Classic Rock Bottom

Small Print: Finally getting around to listen to, (for the first time) some music I've been putting aside (for years). Including, things from the past I recently discovered, projects I previously had, but replaced with a newly remastered version, or those simple cases, were my last years order didn't arrive on time.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles come from the authors heart and personal taste which may not necessarily reflect the common sense or the popular sentiment of those who farm music through the path of least resistance i.e. from the ears, straight to the brain.


In the 90's, Carmine Appice had a swell idea to call on his guitar toting friends and record few projects titled: "Guitar Zeus". One of these projects was the "Guitar Zeus, Japan" from which the axe-slinger that stood out for me was; Luke Takamura. After I did some digging on him, I saw he released a self titled solo CD, back in 1991. It wasn't easy or cheap to acquire that CD, but lucky for me, the following Christmas, Santa had me on his nice list. My initial perception of the album was somewhat underwhelming. Not a bad CD, but not what I was expecting from a guitarist of his caliber. Needless to say, my interest for his other outings waned until I saw the trailer for the Japanese horror movie "The Grudge vs The Ring", with Seikima-II providing the theme song, whose member just happened to be Luke Takamura. This was enough to investigate the band further and eventually buy two of their releases, presented here.

SEIKIMA-II Formed in 1982 / First release: Akuma ga Kitarite Heavy Metal (1985) / Current Line-Up: Demon Kakka (v), Jail O'Hashi (g), Luke Takamura III (g), Xenon Ishikawa (b), Raiden Yuzawa (d)

AKUMA NATIVITY "Songs Of The Sword"

CD 2009 Horror Metal

Facts: Collects some of their previous material re-recorded in English. Luke Takamura is one half of the band's guitar duo. So far... So good.

After a short intro, the album kicks off with an almost Punk rocker, The Prince Of Jigoku. This is not an isolated outbreak, because it's tested positive again in a Pandemic Carriers, quarantined about half way though the album. Not my cup of Metamucil, but I can dig the energy they bring to the diet.

The House Of Wax, starts with an eerie spoken narration to set the stage for some good old fashioned pants pooping, but by the end of the song it dials the fright factor down, with a go happy La-La chant. (Note: No apparent connection to the Oscar's record busting La-La Land- as far as I know.)

Here comes the good stuff. The song Fire After Fire, with it's gripping riffage, breakneck solo, sing along chorus and clear pronunciation is destined to burn itself into you memory. Big Time Changes will appeal to Kiss fans, with it's anthemic power, tongue in the cheek lyrics and big time trade off solos. The oriental intro on the Oni blends perfectly into a grinding Doom machine, with a dash of nerve pinching solo, slowly torturing you to the ecstasy.

The heaviest song on the CD is the Demon's Night. Enhanced by an almost Blues feel to the guitar solo, it integrates surprisingly well. And then there is the ambitious, yet completely out of whack, the Akuma Symphony Suit. Broken into four Movements plus an Overture, it's nothing more than one big Mass. Thankfully, the CD ends on a positive note with a Humane Society. A well balanced Metal tune worthy of it's important position.

I don't have any previous album from Seikima-II to compare with this one, but of what little I could gather from their videos and songs available on Youtube, the re-recorded versions pack more punch than the originals, the playing is tighter, the sound is more dynamic and the guitars are louder.

Akuma characteristics: 7 out of 10 $words are deadly in this Nativity.

NOROI no SHA NA NA NA/GOBLIN'S SCALE

Maxi-CD 2016 Melodic Hard Rock

Before we go any further, I have a question for you. If there's a strange mashup of two supernatural franchises in your neighborhood, and you need a theme song. Who you gonna call? Well of course, SEIKIMA-II. Who else?

The band reunites for this occasion and delivers a song that is perhaps their most Kiss-y, to date. The Maxi-CD only has 2 songs, but to give more bang for your buck, you'll get 6 titles. Two of them would be the Curse of the Sha Na Na Na sung in both English and Japanese, while the 3rd track is the Goblin's Scale. You'll also get all 3 titles in their Karaoke version, in case that's what toots your horn. The treatment that I don't usually care for, actually benefits the Goblin's Scale, because you get to hear the awesome guitar work without interference from the main vocal.

To boost the investment further, the First Press of the CD promises a random trading card from one of the band members. Let's see. Uhum... There is a bulging in the 3-fold booklet, and what do I get? I got... Demon KAKKA.

The strength of the curse is: 3 loud Na Na Na's (and 2 silent Na Na's) on a Goblin's Scale.

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I think you may have piqued Jon's interest on this first album,.  Horror Rock is smack in the middle of his wheelhouse, I would bet!  The guitar is nice, its frenetic but technically sound so its got an effortless feel to its fast pace.  The vocalist may be the only issue I can find on the track, figure that out and maybe we hear these guys a little more globally...

Second video didn't play in the USA, will have to go off-site and check that one out...

With Demon Kakka being the only remaining original member of the band, plus the fact that he only sings, there is a little chance to see him leave or to pass the honor to someone else. But you are right, with a stronger voice the song would sound even better.

Thanks Scott for letting me know that the second video doesn't play in US. I hate when that happens to me, so here is another YT link, but it's the Japanese version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dim5B0ZkVrI

There is a very limited selection for that song and the sound quality of the uploads don't do justice to this quite catchy song.

take 2 video is also a no go...

Damn. There isn't much to work with.

This link will give you a 30 sec. sample, other than that I'm out of ideas.

http://www.neowing.co.jp/product/BVCL-727/track?from_cdj=1

Can't say any of this is familiar to me.  I do find interest in the Kiss comparisons, as they will always be my band.  I can't listen to that first song at this time because I don't have my ear phones, but I'll try to come back later and take a listen.

Good guitar playing.  Nothing special about the song, but the thrill of discovery is the important thing here. Not for me, as I would have likely never heard this without Mr. Chapleen's post, but after hearing it I didn't get that desire to dig deeper.  But Yngve did, which is what matters.  

Seikama II wasn't bad at all.

Noroi no Sha Na Na held promise but you can't relly tell from 30 second snippets which sucks. When I have some time later on this week, I'm gonna see if I can find something longer than 30 sec to listen to.

Horror rock? Doesn't sound like that to me, but what does I know> Hell, what does Scott know?

I should have specified that the term Horror rock refers to the overall lyrical theme and not so much for the musical style, which would be Heavy Metal in this case.

I'm new to this so don't blame me if it doesn't work, but here is the song on podcast (if I can figure out how to post it). It's not the full length but you'll get the idea. If you like it, the honest thing would be to buy it so these guys can afford a full length CD.

http://www.podsnack.com/Chapleen/avt92n99

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