GUMI - Kyakka nai omowaku

Arara-san has released a new song, “Kyakka nai omowaku”. It’s some kind of thrash/industrial metal, and there are two notable points. The first is bass-guitar. Its sound is amazing, powerful like a fucking bulldozer, threatening to crush you.
The second is Gumi, of course. Gumi saves the world song again. All hail to Gumi-san! :) Well, this is third Gumi song in a row, and finally with nice vocals :) My congratulations!

Nicovideo link:

Nicoviewer link: http://nicoviewer.net/sm22561954

And don’t ask why it’s Kagamine Rin on the picture. And don’t ask why she has put her hairbow on her eyes. And what all that multiple eyes around mean. And, for the sake of sanity, don’t ask WHY RIN IS SMILING!..
 
Video’s art by Sasakinoko

GUMI - Call my name

If you dealt with ‘experimental’ metal before, you might know that usually this word is a shy equivalent of ‘frustrating’. Or ‘mind-fucking’. Or, in some cases, ‘pathetic shit’… You may wonder why I’m telling you that. The context, guys, the context! So that when I present you the Odd Sun’s new work, “Call my name”, you already know that everything could be much worse ;)

Well, the song isn't *that* experimental, and this is good. Because it’s running right on the edge, dangerously close to falling into the mentioned above categories. And I have to admit this is quite an appealing run… Worth much more than marching like zombies on the mainstream highway. So, leaving the trolling aside, I believe Odd Sun’s done an impressive work. It looks even more impressive when we take into consideration the fact that it’s the first his attempt in the heavier music. I hope it isn’t the last.

Complicated, layered sound driven by blithe guitars is alternating with minimalistic parts where Gumi’s supposed to play key role. Coming back to that ‘experimental’ characteristic – there is a substantial contribution of vocal part to this mark. The vocals are a way unconventional, allowing to express finest emotional shades. Believe me, it’s hard to perform even for a flesh-and-blood singer. For Vocaloid programming, it’s a nightmare. Sadly, Gumi sounds here even bleaker than on average... Yet, with all that imperfections, “Call my name” remains a charming piece of a ballad.

Nicovideo link: 

Nicoviewer link: http://nicoviewer.net/sm22557093

MP3 download: http://nicosound.anyap.info/sound/sm22557093

GUMI - Doku shoku palette

Some classy hard rock from tetraphobia_system and kirakira. Just in case you are too lazy to check Wikipedia, tetraphobia is a superstition that drives people to avoid number 4. But that hardly matters. What matters is that previous songs of tetraphobia, despite lacking some energy, featured delicious, juicy, finest-hard-rock-tuned guitars. Well, the bad news is that deliciousness had been lost somewhere. No, the sound is enjoyable enough. The bass guitar has that soothin’ tone, and drums are just awesome. But still it used to be much better…

The good news is that “Doku shoku palette” has enough energy to kick some old metal slouches’ asses (like mine ;) ). I hope some time we’ll get both the perfect sound AND enough heavy riffs to reach the perfect synergy…

The impact could’ve been even greater this time if not for Gumi. Yes, Gumi, why do you fucking whisper into the mike on the verses parts!? Huh? You say you don’t whisper? It’s just guitars playing too loud? It’s just mixing glitches? C’mon, Gumi, it’s a clumsy excuse. Are you a rock star or some fucking Katy Perry?..

On the second thought, it might explain the deterioration of guitars’ sound…

Nicovideo link:

Nicoviewer link: http://nicoviewer.net/sm22552769

I roughly translated the title of the song as ‘Pallete of acid colors’

Video’s art by Hachi-jou-kou.

Megurine Luka - I'm not alone

I think the brightest moment of the new Hyahyao’s song “I'm not alone” is it's beginning. Let’s say it’s rather promising beginning. Heavy metal turning into metalcore; harsh, rasping guitar sound, rigorous strokes of bass drums… Not that all of it vanishes as the song continues, no, but with the beginning like this you clearly understand that the guy has great potential.

And he hasn’t squeezed out the maximum from that potential. But don’t get me wrong, people. Hyahyao shows here well enough class to make the song great. “I'm not alone” is a distinctive step from the mainstream post-hardcore sound. It might not be a big step, but it clearly bears an author’s mark on it. And it never was an easy way.

Ah, almost forgot about Luka! Well, a nice chunk of lyrics is in English. And Luka’s Engrish is so… Engrish… So you have been warned :)

Nicovideo link:

Nicoviewer link: http://nicoviewer.net/sm22552280

MP3 download: http://nicosound.anyap.info/sound/sm22552280

After applying quite a powerful zoom we can argue that Luka IS present on the following picture:

Video’s art by Ameno.

