Seremedy; Bukti Globalisasi Visual-kei

Visual-kei, sebuah kata yang cukup awam bagi mereka yang mendalami pop culture Jepang (termasuk saya sendiri), namun mungkin masih asing bagi orang awam.

Visual-kei adalah sebuah style di antara musisi Jepang yang memiliki karakteristik unik di mana para musisi ini mengenakan make-up hingga menggunakan kostum yang flamboyan. Tapi seiring waktu berjalan, visual-kei tidak sekedar mendefinisikan 'appearances', namun juga musik yang dimainkan band-band yang tergolong band visual-kei ini.

Band-band visual-kei memiliki banyak penggemar di seluruh dunia, seiring dengan menyebarnya fanatisme pop culture Jepang. Tak heran kalau ada band-band visual-kei yang berkembang di setiap negara, walaupun konteksnya hanya di scene lokal.

Mungkin ketika saya pertama kali menemukan band bernama 'Seremedy' ini seharusnya saya tak terkejut mengingat visual-kei sudah mendunia. Siapakah Seremedy ini? Seremedy adalah sebuah band visual-kei yang berasal dari Swedia yang terbentuk sejak tahun 2010. Band ini beranggotakan SEIKE (vocal), YOHIO (guitar), RAY (guitar), JENZiiH (bass), dan LINDER (drums). Walaupun masih terbilang baru, Seremedy sudah memiliki pengalaman cukup di dunia internasional, bahkan sudah memiliki fanbase tersendiri di Jepang (yang notabene memang negara asal budaya visual-kei)

Ketika pertama kali menemukan band ini jujur saya terkejut karena ada band visual-kei dari negara selain Jepang yang berhasil menembus industri musik internasional. Seremedy tergabung dalam Ninetone Records dan Universal Music. Pencapaian yang cukup hebat mengingat mereka belum lama terbentuk. Dan di bawah label ini pula mereka merilis album debut mereka 'Welcome to Our Madness' pada tanggal 25 Juli lalu dan dirilis baik di Jepang maupun Swedia.

Secara make-up, kostum, dan sound musik mereka, Seremedy sukses membawa visual-kei ke dunia internasional. Akan menarik untuk mengamati perkembangan band ini ke depannya dan bagaimana mereka akan mengenalkan visual-kei lebih jauh lagi ke masyarakat internasional.

Bagi yang ingin tahu bagaimana musik yang dimainkan Seremedy, here's their first single from their debut album: 'No Escape'

Enjoy.

ViViD - Infinity [review]

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[[posterous-content:pid___0]]ViViD adalah band yang relatif muda di scene music Jrock dan visual kei di Jepang. Band ini baru terbentuk pada tahun 2009 dan langsung dikontrak oleh salah satu label visual kei terkenal di Jepang sana, PS Company. ViViD sendiri terdiri atas Shin (voc), Reno (guitar), Ryoga (guitar), IV (bass), dan Ko-Ki (drums)

Ketika debut single mereka, Take-Off, dirilis, mereka langsung memberi impresi yang positif bagi saya pribadi. Benar-benar mewakili sebuah bentuk visual rock modern dan cukup memberi nafas baru bagi musik visual kei yang terkesan stagnan pada masa itu.

Dan setelah 3 tahun, akhirnya mereka mampu merilis album debut mereka ini, Infinity, yang sekaligus menjadi album major mereka. Perubahan status mereka menjadi band major memang cukup cepat, apalagi mengingat mereka baru debut 3 tahun lalu.

Okay, kembali ke album ini. Album ini adalah sebuah usaha yang patut diapresiasi dari anak-anak ViViD ini. Dibuka dengan ‘live your life’ yang langsung menghentak dengan solo gitar yang manis dan bass line yang menyenangkan untuk didengar, energetic, dan cocok untuk mengawali album ini.

