these groovy beats

Exploding right into your ears from the very first second with mean, catchy guitar riffs, BYD's first single off this album, "Hurting Not Helping" certainly makes a very explicit summary about what they have more or less been through over the turmoil that was 2008. Apart from the frustration expressed in the songs' lyrics, you can also practically almost feel BYD's frustration with the s***t they have been through trickling into your ears in the form of vibrating air particles. Although heavy and hardcore, BYD also manages to bring about their own unique brand of melancholy on this album, proving once again that metalcore isn't necessarily always only about angst-driven extreme music. However, there are many repetitive guitar riffs on most of the other songs on this album that doesn't serve any purpose other than losing the attention of the listener fast. Furthermore, the guitar solos are mostly boring, with only the two at the start of the tracks "The Great Demonizer" and "Lion's Den" sounding more melodic and memorable than on the other tracks. The drumbeats are fairly more complicated than the dull guitar riffs, and shine best on the track "Lakota". Vocals-wise, Myke makes good harsh vocals with his rough voice, but his clean vocals sound lifeless and flat. That is something that he has to polish up on future albums. BYD's new style is almost similar to their old style; they still dish out punishing drum beats, testosterone-pumping guitar breakdowns, and ugly yet world-weary vocals to create a headbangin' mosh pit of songs for anyone needing an emotional outlet to let out their suppressed frustration or angst with the world. But other than that, this album is really not fantastic, and will soon be forgotten with the times.

Oh, I forgot to mention - Slipknot fans who have never heard BYD before, give them a try, as BYD does bear some resemblance to that group of Halloween enthusiasts. Although BYD is not as strong in the image department as Slipknot, they do triumph over them in terms of making heavier music that gives off a satisfying bunch of raw energy. However, Slipknot does make more memorable melodies and guitar solos than BYD. Hardcore fans of the old BYD however, would not like this new BYD. Sure, they are still heavy like before and all, but having a new vocalist really changes the feel of an otherwise familiar band. It is like replacing Chestor Bennington on Linkin Park with another guy someday, which will definitely cause LP's popularity to dip sharply since Chestor himself has more or less single-handedly molded that harsh, constipated sound of LP's music. Less hardcore fans of the old BYD however, would most probably welcome this new BYD with a spanking new stereo set to better headbang to this renewed attack by a revived BYD. As for those who haven't heard of BYD and wants to try them out now, go ahead, but don't expect them to be as good as other big metalcore bands you have heard before.

These hardcore rockers are: From left to right - Mark Castillo (Drums), Brendan "Slim B." MacDonald (Guitar), Myke Terry (Vocals), Aaron "Bubble" Patrick (Bass Guitar), Chris Towning (Guitar)



As the saying goes, simplicity is beauty. The album artwork is certainly thought-provoking... because it really makes one wonder what is up with that overly simple scenery. Perhaps the barren land juxtaposed against a clear blue sky is supposed to be a reference to the chaotic year BYD had in 2008?

Overall, "It's Nothing Personal" is a rather lackluster metalcore album, only pick up this album in stores if you are a hardcore BYD fan. If you are someone wanting to try out metalcore, don't start from BYD as they are an average metalcore band to start from. Start from consistently good metalcore veterans such as AILD, Killswitch Engage, Lamb Of God, or excellent metalcore newbies such as Bullet For My Valentine.

Drummer: Check out an insane Mark

Bury Your Damn Dead!: The music video for "Hurting Not Helping"; the crowd-favourite gimmick "Wall Of Death" at live metal performances can be seen here too


Verdict: 7.5 / 10

Song of the Week: WarCry - Espíritu de Amor

Yes, its a Spanish song, by a Spanish metal band. But its not just any Spanish metal band, its one of Spain's premier power metal bands, who have collected numerous accolades throughout their career from Radial Awards, Rockferendum, MetalZone etc, ranging from best keyboardist and guitarist and vocalist to best album and even best website (oO?). Its state of existence fluctuated during its initial years and it wasn't until 2001 that WarCry became a full-time band, fronted by Víctor García. Since then, its line-up has gone under constant change, with the exception of García, but its quality remains top class and it has quickly risen to fame first in Spain and then across Latin America.