Hatsune Miku - I'll Take You Away（2013 Ver.）

[red*fox] continues to rejoice us metalheads. This time it’s an overhaul of “I'll Take You Away”, his very first published Vocaloid song. Well, almost three years has passed, and the progress could be clearly seen… Besides far more enjoyable sound quality, new version has got fine instrumental background. It casts a new spin, pushing the music a bit closer to symphonic metal.

Miku wasn’t sitting idle these three years too. So the vocals were rerecorded with ver. 3 of Vocaloid software. Of course, it’s for the good, but I think the vocal part isn’t the strongest point here. And what is? I like more the jaunty, spirited atmosphere, which at the same time feels rather steady and solid. A quite unique blend, if you ask me. So it was definitely worth all the effort.

Nicovideo link:

Nicoviewer link: http://nicoviewer.net/sm22553446

MP3 download: http://piapro.jp/t/pkwZ (registration required)

A quite chaotic depiction of Miku Hatsune...

Video’s art by Shizuki Noma.

Megurine Luka - Since desire

“Since desire” is a new work by Hashigo and Die Sea. It features Christmas-themed Luka with blue-dyed hair (because why not? :) ), a lovely work of SEKI. The music is delicious post-hardcore, with gentle parts being the most impressive ones. The overall mastering quality may not be top-tier, but double bass drums’ line sounds rather solid for me… A beautiful song for winter time.

Nicovideo link:

Nicoviewer link: http://nicoviewer.net/sm22546872

MP3 download: http://nicosound.anyap.info/sound/sm22546872

Luka-chan. Sugoi!..

 Video’s art by SEKI.

Kasane Teto & Namine Ritsu - Flame Heart

Fuck, guys, I’m melting out by this song like a snowman under the blowtorch. If there is a perfect j-rokku storm then “Flame Heart” is quite close to it. The song is from the Death-ohagi’s new album “Super Kasane Teto collection”. Just if you’re wondering, the whole album isn’t that ‘Super’ from the general HM/HR perspective…

But “Flame Heart” is a notable exception. Wild, swift, vigorous guitars and even wilder pair of vocalists. Teto sounds quite charming here, together with Ritsu they form a fearsome duet. The video also adds several points to the overall score. Back to the fire!

Youtube:

Nicovideo link: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm22543674

MP3 download: http://nicosound.anyap.info/sound/sm22543674

Finally, Ritsu’s clothes don’t wake a sickening feeling in me. But I don’t know if it is a good sign or an opposite…

Video by Toudou-charo.

Kagamine Rin - Esora

What does a typical Kagamine birthday look like? A typical Kagamine birthday usually means that Nicovideo is virtually stormed by a striking amount of videos featuring the twins with eyes big as a saucers and overall kawaii level overloading my sensitive kawaii-meter. The music is… eh, typical as well (see, I can be subtle when I want to :) ).

In such a hostile for every sentient person environment, a new work by “Ratai-no-Silhouette” certainly comes as a breath of fresh air. For starters, the video uses 0 (zero) Kagamine Rin’s images. Given all that kawaii spree around, it is a fucking breakthrough! But VMW is yet not posting videos basing on Rin’s presence there only. So yes, “Ratai-no-Silhouette” are kicking asses again with what I loosely define as alternative rock. The music is a fine balance between dense, heavy rock and more lyrical melodies, between ‘classic’ elements and more uncommon features. The latter is seamlessly incorporated into the overall soundscape, which is usually hard to achieve. So the guys show us their mastery. The guitar parts are the core here.

And of course, where we’ve started, we should end. Kagamine Rin, the hero of the day (sorry, Len ;) ), confirms by her singing that the whole turmoil was worth it. So, ehh… Happy Birthday, Rinny?! :)))

Nicovideo link:

Nicoviewer link: http://nicoviewer.net/sm22537855

MP3 download: http://nicosound.anyap.info/sound/sm22537855

Baka wa anomaly ni akogareru - cover by Tomukki

And just to offset all that flippancy of the previous work, or, to say it more plain, wash away the sins with fresh blood in perfect metal storm, here is another piece of music. So yes, this is utsu-P’s “Baka wa anomaly ni akogareru”. Tomukki-san (let’s be official ;) ) has performed a fantastic vocal cover of it. Screaming parts are decent enough, but who’d be impressed by screaming nowadays? The ‘traditional singing’ is a real killer there. Fuck, the guy has an incredible range! He could compete with Rin herself! Of course, Rin would win, but still Tomukki has something to show :) …

Nicovideo link:

