• こくまろみるく / Kokumaromilk - こくまろみるく / Kokumaromilk (2007) - A childish and schizophrenic genre potpourri - 67% (24/09/14)

    こくまろみるく / Kokumaromilk - こくまろみるく / Kokumaromilk (2007)

    Kokumaromilk is a weird band from Japan built around multi-instrumentalist and singer Iwama Hiroyuki and female singer Uzu who usually play metal cover songs under the banner Pleasure Music Temple. Their side project is experimental, over-the-top Visual Kei including a mixture of different genres from pop music and ska over electronic elements, and incuding vivid gothic and power metal elements, as well as some classical music. All in all, it sounds like the soundtrack to some crazy manga series. Short instrumentals between one and two minutes each are combined with compact, catchy songs and even the occasional lengthy track that goes on for almost nine minutes. If you have a taste for courageous Visual Kei bands similar to X Japan, Moi Dix Mois, and Babymetal, you should give this project`s debut a few spins.

    The most outstanding song on this short release is without a doubt the weird “PIPIPI”. It’s the kind of song you want or claim to hate, but end up enjoying because you can’t get rid of its ridiculous melodies. The songs starts with 8-bit computer game sounds, and the track turns out to be a joyous power metal song. It includes ska-influenced verses, recalling music of the seventies and eighties, and cheesy electronic sounds that remind me of the music I grew up with in the nineties. This potpourri of styles is crowned by an extremely childish chorus. God help me if I don’t love this song!

    What else is going on this record? The longer tracks remind me of a mixture of MUCC and UneXpect. Melancholic piano passages and disturbing lounge breaks are jammed together with fast-paced power metal fronted by hysterical vocals, electric organ sounds, and additional, rebellious vocals conveying a classic rock ‘n roll feeling. Sometimes the changes in the song writing sound odd, but the tracks will make more sense and grow if you’re ready to spend some more time with this vivid twenty-five minute debut. Needless to say, this is the kind of music only the Japanese create, and the six schizophrenic songs here include more ideas than most other bands put into entire discographies.

    I would go crazy if I listened to this kind of music all day long, but from time to time it’s an overwhelmingly entertaining ride through many different emotions and genres. I recommend checking in on this eclectic project if you’re interested in something new, varied, and strange.

    Originally written for Black Wind Metal

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