Videos

I haven't been too well lately, and haven't really felt like writing all too much. Nope, it's not the dreaded media-bating Swine Flu. I've just been feeling pretty sick and dizzy. But anyway, you don't want to hear about that...

Here's some videos i thought people might like, from some of the bands i've linked to so far, and a couple of new ones who's albums i may be posting at a later date. Regular album posts will carry on from tomorrow.

Incidentally, if you like any of these videos and want to download them for use on an ipod, or just to store on your computer, click on the video you want which will take you to the original youtube page, copy the url, then paste it into the box at http://www.savevideodownload.com/download.php. This will convert the video into a downloadable, decent quality MP4 for you.

Nature Living - "Time To Wind It Up"



These guys are one of my favourite bands right now. This song is off their excellent split with Fact, who if you haven't heard yet, you really should. I'll be posting a couple of tracks from their new self-titled LP soon.

Water Weed - "Revelation"



It's Water Weed again! Hehe. Incredible band, and a catchy as hell song.

16reasons - "Can't Bust 'Em!"



As you can probably tell, i'm a huge fan of the Japanese harcore/metal/alternative scene. It's probably because the country has really taken the reigns lately. 16reasons are yet another flag-waver. They're like a more melodic version of Water Weed, and their EP is amazing. Once again, i may post it soon.

Signal Hill - "A Secret Society (Live)"



What a song. The melodies are incredible. The sample they play at the start is from Twin Peaks, which is no bad thing at all. Best TV show ever made.

Crystal Lake - "The Burden (Live)"


Wow. I would love to see these guys live. Check how ape-shit the crowd goes during the beatdown that starts at 4:20. "LIGHT OF HOPE IS REVIVING, THIS IS A SACRED WAAARR!!". Haha, brilliant.

Broadside - "New Day"


Another fantastic band on the Theory & Practice record label (Nature Living, Water Weed, 16reasons, Empress, etc). Fans of Underoath, Alexisonfire, etc should dig this band. I'll post a link to their EP soon.

More to come soon!

Nature Living & Water Weed - "When The Light Goes Out: Split EP" (2008)

In this post i bring you yet another two bands from Japan! And another two erm... strange band names. As you can probably tell i quite enjoy the alternative scene over in that neck of the woods. These guys are little different from the other bands i've mentioned so far, being of the more emo and punk/hardcore sound respectively.

First of all, Nature Living. I've been a fan of this band for a while. I, personally, have always seen them as Japan's answer to Thursday, but with catchier parts and much more intricate riffs. They really are incredibly good at what they do, and i'm surprised they aren't heard of more this side of the water. One of their guitarists adds some back-up screams here and there, whilst their keyboard player brings some nice female vocals into the mix, albeit very occasionally. Incredible stuff.

Imagine if you mixed Illusion Of Safety-era Thrice with Comeback Kid, then threw in a bit of Ignite just for good measure, then you would have Water Weed. Of course they bring their own elements into the mix, including their ability to be a little more technical than the aforementioned bands, but i think you know what i'm getting at. They have the ability to snap out of being crushingly heavy, into great melodic breaks in split seconds whilst still retaining alot of punch and being catchy as hell. Apparently they have been through a line-up change very recently. According to their website they will be ready to record their full-length very soon though, which i am very much looking forward to. Keep 'em peeled for that!

Both bands have other releases in their back catalogues, so be sure to check them out if you can. I may even post tracks from them at a later date. For now, enjoy these:

Nature Living - Fourty Winks
Water Weed - Your Story Is End

Buy Nature Living CDs

Buy Water Weed CDs

NL: Recommended if you like: Thursday, The Beautiful Mistake, Emery, Jimmy Eat World.

WW: Recommended if you like: Comeback Kid, Reach the Sky, Thrice, Rise Against.

Nitro Mega Prayer - "Songs Of Hypocrisy" (2005)

I know, i know. That's not the best band name ever, but trust me, these guys are without a tiny shred of doubt one of the best bands i have heard in a long time. On top of having quite a strange monicker, their vocalist can also take a while to get used to. As is the case with alot of screamo bands, particularly during the 90's, there is alot of "wailing" going on rather than "screaming", and this guy is no different. Despite this, and although the lyrics are in Japanese (they are from Kobe, Japan), you can still hear alot of emotion in his voice, especially towards the end of the songs when their infamous crescendos start to crash in.

Anyway, once you get past the vocals (which incidentally, i now love) there is some incredible music to get to grips with. The melodies are unstoppable, coming one after the other in fantastic waves, and those drums are bloody brilliant. Even the bass comes into it's own in parts, weaving melodies far and above what the guitars are doing. This really is amazing stuff. If, like many people, you find it hard to get past the vocals and give this a good few listens, you are missing out on one of my favourite releases of the past few years.

Here's a taster:

Tsunagumono Hanasumono

Buy CDEP/Myspace

Recommended if you like: The Murder Of Rosa Luxemburg, Heaven In Her Arms, Envy, Neil Perry.