Goodbye to a Decade. Gokurasama, 2009!

Here's a not-so brief recap of my life from 2000 to 2009. No big accomplishments. But I take life as it is (with a grain of salt) and although resolutions aren't my thing, this is definitely the right time for a milestone post :)

My head's merely going with what I can dig up from my weak memory.

1. [2000] Final year of school life. Aah~ the bittersweet times of being a teenager.


2. Death of my love for L'Arc~en~Ciel. It was a joy knowing them but I have moved on. Thank you for introducing me to Jrock, Hyde-san ;)


3. Malay-dominated Matriculation course in Pulau Pinang killed my English. Seriously. So few English-speakers to befriend. Malay songs rotted my brain :[


4. Death of a loved one [2002]: My mother. Al-Fatihah.


5. Shortly after that, I enrolled at UKM studying Computer Science. Another major reason why my English proficiency died. XP


6. But if it wasn't for UKM, I wouldn't have berjinak (sorry, can't find a better word for it) with Korean entertainment. And I wouldn't have met my beloved separate-end-of-the-Pole twinnie Farah. ♥


7. Koreans overtook my heart. I flitted around a lot at first before stopping at Shinhwa and Park Hyo Shin. Hmm actually I've now cut down to only Shinhwa. Even just the six of them hurts my money.


8. Rise and fall of a kingdom. Heart still pains over this. "Gaining Through Losing" is an apt metaphor.


9. SHINHWA IN SINGAPORE! Enough said. *eyes crinkle from awesome unforgettable memories*


10. The trials and tribulations brought us all closer. ILY, Orenji Famili.


11. My slow but sure return to Japanese rock with the help of several bands I call my saviours: Gazette [2006], MUCC [2006], RENTRER EN SOI [2008].


12. My very obvious rekindled love for LUNA SEA [2007]. They were my sole reason I could survive in Penang for 1 year without reliable Internet connection. Although I couldn't forgive them for disbanding, their comeback made me realise where my loyalty truly lies.


13. A 'steady' career working with Elderaan Technologies, if I may call it that, ensures that I have an almost steady supply of Kpop and VK. And no, I'm not thinking of continuing my studies.


14. Har har. So much for Kpop eh? Jaded-ness has ruined my respect for the Korean music industry. Goodbye, fake love.


15. Family rifts. I'm neither here nor there nor on the fence. I sway whenever it pleases me. However, I will NOT end this cold war with that asshole of a person I should be calling Brother.


16. Sarina Abdullah Thani and Siti Aishah Khairazan (+ her sporting hubby). My bestfriends and soulmates? ILY as well. ♥


17. My disgraceful yet verrry satisfactory downfall into Johnny's and Associates fandom. All thanks to KinKi Kids, my newest heroes who protected me from a period of depression during early 2009.


18. Japan. Oh my God, JAPAN. My utmost travel dream came true. ♥♥


19. Visual Kei and Orenji Famili. Highly impossible to be crossed over was my first thought. LOL. Look at us now. We're even holding concert nights :D


20. Two weddings in a year [2009]. My eldest brother and my younger brother.

A lot of good and bad things happened this year. I may have even changed a bit eventhough I'm still generally young at heart. *cough*

I dunno if I'll be able to think up of more because you're in danger of falling asleep from boredom. Guh.

Celebratin' the VK Festival in October...

...at home, wallowing while packing for my Japan trip since I'll only be departing on that 24th October. At least I should be packing on that day because we haven't even gotten confirmation from the tour agent.

Sorry lah Ah Jess, I can't kidnap Hiroto for you. Wish I could be there to kidnap other people as well but looking at the ticket price pun I feel like dying already.

V-ROCK FESTIVAL 09

The lineup looks pretty amazing.

Saturday's highlights: abingdon boys school, D'espairsRay, Angelo (to hear Kirito live!), PENICILLIN, Sex Machineguns. You don't get this much old-school in joint cons anymore so it'd be cool. And hey, Marilyn Manson?

Sunday's look more fun tho: Kagrra,, DuelJewel, existtrace, Gazette, LM.C, Sadie, Versailles.

Naaaaasib baik MUCC is not listed, Luna Sea and Rentrer en Soi are disbanded and um Yoshiki just had his surgery otherwise Sugizo would be there.

July VK Reviews

Oh well, I might as well just go ahead and review DIM. Not expecting any good new release from anybody til September (girugamesh album & D'esp single) so I'll get this done and over with before I forget.