‘Real’ adalah single utama album ini yang juga menjadi ost dari anime Gundam Age. Riff gitar yang catch dengan sound synthesizer yang mengingatkan saya akan band oshare-kei yang sudah bubar, Canzel. Sebuah track yang memang pantas untuk jadi single utama.

Sayangnya setengah awal album ini terasa cukup membosankan, terasa repetitif dan tidak menawarkan sesuatu yang berbeda.

 

Setelah sebuah instrumental track yang cukup epic, ‘explosion’, barulah mereka bermain lebih liar. Contohnya track ‘RIDE on time’ di mana sang bassis, IV bermain dengan maksimal sejak intro dengan bass line yang berat namun juga groovy.

Dan untuk menutup album ini mereka memilih ‘EVER’ sebuah track down tempo yang sepertinya memang didesain untuk menutup album ini.

Secara keseluruhan, album ini sebuah usaha yang patut untuk diapresiasi mengingat ini adalah album debut mereka setelah malang melintang di dunia music Jepang. Sayang album ini cukup membosankan di awal-awal, seperti yang sudah disebutkan sebelumnya, musiknya terkesan sangat repetitif. Bagaikan mesin mobil yang perlu dipanaskan, setengah album ini merupakan proses memanasi mesin. Sayangnya walaupun sudah dipanasi cukup lama, mereka kehabisan tenaga dengan cepat karena track yang memacu adrenalin hanya ada empat buah sebelum ditutup oleh ‘EVER’ sebagai track penutup.

Secara performance, IV sebagai bassis sangat menonjol di album ini. Reno sebagai lead guitarist cenderung berusaha mencuri pertunjukan karena ia hampr selalu pamer kebolehannya bermain solo gitar yang epic tapi gagal karena selalu terhenti di tengah-tengah.

Overall, album ini bisa diberi rating 3/5. Sebenarnya kalau mengingat debut mereka yang sangat memuaskan, seharusnya mereka bisa lebih baik lagi. Tapi mengingat status mereka kini adalah band major label, tak heran kalau ada intervensi pihak label yang mungkin membentuk musik mereka menjadi seperti apa yang ada di album ini.

Menu for June; Good for your ear, heart, soul, and head

Arctic Monkeys - Suck It and See

Alex Turner and friends came up with another album that is as fun as the previous ones.

Favorite tracks: "The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala" and" "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair"

Arch Enemy - Khaos Legions

While Morbid Angel's latest album has been considered as a failure, it is a fortune that Arch Enemy gives us another healthy nutrition of symphonic death metal from the holy land of Sweden. Consistency makes this band worth a lot.

Favorite tracks: "Bloodstained Cross" and "Under Black Flags We March"

Death Cab for Cutie - Codes and Keys

The Postal Service may have been long gone, but Ben Gibbard always manage to produce sweet tunes of indie-pop and indie-rock in Death Cab for Cutie. Probably his wife, Zooey Deschanel, is the source of all these sweetnesses

Favorite track: "You Are A Tourist"

Foster the People - Torches

A new band that will likely to be liked by the hipsters in the city. Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran have described the band as the baby of Peter Bjorn and John with MGMT. Even the legendary vocalist of Duran Duran loves this band, why not you?

Favorite track: "Pumped Up Kicks"

Versailles - Holy Grail

The beautiful gentlemen from Japan have come back again with another classic album filled with harmony from guitar melodies and gothic orchestra. Yes, this is Versailles, with the most sophisticated symphonic metal you'll ever heard from Japan.

Favorite tracks: "Philia," "Destiny -The Lovers-," and "Vampire"

Kagrra, to Cease Activities

A notification from PS Company:

Kagrra, the band formed on June 3rd 2000, has decided to cease their activity after the live concert in Shibuya C.C.Lemon Hall on March 3rd, 2011. Thank you for supporting the band for 10 years long. The members would like to express their sincere gratitude from the bottom of their hearts.
Meanwhile, the new album "HYAKKI KENRAN" will be released on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011, and the nation-wide tour "ANGYA HYAKKI YAKO ~YOU~" will start on February 13th, 2011. Their last activity, the live in Shibuya C.C. Lemon Hall on Thursday, March 3rd, 2011 will be titled "SHUEN ~SAKURA MAICHIRU ANO OKA DE~".

