Dir en Grey - Kisou

Long before Dir en Grey sort of sold out to the tidal wave of nu-metal lingered a dark, disturbing yet delicate visual kei band - straddling the line between metal, melodic punk, and beautiful pop balladry. It was from Gauze to (and i am hesitant to say so) Vulgar did Dir en Grey own the j-rock arena - producing interesting, forward thinking rock music for the masses who ate it up gleefully.

And why wouldn't they? With a pulsing drummer, off-kilter and menacing guitar work with a bass that would rattle your walls. The real selling point of the band however lies in Kyo's rather intriguing vocals. He is a nutter, to say the least - utilising his voice to maximum capacity with an emotive singing voice, harsh screams, and noises that i would describe as out of this world.

What is great about this album is it's diversity - Dir en Grey stretch their imagination from the hard hitting punk opener Kigan to the electronica driven beats of Shinsou. Standout ballads are also apparent with the beautiful 24 Cylinders and the harrowingly painful Mushi.

Pinkly Smooth - Unfortunate Snort

This is somewhat of a novelty album for me. I do enjoy it thoroughly though and that's because it's so....so deranged. It's a fucking mess, death references, cannibalistic undertones, spastic vocals, jangly pianos and heavy thick riffs are abundant and not afraid to push the envelope to use an overstated phrase.

It's only 27 minutes but it's 27 minutes you will not forget.

PW: fourthstation

Alex's Top Five Albums of All Time (5)

(5) Between the Buried and Me - Colors (2007)

Ok. Let's get one thing straight, i am not the biggest fan of metal - in any respects. However, i do make way for some exceptional talent and obvious shredding skill (ala....well i don't even know...maybe Mastodon?). Anyway, this album is what I like to call metal for people who hate metal.

I don't know about yourself, but personally, a good album begins with some damn fine artwork, and htis is no exception - clean black with some rainbow colors reminiscent of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.

BtBaM (as i will refer to them from now on) have a unique style, developed in their previous works (which i havnt really given a chance but want to). It's a very progressive style of metal, there is still the unbelievable technique and very very clean instrumentation (production is very dope), however the way this band writes songs is cathartic. Picture this, and bare with me here, imagine pummeling guitars, thundering drums and a bassline that would make the tips of your fingers bleed, now cut to something that soudns like its from mario. Imagine a wall of smothering guitars with tribal percussion, now cut to a jazz interlude. Imagine beats with monkeys and elepants goign ape in the background, cut to pulsating rolls and a gutteral scream. This is BtBaM.

Now if you are anything like me, some guy growling and sounding like he has a bunch of stones lodged in his throat just doesnt deliver the aural pleasure your after. But here it isn't so harsh, it's almost buried in the mix to give the music itself a shapper edge. Along with this the vocals that are actual singing are extremly ethereal and appealing. Even to the most discernable listener.

It's no suprise that "Ants of the Sky" was voted best metal song of 2007 on some website (sorry i don't knwo the site haha). It is chock full of switches that just boggle the mind. This is the strong point of htis album, it's NOT boring metal, it's NOT repitive metal - it is interesting, and it holds your attention - and it WILL NOT let go!

This album is certainly a solid, intriguing and ecclectic metal album that will not dissapoint. Do yourself a favour and go buy it now.

- Alex