Category Archives: Music Review

Re:O Reverie

I’m still here, frozen alone.

Beginning with bittersweet tones, Re:O‘s 10th single Reverie signals the dawn of a new era for Re:O. Reverie portrays the story of missing someone you shared every moment after they are gone. Those who once spent time with us eventually disappear from your sight as time goes by, like snow falling on your hand, without a trace. The fragile snow, even when it piles up, will eventually melt away. In the same way, human connections are breakable and bound to fade.

Nonetheless, the memories of those we hold close remain eternal. Walking down this snowy path, glancing at the snow-covered buildings, such ordinary days bring back nostalgic memories of the times spent with you, and this song carries one wish: โ€œMay you always stay well.โ€ Reverie is not about loss, itโ€™s about reminiscing about those we encountered in our life, the special moments shared and the hope that not only could a friendship or relationship reignite but also the hope that those that we shared these memories with are safe, well and thriving.

Reverie is the first song written fully in Japanese since 2021. The track focuses on the relationship between the guitars and synths working with each other, to create an atmosphere of powerful, raw energy yet a mysterious, cold, distant but yet familiar and comforting overtones with the synths. Raw guitar riffs intertwine with gentle bells dancing like falling snow, highlighting Rio’s soft and tenderly persuasive voice captivating us, while the synths and guitars create a spacious, expansive sound. The melodies, both serene and powerful, are brought to life and flawlessly compliment the music by Rio’s soft, tender but yet powerful voice.

Reverie review by Just Panda

With that dark synth sound we know well from Re:O, the track starts with light but purposeful keyboards followed by some decent riffage that drives into the first verse, delicate tones and vocals from Rio sit aloft the guitars. The low register just as confident as the upper, you can feel Rios presence as she moves through the verse.

Theres a subtle hold back before the build up into the chorus, uplifting chord progression from the guitars are enjoyable and encase the vocals perfectly. The musicality captures the lyrics ‘Sail with the breeze, Snow falling down, Weaving, The dream you were in’, you can feel the chill.

The pace picks up as we move into the second verse, the drums leading with riffs on on the offbeat dark and heavy. Its a great feeling when you can hear a band fully in sync, each member having there place to shine whilst the others support.

I love the electronica touches that lighten the mood, they have that 1980s synth pop energy, subtle but deliberate. The heavy half time riffage before we enter the final chorus was welcomed, the band certainly know how to bring the heaviness but not allow it to take over.

The band really have grown together musically over the past few releases, and Reverie is certainly a top track for me. The chorus was uplifting, almost euphoric, and it works so well with Rios vocals. And the vocals in Japanese really brought the song into its own, I hope they write more tracks in Japanese.

For me this is a solid top tier track from the band, who are clearly growing in confidence musically, and will be a great addition to their live set, fans of the band will no doubt embrace it.

Reverie is available now.

https://linktr.ee/reo_o

Song Credits:

