第四回 紅白メタル歌合戦

«What the hell does that mean...?»
That's what you're thinking, right now, uh? Cpt. knows everything!
Well, it should sound like Red/White Metal Confrontation Vol. 4 and it's the the gig I attended yesterday night at Ookubo Hot Shots live house, Tokyo.
It was a rather improvised detour, since I got an invitation just the day before by buddy Jouji, bassist of After Zero (thanks a lot, again!). And you know, Cpt. is always eager to witness After Zero live... particularly during holidays time (just started here, folks)!

Anyway, on the menu, all people from the neighborhood: DEATHABALONE, AFTER ZERO, SCREAMING SYMPHONY, SATANIC HERITAGE, HATRED ANGEL.
Very nice night. After Zero weren't the main dish, but kicked ass more than all the others put together! Energy, grinding and screaming as required by serious headbangers. Plus very active audience! Oh, yeah, they delivered a new, unreleased and yet unnamed track... temporarily called "Ninja".
Screaming Symphony and Satanic Heritage shouldn't be new to you, if you have been following the blog (cf. previous posts). Both awesome performer and quite enjoyable, despite not being my preferred style (speed/power the first, death/thrash the second).
Dethabalone is a young band with a rather unusual (as far as I witnessed around here) female bassist vocalist. A bit "It's a long way to the top... " [AC/DC quote], but I liked them (Arch Enemy-like).
Hatred Angel, sponsor of the night, were quite... how to say... displacing. A very impressive death appearance that revealed... three very nice guys! So nice that they delivered, together with more proper melodic-death stuff, a series of animetal-like tunes too!
One only regret: new house, new lights got me. Pics turned out to be very deluding. Particularly for never-standing still After Zero and Screaming Symphony (no one good)!

FOUR-SOME

I've been through several things during these weeks. Good stuff... so-so stuff... pretty shitty stuff... But the followings are the "four-some" I turned more often and without hesitation for refurbishing mood & ears. Mmmm... yes, there were also others... such as the new magnificent JOE STUMP. But, the disc isn't out yet here quess we have to wait... Ooops!
Opensesami: portroyal

EVIL SURVIVES-Judas Priest Live (2009 EP) [Heavy M./Can.]

Dudes, this is awesome! Who are them? Still hadn't the time to do any homework!
I got this disc almost by mistake: I didn't read well the info and thought it was a new Judas Priest live EP. Well, the cover didn't look PRIEST so much, but what the fæuck... "Notradamus" did it? Nope! Anyway this EP turned out to be amazing! A shake of the strongest riffs and metal cliché on earth: Halford-like screamer on the mic (no joke! he almost got me... love that acute!) and a whirlwind of energy! You will get EVERYTHING from it: Maiden, Halloween, Priest, Saxon, Running Wild... Fasten seatbelts!

FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE-Oracles (2009) [Tec. Death M./Italy]

Woa! Technical Death Metal from Italy???!! Can you believe it?
But you can trust me. If it appears here, it means it's good: you know, I don't appreciate death shit very much (with few necessary exceptions). Take it as more refined Cannibal Corpse - if you can possibly envision something like that... "refined" and "Cannibal Corpse" what an unlikely combination!!! Jokes aside, it really kicks! It's brutal & laser-guided precise! But the subtle inclination of Italians for melody survives also within this grinding machine! Withstand the growl for a while and it'll grab you. Freaky funny classics inserts in it! These guys rules!

UNTRAD-Steel f Sin (2008) [Heavy M./ Jap.]

I met these guys for the first time last month (cf. pevious live-report... you have also a vid). At that time they appeared as opener - so with a short set-list - but I liked them first listen, so I rushed for their disc. Fæcking great sound! I tell you, nowadays it is no easy task doing catchy, interesting and well-done metal tracks in 4 people formation. Well, at least you need to have a very good voice, 'cause you have to fill in the voids of the missing axe somehow, don't you you? And they are quite up to the job! In Hallford style, with a lovey ripping acute screaming, blasting virtually every single song. Groovy guitar & bass play, lively drumming and pretty decent lyrics. On CD, production also is good, so you won't be deluded! And it is just their first! To stalk, absolutely!

STURM UND DRANG-Rock'n'roll Children (2009) [Heavy Melodic M./Fin.]

Well, I love cheese. We all do, don't we? Me, Gorgonzola in particular... But these guys arn't stinky at all! A perfect handbook of cliché melodic metal is this album. Nothing less, nothing more. But it is very well arranged and every single piece of this caseine-based puzzle ain't getting too strong or too sweet, leaving you pretty satisfied. In few words you won't get any nausea! Just kidding: it's a lovely work; fast, melodic, but with much dynamism. If you appreciate Firewind, you will like this too for sure.

FLASHBACKS

Watching a video posted by a friend on Facebook I felt compelled to go looking for video rips of one year ago IRON MAIDEN gig at Irvine (CA), when me and J13 met the guys back stage! I spent more than one hour re-living thos emoments! Check out the live report of May 30th 2008 on the blog...
Here to follow two of the best vids of the best momets... Rime of the Ancient Mariner & Powerslave. Cpt. all times best!