Although there is little time left, please keep your support up for the band until the very end.

November 11th, 2010
Kagrra,
President Tomomi Ozaki
PS COMPANY Co.,Ltd

Statement from each members:

It's the time for Kagrra, to cease the activities, which have lasted for 11 years. This is the demise.

During these long years, thanks to the members, fans, staff and all the persons concerned, Kagrra, was able to create a unique culture pursuing the best music. However, we have found a final form in it as a result.

However, we believe that we should not be complacent with our current condition, therefore, we call it a demise.

As to the time I've spent with Kagrra, it's no exaggeration to say that there are so many memories that I can not possibly resolve my feelings, even after I made this conclusion. As Isshi of Kagrra, I want to focus all my energy on to the end with all of you.

I want to say sorry to all the fans, staff and people concerned, who have been supporting us till now. However, I still believe that the music and the words that we have left will be alive forever in the future. We will pursue all the possibilities and begin our own activities in the future, although it's hard to imagine how the future will be for myself. I will feel very happy if we can have your unchanged love from now on.

The belief that I had in saying "Where Kagrra, is, is where everyone is. Where everyone is, is where I am." will not change.

Although it's a farewell, I want to express my gratitude to all of you who have been supporting Kagrra, and Isshi.

Isshi
Kagrra,

We have a very important announcement for everyone today.

Kagrra, will stop activities after the live concert at Shibuya C.C. Lemon Hall on March 3rd, 2011.

The five of us have been making music for more than ten years, as Kagrra, it has been ten years.
I've met the best band members, we shared a dream and we grew up together.
A lot of things happened; not only good things,
but we have the best memories with our fans who loving our music and the staff we can trust.

Although we have celebrated our 10th anniversary,
in order to aim for a higher place,
we have had several discussions on the course of our future activities,
and reached a tough decision after considering all kinds of opinions.

To those who have been supporting us,
I'm so sorry to make such a sad announcement.

We are a band, which can not exist without Isshi, Shin, Nao, Izumi.
Our music will remain forever because it is unique,
and I will always be proud of Kagrra, as the most important band for me.

Thank you for being with us for ten years.

In the time remaining, the five of us will try our best to present the whole world of Kagrra,
with all our might.
Please support us until the very end.

Akiya
Kagrra,

As an unexpected announcement, after the discussion among all band members, Kagrra, will cease activities and come to a "Demise" after the live concert on March 3rd 2011.

The reason differs by each member. but to me, at the moment we have done what we can do and want to do as Kagrra,. It would be by pressure only if we continued these same activities without a pause.

Thanks to the support from a lot of people, we have made it through ten years, which is a long time.
The ten years with Kagrra, have become a life style to me, and I kept growing both as an artist and as a human being.

I'm proud of the band Kagrra, and at the same time I can never thank enough to everyone who has been supporting Kagrra,.

Thanks to every member of Kagrra, the fans, and the staff concerned.

There is still a little time left before the "Demise", please keep your support up until the last minute with Kagrra, until then, we keep work as hard as we can

Sin
Kagrra,

I'm so sorry for the sudden and unexpected announcement.
Based on a lot of discussions, we decided this is not possible to keep the band anymore.

Kagrra, is a band that has been supported by a lot of fans, staff and persons concerned for ten years long.
It's been 10 years already and I keenly feel that the time goes by so fast.
Lives, tours, KITANSAI, in-store events, fan club trips. Amongst a lot of memories, the most impressive ones are "KITANSAI" and the "fan club trips".
We had a lot of fun, planning how to make everyone happy, although there were some tough times like when being too busy during recording. We have found the fulfillment and sense of accomplishment in these events.
These were some of the few events where we could communicate with you.
The final two events have been scheduled, but we will try our best to make them more fun than ever, for you to enjoy.

