Free-Will, the US branch behind Dir en grey's domestic releases/tours, has announced its first rock concert event in the USA!! Scheduled to take place @ the Nokia Theatre Times Square in New York City on April 6th, the line-up will include the awesome visual kei acts 12012, RENTRER EN SOI, ANTI FEMINISM, and the studs. Tickets, information are available @ TICKETMASTER & went on sale January 25th. More information can be found at the event's official myspace page.
And you can buy tix here through ticketmaster.com (Tix are about $40 plus service charges)
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/00004038CBE0F63A?artistid=1191604&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=200
Check them out:
12012:
"Screen Out"
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/SCREEN%20OUT.mp3
"Once Again"
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/ONCE%20AGAIN.mp3
"Over PV"
RENTER EN SOI:
"The Abyss of Despair"
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/The%20Abyss%20Of%20Despair.mp3
"Hoshikuzu no Rasen"
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/Hoshikuzu%20no%20Rasen.mp3
"Just Mad Pain PV"
the studs:
"Thursday"
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/thursday.mp3
"False the Skin"
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/false%20the%20skin.mp3
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Comcast to shutdown AZN 4.9.08
From Anime News Network: (+info by Chris)
Comcast, the largest cable television operator in the United States, will close down its AZN Television channel on April 9. The channel has carried a number of Asian programing & anime works including Kakurenbo, Last Exile, Mobile Police Patlabor, Record of Lodoss War, Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie, Saiyuki Reload Gunlock, Tsukuyomi -Moon Phase-, and others. It has also shown live-action adaptations of popular manga series such as Initial D and Nodame Cantabile, as well as Negadon: The Monster from Mars and Mamoru Oshii's live-action Tachigui: The Amazing Lives of the Fast Food Grifters film.
Comcast, the largest cable television operator in the United States, will close down its AZN Television channel on April 9. The channel has carried a number of Asian programing & anime works including Kakurenbo, Last Exile, Mobile Police Patlabor, Record of Lodoss War, Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie, Saiyuki Reload Gunlock, Tsukuyomi -Moon Phase-, and others. It has also shown live-action adaptations of popular manga series such as Initial D and Nodame Cantabile, as well as Negadon: The Monster from Mars and Mamoru Oshii's live-action Tachigui: The Amazing Lives of the Fast Food Grifters film.
According to Comcast, the channel attracted about 13.9 million viewers, which was lower than expected, and the audience was not increasing. The channel also had difficulty securing advertising.
Comcast launched AZN in 2005 after acquiring Liberty Media's International Channel, which also frequently broadcasted anime series and films & suchmusic variety shows as HEY HEY HEY MUSIC CHAMP & Tofu Records POP JAPAN TV... Comcast had already laid off many of the senior staffers in late 2005, but the remaining 15 employees, who are based in Denver, will be offered jobs in other areas of the company.
I think we've seen this coming for a while... IN was better, but AZN was better than nothing. -_-
Monday, January 21, 2008
X JAPAN & MUCC available soon in the US!!
X JAPAN & MUCC? Sounds like 2 of your all time favorite J-Rock bands doesn't it?
Well there's some real good news for you then... ^_-
Confirmed Live dates for X Japan's spring shows in Japan I.V.～towards destruction～ will feature two performances at Tokyo Dome, ～Night of Destruction～ on March 28th, and ～Night of Creation～ on March 30th. X Japan's new song "I.V." will be available on iTunes starting on Wednesday, January 23rd. This means X Japan will be the first Japanese artist to cover the entire world with a digital release, as it will be available in twenty three different countries. PLUS the band's "JAPANESE BEST ALBUM" has been announced, though a release date has not been confirmed. It will include the new tracks "I.V." and "Without you."
Check out this DVD ripped version of X JAPAN's "I.V." from SAW IV!! ^_-
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/X+Japan+-+I.V.mp3
On February 5th, MUCC will release their album "BEST OF MUCC" in the USA!! There will not only be physical copies of the CD, but it will also be available on iTunes!!
New from MUCC (from the Fuzz single) here's "Chain Ring"
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/02+Chain+Ring.mp3
Other new stuff...