MP3 download: http://nicosound.anyap.info/sound/sm22537370

GUMI - Akusei Lolita Machiavellism

“Akusei Lolita Machiavellism” is a song from the similarly called album “Lolita Machiavellism” by Kairiki-bear. It is blatant j-rock and no less blatant trolling :) The song is virtually overwhelmed with loli theme, which, I suppose, explains a kinda success in terms of popularity. Because, as we all know, only few things could earn the wide public’s attention, and loli always was and will be one of them :) In this video lolis are represented by no one else but Kagamine Rin herself. And I consider this an overkill :)

Of course, there are some minor points… Like music, for instance. For j-rokku, guitars are tuned a bit harsher than usual. In VMW’s taste, that is definitely beneficial for the song, might be even more helpful than all that endless lolis. Kairiki-bear’s created fairly intense sound. Gumi is brilliant, keeping in line with j-rock style easy as you please. She certainly makes much of all that mind-blowing, hilarious atmosphere of the song. “Loli-loli-loli…” – I guarantee you’ll be singing this after listening to the song :)

Youtube: 

Nicovideo link: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm22534527

MP3 download: http://nicosound.anyap.info/sound/sm22534527

Loli-loli-loli… It’s really hard to add something…

 Video’s art by Shiomidu

Hatsune Miku - Corvo

Matica has released another song, “Corvo”. “Corvo” means crow in Italian and Portugese, so don’t be startled by the video art.

Thanks God, the song came far less j-rokku than two previous Matica’s works, so it fits loosely with VMW format. The genre leans more to hard rock. Of course, with unavoidable J-flavour :p

Still it has enough drive to like it. Hatsune’s part is quite nice, especially the chorus. Might not be perfect but definitely better than a crow ;)

Nicovideo link:

Nicoviewer link: http://nicoviewer.net/sm22507463

MP3 download: http://nicosound.anyap.info/sound/sm22507463

 Video’s art by Murabito-D

GUMI - Dead or Alive

When it comes to a nice metalcore, it never seems to be enough. Well, at least for me :) So, from that point of view, shiban’s new work is a little step from an ideal. Because in “Dead or Alive” juicy and swift metalcore riffs are watered down by more post-hardcore-ish lighter parts. But, despite this drawback feature, the song is undeniably good. The guys are skilled enough, just listen to the seamless guitar solo.

Gumi-chan certainly grabs attention here. For one, she sings extremely lively. But there’s also the video… MOCHACO has drawed Gumi in quite ambiguous way… Well, ‘ambiguous’ isn’t the right kind of word, ‘ecchi’ would better describe this. So yes, the video features quite pronounced Gumi’s cleavage. Again, ‘quite pronounced’ underestimates the situation. Let’s just call it ‘tits’. Even TITS. Yes, I like the sound of that. Tits & guitar. Horrible combination, if you ask my opininon. But in case if this very combination is one of your personal moe – well, enjoy, anon…

Nicovideo link:

Nicoviewer link: http://nicoviewer.net/sm22504952

MP3 download: http://nicosound.anyap.info/sound/sm22504952

Them. TITS. And a guitar. But who fucking cares about the guitar when there are…

Video’s art by MOCHACO

Hatsune Miku - Katame no shoujo

The song “Katame no shoujo” is a debut Vocaloid work of Gunx. And it’s quite impressive debut! The title translates as “One-eyed girl” and I don’t know whatever it could mean ;)  

The song is mainly good old hard rock with a little pinch of electronics. Guitar’s parts are well designed and performed flawlessly, with the overall quality being spectacular for the first work. Miku’s vocals are well on par with everything else, she is definitely the soul of the song. Great job!

Nicovideo link:

Nicoviewer link: http://nicoviewer.net/sm22506224

MP3 download: http://nicosound.anyap.info/sound/sm22506224

The “one-eyed girl” herself. She’s not scary at all… Wait, is that a shotgun on her knees?..

Video’s art by yuuliz.

IA - Asylum

First, guys, let me announce that Vocaloid Metal Witches are now officially started!

You have to come with something gross in this type of occasion. Luckily, [red*fox] has released his next work quite in time! And it's not just “gross”, it’s fucking AWESOME! The song, “Asylum”, is on the heavier side of post-hardcore. Precise strikes of guitar riffs meet with well-fit keyboards part to make a very impressive fusion of sound. Add IA with her finest, clear vocals – and you have a really amazing musicpiece.

Grossly underrated though… But it is the normal course of life. And the simple truth of life is that the wide audience’ attention isn’t the thing you should chase. Anyway, one of the aims of this blog is to bring out the talented Vocaloid producers no matter whether they are popular or not.

And of course, we’ll be waiting for new works from [red*fox] quite eagerly!

Nicovideo link:

Nicoviewer link: http://nicoviewer.net/sm22484530

MP3 download: http://nicosound.anyap.info/sound/sm22484530

Basically, let’s pretend that IA is just listening to the music in her headphones and everything else is OK…

Video’s art by chalk_karasu