After a small payment scandal involving Cazqui and Daichi, NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST has flown under the radar as a 3 member-band for a while, but two weeks ago they finally revealed the first look at their new 7-tracks mini-album UNLEASH with the music video for the song Thank You, a title which is used very sarcastically, if nothing else.
After the departure of Cazqui and Daichi as the guitarists and frequent composers of the band, it was silent around Hiro, Masa and Natsu for quite some time, until the reveal of the new guitarist Lin (formally in the metalcore band abstracts), who brings quite some influence of his former project along with him. While NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST was already downgrading their visual kei style with their last few releases, Thank You reveals a much more nu-metal style and even some rap coming from vocalist Hiro.
As expected the sound of the band has changed quite significantly, but for anyone questioning if the band was still fit for the hard & heavy section they give a very loud and clear YES. Their sound has gotten heavier, going more into the direction of metalcore. The same goes for Hiro’s vocal style, which he recently showcased in a different light as a featured vocalist in the BEELZEBUL song by FILL THE VOID.
The music video for Thank You is very simple and doesn’t tell any story like some other music videos do. The video showcases the band in a garage-style environment and most of the “interesting” parts actually come from the lighting effects and minor editing. Aside from that it also shows the more nu-metal image of the band opposed to the visual kei influence they had before.
During the song Hiro also gives us two different spoken monologues, each with some very harsh words: “Die at least 3 times and start your life again” and later again with “Actually, die 100 times, start again, and dare to come back”. Ouch. Message received on the sarcasm of the title.
By the looks (and sounds) of it, NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST is ready to take on the world with their new style and image, and even though it’s quite a change of direction, I think we can expect some very good things from the upcoming mini-album.
The mini will contain 7 tracks, and the release date is set for 24 July already. So if you haven’t done so yet, it’s time to mark your calendars.
Release information:
UNLEASH
01. Prologue
02. Thank You
03. マッチョ オブ ザ ワールド (Macho of the world)
04. SHOWTIME
05. Satanic Corner
06. hPa
07. 少年時代 (Shounen Jidai)