ABINGDON BOYS SCHOOL: "Blade Chord" (new single)
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/01+Blade+Chord.mp3
DETROIT7: "Kono itoshiki sekai" (from their album "Great Romantic")
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/10.+detroit7+-+Kono+itoshiki+sekai.mp3
GIRUGAMESH: "Vermillion" (from their new album "Girugamesh")
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/03+Vermillion.mp3
GO!GO!7188: "Koi no Uta ~live from Sunsport 2007 (classic song from new radio broadcast)
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/06+koi+no+uta.mp3
HIGH & MIGHTY COLOR: "Ichirin no Hana ~Studio Live Version" (from their new best album "10 Color Singles")
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/HIGH+and+MIGHTY+COLOR+-+12+-+%27Ichirin+no+Hana%27+Studio+Live+Ver..mp3
HIZAKI GRACE PROJECT: "Calm" (new instrumental from their instr. EP "Curse of Virgo")
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/04+Calm.mp3
Let me know what ya think!!
Well there's some real good news for you then... ^_-
Confirmed Live dates for X Japan's spring shows in Japan I.V.～towards destruction～ will feature two performances at Tokyo Dome, ～Night of Destruction～ on March 28th, and ～Night of Creation～ on March 30th. X Japan's new song "I.V." will be available on iTunes starting on Wednesday, January 23rd. This means X Japan will be the first Japanese artist to cover the entire world with a digital release, as it will be available in twenty three different countries. PLUS the band's "JAPANESE BEST ALBUM" has been announced, though a release date has not been confirmed. It will include the new tracks "I.V." and "Without you."
Check out this DVD ripped version of X JAPAN's "I.V." from SAW IV!! ^_-
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/X+Japan+-+I.V.mp3
On February 5th, MUCC will release their album "BEST OF MUCC" in the USA!! There will not only be physical copies of the CD, but it will also be available on iTunes!!
New from MUCC (from the Fuzz single) here's "Chain Ring"
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/02+Chain+Ring.mp3
Other new stuff...
ABINGDON BOYS SCHOOL: "Blade Chord" (new single)
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/01+Blade+Chord.mp3
DETROIT7: "Kono itoshiki sekai" (from their album "Great Romantic")
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/10.+detroit7+-+Kono+itoshiki+sekai.mp3
GIRUGAMESH: "Vermillion" (from their new album "Girugamesh")
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/03+Vermillion.mp3
GO!GO!7188: "Koi no Uta ~live from Sunsport 2007 (classic song from new radio broadcast)
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/06+koi+no+uta.mp3
HIGH & MIGHTY COLOR: "Ichirin no Hana ~Studio Live Version" (from their new best album "10 Color Singles")
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/HIGH+and+MIGHTY+COLOR+-+12+-+%27Ichirin+no+Hana%27+Studio+Live+Ver..mp3
HIZAKI GRACE PROJECT: "Calm" (new instrumental from their instr. EP "Curse of Virgo")
http://cultureshockjapan.googlegroups.com/web/04+Calm.mp3
Let me know what ya think!!
Monday, January 14, 2008
JAPAN NITE 2008!!
Love Japan Nite 2007?? Of course you did!! It was one of th ebst J-Rocking events of the year & now 2008 is just around the corner with their 6 NOW NEW CONFIRMED guests for the tour!!
Japanese acts include...
Petty Booka (Japanese Recreated Folk girl-duo that does Western covers!)
The Emeralds (the loud unique alt band is back in 08!)
Detroit7 (female vocaled garage band trio!)
The Beaches (disco-punk-new wave act!)
Scandal (Osaka's new All Girl Pop-Rock band!)
Ketchup Mania (Super Fan-Favorite Speedy Commercial Punk band... @_@ at last!! ^_-)
http://sxsw-asia.com/JapanNite2008/tourdate.html
Should be one AWESOME night for us in New York @ the Knitting Factory on 3.16.08!!
THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED!!
Japanese acts include...
Petty Booka (Japanese Recreated Folk girl-duo that does Western covers!)
The Emeralds (the loud unique alt band is back in 08!)
Detroit7 (female vocaled garage band trio!)
The Beaches (disco-punk-new wave act!)
Scandal (Osaka's new All Girl Pop-Rock band!)
Ketchup Mania (Super Fan-Favorite Speedy Commercial Punk band... @_@ at last!! ^_-)
http://sxsw-asia.com/JapanNite2008/tourdate.html
Should be one AWESOME night for us in New York @ the Knitting Factory on 3.16.08!!
THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED!!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Top 10 Best J-Albums of 2007
TOP 10 BEST J-ALBUMS of 2007
***in alphabetical order***
ABINGDON BOYS SCHOOL: abingdon boys school
TMR's new project was solid & exciting, with his new heavy, more visually sounding, modified band, it was a fresh start, & brought TMR back into the lime-light without sounding copy-cat, & delivering some memorable singles for 2007.
