I first came across Mega Ran’s music after attending Anime Midwest in 2015. My younger son and I wandered in to his show on accident and was really blown away at his live performance.
After the con I looked into his music and have been a fan ever since.
He is a Hip Hop artist who is associated with the nerdcore genre. His music covers a broad range of topics, but is often about his obvious love of video games.
While I mostly post about anime, I do share other things I’m loving at times. And what I’m most excited for right now is an upcoming concert.
Nightwish!
I have missed these guys several times as they have passed near me, but not this time. I, and my boys, will be checking them out.
Give them a listen if you haven’t heard them before.
I honestly think the videos are kinda cheesy, but the songs are awesome.
While not about anime, it is something I nerd out about: Music.
The boys and I are off to Milwaukee Saturday to see heavy metal bands: Kamelot and Dragonforce. While Dragonforce are okay, I love Kamelot. I have been hoping to see them for several years and missed them several times when they’ve come through my way.
So here is some Kamelot.
Enjoy if you like!
From their newest album: Haven
From their album: Silverthorn
With their old singer Roy Khan, my favorite song by Kamelot: Memento Mori
My biggest love (besides family) is my love for music.
Whenever I get exposed to something new I want to share it with others So today, dear reader, I share these bands with you.
I have mentioned all of these guys in my Anime Midwest posting, but I thought I’d give them a separate post.
Mega Ran (aka Random)
A former teacher turned nerdcore (or chiptune) rapper, Mega Ran has some great music. I caught his show by mistake at Anime Midwest, but am really happy I did. He is amazing live. So, I got a couple of his albums and he got a new fan.
Also at Anime Midwest, I did not actually catch his show, but did see him on a couple of songs during Mega Ran’s set. A former hacker and early nerdcore rapper, ytcracker has some really good music as well. I got two of his releases and have enjoyed them quite a bit, especially the thought provoking “Cognitive Dissonance”.
A couple of brothers delivering what they term as “pop macchiato” put out some unique and catchy tunes. I caught their small acoustic set with my 11 year old and bought their CD. We have been enjoying them since.
I hope you enjoy these bands and if the convention you go to feature some smaller, unknown (to you) bands/ artisits: Go and check them out! You never know what you’ll find.
The new Nightwish album, Endless Forms Most Beautiful, is out. The Finnish symphonic metal band has put out this new album, the first with their new vocalist, Floor Jansen. It draws on science and the natural world for several of the lyrical themes on the album. It is worth a listen.
I particularly like the following tracks:
Shudder Before the Beautiful (With spoken introduction by biologist Richard Dawkins)
Edema Ruh (inspired by author Patrick Rothfuss novels)
I admit it. I like Babymetal. It is not all that surprising: I like metal. I like j-pop. Why not like the combination of these two things.
Babymetal formed as an offshoot of the female idol group, Sakura Gakuin. The producer, “Kobametal”, wanted a way to feature Suzuka Nakamoto’s (Su-metal) vocals and thus came the idea for Babymetal. With two back up singers/ dancers Moametal and Yuimetal to provide contrast along with an extremely talented backing band you now have this powerhouse of j-pop vocals over brutal technical metal.
And it has worked….
But can they win over metal fans? I would say: to some degree: Yes! They played (successfully at Sonisphere without getting booed or laughed out of the place.
They have met some of metal’s biggest acts (admittedly they had no idea who they were meeting half of the time).
With Taiwanese Death Metal band: Chthonic
They recently collaborated with Power Metal band: Dragonforce.
They met the “nice old men” , Thrash Metal giants: Slayer.
As well as another of the “Big Four”: Anthrax.
Oddly (or not) enough they also have toured with Lady Gaga.
Does this have anything to do with anime? No, not really. But I do believe that if AKB48 could have an anime based off of them, so could Babymetal. I somehow envision them fighting demons with the power of metal and j-pop. To whoever develops this idea into a show: you’re welcome.
Listen to Babymetal, love Babymetal. Head-bang and dance. Enjoy, because life is too short to take things to seriously all of the time.
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