Daily Archives: 03/14/2010

The Perm: Round 3

Posted by gacktpause on

“A permanent wave, commonly called a perm, is the chemical and/or thermal treatment of hair to produce waves, curls or straight hair. The use of the word ‘permanent’ is justified insofar as when the wave is permed, it remains so; however, as the hair grows, the new hair that grows has not been waved, while cutting the hair from the end removes that which is waved, giving the impression that the permanent wave gradually disappears.” (Wikipedia)

“A permanent wave, commonly called a perm, is the inherently wrong fashion decision made by famous Japanese rockstars to produce waves, curls, or straight hair. The use of the word ‘permanent’ is justified insofar as when the wave is permed by GACKT, it remains so; however, as the hair trend grows, the new hair that grows has not been waved, and thus the band is no longer accepted into Visual Kei society, giving the impression that the permanent wave will never disappear.” (gacktpause) 

D’espairsRay new look:

hizumikaryu
 tsukasazero

 

  
       

D: Please Do Samurai, Not Versailles

Posted by gacktpause on

…That being said, however, the moderate ”bleh” ness of the 7th Rose PV is sort of redeemed by new single Kaze ga Mekuru PAGE‘s PV. Yes, it’s one of those happy, upbeat with-a-Goth-twist songs that is faintly dissonant and mentally disconcerting to anyone who thought they had a firm grip on their understanding of reality, but that’s a good thing. ASAGI and co. look so much more badass in hakama and kimono than they do in poofy Hizaki hand-me-down prom gowns and super pasty makeup.

 Yes, the guitar riffs are nothing special, and the vocals threaten, at times, to lurch into the usual happy-D-song medium, but Kaze ga has a good vibe, and actually sounds like a confidentally composed song. In fact, it sounds like one of their more “Jrock”y pieces, with a guitar pattern that almost rings of GACKT…two artists I thought I would never dare to mix in one post. Anyway, the song is good, and the PV is (very D) elegant…

D New PV: Bouquet of Hizaki’s Evil

Posted by gacktpause on

New PV out for D‘s brand new album’s title song, 7th Rose. The title is also claimed by the nationwide tour the band just embarked on, starting a few days ago, to promote the album, and also new single Kaze ga Mekuru PAGE.

To be honest, I feel a little disappointed by the PV. Another haunted-looking Western mansion interior setting, with unflattering, ghostly shots of the band members, a fair dosage of boy’s love, and some suspiciously gangster-esque hand gestures from Asagi during his screen time. It feels low budget, and not in a grunge-cool way. Also, I heave sighs of deepest ennui to see Asagi jumping the devil-Hizaki bandwagon with the big red dress. Back before their major label asked them to become mainstream, the D boys pulled off drag in a really cool, covert way by donning corsets and Gothica with midriff baring boleros studded with buckles and general evilness, platform boots, and frilly skirts that could have passed as man-skirts were they not worn by super-bishi commando Ruiza.

 That’s not to say that I hate the PV– I don’t. I just find it disappointing that even these guys are jumping the bandwagon. And they were so cool and edgy…