Title: DIM Band: the GazettE Verdict: 3.5 stars. Dim, dim, dim. How do I even begin this? You see, DIM is the typical Gazette weighty bludgeons, a few repetitive ballads (I still don't like 'Guren') and ridiculous fillers ('OGRE' wtf?) but all is not lost because in the 2nd half of the album, there are - Why, hello. Surprise, surprise! - 3 treasures lying in wait for my cynical self. First is the sexy nu-metal experimentation called '13STAIRS[-]1', the refreshing change I've so wanted them to try. Second is the beautiful 'Shiroki Yuutsu' that gives out a simple and sweet NIL vibe. Third is 'DIM SCENE', their best song in years: a chilling blend of Luna Sea-esque violin and Diru-ish wicked songwriting. Brilliant, these. I ought to give them 4 stars because they're finally starting to move forward. However, I can't handle their gothic chicness anymore. Right when it's something I approve of, I've become too jaded. But hey this is a good album so if anyone, especially semi-jaded people, who wants to give Ruki and the boys another chance... now's the time. Go for: 'DIM SCENE', '13STAIRS[-]1', 'Shiroki Yuutsu', 'LEECH'.

I might be reviewing my shiny new purchases from YesAsia next up once they reach Malaysian shore. It'll be a welcome hug for RES and my 2nd review for UROBOROS. ♥

And maybe I'd shamelessly pimp Koichi's Ayakashi just to be biased.

Bloody H***!

Why is the connection so slow right when I'm trying to download DIM? =__=

So in the meantime, I finally read through Sugizo's latest MySpace blog posts from the past month. Apart from him being melancholic after turning 40 (that old geyser kekeke) he mentions quite a lot about being holed up in his studio again. Hopefully a Luna Sea reunion/comeback! Sigh.

And um the X live in Taiwan which is no doubt one of the most (more) ridiculous Yoshiki-made decisions considering he kept cancelling the European and American tours. Gee. What a way to rule the world, Yoshers.

Anyway, Kochan's single is...... mmm typical Kochan? Now if DIM is done I can actually cleanse myself with rabid drumbeats and roaring guitars but apparently I can't. Hurr. Bloody Streamyx.

Guess I'll return to Rentrer Land then. La la la~

RENTRER EN SOI

June/July VK Reviews

I really need to spend time and think on writing reviews that people can understand :S

Title: alansmithee *HOT* Band: the studs Verdict: 3.5 stars. Damn. No wonder their vocalist sounded familiar! I used to like his old band Kagerou but I only liked their first album to be precise. Not sure when he started the studs tho' I think this three-man band has been around for a few years. Simple and clear songs, not really all powerful but seems like ballad is more their forte. You definitely definitely need to try out 'Ano Oto'. Go for: 'Ano Oto', 'tobari', 'grieve', 'Shokuzai no Hitsuji'.

Title: Anomie Band: Matenrou Opera Verdict: 2.5 stars.After I've calmed down a week after heavy replay, I think they ain't as good as I first thought. The only song that gets me now is the title track. A bit unimpressive when you focus on the details. Sigh. Go for: 'Anomie', 'Last Game -Anomie edition-'.

Title: Hikari *HOT* Band: SID Verdict: 4.5 stars. Congratulations on finally having their debut major album! Only a few songs are new, but I love the others tracks cos they're basically the best singles they've made. It's great 'on repeat' stuff for new and old fans alike, so I reckon people won't get bored so soon. Go for: All the tracks mwahah:)

++ Bonus reviews

Title: LOST ANGELS Band: Gackt Verdict: 4 stars. Glad Gackt hasn't lost his touch after all the sickening albums after 'MARS' and the S.K.I.N hullabaloo (Boo to Yoshiki for giving us false hope!). His latest 3 singles are absurdly brilliant. A definite must-listen is the coupling song 'Suddenly' which is like WOAH. Go for: 'Suddenly', 'LOST ANGELS'.

Title: ALIVE Band: girugamesh Verdict: 2 stars. I completely forgot they have a new single which I'd already listened to. Must've been cause I felt like I'd heard the same old thing in the albums before this. I don't want to be overly harsh on them again but their songs aren't individually unique, ya know? It's like they copy-pasted bits and pieces from all their previous songs and gave it two new names. BORING! Go for: 'Gamble' if you prefer to not let them improve.

Title: THE INVISIBLE WALL Band: the GazettE Verdict: 3 stars. Frankly I'm tired listening to Uruha and Aoi's half-assed job. WTF happened to all the pent up emotions they exuded in 'NIL'? No more oredi kah?? Ish. Hopefully they'll prove me wrong.

March VK Reviews

What's this rumour going around about a Luna Sea Asia concert in 2010?? USO! Hong Kong?! ARE YOU CRAZY? I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY SO SOON AFTER MY JAPAN TRIP! WHAT THE *tooooot*!!

Title: 球体 (Kyuutai) *AWEFUCKINGSOME* Band: MUCC Verdict: 5 stars. If I once said their previous album, 'Shion', was missing some fine tuning then they’ve got it perfected here. SAIKO! After creating a definitive new sound through 'Ageha', there's an awesome improvement to their composition. This album is loaded with their lovely trademarks: soaring vocals, vivid choruses and deep lyrics. The songs are less showy and experimental but the ballads... Wow. 'sanbika' is one of the most classy I've ever heard from MUCC. I've always loved how they can easily express their music into a somewhat feast of visually pleasing stimulation: rise and fall of waves, birds flying over mountaintops, raindrops pattering down a window, freefalling from a cliff. You could almost imagine a PV for every song. Although I had a bad impression of 'Sora to Ito', I'm completely digging Tatsurou's synthesized voice. At least, it doesn't grate on my nerves anymore. Obviously because they chose not to overdo the techno-jangle in the whole album (that's some wise advise for girugamesh). Go for: 'Ageha', 'Oz', 'Hide and Seek', 'sanbika', 'Sora to Ito', 'hanabi'. Oh well. All the songs, then.

