abingdon boys school – WE aRE August 7, 2012

Track Listing

1. WE aRE
2. COLD CHAIN

1. WE aRE

It’s nice to see abs return to the scene again with something big like WE aRE.  At first, I had to get used to the band using some interesting twists and turns in the song.  I still am impressed by Takanori’s ability to power through the song as he does because he blows the song away with his performance.  It’s not as hard-hitting as some of their songs but it kind of has this “HOWLING” fierceness (especially in the chorus and the guitar solo in the middle of the song).  It’s a great return for them!

2. COLD CHAIN

Keeping with their way of releases, the B-side is an all English track with COLD CHAIN.  Now, I’ve said that Takanori’s English is pretty hit or miss and with this song, it’s a little bit of both because I can tell what he says but sometimes his heavy vibrato makes it tough to decipher things out.  I also like this track for how epic it sounds but it’s definitely no “LOST REASON” but I can enjoy this song quite a bit. 

 

 

I’m so happy to the band back together again after over two years of being put on the back burner for T.M.R. to get back in the studio.  WE aRE is a great single to return with and I enjoy both songs quite a lot!  I do like WE aRE more than COLD CHAIN but overall this is a really nice and solid single (and out a bit earlier than it’s supposed to be).

abingdon boys school – ABINGDON ROAD January 27, 2010

Track Listing

1. STRENGTH.
2. PINEAPPLE ARMY
3. and I love…
4. JAP
5. SOUEN feat. BASI, Sakkon, FUNKYMIC from Insist
6. Shiosai
7. From Dusk Till Dawn -INCH UP-
8. Siren
9. BLADE CHORD
10. Kimi no Uta
11. Sweetest Coma Again
12. Gold Eclipse
13. Valkyrie -Lioleia mix-
14. nocturne

1. STRENGTH.

Surprised that “BLADE CHORD” didn’t end up beginning the album.  It turns out the 2nd A-side of the era gets to kickstart the album and it was good idea because it’s really amazing.  I mean unlike the other singles that seemed to be dabbling in some kind of experimentation, STRENGTH. is definitely the “HOWLING” of the era, which is abingdon boys school being loud and epic.

2. PINEAPPLE ARMY

Really guys?  You’re gonna name a song PINEAPPLE ARMY?  WTF is this…this is really not such a good thing.  At least the song is refreshing from the group because it does more to show off how powerful they can get with their songs.  I love how there’s synths and some light vocoder going on in the song and Takanori under that is actually not a bad thing.  I like that, the song is just so different from their previous songs.

3. and I love…

OMG, I love how this song just builds itself into such a hard track.  It definitely toned things down after the previous two songs so this is basically a small rest.  Sadly, besides that epic opening, the song just doesn’t really do much for me.  Kind of seemed that they wanted to make it somewhat boring for the listener.

4. JAP

Hahah, JAP is such a silly song for me.  I didn’t expect they’d release something that could be rockin’ and yet have so much fun written through it.  I love Takanori’s vocals in the song because it just sounds strong and emotional.  It might’ve been the 3rd A-side of the era, but damn was it a good one.

5. SOUEN feat. BASI,Sakkon,FUNKYMIC from Insist

Kind of like how “LOST REASON” ended up off the band’s first album, SOUEN kind of runs in the same boat of, rappers shouldn’t be in rock songs.  Especially in a.b.s songs.  The rappers actually make the song sort of messy and kind of unbearable to listen in spots.  If they weren’t in this song it probablt would’ve been a good song because the band sounds great and Takanori is just as good.

6. Shiosai

I really like when they just go on there own and get a pretty normal rock song out and Shiosai kind of reminds me of some of the songs off their last album.  I like the alternative rock in Shiosai since it’s not all edgy and epic like a bunch of other songs, it’s just a.b.s. rocking out.  I think we’ve scored another winner here.

7. From Dusk Till Dawn -INCH UP-

I was surprised that they did such a ballad/rock song for a single and even though I’m not a huge fan of the song, I really liked the acoustics opening the album with Takanori.  It definitely reminded me of T.M.R’s acoustic songs.  After that we get into the main song which might have had some sound tweaks, but still it’s alright, just not my favorite.

