There's definitely a savings with larger orders. I find 6 is the sweet-spot for me, but I think 12 CDs is like 3200 yen or something. Where you get fucked is 1-2 CDs (esp. 1). I'm doing some shopping service runs atm as well. I'm going after the 1st Manipulated Slaves CD and I think I'm gonna go for the first Terror Squad and all 3 Fatima Hill albums. Fatima Hill I heard ages ago, but couldn't get past the vocals. Those vox are weaksauce compared to some of the shit I listen to now though


Do SHM-CDs actually provide any benefit, or is it just another cash-grab? I guess with all these fancy formats, they're only as good as the master.


Indeed, esp. since they toiled in the underground for like a decade. It almost looks like they have a full-time bassist now, but I'm not sure.


Manipulated Slaves is a strange mix of melodeath, thrash, 80s heavy metal, and 90s gothic/doom metal. One minute it'll be blast-beat driven insanity, then there will be violins and female vocals, etc. I can see this being really jarring to those not into this style. I dig it just fine though. I think their latest may be their best one.

Volcano is one I probably should check out sometime.


And it doesn't help the lyrics being in Japanese, so I have no clue what's going on. So I guess I'm left to my own devices, and this weird, fucked-up imagery


I guess if I'm actively paying attention (for whatever reason) it becomes more noticeable, but sometimes its impossible to ignore. Like that last Aldious has pretty blatant basswork. Not sure why I didn't notice it on "Dominator" before, its like a bulldozer. Unless the album version has a different mix than the single one. Here's the live version of that one:



Pretty cool slap-bass solo on it.


I have no doubt in my mind it'll be good. These bands never stop, ever.

Naturally, you spend less per CD on shipping, the more you order at once. Of course, you probably should always get the max amount of CDs allowed at the price. Basically, if you're going to spend the money for “15 or less” be sure to get 15. To be the most cost effective, you'd do 35 CDs at once, but that's a little ridiculous. I was just going to 15 at first, but then I realized that I forgot about that Versailles EP so I ended up going to 18.


I'm sure it's just another cash grab. Well, SHM-CDs are higher quality plastic, so I suppose it'll last a lot longer before physically decaying.


I'm excited. My next order has the rest of their albums on it. I'm going to listen to those albums to hell and back; I know it.


Way too much talent and potential to leave.


Sounds right up my alley.


Ah, I've heard a couple of songs by Volcano. Very good stuff and of course, Sheja is the man behind the band, so that'll only mean good things.


What does it mean?


Rarely do youtube comments have anything valuable in them, but that one at the top is pretty funny.

Awesome stuff. I squeezed in the first two Aldious albums on my next order. I'm definitely pumped for that to come in.


Nope, they never do.

I think massive orders are a bit stressful for multiple reasons - like, if it *does* get lost/stolen... Also in Canada, we do sometimes get charged duty. I've been lucky though - I've only been charged 3 times over the last 2 years, which isn't too bad. Most people in Europe get charged duty a lot, esp. via EMS shipments. The US I don't think gets charged. Duty is a two-fold problem for me: 1) well, the money (even though its not the end of the world) 2) Package-damage (the most important reason). Customs officials aren't terribly nice with packages and HMV's packaging for larger orders is good, but isn't really designed to withstand customs opening it. You see, they put the CDs on a piece of cardboard, wrap that up with heavy plastic wrap, then glue that to the bottom of the box. Customs has to open the box from the bottom, so that fucks everything up. The last one they opened up, they opened up the plastic wrapping around the CDs and one got lose and was stuck to the top of the box. Suffice to say, I'm still traumatized by that - thank fuck nothing came damaged.

This is also a problem for western Canadians only, but that new mail processing plant really sucks and they've had problems with packages getting stuck in conveyer belts and shit, having to move them with long sticks, etc. I've received a few boxes that came maimed (thank fuck the contents were fine).

I guess huge orders are also really good with coupon promotions. Getting a 50-100 dollar rebate coupon is pretty nice. My largest order (around $300) was done with a 30% rebate coupon. Coincidently, I finished my Onmyo-Za collection with that one - no duty either. Huge orders are pretty fun, but I do find CDs often get lost in the shuffle from that - whereas smaller orders I tend to focus on them more. No wait, that's kinda bullshit - I have tons of neglected CDs for whatever reason. But I do try to play everything 3 times before filing them. I kinda slacked off from my policy from last year of playing Japanese CDs 1 time per dollar spent ("If I'm gonna get financially crucified by these things, I'm gonna get my money's worth!").


Man, that is kinda useless because regular CDs will outlive me anyway, and my Japanese CDs get ripped to FLAC and put into plastic sleeves anyway. I do kinda like Japanese papersleeves though, but I dunno if I can justify replacing a bunch of old CDs with those though. Its disturbing at how often classic bands get their back catalog reissued over there.


It also looks like all members are going to contribute songs - no shock, considering how many songs there are Matatabi wrote the last 2 albums completely.


Since they're signed, I'm kinda hoping for a rapid succession of albums. They do have 2 demo mini-albums (before "Dream") with terrible mastering and man I'd love to see every song on those properly re-recorded ("Passion") is from one of those.


The Terror Squad CD I got was pretty neat too. Rather punky/chaotic speed metal with technical/progressive tendencies.


Strange they were on a major label at one point. Pity their first 2 albums are out of print (that seems to happen a lot over there). Their bassist is in Thousand Eyes (a melodeath band I listen to).


Rarely do youtube comments have anything valuable in them, but that one at the top is pretty funny.

Awesome stuff. I squeezed in the first two Aldious albums on my next order. I'm definitely pumped for that to come in.[/quote]
Those are with their first vocalist and are pretty damn good ("Determination" being my favorite,, at the moment). As mentioned many times, I'm quite happy with their latest album. Strangely enough, it seems to be their worst charting album.

I'm playing that Around the Nation album now and it seems ok. It isn't blowing me away as much as I'd like, but maybe it'll grow on me. Production could be better. At least I'm equipped now to tell apart the 2 vocalist in Art of Gradation. Not sure if I'd call this metal. Not sure what I'd call it honestly. Hrmm... J-Rock!

That Destrose DVD was pretty nice (sound was a bit iffy at times though). Good performance and setlist, and the last recording of Marina on vocals. Not sure why they played Maze twice on that though.

[edit]It looks like Alhambra's drummer left and got replaced by Mahatma's drummer (apparently Mahatma will remain active). The good news is, it looks like Alhambra is recording. I'm baffled how Yuhki is pulling this off while recording that new Galneryus and Hibiki is also recording the new Light Bringer and Merdelas. Goddamn workaholics!