Let’s put some last.fm reference first.

” Hiroyuki Sawano 澤野弘之; born 12 Sep 1980 in Tokyo) is a Japanese composer. He is part of the group Legendoor. He was first recognized after completing the Soundtrack for the drama ‘Iryu~Team Medical Dragon’. He composes for dramas, movies and anime series. On July 15th 2009, he released his first original album entitled ‘musica’. “

Sawano-san composed most of the memorable track from recent anime, noticeably Gundam UC OVA and Guilty Crown. Most of his work are really impressive and brings about a feeling of sadness but at the same time determined. (more…)

As you all know, I’m a drummer now, and nothing more than a former guitarist. Heck did I have to mention I can play bass too? I learned everything, even keyboards, but looks like I’m still not satisfied.

Well, I started off with guitar, and joined with people who I thought had the same interest as I am. Played many live show, jammed many times, just to know that I’m not compatible with their taste. And to proceed, I learned drum, since I don’t think I can find a drummer which will suit my taste of music. I already know how to play bass at this point, so if anyone need me to play bass which compatible with my taste, I have no problem to join them. (more…)

Since I’ve been lazy updating the blog, probably I had gone through many stuffs but didn’t have the time to mention it. I changed my profession to a drummer now, though part time only since I need to keep my guitar skill intact and develop my piano skill along. Yeah, it’s stupid to learn everything at the same time, but let’s call it one of my life achievement. I’m the person who seek skills as long as I’m awake. Unfortunately it’s regressing my knowledge, making me a slowpoke when it comes to recent news.

Though I’m not really good with it like I’m good with guitars but I want to prove to people that playing instrument took determination and enthusiasm, not talents or some bullshit. That also one of my life goals, being able to prove that instrument playing isn’t hard and trying to make people less scared to learn music instrument especially avid anime and video games lover like me.

Okay, people said that WMP is the best player there is and Foobar is the best in sound quality, but I’m sticking to iTunes since I’m already familiar with it since the last time I used an iPod. But things are getting worst and not only butt ugly, but the new iTunes is really laggy compared to iTunes 7 that I currently used before.

So yeah, gonna reorganize my songs and downgrade it later. Sadly my iMac can’t help me this time, the HFS partition is set to 100GB(thanks to my dad)… which is not enough for my songs.

It was love at first sight, the first time I heard it and I’m already mesmerized. Re:Birth by Acid Black Cherry probably among the best song of the year. A song for the latest installment for the Another Century Episode series “Rebirth” , filled with fast and delicious guitar riff, double guitar solo harmonic, soothing Janne Da Arc vocal and overall it’s a really nice arrangement. The wait is killing me ( about 3 month I think ) but once it was released, can’t stop headbanging to it until now. Already tabbed it out, but not in the mood to write it down unless requested. The game itself is not worth much mentioning but this song is a must try.

Oshit it’s Naruto song but NO! Don’t discriminate it like that. Kudos to Ryo again for making such a wonderful song. It’s the continuation of the series Kimi No Shiranai Monogatari >> Sayonara Memories >> Utakata Hanabi , all telling about the same thing, memories of a girl about a boy but in a different expression. Unlike the previous 2, the song is a ballad, with Nagi as the vocalist, sorry vocaloid fans out there, I still can’t accept the synthesizer feel of a vocaloid song yet. The PV is less attractive as the previous one but it’s really artistic in a supercell kind of way. The second song is the theme song for Mahou Tsukai No Yoru, Hoshi ga Mabataku Konna Yoru ni, a fast tempo song, again with intricate chord progression.

Ignored it during the first time I listen to it, but after a while, starting to like it after putting it in my driving playlist. The ED theme for Shiki, melancholic in a way and the chord progression during the chorus is awesome. In a weird way, the lazy ass voice is kinda soothing to listen to. Same like Supercell’s, the PV is really artistic and not really enjoyable for most people.

片手☆SIZE is a trio group starring Aya Hirano, Horie Yui, and Maeda Ai. And yeah, I like most songs performed by all three of them so having them combined is something to look forward to. ED for Nurarihyon no Mago, a youkai + yakuza like story, didn’t watch it until I listen to this song. Yukionna/Tsurara, the character voiced by Hocchan is really dazzling, her eyes captivated me during the first look on the album art. And yeah, after listening to Hocchan voice in the song totally sold me out. The anime wasn’t all that good in terms of quality, but they got a good female seiyuu lineup and enjoyable story. The manga give a lot more chivalrous feel to it though.

