Askew Magazine

Jasmine You

Liberated from the bonds of mortality August 9, 2009.

After the recent announcement of Jasmine You’s activity break to tend to his health, the devastating news of his departure from this world was unexpected to say the least. With the hustle and bustle in preparations of Versailles’ upcoming major album and first performance as a major band, no one could have anticipated the tragic loss of a key member of a band on the verge of celebrating their achievement. It is a sad day today, with the memory of his passing so fresh in our minds, but may the spirit of this Descendant of the Rose leave an invigorating memory among the hearts of his family, friends, and fans alike. This rose had not yet reached the height of its existence when he was so quickly stolen away, but his rose may yet reach full bloom in the hearts of those who remember him.

Versailles have announced that all of their scheduled activities will be postponed

http://versailles.syncl.jp/

http://www.myspace.com/versaillesjp

Cocklobin have updated their site, officially adding bassist Hisaki and drummer Kiri as members of the band.

The full lineup for cocklobin is now:

• Vo. nigu (babysitter -> tosinn -> cocklobin)
• Gt. Iori (Phobia -> Lamiel -> Blast -> Siva -> cocklobin)
• Gt. shinichi (cocklobin)
• Ba. HISAKI (Rozario -> 13 -> Black:List -> cocklobin)
• Dr. Kiri (gazelle -> Twisted Clock [support] -> WORLDisMINE -> cocklobin)

In November they will release their first single as a full band, entitled “Black.”

Cocklobin first performed in January of 2009, opening for 9GOATS BLACK OUT and Sugar. Observing the members histories, particularly nigu’s, and taking into consideration the styles of the bands they played with, one would be correct to assume that their style is very dark and melodic, continuing in the vein of the various Nagoya-kei bands of the past decade. One cannot make the connection of nigu’s previous involvement in tosinn, which coincidentally featured Ryo (ex-GULLET, now 9GOATS), and not be able to have some perception of their style, even without having heard a single song by them. Their first samples on their official Myspace would have given support to the preconceived notion that cocklobin would turn out to be a 9GOATS clone band, but don’t fool yourself without actually hearing their true sound. While 9GOATS is more atmospheric, significantly layered, and riddled with contrasts of control and instability (mental, not regarding sound or themes), cocklobin have proffered a denser, less abstract sound. If 9GOATS were the sky, cocklobin would be the earth. Nevertheless, there are strong similarities between the two that one cannot deny, but those similarities tend to be the very same that one might observe of most bands bearing that style. The strength with which they have taken their first steps will no doubt take them very far, a strength that is easily recognized reflected by their first mini album having recently sold out.

Acid Black Cherry – Yasashii Uso [from single released 7/29]

Avex has made the entirety of Acid Black Cherry’s promotional videos (PVs) accessible to the public on their official Youtube channel. Yasashii Uso is their most recent PV from their last single before the release of their forthcoming second full album, “Q.E.D,” (third full album including “RECREATION,” their album of cover songs).

Acid Black Cherry is the solo project of Janne da Arc’s vocalist, Yasu. ABC debuted in July of 2007 with their single “SPELL MAGIC,” with each following single charting in the top 5 of the Oricon Charts. Their first album, “BLACK LIST,” hit #2 on the charts.

Nestled into the corner of 5th and Spring Street lies an unassuming building, worn around the edges and framed by scaffolds.  Her neighborhood is adorned with the drug dealers offering us Vicodin as we walk past and luxury cars careening towards more important places.

Her latest incarnation as a luxury apartment complex falls neatly out of line with her colorful history.  You may not know the unique history of The Alexandria, but old Hollywood once did.  Vincent Valentino once lived there and Charlie Chaplin could often be found around the building.  The Palm Court used to host a variety of illegal raves.  Movies, music videos, and fashion shoots have taken place throughout the building.  Most notably scenes from Seven with Brad Pitt,  Christina Aguilera’s Ain’t No Other Man music video and What a Girl Wants, as well as Lenny Kravitz’s famous music video for “Fly Away” which I watched in an indefinite loop when it first came out.  Once you get familiar with the building, you start to see it everywhere.

However, to hide’s fans this building holds something far more memorable.  The Alexandria is the place that he filmed the PV for Pink Spider, as well as clips that went into videos like Ever Free.  It was the last music video that he would record before his death.   Read the rest of this entry »

meth. have announced on their official site that they are releasing a new single and embarking on a release tour to accompany it. “at WILL” is their first release since bassist AkN became an official member and marks another advancement in meth.’s evolving style.

“at WILL”, set to hit stores on October 14th and will cost 1260 yen.

It will feature three songs:

1. at WILL
2. BLACK [666] SCHEME
3. Ketsumatsu no beni (roughly translated “red ending”)

One thing for sure is that meth. have yet to disappoint.

For tour info: Read the rest of this entry »

Kiwamu, guitarist of BLOOD and GPKISM, has just announced that he will be the host of the new “Darkest Labyrinth Radio” broadcast on Tainted Reality. He will introduce Japanese gothic and industrial bands and play some Darkest Labyrinth artists. Also on the agenda, Kiwamu will share information in English about the Japanese gothic scene and even feature special guests.

The first airing of the show will be Saturday, August 15th, at 9pm Eastern, 6pm Pacific at www.taintedreality.net.

Girugamesh’s “Border” single will be available on JapanFiles tomorrow when it goes on sale in Japan. It will be $0.99 a track, each being 320kbps and DRM free (plain and simple mp3).

In other Girugamesh related news, the US version of MUSIC has sold out from JapanFiles directly. If you still haven’t picked up your copy, be sure to do so soon. Only select Hot Topics may have a few copies left. Click Here to locate your nearest Hot Topic.

The US release of Girugamesh’s self titled album is still available directly from JapanFiles for $13.98.

For short samples of the entire mini album see this vid.

BALZAC have kindly posted their new PV on YouTube for all to see. “Paradox” is easily addicting.  The electronica effects, per The Mad Capsule Markets/AA=’s Ueda’s production input, has added a new adaptability to their style.  It’s by no means overshadowing the strength of the long withstanding BALZAC we know. Hirosuke’s rapping rhythmic shouts are well fit with the crunch of the instrumentals.  This mini will be something totally worth digging.

While the date for the release has been postponed and has yet to be rescheduled, the Underneath have posted a new sample from a song off their next album.

Be sure to visit their Japanese site or their Myspace to hear 1 minute and 30 seconds of “Ghost in the Mirror” that’ll knock your socks clean off.

(Best recommendation: watch without wearing socks, because you’re sure to lose one or both)

Finally confirmed on  his Myspace blog, Miyavi’s baby is indeed a daughter.

Her name is Lovelie Miyavi Ishihara, and her first name is composed of the kanji 愛理 (AI for Love, read Rabu, and RI for reason, full reading Raburi)

Congratulations Miyavi and melody on your new daughter. We wish her health and longevity.