Archive for October, 2010


Tokyo-based heavy electro unit, Vanished Empire, are set to release their new album, The Unnameable Symphony, on December 13. The album concept focuses on the myth of of Cthulhu and includes nine tracks – five songs plus four remixes by other artists. There will be a release party for the new album at the Darkest Fest event to be held at Club Crawl Shibuya on November 26. This promises to be a great album with powerful vocals from DJ Chihiro and the musical genius of 2 Bullet’s Dee Lee on programming and keyboards. The album will be released on the Darkest Labyrinth label which has quickly developed a reputation for quality production of artists in the Japan scene.

2nd album [The Unnamable Symphony]
Dec 13th, 2010 Release
Label: Darkest Labyrinth
Distrubution: Daiki Sound, CD baby, Tainted Reality
Disc number: DLVE-2
Limited: 1000
Price: 2,000yen

Playlist:
1. Necronomicon Prologue
2. Mindless Outer God
3. Temple Of R’lyeh
4. At The Edge Of Kadath
5. Al Ajif Epilogue
6. Mindless Outer God (Tragic Black Mix)
7. Temple Of R’lyeh (Takuya Angel Mix)
8. Temple Of R’lyeh (Noir du’Soleil mix)
9. Temple Of R’lyeh (marlee mix)

official WebSite
http://www.myspace.com/vanishedempire

Online shop:
http://darkestlabyrinth.ocnk.net/

Last week I had the chance to see Psychodream from Kobe performing live at Shinjuku Urga. This band has a unique sound, ranging from industrial, electronica through to avant garde alternative rock. Some of their music delivers an ambient soundscape, but if you turn your head for one second and out comes the metal percussion crashing into your sensorium! Yes, indeed, this band has a nice mix of sounds worth listening to.

The band members consist of the enchanting MIYA Zombie on vocals and metal percussion, Damien electrifying on bass and Psycho Asada on guitar, metal percussion and behind the programming.

This is the preliminary shout-out for the band as they build (or is that re-build) for activities across the nation. Expect to see their events posted on JGoth.com as the year progresses.

In the meantime you can scout their sounds via MySpace and even download a song on their official Exblog site. Keep your eye on this band.

Renowned Italian cyberpunkers, Dope Stars Inc. will be playing their first live show at Tokyo’s Club Asia on December 12. They will be joined by hot U.S. industrialists, Celldweller, and local heavy industrial rockers BAAL. Making up the line-up for the night will be 東狂黒, Gari and [xxxSYNAPSExxx]. This is definitely an event not to be missed, and at 4,000 yen it is one of the best value nights for any Tokyo night crawlers.

Event: Twist Fest.
When: December 12, 2010
Open: 16:00 :: Start: 16:00
Live: Dope Stars Inc. (Italy), Celldweller (U.S.), BAAL, 東狂黒, Gari and [xxxSYNAPSExxx]
DJs: Kaoru, Chihiro/千尋, Twist Crew and Awake Crew
Tickets: 4,000 yen
Ticket info: Disk Garage (03-5436-9600)
ClubAsia (Shibuya): 東京都渋谷区円山町1-8  第8矢澤ビル4F :: 1-8 Maruyamacho Shibuya-ku Tokyo :: Map

Calmando Qual are set to release their new maxi single, “Deadman’s Party” on December 22, 2010 through Darkest Labyrinth, Starwave Records. Release details from the label are as follows:

Calmando Qual’s second maxi single since their comeback. The horror rock show constructed in their previous work, Doors, is given an even deeper expression in this release. Within its dark party rock style is a danceable avant-garde sound, and lurking behind its developing romantic edge is a twisted love story. After stepping through the Doors into the great hall that lies beyond, enjoy the party within to your heart’s content! A release event will be held at Ikebukuro Chop on November 20.

Line-up :
Vocal: Hibiki
Guitar: Tak
Bass: Kenka
Drums: Maya

Live Schedule :
Nov 20 Ikebukuro Chop (Release Party)

new maxi single “Deadman’s Party” Nov 20, 2010: available for pre-sale at live venues
Dec 22, 2010: on sale in stores
Disc number: SWCQ-2
Label: Starwave Records
Distribution: Daiki Sound, Tainted Reality, CDbaby, Code 7
Price: 1,890yen (tax in)
Limit 1000 copies

Playlist:
1. Haunted Home
2. The monster
3. Blood Red Shoes
4. UNDEADMAN
5. Deadman’s Party

official WebSite
http://calmandoqual.com/
http://www.myspace.com/calmandoqual

Online Shop:
http://darkestlabyrinth.ocnk.net/

This is just a short update on two bands that Igor really loves.

2 Bullet are now under the Darkest Labyrinth label headed up by Blood’s and GPKISM’s ax man Kiwamu. I lost the official release, but from vague recollection the album should be available towards the end of the year. 2 Bullet are an anti-totalitarianism unit with a hot, tactical industrial sound. Look to the links list to find a connection to the band’s homepage.

BAAL, possibly the most intense hard-hitting industrial band in the scene today, are also heading towards recording new songs. This is an eagerly anticipated follow-up to the band’s Religion 616 release back in 2007. The band had already shown itself to be a rapidly maturing high-caliber unit with Religion 616 and the new release should be awesome. It is still early days yet and how or where it will be released is under wraps, but Igor and the rest of the BAAL groupies are really looking forward to the next chapter.