Forgive me for being a slowpoke but Mr.Children is really awesome, much more awesome than Radwimps and  Bump Of Chicken. I’ve fallen in love with their song after listening to Kurumi. But this album here doesn’t have that song, but it contains my favourite song ‘Fastener’. Their song pattern is pretty much the same and gave a feeling of nostalgic and melodic. Enjoyable if you’re listening to it while reading a slice of life novel or manga.

Kurosaki Maon is a newcomer to the anisong music industry, though from reading her profile, she already debuted in Akihabara as a performer. Up until now, she already performed the song for HoTD and the new Index series installment ( can check out the PV for that here ). Okay, the album consisted of all 13 H.o.t.d ED recorded in full version. Overall I give it a 3 star except for ‘Fuss Fuzz’ which deserve 5 full star from me. The song might me normal during the first time you listen to it, but once you put on your headphone and listen to the detail, it was really an exploding experience. The guitar arrangement is really awesome and somewhat producing an exploding sound from the palm mute, making you wanna headband right away. Though, I think one with less music instrument proficiency couldn’t notice it well so it’s not really a strong argument.

Weird song for a weird series, Venus to Jesus is a really premelodic kinda song where it’s the combination of cuteness + slow rock + ballad. Yakushimaru Etsuko voice is really cute and gave off a peaceful sensation, quite ‘windy’ like Hanazawa Kana’s voice. Kinda reminds me that I still haven’t watch S2 of the series.

It’s something I did a while back and it’s not totally finished yet. It’s all in my head but haven’t got the time to write it down since I’m busy with my galgame project, my studies as well as organizing my new band. Think I’ll finish it if the demand is high, not many supercell fans need their score compared to their mp3 isit? Download link here.

Couples of weeks back then, Cathay Cineplex brought Evangelion 2.0 : You (cannot) Advance, which is quite a blessing to me and all Evangelion fan in Malaysia. Linkinstreet manage to book one cinema to be filled with self-proclaim elite malaysian otaku(including me of course). Though something went wrong and he’s on hiatus since then. (more…)

Now on hiatus as a musician, need a break to reconcile the part where I got it wrong about music. Thinking of going back to the path of gamer. No, i-i-it’s not like I heard there’s gonna be a MGS in PSP…

Theme song? As in OP song? I dunno. But Mizuki Nana seems to have contributed a song for the album. Not as epic as Snake Eater but certainly something for a true patriots, Heavens Divide is a typical MGS song… which is ‘epic’ and manly tear-jerking. Mizuki Nana song 恋の抑止力 seems to be out of place, which part of the game they gonna use it. Hopefully iPod exist in Naked Snake era. And… I think this is the first album art that feature cast-off feature.

Probably my favourite song from Supercell. Nagi’s voice was fits into the song perfectly. She maybe not much of professional singer, but her voice is good to begin with. Also, kudos to the composer for making such wonderful music. To be noted GACC committee  use this song in their intro video during the start of the event. Probably that’s the only stuff I want to remember about GACC… And yeah, the PV is a bit better than Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari PV.

Pure headbanging material for an anime song. Well, Gran Rodeo is originally a metal band after all. Needless in long gone and already forgotten but the OP is still lingering in my head. Drum beat was fast added with speed guitar solo. Maybe not people didn’t know needless that much, but this song was too good to be used as it’s OP. Not to forget the cute Needless ED, which the video part is much more enjoyable instead of the song.

Durarara! OP, which I still haven’t watched yet. Though it’s the current hype now, so no hurt in listening to it. Punk rock song with light overdrive guitar effect instead the loud piercing high gain overdrive. Enjoyable to listen to, but really hard to sing. Instrument playing part was fairly easy, probably why it’s on the hype with guitar covers on youtube.

No matter how good the song is, if the anime is neglected, no one will pay attention to it. Chrome Shelled Regios anime didn’t receive enough rating as the novel did. 愛のズエルニ is the 2nd ED for the anime. The duet part was really in harmony, and better than ヤサシイウソ duet, too bad there’s no Felli anymore. Plus, it’s a bit low pitched and enjoyable. One of the song I’ll sing during a long drive in my slow car. I’m not much of a vocalist but I do enjoy singing alone in my car, and this song is one of my favourite.

One month packed with ear-piercing goodness I can say. Tiring indeed but it’s worth the calories.