THE GAZETTE: Stacked Rubbish
The Gazette proved with "Stacked Rubbish" that they are currently one of the hottest most innovative bands on the current Viusal scene, mixing elements of classical, hip-hop, & hardcore into well-crafted Visual songs was a sheer delight & made them one of the hottest acts right now.
GALNERYUS: One For All - All For One
In a near stagnent power metal genre, Syu & Yama-B's act proved that they could stay fresh & do it better than most of their European counter parts!! Their 4th full length album was a triumph & offered a lot more variety in their musical landscape's while still maintaing a power metal edge, by using & blending elements of visual, pop, traditional, & kitsch, this was one fo their strongest efforts to date, with plenty of shred & noodleing for original fans!
GO!GO!7188: 569 (***Band Of The Year***)
GOGO struck back by launching 2 tours in the US, the 1st with the "Japan Nite" ensemble in the Spring, then with their own tour in the Summer of 2007 just months later!! They performed brilliantly (Yuu's vocals... @_@) & were so kind to their fans by making fun live content & delivering solid shows from their discography. For a favorite band of mine that I thought I would never see, nevermind have them come to my area twice, was defiantely my best J-rock experience of 2007, with meeting the girls & getting autographs as additional frosting!!... Couple that with a new more retro album, harking more toward's their early works, and the fact that "569" also included a DVD release featuring "Japan Nite" footage, & you have IMO 2007's "band of the year" by a landslide, as this act did more for me than I ever imagined possible in 2007!!
HIZAKI GRACE PROJECT: Dignity Of Crest
Hizaki's the new guitar force to be reckoned with on the Indie's Visual scene, This neoclassical inspired side-project had 3 releases in 2007, & proved to be one of the most exciting of the year & brought ex-Moi Dix Mois champion vocalist Juka back as a front man. The album made for one of the best team-ups of 2007, & now Juka's solo career has started as well, (with his prospect new act "Seventh Sense") ...& Hizaki's other project with vocalist Kamijo (Versailles) will be keeping the power & beauty that is HGP alive in different ways in the future.
L'ARC~EN~CIEL: Kiss
L'Arc's effort "KISS" in 2007 may not have done what "Smile" & "Awake" did in 2004/2005 respectively, but it is clearly one of the band's best albums to date & showcased a wide variety of musical stylings still based in the band's staple sound. They look to be continuing their mighty path in 2008, & all the fans know they will be delivering more fantastic songs for years to come.
NIGHTMARE: The World Ruler
After a quiet year in 2006, Nightmare's 2007 album release, followed by a string of hit singles made them one of the most desirable & strongest bands for 2007. This album (TWR) was fantastic, & maybe their strongest to date, with it's dark overtones & catchy meoldies... I hope to see them live in the US soon... as I hit replay on their album now...
RENTRE EN SOI: Bottom Of Chaos
Another rising band that took the year by storm is Renter!! Innovative songs with the passionate angelic vocal range of Satsuki, made them one of the most unique Visual acts of 2007. "Bottom" was both dark & agressive as well as bright & hopeful. It was the album you played again & again because it offered such a range within one band, yet the songs stayed unified in a way few albums in any rock catalog can boast. Truly one of the strongest albums of 07.
TAIA: seeds of rain
Indies Okinawa Prog act Taia was one of the most unique bands for 2007. "Seeds of Rain" was accountable for it's almost Dream Theater meets Evanescence craftmenship & earned Taia some attention this year for creating a J-Prog album worthy of note. I am hoping to see this band return in 2008 with even more Proggy-goodness & musical dexterity, while still sticking to their commercial overtones.
VERSAILLES: Lyrical Sympathy
As mentioned before, Hizaki is one of the most notable figures in 2007, & his team-up with ex-Lariene vocalist Kamijo made for a super debut in Versailles. This album featured neoclassical operas that stayed true with the band's vision of musical beauty. Kamijo tryed out a new lower vocal range that made the songs shine in a different way than his previous efforts...couple that with him also producing Juka's solo works & teaming up with Hizaki, & we have what is to be the "new band" full of veteran maestro's in Visual Rock. These guys are the new hotness.
Most anticipated song of 2008... X JAPAN "I.V."
Other favorite non-Japanese albums were..
Stan Bush - In This Life
Dark Moor - Tarot
Globus - Epicon
Coheed & Cambria -No World For Tomorrow
***in alphabetical order***
ABINGDON BOYS SCHOOL: abingdon boys school
TMR's new project was solid & exciting, with his new heavy, more visually sounding, modified band, it was a fresh start, & brought TMR back into the lime-light without sounding copy-cat, & delivering some memorable singles for 2007.
