Jenny-fa

Hello, neophytes. This is the first in a several-part series that I'm beginning on this blog, which will be devoted to documenting stand-out underground and indie bands that I've discovered while poking around on the Web. These bands, while primarily rock and metal-oriented, represent a variety of countries around the globe and, for the most part, have yet to be signed to a major record label. And although Fa really should be finishing a novel, doing a project, and studying for a test right now… I think I can risk the deferment, as I've got excess hours stored up in my biological clock from napping too long during the day.

If you like a particular band on this page, don't forget to visit their site/Myspace and perhaps purchase an album — many of them need the support!

Seven bands today. Be warned: this page is behemoth!

Autumn

Hometown: (Somewhere in the) Netherlands
Genre: Alternative metal, gothic metal
Language (used in lyrics): English
Years active: 1995–present
Links: Myspace - Official site (English, Dutch) - Wikipedia

Excellent emerging band. After a career of frankly uninspired symphonic metal, their latest album My New Time marks a pronounced (and welcome) shift to the mainstream. Besides the deep, rich voice of their vocalist Nienke de Jong (which conjures up pseudo-memories of Evanescence's Amy Lee), their lyrics are beautiful, contemporary, and remarkably refined (unlike the hack English of some "pop metal" groups… cough cough XANDRIA). Still developing, but highly recommended.

Note: Nienke de Jong has now left the band. Her replacement is Marjan Welman.

Recommended tracks (via Myspace): "Satellites," "Blue Wine"
Music videos: "Satellites" (*** A MUST-SEE ***)
Rating: 8/10

Brave

Hometown: Washington, D.C., USA
Genre: Progressive rock/metal
Language (used in lyrics): English
Years active: 1997–2000 (as Arise from Thorns), 2000–present (as Brave)
Links: Myspace - Official site (English)

Okay, technically Brave shouldn't be on here (since they're *apparently* signed to a major label), but the band is so fantastic and still relatively unknown that everyone should partake of their glory! Their trademark sound combines power metal/progressive rock with violins and the fantastic voice of Michelle Loose, who, I was surprised to learn, taught herself to sing. At any rate, some of their stuff is unbelievably addicting (aka the first track on their Myspace music player, "Driven"). In summary, for those of you convinced that American bands are trash (like myself in the pre-Brave days), this exemplary group will make you a believer.

Recommended tracks (via Myspace): "Driven," "Candle in the Dark," "Words"
Rating: 8/10

Elfoní­a

Hometown: Monterrey, Mexico
Genre: Experimental rock (with doom, gothic, atmospheric, and progressive influences)
Language (used in lyrics): Spanish, a few songs in English
Years active: 2001–present (last album released in 2005, perhaps inactive)
Links: Myspace - Official site (English) - Sitio web oficial (Español)

One of the greater finds on this page. While I was disappointed to see from the photo of the group that all of them seem to be of European Spanish descent (a tiny minority of the predominantly mestizo population with, as it seems, a majority of the wealth), their music is — how should I say it — bellí­­sima. Most of their work is quite gentle, mellow (hence "atmospheric"), and perfect for winding down. Unfortunately, since vocalist and violinist Marcela Bovio appears to have moved on with her new role in the international supergroup Stream of Passion, the group seems to be inactive.

Recommended tracks (via Myspace): "De todas mis heridas," "Eldalinalë"
Rating: 8/10

exist†trace

Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Genre: Gothic rock, hardcore rock (part of the visual kei movement)
Language (used in lyrics): Japanese
Years active: 2003–present
Links: Myspace - Official site (Japanese) - Wikipedia

Wow! Since the group was last "enshrined" on this blog, exist†trace apparently has gotten a new makeover and released a bunch of new material. For those of you who remember, exist†trace is an all-female group, which is, needless to say, an extreme rarity in the Japanese visual kei scene. Some of their work is hit-and-miss in terms of musical ability, but the group still remains one of my favorites — after all, who doesn't like an underdog in a world dominated by androgynous men? And Jyou, the vocalist, never fails to captivate with her amazing growls/death vocal-esque screams. Yes, those are female screams. What can I say? I love these girls.

Recommended tracks (via Myspace): "JUDEA (Retake Ver.)" (I liked the original better)
Recommended tracks (via IMEEM): "Sacrifice Baby," "牙 (romanji: Kiba)," "Proof of the Blood"
Music videos: "JUDEA" (a very old, low-budget production)
Rating: 6/10

Meza Virs

Hometown: Singapore
Genre: Black metal, death metal, gothic metal
Language (used in lyrics): English
Years active: 2002–present
Links: Myspace - Official site (English) - Wikipedia

Finally, more beautiful metal from Asia! Of all the groups on this page, none excites me as much as Meza Virs, with the exception of maybe Brave. Anyway, in short, beautiful music, beautiful female vocals, beautiful instrumentation, and beautiful electronic effects. I covet their debut album Vida Sacrificium Meum Est. And, what's more, this group is from Singapore… so that means no Engrish! And I highly appreciate Jasmine's vocals, which are endearingly quasi-classical.