I missed the first day due to some recording errands. Attended 2nd day to watch the finalist. Well, for once, I got to see a variety of music played on stage, e.g. from alternative to power metal. Though one thing I dislike from watching the battle of the bands thingy, the music are fun to play, but NOT fun to hear, get what i mean? Crazy solos and riff just drown the sentimental value of the songs. Thankfully they got some expert sound system manager, or it’ll be loud piercing god knows what permanent damage it might bring. First place goes to a malay classic rock band(awesome band had a good singer and twin guiter solo), second place was an alternative/post-hardcore band(technical playing?), i missed out the third place performance but think that they’re doing classic malay rock songs. There’s this one band that peforms Malmsteen’s song-Rising Force, sadly they lost because it was not an enjoyable song and the vocalist did poorly on most part. Thumbs up for the guitarist though, he did won the best guitarist award.

Warning: This isn’t your stereotypical hardcore/alternative gig. This time, it’s crazy solo and riff everywhere, causing permanent damage to my brain that i can’t remember what happened on the day anymore. I can say, I can’t recognize about 99.9% of the song played, must be originals/a really hardcore rock oldies. One band catches my eyes due to the fact, that their guitarist having a heavy resemblance to Bayonetta while carrying probably a LTD V model. Funny thing that she survive by using one single BOSS DS-1 pedal. Another thing that pique my interest is that the band vocalist is a drummer, add a female tag to that please. Unique indeed.

Other than that, probably my guitar practice and recording. Well, didn’t have recording experience before, but I do hope it’ll improve as time goes by.

My second post which got something to do with Daisuke Ishiwatari, my all time favourite composer. The new album BLAZBLUE SONG ACCORD #1 with CONTINUUM SHIFT deliver vocal tracks from Blazblue Seiyuus and his intricate guitar and orchestral metal arrangements. Seems like his works are going towards orchestral metal rather than guitar solos back in Guilty Gear days. FYI on Blazblue, he only composed the soundtrack and not the char design whatsoever. Notice the bright and colourful character which differs from his metal oriented style. Maybe it’s time to let Guilty Gear rest in peace.

1st track, Continuum Shift. Mixture of metal guitar solo with harpsichord. Not much of an impact but I’ll give 4 out of 10 stars for guitar solo complexity.

2nd track, 「強風 」.. Shishigami Bang vocal song track. Performed by Koyama Tsuyoshi. Not a Bang fan so I’ll just let this one slip.

3rd track, 「Condemnation Wings ~Cry Camellia…~ 」. Started with harpsichord solo with, a track for the new character Tsubaki Yayoi( Asami Imai ).

4th track, 「Oriental Flower ~ 花となれ~ 」. Chinese styled track for Litchi, performed by her seiyuu Takahashi Chiaki.

5th track, 「Queen of Rose ~ 真紅の傍観者~ 」. Rachel HHNNGGGGR RRHHHHH!!! Okay, performed by Kana Ueda. Kinda melodic and feels like a ballad, oh yeah, kinda Ali Project too. Vampire loli, what kinda music do you want to pluck into her? Guitar solo was short but awesome, 7 stars out of 10 for that.

6th track, Gluttony Fang. Daisuke’s original piece. Heavy metal oriented, with piano/keyboard solos. Guitar solos are played during the chorus, doesn’t feel much impact.

7th track, Condemnation Wings. Guitar solo version.

8th track, Nightmare Fiction. Sounds something like A7X’s Unholy Confessional in the beginning, then move onto guitar solo enriched with harmonic.

9th track, Memory of Tears. Started out slowly, then there comes the mellow guitar solo that’s so heart melting. Probably the best guitar solo/track in the album.

10th track, Endless Despair. High tempo song with crazy drum bashing.Fast but unclear solo in the middle. Probably final boss fight?

11th track, Rubble Song. From the first time hearing it, I can tell that it’s surely a credits roll song. The feeling of “everything has ended” is clearly expressed.

12 track, 「Stardust memory ~ 約束の場所~ 」. Sung by Kondou Kanako, seiyuu for Noel Vermillion.  a Game Over track from the previous Blazblue. Probably my choice of vocal track, not that good but enough to keep me in tune.

Song Accord #1 already covers like 25% of the original Blazblue track, added with tracks from Continuum Shift. So there’s going to be #2 with Tomokazu Sugita singing?

Song “Tsubasa wo Kudasai” sung by Megumi Hayashibara. This is the full version, only a fracture of the song are used in the movie. The melody reminds me of Komm, Susser Todd. Neway, check the K-On version.

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