Direct Download for Episode 4 HERE
This week's Featured Visual Kei Band is Nightmare.
Formed in 2000, the lineup consists of Yomi on vocals, Sakito and Hitsugi on guitar, Ni~ya on bass/cello, and Ruka on drums.
Nightmare made it to the majors in 2003, which is rather quick in the VK world and was signed to Nippon Crown. Their first major single release was Believe. Nightmare's sound can be described as heavy rock with a strong bassline. Yomi's deep vocals really anchors the band's overall sound. Sometimes they do slower rock songs & ballads, but usually their songs are fast and upbeat.
Nightmare was seen by the fans as a lighter version of Dir En Grey in both sound and in look. Nightmare did give the appearance that they were trying to copy Dir's formula right down to Yomi pretty much duplicating Dir En Grey's Lead vocalist Kyo's trademark look.
But with Nightmare's sound being less intense & more mainstream as far as Visual Kei can be is probably the big reason that Nightmare went major far quicker than most other bands (even including DEG) and making them appealing to both Mainstream rock & Visual Kei fans.
Here is a excerpt from the February 2007 Issue of Shoxx featuring the "Nightmare 07' Concert Tour Report :
"Live at Tokyo Koseinenkin Hall 2006.11.11
A relaxed air flowed through Koseinenkin Hall, host of the starting point of “to the shining WORLD” and to their 2nd visit. That became changed to a moderate tension with the one drum beat from Ruka, signaling the start. That gave energy to both the stage and the spectator seating and quickly closed into a feeling of familiarity.
When I heard Yomi shout “Tokyo, Fuu!” from the furthest seat back in the 2nd story seating with a joyful look on his face I was able to predict that these people probably had a great tour. The inorganic atmosphere I had sensed at the opening of the tour had disappeared, and a Nightmare-specific feeling of warmth had even manifested.
A band-feeling that the five of them enjoy making music together, and feel comfortable with themselves. In the height of the intermezzo in “Tokyo Shounen” where both guitarists took center stage in unison, Hitsugi took a smiling peek at Sakito, and the slightest little movement and gaze would render the audience into a state of joy. You could gauge just how pumped up they were just from the silhouetted movement from the backlighting.
“I’ll take all of you to a brilliant world again today!” I suppose Yomi’s words sounded somewhat more true. “Allumina” was definitely maturing. I could feel the saturation level of “Death Note”, and the place was full of quiet energy with a positive feel to it. The charged-up power flowing from “Scion” was released in “Gianism Go”, making the floor of Kyouseinenkin Hall shake with the sheer power. "
Opening:
Uuchu Sentai Noiz- From Skywalker Maxi Single HERE
Featured Set 1
Nightmare- Libido Album (Songs: Varuna & Rememberance) HERE
Up N Coming
Merry- Peep Show Album (Songs: Retro Future & Moso Rendez Vouz) HERE
Dali- Antithesis Album (Song: Jam) HERE
Flashback:
Due'le Quartz- Best Album (Songs: Jisatsu Ganbou & Replica) HERE
