June 27 - July 13
Versailles Philharmonic Quintet
World Tour
June 04 Sao Paulo / BRAZIL
June 06 Santiago / CHILE
June 09 Buenos Aires / ARGENTINA
June 11 Lima / PERU
June 13 Mexico City / MEXICO
June 27 Moscow / RUSSIA
June 29 Helsinki / FINLAND
June 30 London / UK
July 02 Baecelona / SPAIN
July 03 Montpellier / FRANCE
July 06 Amsterdam / HOLLAND
July 07 Cologne / GERMANY
July 09 Hamburg / GERMANY
July 11 Budapest / HUNGARY
July 13 Paris / FRANCE
Source: Site
First off, sorry for the marked lack of updates this week. A combination of work ramping up at, er, work, and some very nice summer days have made it tough to want to sit around inside. I know it goes against the blogger code or something to want to actually spend time in the sun,. but I think I make up for it during the other nine months that we northern dwellers live under a blanket of snow and darkness.
So anyway, things should be picking up soon. Until then here are some new videos!
Aira Mitsuki "Plastic Doll"
First up is this cool new one from picopico pop sensation Aira Mitsuki. This video is full of eye-candy, and the song it actually pretty hard hitting. This whole Auto-Tune fetish-pop movement has gotten totally out of hand, but every once in a while something listenable comes out of it.
OK, let's get more serious after the jump!
Boom Boom Satellites "Back on My Feet"
Back on My Feet is the new single/EP from BBS, and it's a fantastic little collection. I haven't been too into their recent releases because they are all a bit too happy and party-centric. I like that they seem to be getting back into their more atmospheric and darker side on Back on My Feet. It reminds me of early Hybrid as well, what with all the strings and cut up drums. More like this, please!
Versailles "Ascendead Master"
I don't think I've really understood much of what goes on in Versailles videos, and this one is no exception. Something about a girl that the singer is all hot for? And a TV crew is filming them in a church for some reason? Whatever. I'm sure it's all part of some long-running story that I've been missing out on.
School Food Punishment "Butterfly Swimmer"
Here's the new one from SFP. Definitely more pop and mainstream than their previous releases, but then again it's not like there were ever that far-out to begin with. Still, they are on a major label now, so there you go...It all feels just a little too bland to me.
Puffy "Dareka Ga"
New song from Puffy. I really like their very early music, and this is almost along those lines. Still, it's super pop-rock like way too much of their recent stuff. I think if the music matched the video a little more that it might be a better song!
Gackt "Flower" (Karaoke)"
Here's a TV clip of Gackt laying down some karaoke for his newest single "Flower." Hijinx ensue! It's always nice to see Gackt in a less-than-serious mood. Of course all his serious stuff is actually just as silly. It's all a matter of perspective, I guess.
Jonathon Coulton - Live on local NY TV
And finally, for your non-Japanese pick of the week, here's a clip from a local New York news broadcast featuring Jonathon Coulton. It's pretty short, but at least there's a bit of talk with the man.
That's it for this week. Let me know what you're watching!
Without a doubt, 2008 was nothing short of amazing when it came to new albums. Not only were there a lot of new faces releasing thrilling stuff, but there were also many old favorites that continued to churn out fantastic records.
I could tell around the middle of 2008 that there was going to be way too much ground to cover in terms of a "Best Of" year end collection, so I put together my first list of 30 albums back on July. You might want to give it a quick read to get yourself up to speed.
We've finally lurched into 2009, so naturally it's time to take one final look back at some of the Best Japanese Albums of 2008. What a list it is! I've spent an incredible amount of time pouring over the list, mostly getting lost in the staggering number of great videos I've mostly forgotten about. Really, I could probably just keep listing to the stuff from last year all through 2009 and still be happy.
So, get comfortable, grab a tasty beverage and join me after the jump for the Best Japanese Albums of 2008 (Part 2)!
First off, I'll start with my absolute favorites. Just about any of these albums could have made the top of the list, so everything is simply listed in alphabetical order.
54-71 - I'm Not Fine, Thank You. And You?