I have spent 1/3 of my life as Nao of Kagrra,.
And although it makes me feel anxious and lonesome to leave Kagrra, But I will not bend down my head!
I will focus on the future and move forward with belief in myself.
The announcement might make you, who loves Kagrra, sad, but please don't feel down and let's move forward.
I am proud of everyone and "Auga" who have been supporting us.
There is little time left, but I hope we can say goodbye with a smile.

Thank you for being with us for ten years.

Nao
Kagrra,

It's a very disappointing result.
Celebrating the 10th anniversary, I felt that Kagrra, would have a new start.
I wanted to continue.
No matter for what reason, I wanted to continue this forever.

We started to discuss about this even before the tour "HYAKKI YAKO" starts, but hadn't reached a conclusion for a long time. It was a tough tour.
However, we have had a lot of good memories from a pleasant tour.
In retrospect, everyone seemed to have enjoyed it.
I really felt that we could still go on.
Unfortunately, I could neither save it nor stop it.

To be honest, there are moments I feel tired.
Why someone who would like to continue have to suffer? I questioned myself, but got no answer.

It has been great ten years.
We have received a lot of passionate support from you so we could continue on.
We got a lot of experience.
We created a lot of memories.
We have gained a lot of happiness. I could never thank you enough.

I believe that Kagrra, is a great band.
Now and ever.
It's really nice to be a member of this band.
Kagrra, is everything to me.

Thank you very much to all of you.
Thank you very much for your love.
And, thanks to Kagrra,.

I am still Izumi of Kagrra, until next March.
Please keep up your support.
Let's enjoy it until the very last minute.

Izumi
Kagrra,

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I still can't believe that they will disband so soon. I've been listening to them since I was in 8th grade.

It is unfortunate they won't have a World-Tour, I want to see them so bad..

Well, goodbye Kagrra,.. Your works will always be in our hearts

MUCC - Karma [review]

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MUCC, salah satu band rock Jepang favorit saya kembali mengeluarkan album terbaru di tahun 2010 ini. Bisa dibilang MUCC adalah band yang paling rajin merilis album karena sejak mereka memulai karir mereka, mereka selalu mengeluarkan album setiap tahun.

MUCC juga adalah band yang paling rajin mengeksplorasi genre musik lainnya. Pada album 'Karma' ini, mereka mengeksplorasi musik electronic yang tentu saja di-blend dengan musik khas MUCC itu sendiri.

Dimulai dengan intro 'Chemical Parade' yang benar-benar full electronic, bisa dilihat akan kemana arah musik dari album ini. Kemudian dilanjutkan dengan 'Falling Down', single yang sebelumnya dirilis tapi dalam album ini kemudian ditambah dengan nuansa electronic agar lebih ngeblend dengan album ini. Selanjutnya sampai setengah album ini, seluruh lagunya bernuansa electronica rock.

Salah satu track yang berbeda adalah track nomor 8 yaitu 'Daraku', sebuah track dengan lirik full berbahasa inggris dengan nuansa jazzy yang kental. Walaupun berbeda, bisa dibilang ini adalah salah satu track terbaik di album ini.

Setelah itu track-trak lain yang nuansanya berbeda, setelah track ke7 nuansa albumnya sudah keluar dari electronica-rock tersebut. Walaupun begitu, MUCC tetap mampu menyuguhkan musik yang menarik. Seperti 'Polaris' yang diisi dengan orchestra, string, dan biola. Dan ada juga 'Feather' sebuah lagu ballad yang indah dan menyenangkan untuk didengarkan

Overall, ini adalah sebuah album yang sangat menarik dari MUCC. Di usia band yang mencapai ke-13 tahun, MUCC sepertinya tidak akan pernah berhenti berkreasi dan bereksplorasi sampai di sini saja. Semoga di masa depan, MUCC mampu bereksplorasi dan berkreasi lebih banyak lagi.