"Espíritu de Amor" is from their 2004 album, Alea Jacta Est, and it means "spirit of love". Its an intricate piece of work, befitting the band's genre of power metal. Everything from the twin guitar riffs to the powerful keyboards solo to García's gravelly voice gives the song a simultaneously complex and simple beauty. And at the centre of this paradox is the lyrics itself, a sad poetic declaration of love for someone who has passed on that is delivered in a soaring energetic fashion. There is passion in its creation, with some sort of certainty that love transcends life or death. Even if you didn't know a single bit of español, I bet you can still feel all that emotion from the music itself.

Perhaps its not such a conventional song for making confessions of love, but it takes a different kind of appreciation perhaps. In that whirlwind of power metal melodies, with 5 instruments and a single voice playing out their separate roles to form a complicated song, there is just that simple meaning of wanting to be with the one you love. And experiencing the same loss of life within yourself when you lose your other half. Porque tu dolor es mi dolor.

No matter how difficult things can get, how messed up everything is, there can be meanings that shine steadfastly through all others, always strong, just like the quality of WarCry. For all those who are in el espíritu de amor, this is for you *winks*:

Song Of The Week: Emmure - False Love In Real Life

As my girlfriend always likes to proclaim, "Hmpf!". That, would be the reaction of most people towards Deathcore.

As I have previously mentioned, Deathcore is a very avant-garde genre that probably took root and nourished into a full-blown genre today in the underground scene, probably thanks to American hardcore bands learning death metal and then screwing around with it. Well, that's the essence of making music anyway, constantly experimenting and pushing the boundaries to create something new, or else there would really be no point listening to music ever again if everyone is gonna sound like R&B from the start to the end of their careers.

Emmure is a somewhat okay deathcore band, that has recently shown some promise on this single off of their second album, "The Respect Issue" released last year. Some basic information about them: They hail from Connecticut, USA, and formed in 2003. When I first listened to them on their first album, "Goodbye To The Gallows", I immediately thought of demons from hell feasting on half-alive humans, screaming for their lives. That's because, the vocalist, Frankie, really just screams his way through every song you can think of. I was thinking, if that was the way it is, I probably would not really like Emmure, 'cos sure, they are brutal and heavy and all, but there wasn't really much adrenaline-pumping moments to talk about when trembling to their songs (their bass and drums are very overpowering, and worse still, deliberately slow and dreadful at the start of most of their songs).

Ee-mew-er is - Frankie Palmeri - Vocals, Mark Davis - Bass, Mike Mullohand - Guitar, Michael Cobb - Drums, Jesse Ketive - Guitar

But this song changed it all. I actually like this song by them, and oh yeah, did I mention they are the only deathcore band I've heard so far that makes use of growls, screams, and clean vocals? I am not sure if The Acacia Strain does this, 'cos many people have been comparing Emmure to them and I have not heard any of their songs yet, but one thing is for sure, if you actually hear many people talking about a hardcore/deathcore, chances are that band is G-O-O-D. Not many bands manage to make songs that are intense yet fun to listen to.

By the way, Frankie's face in this music video is hilarious, it almost broke my smile into a laugh when I first saw it. The bass guitar part in this song is worth mentioning too, because it just plays mainly one tone throughout the entire song yet adds that foreboding and mean feel to the song. The way the bassist plays it is cool too, with his fingers fluttering and barely touching the strings at all. Check it out in the video above.

Yes, this song is playing on my speakers again while I'm ending off this week's post. Perfect for pumping yourself up before starting on some intensely boring studying again.

Emmure's 3rd album, "Felony", is set to be released on 18th August this year. Watch out for it and anticipate more headbanging to come your way, and perhaps, some funny album artwork again.

Angtoria: God Has a Plan for Us All

Year released: 2006
Label: Listenable Records
Official website: http://www.angtoria.com

Tracks:

1. The Awakening [1:31]

2. I'm Calling [4:57]

3. God Has a Plan for Us All [4:33]

4. Suicide on My Mind [4:15]

5. Deity of Disgust [4:59]

6. The Addiction [3:27]

7. Six Feet Under's Not Deep Enough [3:51]

8. Do You See Me Now? [4:25]

9. Original Sin (The Devil's Waiting in the Wing) [3:38]

10. Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned [4:43]

11. Confide in Me (Kylie Minogue cover) [4:14]

12. That's What the Wise Lady Said [4:31]
__________________________________________________

I just finished this album last night, and I thought hmm.. this has to be up on Zetalambmary. Angtoria's debut and only album to date, God Has a Plan for Us All, released in 2006. Though if you listened to the songs, you'd realise its not a really nice plan probably. Fronted by Sarah Jezebel Deva (her real name's Sarah Jane Ferridge, you'd think she'd have picked a stage name that's shorter than her real one ain't it..), widely known as the backing vocalist for Cradle of Filth when they're on tour, she first met Chris Rehn in 2001 and along with his brother Tommy, they formed Angtoria.