Composition: Re:O- Rio Suyama, James Wright, James โ€˜Jโ€™ Stevens, Alex Carli

Lyrics: Rio Suyama & James Wright

Produced by: Rio Suyama & Simon Jackson

Vocals: Rio Suyama

Guitar:Alex Carli

Bass: James Wright

Drums: James โ€˜Jโ€™ Stevens

Artwork Credits :Rio Suyama

Lyrics

Reverie
[Verse 1]
ๆœˆใŒ็…งใ‚‰ใ™
The moon shines bright on
็™ฝใ„่ก—ไธฆใฟ
A cityscape of snow
ใ‹ใ™ใ‹ใซ่žใ“ใˆใ‚‹
I can faintly hear,
ๅ›ใฎๅฃฐ
Your voice
้ ใๆ—ฅใฎ่จ˜ๆ†ถ
Our distant memories,
ใพใถใŸใซๆตฎใ‹ใถ
Floating in my mind
(Chorus)
้ขจใซไน—ใฃใฆ
Sail with the breeze,
่ˆžใ„่ฝใกใ‚‹้›ชใŒ
Snow falling down,
็ดกใ„ใงใ„ใ
Weaving
ๅ›ใŒใ„ใŸๅคขใ‚’
The dream you were in
[Verse 2]
้ ฐใ‚’ใ‹ใ™ใ‚ใŸ
Blowing on my cheek,
ๅ‡ใˆใŸ้ขจใฏ
A frozen glazing wind
ๅๆฎ‹ๆƒœใ—ใ„
Leaving
้ฆ™ใ‚Šใ‚’ๆฎ‹ใ™
A bittersweet scent
้™ๅฏ‚ใฎใ•ใ•ใ‚„ใ
My silent whispers
ๅ›ใ‚’ๅ‘ผใณใ‹ใ‘ใ‚‹
Calling for you
ๅƒ•ใŒใšใฃใจ
I will always
ๅฎˆใ‚ŠๆŠœใใ‹ใ‚‰
Support you
(Chorus)
้ขจใซไน—ใฃใฆ
Sail with the breeze,
Reverie Official Lyrics.docx

Generator: Blood Stain Child

Trance metal figureheads Blood Stain Child are back with new music with the brand new single ‘Generator‘.

Known for their fusion of melodic death metal and electronic dance music, the new track ticks all my vibe check boxes that fans know and love. Written by guitarist Ryu with lyrics by lead vocalist Sadew, the track kicks off with precise guitar riffs and layered synths. Moving along with gusto, Sadew brings his mix of clean and harsh vocals with signature aggression and range.

Guest vocalist TanTan features alongside Sadew in the chorus with a catchy upbeat melody that I really enjoyed before a short solo passage, her clean upper range works well amongst the heavy guitar and bass. Known for their heavy but euphoric build ups, ‘Generator‘ is no different, with an atmospheric rise into an electronic breakdown. Focused riffage from G.S.R, driving bass from Ryo and an energetic Yasu on drums, before following through into an impeccable Ryu guitar solo.

Generator‘ is a melodic metal electronic mix that shows off the talent of all the members. It has a raw feel that’s not overly polished for a studio track. There’s a nostalgic feel that takes me back to the Mozaiq era of Blood Stain Child, it makes me excited for the new album.

Overall, ‘Generator‘ is a solid addition to the bands roster, one that will hype up any live crowd. Now can we international fans all pray for a live show outside of Japan soon? We can only hope!

Generator‘ is available now!

https://bloodstainchild.lnk.to/GENERATOR?fbclid=IwdGRjcAPTaG9jbGNrA9NoaGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHg30TwH6iGY3y2netwb6bFgMzLE3rHCiXg1TXB3ZdF-eC3dtHRJMXFCrjwFY_aem_uHxspLHYIhaMYEoSgrCp6g

Re:O Leave You Craving For More in Their New Single ‘Crimson Desire’

Article written & edited by Kelly-Mae Matt

Returning to their darker roots in their much-anticipated 9th single release, Japanese-British Metal x Darkpop band Re:O have brought us Crimson Desire, a powerful track that explores the realisation that what you have is not enough despite the fact that you sacrificed most of your life to get where you are.

Released on August 13th, 2025 on various streaming platforms, Crimson Desire continues to showcase Re:O’s versatility as musicians in this powerful addition to their discography that aims to blend aggressive instrumentation with harmonious vocals, and pivots from the groups usual signature blend of Japanese styled synths.

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MAZE Take No Enemies In Their First EP, ‘BLASTELLA’ – EP Review

Review by Benny, AKA @Codomomentality

For forever now, people have been waiting for a proper MAZE release outside of their usual digital single releases. As of 2022, the group has released seven singles under their current name, however if we were to include their discography from when the group had been known by miscast, then altogether the group has released a whopping 19 singles, with the first 12 being released between the years 2019โ€“2022. Considering the group continues to still play some of those songs at their live performances, I have decided to include them as a part of their overall discography.