Title: REDEEMER Band: D'espairsRay Verdict: 3.5 stars. It's great that they've finally made their way back to home ground, been missing their edgier and oppressive side. But sorry to say, after the first 3 songs I find myself spacing throughout the rest of the album. I don't listen to them for their preppy and dandy slow numbers so this one's a bit hard to fathom although you do get some nice boost from 'REDEEMER' (which has a cool PV, btw). I hope they won't burn out too soon. Go for: 'REDEEMER', 'Lizard'.

Title: 極彩色 (Gokusaishiki) Band: Shinkou Shuukyou Gakudan NoGoD Verdict: 2 stars. Oh-kay. I can't stand the high-pitched wailing but let's give credit to the unmistakable talents of these guys, right? I tried to like this album. But fail. So they make great singles that are throwbacks to the 90's, we all know that. Yet 'Gokusaishiki' just doesn't blend in well because the songs sound so repetitive and bland. Frankly, there's not any standout new songs except for 'Kanaria'. I hope they learn from this mistake. Go for: 'dou', 'Kanaria'.

Title: MAR MAROON Band: 12012 Verdict: 3 stars. I keep reminding myself that 12012 is no longer the old heavy-ish 12012. And how do you even pronounce their name? Forget the expectations, people. What you have now is the kind of sappy music Alice Nine does. Entirely listenable, but… Sigh. Go for: 'As', 'Psycho Virus', 'Aitai Kara'.

Title: MASTER OF ROMANCE Band: Sadie Verdict: 4 stars. Never paid them any attention before, maybe because I've listened to them but I don't remember or I didn't wanna remember. Either way, 'Master of Romance' is good stuff. It has a balanced pace between the slow and fast tracks which never goes too heavy or too boring at any part. What I love most about this album is that it doesn't scream of mainstream pop, definitely deserves more stars for their effort. Go for: 'Ice Romancer', 'Ageha no Nakigara', 'Kagerou', 'Swallow Rain'.

+ Bonus review:

Title: silk tree. *HOT* Band: kei. Verdict: 4.5 stars. I like the simplicity - bare of all unneeded complexities. The soft singsongy melodies are a somewhat fantasy laden getaway. It's an album you can listen to to de-stress after a day at work. The Jpop-ish appeal will sadly differ for everyone, so judge it yourself. Go for: 'vesperbell.', 'pitiful emotional picture.', 'end of Sunday/black hircine.'.

Title: DISTRESS AND COMA Band: the GazettE Verdict: 3.5 stars. I've wondered for a long time where their latest direction will be, hoping they'd get off their lazy asses and come up with something as riveting as 'Filth' or 'NIL'. My griping might come to an end but not in the form of the title track tho. No, no, not the flaccid 'Distress and Coma'. Say hello to 'Headache Man', the b-side that reminds us so much of the old Slipknot-esque Gazette. Now this is what we've all been waiting for! However, I reserve further judgement until the full single is out in a few more days. Until then~ Go for: 'Headache Man'.

SUGIZO with X Japan?!

Hey, what's this I hear of my Sugi-chan taking up hide-sama's empty spot for X Japan's concert tour? TT_____TT
Pleeeease, please please please, come to South East Asia.

In the meantime, "I.V." sounds promising. But.. I dunno. I'm not really feeling it, although the lyrics are hot diggidy awesome (Yo-sama still writes the best) :

(In the rain) I'm calling you, dear
(Fight the pain) Can't you see me standing right here
(Feel my pain) Life is bleeding from fear
(Find its place) I will give it straight from my vein

I'm also unfeeling of the GazettE's new single, "Guren". I just watched the PV but it started to bore me even after 3 minutes into the song. It sounds like their other ballads. Nothing new here. Where's a.b.s when you need them, eh?

Alright, so I tend to be biased these days. I blame Sugi-chan for brainwashing me with his trance remix album. SPIRITUARISE is damn spanking, I tell ya. Go and listen at his MySpace.

Another recommended listen is "Fuyu no Maboroshi" by Acid Black Cherry. I've only experimented today and I must say, the single is really really unexpectedly nice. Yea well, I sorta dissed Yasu's voice when he was still singing for Janne Da Arc (tho their songs were not that bad).

Again, another Sugizo influence. <-- He helped out Yasu before.



Why did I ever divorce him? I'm so sorry, my love~~~

Ohhh and before I forget, Happy 39th Birthday Haido-san!