A couple of days ago I came across these two very nice products and I really wondered why and how I didn't happen to know them earlier... (you can bash me)!
SEX MACHINEGUNS-Cameron (2008)
Dudes from Kagoshima, apparently active since 1997, with about ten full-lenght and an horde of singles, DVD and EP... as the Japanese market requires. I have to admit I knew them by name, but their "visual key" attitude... (expensive clothing, make-up, etc.), much appreciated by the market here, never attracted me (traditional metal is poor). The impression was that of one of the many marketing product on the scene... But I was quite wrong!!
Men! They are talented! They play a very energetic and modern power/speed metal with many interesting variations. The singing by Mr. Anchang is mostly done in Japanese - maybe not much appealing to the many of you - but the everchanging range of his vocalic output is impressive and provide a very enjoyable listening (dude has something lovely evile in its scream). Typical Japanese overprecise technical skill is present in every bit of the record, percussions and rythmic sessions as well. Yet, majestic shredding & fast grinding never fall into already heard progressive escalations or over-cheesy melodie, but it kicks you in the face every time you need it! Groovy stuff!
Freaky guitar session:
AKIRA KAJIYAMA & TAKENORI SHIMOYAMA-Into the Deep (2008)
Out on the marked this June, I've not been able to get much info. Actually I just discovered they played it live on July, not fr from the Port... a real shame I din't know that! Well, certainly both of them are big asses around here: Takenori Shimoyama is virtuoso vocalist already singer of Saber Tiger and Double Dealer, while Akira Kajiyama is a kind of guitar legend in the Japanese hard rock/heavy scene, been working on many solo projects and co-production with many musicians (one in particular Joe Lynn Turner). Comparisons with Double Dealer sound & singing are immediate. Yet this product is more lively and energetic. Despite being 100% Japanese, it gives a feeling of internationality and labelling would prove to be difficult: none of the traditional would suits it completely. It certainly appeals to the lovers of professional (read not-freaky virtuosism) guitar performances: in fact, you get plenty of it... an ubiquitous guitar sound, in many forms... all you can imagine: shreds, arpeggios, melodic as well distorted, solos... But they are masterfully blendend into into tracks (regardless of their speed) virtually without discontinuities. Gift of the friendship with J. L. Turner...? Maybe. A very very fine and well-balanced work. Production also is top-of-the-scale. It certainly provides a very enjoyable listening experience.
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