Holy ship: we were there! In front of them too!

EXIST†TRANCE PROMO STUFF

"Pirate Union" offers sometimes promo DVD/CD of new-kids-on-the-blocks material. Sometimes kids aren not so kids... sometimes even not so new...

Anyway, here you have a single track DVD video by EXIST†TRANCE, a gothic "visual-key" band form around here (the cover you see is from the new full-lenght VANGUARD of the muses). Serious hard-core bangers can quit immediately reading... 'cause it's nothing for you! But Japan-stuff & frieekeries lovers may appreciate them quite a bit. Indeed it's a chicks based group - from the names, I suspect one is a guy... but as you can see from the image, you wouldn't bet your ass on who's the one! The matter is, all of them looks pretty cute dressed up like that. And the one and only tune we are given to try, "Vanguard" ain't bad at all (check out their site... under the RELASES menu you can get listening trials of other tracks). Spinning it a coupe of time you may even like it! Certainly their appearance is catchy... So much that I'm thinking about going to check them out live for some different pics. Just curiosity!

Opensesami is: portroyal.

READY FOR BOARDING

Yes dudes! Get ready for boarding!
Three / four events to keep track of...

HELLHOUND May, 3rd at Live House MISSIONS (Koenji, Tokyo)
Mandatory... it's Hellhound and... all you can drink!

SKYLARK May, 4th at ROCK INN CURRENT (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
It is not properly my style, but let's see the mood.

ONMYOZA, CONCERTO MOON, SEX MACHINEGUNS GALNERYUS
«PURE ROCK JAPAN LIVE» 2009 May 30th at CLUB CITTÀ (Kawasaki)
This is crazy: all the main Jap. shooters at once! Same place, same time! Won't miss it for anything.

RAVEN June 11th , at O-EAST (Shibuya, Tokyo)
Whoooooooo (Rick Flair style...) attendance is mandatory!

Stay tuned!

BRASILIAN BOOTY

It has been a while since the last music review, uh?
So here you are with today's pick: a re-issue of one of my all-times favorite Brasilian thrash bands, Chakal. I found it - with much surprise, I'd say - a couple of days ago at the "Pirate Union" market. The price didn't look so fair, so I had to exploit all the charm of my buccaneer discount tickets! But later on I discovered why!
Indeed, the cover did not show any sign or writing whatsoever, but upon checking the content, the disc revealed to contain both the second and third Chakal's albums! I mean "Say it, guys!" Anyway, lucky me... and the other sucker who's got the other copy left!

CHAKAL-The Man is his own Jackal (1990)+Death is a lonely business (1991)

As I told you many times (cf. previous post about them): Brasilian thrash has something special!, at least for the Cpt.! And despite these two records may not boast such a great deal of speed & laser precision technique, they deliver a full load of good old times feelings. (hey , in case you didn't notice it yet: '90s is "old" by now)! How to say... early Carnivore or Venom-like... genuine brutality, immediate, simple, rough sounding (rough meaning "old fashioned") groovy thrash metal! Rythm, pounding and a bastard melody dragging you from track to track. Love to death this shit! Ah, yes... buddy Junior, who knows Vladimir Korg, the singer, told me they're working (read as "recording") new stuff! I'm already salivating...!
Absolutely to try: "Acme Dead End Road", "Hangover", "Fear of Death", "Choked".
Opensesami: portroyal.

J13 & THE HAUNTED

While Cpt. was stuck with his ship in the Port for some minor repairs, J13 has been raging all around California...! That lucky bastard! Actually he's gone really bombastic lately. And quite understandably: who wouldn't, knowing that in weeks his ass will be sitting front stage, back-stage, everywhere to virtually all band's gigs of Sweden Rock Fest! Lucky bastard x2!!! [Just kidding! I love you J13!]
Here you go with his reort and a few pics from one of his lates raids: THE HAUNTED! (with The Agonist and Marauder)

«The Haunted at the Key Club (Hollywood,CA) on Friday April 3, 2009 was as expected.
All the famous heads/friends were there. Good friend Jim Durkin (Dark Angel/Ruthless/Dreams of Damnation) was there with his fun girl Annie. Oh yeah Ruthless is heading out on a 6 date tour (Pipes! Control yourself!).
The Agonist was quite good they had quite the singer. She really captivated an audience.
However THE HAUNTED! One of Johnny's top 3 bands delivered a punishing set. They were competing with another show across town (Children of Bodom, Lamb of God, God Forbid, and Municipal Waste). The true metallers supported the Haunted. Thanks to Boris from Letum Acensus for hooking up the nice ins and hook ups! I really reconnected with old friends and The Haunted tore everyones face off to a decent crowd! It was a fun night, almost a private show! see pics...»

And... if you want some serious pics and set-list, head to THE HAUNTED! official page! Cool stuff there! Stay tuned!