REVIEW: 9GOATS BLACK OUT - Devils in Bedside
So, following the return of Aie and a few other famous Nagoyans last year, we have another return. This time it’s Ryo, former vocalist of Gullet. Gullet was one of three bands that formed out of the break-ups of Kein and Lamiel, the other two being Blast and Deadman. Gullet was also the former band of Yukino, Hibiki ( both now in the Studs), and Reo (of Lynch). However, unlike the Studs’ formation last year, the other two musicians named in this band are previously unknown, at least, to me.
Ryo, it seems, took some time off after Gullet’s disbandment to work in art, and in fact, all the design and concept behind this new band is done by him. This project hit the pipeline in the form of a website in mid-December of last year. It was pretty clear to fans of the scene, that this was going to be a true Nagoya-style band. I can’t say I expected any different. However, like the Studs did last year, this band had its own set of surprises in store…
9GOATS BLACK OUT
Devils in Bedside
Genre: rock, Nagoya
Release Date: 01.25.2008
Price: 2400 ¥
Released By: ZOISite
Tracks: 6
01.Sink
02.690min
03.Nocturne
04.Den lille Havfrue
05.Raw
06.Float
Sink begins the album softly, almost Gackt-like, with piano and some light drumming. Ryo sings softly, almost delicately, and I was immediately struck by how smooth and rich his voice is now. Some very nicely-spaced rests throughout as well, I love those, if you haven’t noticed. The song is somewhat anti-climactic, with the guitar solo and breakdown being right at the end, but on the upside, it flows directly into 690min. The pace picks up immediately after a short speaking intro, with a very memorable and catchy guitar riff. The tempo changes are wonderfully placed and serve to actually make the song seem longer, even though it’s already the longest song on here. Which is absolutely fine with me, as it’s easily my favorite on this mini. Like the previous song, there’s a bit of a bridge that suggests the song is about to end, but in this case, it does not, and in fact goes right into a guitar solo. Ryo doesn’t sing as much in this one, rather bringing back those growls he was known for in Gullet. Surely a fan favorite.
Nocturne is next, still keeping the piano theme in with the
guitar. I love the little bit of an off-beat with the drumline. But
it’s Ryo’s vocals that really shine in this one. Other than some
occasionally noisy breathing, it’s pretty hard to find anything wrong
with them. He effortlessly soars above the instruments, and has no
problem transitioning registers. There’s no doubt he’s improved
significantly since Gullet. He barely even sounds nasal anymore.
Nocturne was a bit of an intermission at a little over two minutes, and next up is the oddly named Den lille Havfrue,
which is actually Danish for the Little Mermaid. It’s also another
occasion for Ryo to show off. I can’t say I mind though, as I’ve said
quite repetitively now, his vocals are really nothing short of amazing.
Next up is Raw.
It promises to be a little harder with the staccato distorted guitar
riff at the start, and Ryo singing in a muted falsetto. However, it
actually continues on a more sinister note, threatening to break out at
any minute, but really never does until the end when Ryo lets loose
with those soaring vocals again.
It leads perfectly into Float,
the last song on the album. After a soft start, it gets rockin’ pretty
quickly. The rhythm section is rather fantastic, and while Ryo
continues to sing (wonderfully) for most of the song, he sticks in some
growls a few seconds from the end.
So wow, without hesitation, I can say that this was an AMAZING first release. For many bands, it would be an amazing third or fourth release. Their sound was a bit surprising to me. Their website definitely had me thinking of Lynch or Deathgaze, and expecting that hardcore sound. But instead, it’s dark, amazingly polished, and with compositions that just make you want to repeat the album over and over so you don’t miss anything. (Yes, I listened to the whole thing about 15 times when I first got it.) I cannot recommend it enough. Welcome to the third generation of true Nagoya. ★★★★★
Key:
★★★★★ = Excellent, flawless, perfecto
★★★★☆ = Very good, has some minor flaws
★★★☆☆ = Good, maybe a few boring moments, but overall enjoyable
★★☆☆☆ = Fair, bad outweighs the good
★☆☆☆☆ = Poor, possibly offensive to your ears
One last note, the first press of this CD sold out on their website very quickly, but a second press is due out today, and hopefully will soon be made available on the more popular online sites.