Recommended tracks (via Myspace): "Crestfallen," "Shadows of Oblivion"
Recommended tracks (via IMEEM): "Tragic Vendetta"
Rating: 7/10

Silver Ash

Hometown: Beijing, China
Genre: Gothic rock, glam rock (China's first visual kei band)
Language (used in lyrics): Mandarin Chinese
Years active: 1997–present (last album released in 2005)
Links: Myspace - Official site (mysteriously disappeared) - Wikipedia

I already covered this band in a previous entry, but let me illuminate Silver Ash once again. Often touted as China's first visual kei band, Silver Ash catapulted into the underground rock scene with their song "月殘 (English: Lunar Eclipse)," even having their music video featured briefly on MTV in the U.S. HOWEVER, in subsequent developments that to this day remain HIGHLY SUSPECT, the band was forced to separate, take breaks, blah blah blah, and finally discard its visual kei image permanently. Now, as you all know, China is currently governed by a highly repressive, censor-happy communist regime. So, doesn't it strike you as suspicious when Ling (the leader and vocalist) announces on his blog that the group will be temporarily ceasing activities because of reasons that he's unwilling to disclose??? And the fact that the group has already been previously banned from Beijing? I mean, WHAT THE FUCK. WHAT DOES THE GOVERNMENT THINK IT'S PLAYING AT?

Unfortunately, the group's current movements are hard to track. However, we have seen evidence that Silver Ash is quietly up and running again (albeit sans the visual kei) and is playing live shows in China. Which is a shame, since its visual kei-era music was actually quite good. I swear to you, had Silver Ash not been restricted by its government, it would be rocking the world right now. The name "Silver Ash" would be known throughout Asia. Ling, Zhen, Yue, and the others would be touring and pulling in big money worldwide. And I would not be here, crying to myself, thinking of such wasted talent…

Anyway, let's stop with the rant. Quite good musically. Extremely good-looking guys. Deep, unique J-rocker-esque voice (courtesy of Ling). But their Myspace is extremely outdated, and their official Web site, which I visited a while ago, seems to have completely vanished. The group's previous releases are still available for purchase (the last time I checked) at online establishments such as Amazon China. If you need more information on where to buy their stuff, drop me a line in the comment form and I'll be happy to point you in the right direction. In the meantime, show your support. Keep the music alive.

And just to let everyone know, I have uploaded the entire contents of Silver Ash's ~蝶變~ Out of Control (2004), which is now accessible through the blog's music player (located in the horizontal navigation bar at the top of the page). Please comment. Also, if you'd like to follow the band further, check out the fansite Platinum Dust, which is staffed by members from Europe and North America, and appears to the only group around who knows what Silver Ash is doing.

Recommended tracks (via Myspace): "Lunar Eclipse," "Gorgeous Devil"
Recommended tracks (via Fa's music player): "RETURN 回歸 (pinyin: RETURN huí guī)," "蝶變 (pinyin: dié biàn, English: Metamorphosis)"
Music videos: "Lunar Eclipse" (very old and low-budget; apparently the one that was broadcast on MTV)
Rating: 7/10

Theatres des Vampires

Hometown: Rome, Italy
Genre: Black metal, gothic metal, extreme gothic metal, gothic rock, darkwave (difficult to classify)
Language (used in lyrics): English
Years active: 1988–1994 (as Sepolcrum), 1994-2008 (as Theatres des Vampires, currently on hiatus)
Links: Myspace - Official site (English) - Wikipedia

Okay, you know what? My wrists are hurting like heck right now. But to make a long story short, this group is a bit freaky. They're obsessed with vampires. Sonya Scarlet, the vocalist, even claims to be a vampire, and she frequently cuts herself during live performances to let audience members drink her blood. Taboo blood-letting practices aside, Anima Noir, their latest album, is all right. I personally think it isn't the greatest. But hey, the purpose of this overblown post is to spotlight some non-mainstream bands, and for some, Theatres des Vampires might just strike a chord. Their Web site is gorgeous, by the way. And for those interested, a number of songs is available for streaming on their Media page.

Recommended tracks (via Myspace): "Kain," "Unspoken Words," "Rain (The Cult Cover)"
Rating: 5/10

In summary

Countries represented: China, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, USA
Highest rated: Autumn, Brave, Elfoní­a
Must-hear shortlist: Autumn, Brave, Elfoní­a, Meza Virs. And Silver Ash, if you've got the time.

Whew! This post was about… 1000 words longer than I expected. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed Part 1. More will come later. And now, I've really got to do my homework. Chao.