Allow me the time to introduce you to a very amazing band. No there not a new band, but I am introducing them to those who have yet to hear about them, or maybe you just want to know more? I will explain and share all there is to know about the visual kei Jrock band SKULL.
SKULL is known for there unique sound, with there variety in there music style. SKULL's sounds range from heavy metal, jazz metalcore, and even a little on the punk rock side at times. Not just with each different song, but some times you will find a mixture of various rock styles all mixed up into one song with these guys. SKULL exhibits and impressive diversity in sound, all the while staying in the same ball park. If you like variety in your rock, SKULL may be a perfect band for you. The vocalist displays talent both in singing harmonious melody's as well as heavy metal screaming, and occasionally a little rap when it's fitting.
SKULL is a five member band, however they started out as a four member band in 2003 with SIN as the vocalist, DAI as the guitarist, Sakura as the bassist, and Tetsuya as the drummer. There name started out as "The Skull" but they changed it to just "SKULL" early on. In September, Sakura preformed in his last live with the band SKULL. The bassist Sakura left the band and all that he had to say about the matter was...
My apologies to my fellow band members, my fans, and the people who are concerned about my problem. I will start to walk my own path, but please continue to back up SKULL.
Although they were down a member, they added a new bassist Ryou in February of 2009, as well as a second guitarist around the same time named Kouta.
The band had much success in the beginning with there "The scream of a gate" album as it nearly sold out instantly, and there was a second press which featured there first, and to date only PV, of the song titled "Downer's Show". This was when SKULL was still a 4 member band. They have yet to come out with a PV sense they became a five member band. But they are most known for there amazing dynamic live performances.
Below you can watch the PV "Downers Show"
Even though Sakura left the band they picked up quickly with there new members and with there maxi single "Awake" and soon after the maxi single "SKIN" in 2009. The next year in January 2010 they came out with there second mini album "Natural Born Killer". Recently on July 7th they released there newest single "｢陽炎｣｢蒼炎｣" (Kagerou, Blue Flame) and there having another maxi single to release soon on august 8th.
Below are the details on those past releases and there looks for those releases.
Awake
1. Answer
2. Play room
SKIN
1. Vermilion
2. Blood
ナチュラルボーンキラー (Natural Born Killer)
1.karma
2.voice
3.シリアルキラー
4.Sick Boy Crying Scream
5.COKEHEAD
｢陽炎｣｢蒼炎｣ (Kagerou, Blue Flame)
1. Kagerou
2. Blue Flame
If it is one thing I have noticed about this band is that they have improved over time. They sound better each release, while not changing there style, always staying in the same ball park in those regards. I would like to describe it as them polishing there sound. If you took the time to listen to there singles/mini albums from oldest to newest you would hear what I am talking about. For me this is what makes them so admirable, the ability to grow and improve. Just when I did not think they could get any better, they amaze me by sounding even better each release. If you want to sample some of there music you can try there Discography page, or there Official Myspace page. If you want to listen to more of there songs, Toshi San recommends these songs:
Band Member stats:
Here is there latest video message, I hope to see a new one from them some time soon. Brought to you by MusicJapan+
And you can see the fashion check video's from the same look, brought to you by MusicJapan+ as well. In-fact I'd like to say this is one of there best looks ever.
OHP
Myspace
Don't forget there single "Nancy" is coming out on August the 8th, you can preview it on there Discography page. Or just check our earlier post on SKULL.
Sources: OHP, SKULL Official Myspace, Music Japan Plus, LastFM, SKULL - "The Joy of our life's" Fan group on Crunchy roll.
Took me about 4 hours to make this blog post, please credit me if you copy paste any of what I wrote.
ReplyDeletegreat review of the band. there was so much i didnt know about them til now, u really did ur homework on this one grats. also from wat i read in the review they sound like alot of bands that i like as far as unique style and always getting better.
ReplyDeleteYou did a wonderful job with this write-up. I can tell how much you really like them, and that's a good thing! Just one thing. Can you explain why they slap the parental advisory sticker on their releases? I rarely see that on Asian releases.
ReplyDelete@Sakurayume No unfortunately I can't say for sure, though looking through some of there translated lyrics from our very own VKH translator's, an dlyrics from other places, I haven't seen any lyric worth having parental advisory except the downers show. It is pretty graphic. As matter of fact we don't have those lyrics of that song here yet, I read them a long while back in a place I done forgot. :( but I remember thinking wow such vulgar ... I LOVE IT... lol. I will try to find them tomorrow if you want, need to remind me thoug, I'm sure I will forget xD
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks soo much for making this post!! I can proudly say that SKULL is one of my favorite VK bands ^^ I really like all of their songs.
ReplyDeleteWe're definitely gonna spread the word and make them even more popular :D
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