All righty folks. Igor’s gonna be dressed in a suit and all, especially for Friday night’s Psydoll gig. Well, I have to wear a suit on Friday so I don’t have any choice in the matter, but still… Psydoll, The Royal Dead and Psychodream – Awesome.

If any of you folks out there are rocking up to the night feel free to hassle out the suit. Or better yet, let the bands know that Igor @ Jgoth.com sent you!

So just to whet your appetite, here are a few movies of the bands…

Psydoll

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG-80i0pGVY[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95a1lkTjL-o[/youtube]

The Royal Dead

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVx5FXt3H2c[/youtube]

Psychodream

Must find video…

Fancy a bit of dark indie J-rock? Then this night should have you gamboling in the dance pit. The Lechery from Mara is a frenetic punk rock act with Gothic undertones and have played a number of evil events in Tokyo. 13th Moon is a darker shade of hard Gothic rock with an infectious beat. For those with a penchant for Clockwork Orange, the droogs from Hat Trickers’ style of punk should whet your appetite. Finally there is the sultry alternative rock from Royal Cabaret. There are also other acts due to join in making for a pretty kewl event. There is a 1,000 yen premium for ticket sales at the door so pre-booking with one of the bands is recommended.

Event: November Noire
When: November 19, 2010
Open: 18:30 :: Start: 18:50
Live: The Lechery from Mars, 13th Moon, Hat Trickers, Royal Cabaret and more.
Tickets: 2000 adv. :: 3000 @ door
Club Chop: 東京都豊島区池袋2-46-3 シーマ100-B1 :: 2-46-3 Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo :: 03-5951-1127 :: Map

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aaueLlD85E[/youtube]

Here is a nice Gothy event towards the end of the month. This overnight event is a showcase of artists from the Darkest Labyrinth label created by Blood and GPKISM guitarist Kiwamu. The night features six bands including GPKISM, Seileen, Vanished Empire and BLAMHONEY. It will also be populated by hot underground DJs Takuya Angel, Chihiro and Sisen. In terms of caliber of the artists this event would approach the levels of Tokyo Dark Castle, although the ambiance would tend to be a little softer than TDC in Igor’s opinion. Considering the rapid rise of Darkest Labyrinth and its high production values, the label’s events will become an important part of the Gothic landscape of Japan in the near future. Overall, this is definitely an event worth staking out.

As with all overnight events it is important (i.e. absolutely VITAL!) to bring a photo ID with you for entry. Basically, without ID you will not be able to get into the club – which will make for a pretty dreary time!

Event: Darkest Fest. Vol 2
When
: November 26, 2010
Time: 24:00 ~ 6:00
Live: GPKISM, Vanished Empire, Seileen, BLAMHONEY, Rose Noire and marlee
DJs: Takuya Angel, Chihiro, Sisen and Manik
Tickets
: 3,000 yen adv. :: 3,500 yen @ door
Club Crawl
:  東京都渋谷区東1-25-2丸橋ビルB1 :: 1-25-2 Shibuya-ku, Tokyo east Maruhashi Building B1 :: 03-3498-3114 :: Map

Ah, the heady mix of Alamode nights! This event features GPKISM, a mix of classical and industrial Goth music with ax-work from former Blood member Kiwamu. They will be joined by the violin/vocal duo of Rose Noire and femme-screamo electro band Toxic Strawberry along with other acts for an evening of Japan Gothic style. This is a bit beyond my limited scope on the Goth events – I tend to be focused on the Tokyo Dark Castle scene – but it looks quite a tasty event for local Gothers. Also included are fashion shows and exhibitions for those looking for the Gothic look in Tokyo. The event starts early @ 4:30, finishing around 10 p.m. so you can get your fix and still be able to face the return to normality on Monday.

Event: Classic Alamode 05
When
: November 7, 2010
Time: 16:30 ~ 22:00
Live: GPKISM, 島村秀男, Rose Noire, Zwecklos, Rose & Rosary, Celestear, Kiria, Toxic Strawberry
Other
: Exhibitions and fashion shows
Tickets
: 2,500 yen adv. :: 3,000 yen @ door
Club Crawl
:  東京都渋谷区東1-25-2丸橋ビルB1 :: 1-25-2 Shibuya-ku, Tokyo east Maruhashi Building B1 :: 03-3498-3114 :: Map

Another sleepless night in Tokyo. I am not sure what to do so will write a little entry here.

Currently I am just getting back into the scene again and really looking forward to seeing some of the bands I used to follow before I got sick back in 2007. Bands like Baal, Destruct System, Psydoll and many others. Mmmm. Nice. Hopefully I will even get out to a few overnight events as well. I really miss the heavier nights at Tokyo Dark Castle. Incidentally the Halloween edition of TDC will be tomorrow.

So here I sit, brain slightly fried from the day’s frustrations. Trying to think what to do… what to do.

Hey what’s that? It’s like… It’s like… Sawdust in Me, but only with more angst. Youtube is playing some kind of crazy hard electro with femme screamo overlay… and I think I like it! It’s Toxic Strawberry “Doubt Her Suffering!!!” Goodnight all.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQmLG0EDdh8[/youtube]