While these guys might not be the most creative sonically (every song sounds very much like every other song), they more than make up for it in sheer intensity. They are extremely sparse and focused, with performances that cut to the bone. Think Rage Against the Machine, only with even fewer frills. [BUY]
9mm Parabellum Bullet - Vampire
Another furiously performed album from possibly the biggest name in the new wave of indie rock. These guys have done nothing but great things right out of the gate, and Vampire is both their most mature and most exciting album so far. [BUY]
Avengers in Sci-Fi - Science Rock
Combining their super-tight post-punk playing with spaced-out electronics and production, Avengers in Sci-Fi creating something unique. Both rock and dance, energetic and calming, they manage to push the boundaries without creating too much chaos. [BUY]
De De Mouse - Sunset Girls
De De Mouse is a rare example of an artist who not only creates amazing music, but also creates entire worlds. His purely electronic style is also totally organic and absolutely original, full of fuzzy memories of childhood set in a Lisa Frank world. Absolutely wonderful stuff. [BUY]
Denki Groove - Yellow
Leave it to house/prog/trance masters Denki Groove to step away for a while, only to come back with two full length albums in one year! JPOP already made it onto the previous Best list, and they're back again with Yellow, their second release in 2008. It's actually a much more solid album, and totally infectious from beginning to end. [BUY]
Mo'some Tonebender - Sing!
Mo'some Tonebender have come such a long way over the years, but they've always churned out great sutff. Sing! sees them at their peak, with both great sounding songs and some really new direction. Very upbeat, yet still kicking all kinds of ass, as always. [BUY]
Mutyumu - Ilya
Combining operatic vocals, nu-metal guitars, rock piano and classical strings, it's safe to say the there isn't anyone quite like Mutyumu. Their second album pushed their sound even further, but in the death metal department as well as the profoundly moving softer, extended strong sections. A little something for every, just so long as you like things very very dark and brooding. [BUY]
sgt. - Stylus Fantasticus
Just one of many spectacular instruments band to release something great in 2008. Yet sgt. stands way above the crowd with their featured violin player and truly epic song structures. Like many other bands in this list, the mix a trancelike intensity with equally delicate details. While they've been together for a while, this is their first album. Let's hope for much more in the future! [BUY]
Versailles - Noble
Few bands rise to prominence as fast as Versailles. With their very first song released, "The Revenant Choir," they instantly shot to the very top of the vis-kei scene. This is no doubt due to the fact that they are amazing players, packing in nothing but quality in each of their epic symphonic metal songs. Oh, and I suppose some people might like the visual side to them as well. [BUY]
Vola & the Oriental Machine - Halan'na-ca Darkside
Vola changed things up a bit on this album (essentially an EP.) While it's still very much the same band, they went in a slightly more dance-oriented direction. It's still pretty intense and fun though. The use of short electro tracks in-between the songs proper really makes for a solid release. This is another band that's really become an icon in the scene, so it'll be very interesting to see what they do next. [BUY]
Those are the top 10! Oh, but there's still so much more. In fact I had to sift though close to 110 albums just to make this list of the second half of 2008! Naturally there's just too much to go into great depth with. If you want to learn more about each band, click their names and check out more info and videos. They're all superb!
Art-School - Illmatic Baby [BUY]
Cruyff in the Bedroom - Saudargia [BUY]
DJ Sharpnel - Nijigen Satasfaction [BUY]
group_inou - Fan [BUY]
iLL - Rock Album [BUY]
Immi - Switch [BUY]
Ogre You Asshole - Shiranai Aizu Shiraseruko [BUY]
Omodaka - Favorite Games [BUY]
The Predators - Kiba wo Misero [BUY]
Saori@destiny - Japanese Chaos [BUY]
School Food Punishment - Riff-Rain [BUY]
Sex Machineguns - Cameron [BUY]
Sexy Synthesizer - Rock [BUY]
Shadow - Forever Chaos [BUY]
Té -Mashite, Kokoro to Gokan ga Icchi Surunara [BUY]
Unkie - Too Many Secrets [BUY]
Usotsuki Barbie- 増えた1もグル [BUY]
Wagdug Futuristic Unity - Hakai [BUY]
Zazen Boys - Zazen Boys 4 [BUY]
That's it! What? That's not enough? Sheesh, some people are never happy. Well, we'll all just have to wait and see what happens in the coming year. I expect great things.
Make sure to stay tuned to the blog and to Japanator Radio every week for more of the best music from Japan!
October 14
Versailles Philharmonic Quintet
The Knitting Factory - New York, NY
(Also, don't miss them at Anime USA as well!)