In late 2019, the group had released a self-titled mini-album consisting of 4 tracks, however since then we have only been given singles. With their 2022 rebrand to group we know now, MAZE have continued to release music at a slightly slower rate, and the fans have only become hungrier for more.

Continue reading MAZE Take No Enemies In Their First EP, ‘BLASTELLA’ – EP Review

Explore the Depths of Grief & Loss in Re:O’s New Single ‘Violets’

Article written & Edited by Kelly-Mae Matt

After tapping into their darker side in their previous single, The Haunted, Re:O have since returned with their 8th single, Violets, which explores the depths of grief and combines Re:O’s signature blend of metal riffs with sombre and harrowing melodies and synthonic instrumentation.

Set to release on all streaming platforms from April 9th, 2025, Violets is a song that will captivate listeners through its mesmerising vocals, haunting piano melodies and its use of sombre and harrowing melodies that perfectly capture the feeling of grief and pain. For fans of Alternative Metal, Industrial Metal, Metalcore, Goth, J-Pop, Dark Pop, Nu-Metal, Post Hardcore and Rock, Violets is sure to bewitch both seasoned and new listeners of Re:O’s music.

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Expressing The Duality of Human Nature: A Look At GCiB’s Suki ni nare! and Aishite

*All images used within this post have been sourced from @gcib_official on Twitter.

Since unveiling their brand new line-up back in June of this year, idol group GCiB have started making waves the social media platform Twitter (otherwise known as X). With a mission to grow their fanbase both nationally and internationally, the group have begun posting in both Japanese and English while also promoting their latest releases, Suki ni nare! and Aishite, both of which have been teased on social media ahead of their release.

Originally making their debut in February 2022, GCiB โ€” originally known as Girls Crying in Bathroom โ€” is a girls’ dance and vocal group that wish to go beyond the mere cuteness we expect from idols and express their strength, fragility and versatility through their music. With a major line-up change in the last quarter of 2023, the group has since returned to the idol scene as a 5-member unit from June of this year.

Comprised of original members Suzuki Nanaka and Suzuki Minami, as well as new members Aicha, Kosaka Momono and Isshiki Hanane, GCiB have now made their re-debut with two new tracks that are sure to entice fans both old and new into their unique worldview.

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Re:O RONIN

Re:O are back with their brand new single Ronin. With their dark and infectious blend of metal and dark pop, this track is ready to set the world ablaze.

Ronin is the 5th single to be released by Re:O. A high energy, blood pumping and aggressive anthem that combines metal with a fresh blend of J-Pop and dark pop tones. Symphonic ambience and dissonance creates a surreal and ambitious soundscape that will captivate any fan of metal, metalcore, and nu metal to post hardcore and rock, leaving them wanting more!

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Senpai’s Soundtrack: Songs For The Summer

Now that the weather has finally started to brighten up in dreary ol’ England, I thought it was high-time to update my playlist with a few summer songs; and what better than to fill it than with some incredible Japanese tunes that were released this year?

Though I am more inclined to listen to the cuter side of J-pop – and there’s nothing wrong with that! – I have found a nice variety of tracks to keep me going this early Summer. From upbeat, adorable tracks to more heated tunes, this playlist is filled with the tunes that define ‘Summer’ for me.

Whether you find a song to uplift your spirits or drag you into the heat of an on-coming summer, I hope that you can also find something to enjoy here in my Senpai Soundtrack. Are you ready to tune in and give these songs a go?

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Fall into The metaverse with Satanic Punishes 2nd mini-album, ‘Ezekiel’

Review by Kelly-Mae Matt

With a new member set to debut this month, the dawn of a new era is ready to begin for Satanic Punish. Featuring past singles Propaganda of the Rising Sun (2022) and Across the Future (Beyond 2049) (2023), as well as one new track, metaverse, the mini-album that is Ezekiel is here to take us into the future of Satanic Punish, all while respecting the history of its former members.

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