THE GAZETTE: Stacked Rubbish
The Gazette proved with "Stacked Rubbish" that they are currently one of the hottest most innovative bands on the current Viusal scene, mixing elements of classical, hip-hop, & hardcore into well-crafted Visual songs was a sheer delight & made them one of the hottest acts right now.
GALNERYUS: One For All - All For One
In a near stagnent power metal genre, Syu & Yama-B's act proved that they could stay fresh & do it better than most of their European counter parts!! Their 4th full length album was a triumph & offered a lot more variety in their musical landscape's while still maintaing a power metal edge, by using & blending elements of visual, pop, traditional, & kitsch, this was one fo their strongest efforts to date, with plenty of shred & noodleing for original fans!
GO!GO!7188: 569 (***Band Of The Year***)
GOGO struck back by launching 2 tours in the US, the 1st with the "Japan Nite" ensemble in the Spring, then with their own tour in the Summer of 2007 just months later!! They performed brilliantly (Yuu's vocals... @_@) & were so kind to their fans by making fun live content & delivering solid shows from their discography. For a favorite band of mine that I thought I would never see, nevermind have them come to my area twice, was defiantely my best J-rock experience of 2007, with meeting the girls & getting autographs as additional frosting!!... Couple that with a new more retro album, harking more toward's their early works, and the fact that "569" also included a DVD release featuring "Japan Nite" footage, & you have IMO 2007's "band of the year" by a landslide, as this act did more for me than I ever imagined possible in 2007!!
HIZAKI GRACE PROJECT: Dignity Of Crest
Hizaki's the new guitar force to be reckoned with on the Indie's Visual scene, This neoclassical inspired side-project had 3 releases in 2007, & proved to be one of the most exciting of the year & brought ex-Moi Dix Mois champion vocalist Juka back as a front man. The album made for one of the best team-ups of 2007, & now Juka's solo career has started as well, (with his prospect new act "Seventh Sense") ...& Hizaki's other project with vocalist Kamijo (Versailles) will be keeping the power & beauty that is HGP alive in different ways in the future.
L'ARC~EN~CIEL: Kiss
L'Arc's effort "KISS" in 2007 may not have done what "Smile" & "Awake" did in 2004/2005 respectively, but it is clearly one of the band's best albums to date & showcased a wide variety of musical stylings still based in the band's staple sound. They look to be continuing their mighty path in 2008, & all the fans know they will be delivering more fantastic songs for years to come.
NIGHTMARE: The World Ruler
After a quiet year in 2006, Nightmare's 2007 album release, followed by a string of hit singles made them one of the most desirable & strongest bands for 2007. This album (TWR) was fantastic, & maybe their strongest to date, with it's dark overtones & catchy meoldies... I hope to see them live in the US soon... as I hit replay on their album now...
RENTRE EN SOI: Bottom Of Chaos
Another rising band that took the year by storm is Renter!! Innovative songs with the passionate angelic vocal range of Satsuki, made them one of the most unique Visual acts of 2007. "Bottom" was both dark & agressive as well as bright & hopeful. It was the album you played again & again because it offered such a range within one band, yet the songs stayed unified in a way few albums in any rock catalog can boast. Truly one of the strongest albums of 07.
TAIA: seeds of rain
Indies Okinawa Prog act Taia was one of the most unique bands for 2007. "Seeds of Rain" was accountable for it's almost Dream Theater meets Evanescence craftmenship & earned Taia some attention this year for creating a J-Prog album worthy of note. I am hoping to see this band return in 2008 with even more Proggy-goodness & musical dexterity, while still sticking to their commercial overtones.
VERSAILLES: Lyrical Sympathy
As mentioned before, Hizaki is one of the most notable figures in 2007, & his team-up with ex-Lariene vocalist Kamijo made for a super debut in Versailles. This album featured neoclassical operas that stayed true with the band's vision of musical beauty. Kamijo tryed out a new lower vocal range that made the songs shine in a different way than his previous efforts...couple that with him also producing Juka's solo works & teaming up with Hizaki, & we have what is to be the "new band" full of veteran maestro's in Visual Rock. These guys are the new hotness.
Most anticipated song of 2008... X JAPAN "I.V."
Other favorite non-Japanese albums were..
Stan Bush - In This Life
Dark Moor - Tarot
Globus - Epicon
Coheed & Cambria -No World For Tomorrow
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