They're musically impressive. Unlike most of their peers who feature female soprano singers and overall less exuberant music, Angtoria brings out the Metal in symphonic metal. The guitars are very prominent, the keyboards play supporting actor in this gig and the drumming is plenty aggressive. Yet through it all, they don't lose that symphonic and gothic flavour. And Sarah's voice, for someone who is, to quote Shadori's words, somewhat horizontally inclined, is surprisingly alluring in its femininity and yet simultaneously strong and soaring. From ballads like "The Addiction" to more aggressive tracks like "Original Sin", you quickly get struck in the quality of her voice. Overall, both the music and the voice are very well done and they come together to make really wonderful songs, particularly in moments such as the chorus of "Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned" where they feel just perfect together and raise you to musical nirvana. Some harsh vocals provided by guests musicians have also been masterfully included.

So, drawbacks? Well you've seen the album cover, it isn't hard to guess what the lyrical theme for the whole album is about. Some songs, like the perversely titled "God Has a Plan for Us All" is so blatantly obvious that you'd almost squirm to hear the words sung out. I dunno 'bout y'all, but I keep wondering how popular an album filled with songs about rape, child sexual abuse and suicide can possibly be, even in the metal community. I know, there are black metal bands that promote even more creepy arcane stuff (anybody know Dissection? Or Soulreaper?) and gory images are prevalent everywhere in metal songs, but this kinda crosses over the line doesn't it. And its not like they do it gently, with a touch of surreality. Its as hard-on in your face as their musical style: largely blunt, with traces of intricacy. For the music, it works, its great. For the lyrics, I'm not so sure.

Dave Pybus (bass), Chris Rehn (guitars), Sarah Jezebel Deva (vocals), Tommy Rehn (guitars), John Henriksson (drums)

Alright no matter what, the quality of the musicianship displayed in this album cannot be denied. Angtoria doesn't just walk a fine line between mainstream listener-friendly and the raw energy and aggression of metal. They walk it with grace and style. As long as you're not opposed to listening to something that's slightly more straining on the ears than rock, no matter whether you're a metalhead or not, you're gonna be awed. Yeah, just don't pay too much attention to the lyrics huh.

Below is the official video for their title track, "God Has a Plan for Us All". Not the ideal song that I would have wanted our readers to try, but apparently its the only video Angtoria made, and I've seen the fan-made ones... Just don't strain yourself trying to hear what she's singing and it'll be fine, the song's still good, trust me.

Verdict: 8.9/10

Featured Musician: Petri Lindroos

His friends call him Pete. His fans call him Pete. So yeah, I call him Pete. See, Pete is the co-founder, and was the vocalist and lead guitarist, of the melodic death/power metal band Norther. He also joined the viking folk metal band Ensiferum in 2005, following the departure of Ensiferum's then vocalist and guitarist Jari Mäenpää, filling in the exact same roles of his predecessor.

Petri Lindroos are long-time friends with former Children of Bodom guitarist Alexander Kuoppala and it was the latter who helped Norther out a great deal when the band first started out. I s'pose that would be a huge reason why Norther's style was heavily influenced by C.o.B at first and received criticism for being copycats. But Norther has since shaped their own musical style, and Pete has played a huge part before and after this transition.

As part of Norther, Pete has played a character in the Finnish movie "Vares 2 - Jäätynyt Enkeli" and their songs "Frozen Angel" and "Reach Out" were featured as well. He is also fond of playing at gigs half-naked despite the fact that he doesn't have a sexy muscular body.

Sadly, as of March 4 this year, our beloved founding member left Norther to fully concentrate on Ensiferum, now adding war paint to his naked torso during live performances and maybe a sword hanging on his hip. *sobs* Don't get me wrong, I like Ensiferum, both during Jari's time and Pete's, but I think its a damn pity for Norther, and if you've heard Pete's replacement, former Imperanon vocalist Aleksi Shivonen, sing with his whiny high-pitched shrieks, you'd agree with me too. Sigh..

Below is the music video for "Frozen Angel", which features scenes from Vares 2.

Norther will never forget you Pete, and your awesome words of wisdom:

Yeap that's right folks, eat bunnies, not shit.