3 posts tagged “-oz-”

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Single: -OZ- - Bulk

Aug 4, 2008
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Date released: 30.7.2008.

Track list
1. Butterfly
2. Blot [Listen]

The metal oriented Visual kei band -OZ- delivers another release. The paired singles ATHENA and S.I.N. were quite successful that they were even reprinted as a one single, instead as a separated. ATHENA was the probably most metal-sounding single this tough band ever had, while S.I.N was somehow average.

Bulk kicks back with metal riffs, bestial growls and speed. Though with a gentle title Butterfly is everything but a gentle song. It reminds a lot on S.I.N but has got more growl parts, though having a melodious refrain with Natsuki's specific singing, though it has got a too strong vibrato on certain parts. And as -OZ- always does Butterfly is bursting from rage and also hope flaired with strenght.

Blot is the best song this band has made since the single elf (referring to the song Fade). It starts violent, fast and sharp, transforming into a heavy distoted riff beast with growls that simply awake the primal urge for growling in everybody interchanging with a bit clearer singing than it was on Butterfly. The refrain is genius, a mix of Natsuki's clear singing with fascinating growls, shining with a certain valor. God I love the sheer intensity of this song, the tension of anger in verses and bridges and the chatarsic release in the refrain. Excellent.

And once again -OZ- has managed to fascinate me with this great single. If your heart beats faster on vicious riffs and beast-like growls you will go into tachicardia with this excellent single. A must for all the fans of metalcore Visual kei bands such as Dir en grey or UnsraW.

Single: -OZ- - S.I.N

Apr 12, 2008
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S.I.N

Date released: 2.4.2008.

Track list
1. S.I.N

So -OZ- finishes their 2-month one song single release with S.I.N. ATHENA was a massive fusion of metal with the unique elements of J-rock taking the best of the genres.

S.I.N isn't as metal as ATHENA, no virtuous metal riffs or double bass here, but instead it shows the other alternative of -OZ- being aggressive: the more nu-metalish, hard-rock like one.

S.I.N begins just as furious as every other -OZ- song but with fat, chunky,

S.I.N

-OZ-

distorted riffs roaring together with furious growls from Natsuki (and the guitarist Aki, as far as I've heard) interchanging with sudden melodious singing. The refrain is quite surprising; instead of being some destructive piece of rockers imitating the calling of savage wild animals or some deep and charged refrain we get an almost happy-go-lucky kind of refrain. Not that it is bad, it's just so simple and happy sounding that it's almost absurd for it to be in such a killer song.

Basically the refrain simply emphasises the uninspiration of the whole song. Shame actually, I know -OZ- can do better than that. So yeah, fans will more likely check out this song, as for others: try listen to ATHENA if you haven't and then try out it's younger brother S.I.N.

Single: -OZ- - ATHENA

Mar 17, 2008
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ATHENA

Date released: 5.3.2008.

Track list
1. ATHENA

-OZ- is one of my (if not the best) favorite Visual kei indie bands around and I am always surprised by how much people don't know about them because -OZ- is one heck of a band. Their last single elf was one of the best singles I had heard in 2007.

-OZ- announced their actions in 2008 with the 2 month series of single releases starting with ATHENA and ending with the next month's single S.I.N. Unfortunately both of the singles contain only one, but still worthy, song.

ATHENA

-OZ-

ATHENA is one heck of a song, blasting off with some seriously impressive, very metal-oriented riffs and double bass attacks. Natsuki's unique voice blends in, giving everything a special touch, almost reminiscing some 80's glam rock combined with very hard metal riffs. I simply enjoy how this song somehow grabs you and doesn't let you go all the way until the end, simply bursting with energy. Just gives me the chills when thinking how ingeniously and brilliantly this song is composed and preformed proving only that -OZ- are really skillful when it comes to pure energy bombing with their destructive tones. But not just the technical aspects of this songs shine, also the songs atmosphere is really unique balancing somewhere between irony, rage and revenge. Man I really love -OZ- !

So don't be afraid to give -OZ- and chance. They are a band who develops slowly and releases slowly but they sure know their business and every their release is a burst of energy whether positive, cheeky energy whether pure destructive rage outbrakes. Even though this single doesn't outmatch the sheer brilliancy of the elf single, it is still more than an enjoyable single especially if you are a more metal oriented listener more than regular rock. One thing is sure: -OZ- are getting harder with every release. I'm really looking forward to the next month's single S.I.N.