Source: MySpace
October 10-12
Versailles | Peelander-Z | DJ SiSeN (Also Freezepop!)
Anime USA - Arlington, Virginia
Source: Anime USA & Tainted Reality
October 10-12
Versailles | DJ SiSeN
Anime USA - Arlington, Virginia
Source: Anime USA & Tainted Reality
Welcome once again to your weekly dose of auditory bliss, direct from Japan!
This week we've got new music from epic metal masters Versailles, nu-metal masters Maximum the Hormone, pounding dance goddesses Perfume and new-wave spaz rockers Polysics in the Artist Spotlight! Oh, and much more.
Also this week, I have some homework for you, dear listeners. It's pretty simple really. Just leave a comment. That's it! I know we get thousands of listeners every week and I'd love it if we could hear from all of you. I know most of you will continue to hide in the shadows, but I really want to hear from as many Jtor Radio fans as possible. Hit up the comments with whatever you want, just a "Thanks!" or a "learn how to pronounce Japanese overnight please!" or your own "people to kill" list...whatever. Just comment!
Thanks, and enjoy the show!
DOWNLOAD EPISODE 45 ON JAPANATOR!
June 3rd
Versailles
Knitting Factory, Los Angeles, CA
Source: Tainted Reality
May 30
Versailles - Budo Grape
A-Kon - Dallas, TX
Source: Tainted Reality - Japanator
Tainted Reality, a major vis-kei promoter in the US, has just announced that they are bringing the masters of metal and frilly dresses Versailles to A-Kon this year. This is huge news for fans of quality visual rock as Versailles knows how to bring quality songs at blistering speed. They are still a very new group (though comprising members of several older bands,) having released their first mini-album Lyrical Sympathy last year, along with the unrelated single for "The Revenant Choir" (see video above.) Versailles hits the stage along with Budo Grape opening night, Friday May 30th. A must-not-miss line-up if ever there was one!
You can read the full release after the jump.
Live in concert Versailles!!!
A-Kon® will host the North American debut of the sensational new Visual Kei
band Versailles on Friday May 30th in Dallas at the Adams Mark.
The convention will also host question and answer panels with the band
followed by autograph sessions during the weekend of the convention.
Versailles is presented by Tainted Reality http://www.taintedreality.net
About Versailles
Versailles is the Victorian heavy metal super group comprised of
guitarist TERU (ex. Aikaryu), bassist Jasmine You (ex. JAKURA, Hizaki Grace
Project), drummer YUKI (ex. Sugar Trip), guitarist Hizaki (ex. Sulfuric
Acid, Hizaki Grace Project), and vocalist KAMIJO (ex. Lareine). They are the
brightest shining stars in the indies Visual Kei scene in Japan. Formed
in 2007 under the concept of "the Absolute Youshikibi (beauty of form)
sound and extremes of aestheticism", the band performed their first lives
to sold out crowds, and their first mini-album broke the top 3 on the
Oricon indies charts. Citing inspiration from heavy metal legends such
as Dream Theater and Metallica, Versailles compositions consists of neck
breaking, thrash inducing anthems to serene, poetic, sentimental
ballads. A band that truly demands to be experienced, Versailles is set to
revolutionize Visual Kei, and rock its very foundations.
Tainted Reality is the premiere source of Japanese rock (J-Rock) entertainment
in the United States. Tainted Reality hosts their own internet radio network
dedicated to Japanese musical programming and produces radio shows such as
Tainted Reality & The Tainted Reality Talkshow. Tainted Reality often conducts
interviews with some of the biggest musical artists of Japan like Yoshiki of X
Japan, Die of Dir en grey, Miyavi and Plastic Tree. They also manage and
organize tours for prominent J-Rock bands such as BLOOD, Candy Spooky Theater
as well as producing media such as the Darkest Labyrinth Vol.1 DVD and the
Darkest Labyrinth CD. For more information visit http://www.taintedreality.net
ABOUT A-KON®
A-Kon® is the oldest continually running, anime-based convention in North
America. Celebrating it's 19th year in 2008, A-Kon® hosts anime fans and
guests, and offers other items of interest ranging from gaming, to independent
film, all in the quest to provide the best experience for the fans and bring
the most engaging, and educational, entertainment to the anime community.
A-Kon® 19
May 30-June 1, 2007
Adams Mark Hotel
Dallas, Texas
http://www.a-kon.com