8. Siren

We all know that a.b.s can pull off some friggin hard songs and Siren is definitely one of those hard-hitting songs that I like.  I love the guitar riffs and there’s so much edge in this song that it even took me off guard.  I mean some gritty riffs mixed with Takanori sounding maniacal and the pounding drums in the bridge.  I was like hoshit!

9. BLADE CHORD

Such an old song.  BLADE CHORD (originally released in 2007) is still just as great as it was 2 years ago.  Its prolly got the most Asian influence in it and the whole shakuhachi added to spice things up just forced to be that great of a song.  Though like I said it is a pretty old tune on this album, but it’s not that bad and kind of fits…but not after “Siren”…

10. Kimi no Uta

Ok, so I might’ve said I disliked Kimi no Uta back on the single review, but I’ve grown to actually enjoy the song a lot.  It’s one of their more coherent songs if you know what I mean and it has a pretty awesome opening.  However, I still find the transitions in the song beyond awkward and makes me wonder why they decided to do that. 

11. Sweetest Coma Again

Also released in 2007 for a memorial album of Luna Sea songs, Sweetest Coma Again was another one of those tracks that sounded great and was one of a few that stood out to me.  To me it sounds like normal a.b.s music, but with a pretty wicked guitar riff.  On this album, it seems a little too filler, but w/e.

12. Gold Eclipse

The first interlude of the album, Gold Eclipse is surprisingly all synths and little screeches of guitars.  I’m getting a feeling that this and “nocturne” are a part of a much bigger interlude, kind of like “ReBirth + ReVerse” off their debut album.  Gold Eclipse is not bad, but on an album where there’s many rock songs, it seems to be random.

13. Valkyrie -Lioleia mix-

I really like how “Gold Eclipse” opens up for the new version of Valkyrie, the B-side off of “JAP”.  It sounds epic because there’s an equal amount of synths and rock this time and it sounds a whole lot more what I was expecting rather than on the single version.  Definitely made up for “SOUEN” LOL

14. nocturne

And finally, we get the ending interlude for the album and nocturne is totally different from “Gold Eclipse”.  In this one, there’s some piano playing notes and dissonant strings that gradually rise in sound to make sound graceful and dream-like.  Sounds really pretty and ended the album smoothly.

Tracks Recommended

• Valkyrie -Lioleia mix-
• BLADE CHORD
• Siren
• PINEAPPLE ARMY
• Kimi no Uta

Song of Avoidance

• SOUEN feat. BASI,Sakkon,FUNKYMIX from Insist

a.b.s’ second effort definitely proves that they are capable of continuing to make strong ass tracks and ABINGDON ROAD is just as good as their debut.  Even though there’s still some meh tracks going on, it’s definitely worth listening to.

abingdon boys school – From Dusk Till Dawn December 15, 2009

Track Listing

1. From Dusk Till Dawn

1. From Dusk Till Dawn

While “Kimi no Uta” was the somewhat ballad/rock tune, From Dusk Till Dawn is the actual ballad of the era.  It’s one of their more interesting songs because it borrows the awesomeness of “Nephilim” and it feels jsut as grand and epic as said song.  Takanori sounds great in the song as well and not overblowing his vocals like he usually does hahah.  Great song overall

 

 

Honestly though they could’ve kept this song under wraps before releasing “ABINGDON ROAD” because this single doesn’t look right.  All of a.b.s.’s releases before this had the main A-side and an English-only B-side, this just only has FDTD.  Maybe it was just a last minute decision, but c’mon you could’ve put something else here to tie us over till the album’s release…

abingdon boys school – Kimi no Uta August 25, 2009

Track Listing

1. Kimi no Uta
2. STEALTH -Reigoushiki JAP-

1. Kimi no Uta

As much I have to say it, Kimi no Uta is actually my least favorite A-side of the era.  At first I thought it was going to be another “Nephilim” especially with that opening of theirs.  That actually ruined the song….since it’s the beginning of the chorus as well and while the song is a mid-tempo rock track, slowing it down immensely does not make it that memorable.  It just feels sloppily made IMO.

2. STEALTH -Reigoushiki JAP-

This is a first for the band, but STEALTH -Reigoushiki JAP-  is an English version of their last A-side “JAP”.  I knew instantly that I would enjoy this and I quite do because it’s just as catchy and relentless like the original and Takanori did a good job trying to keep his English under check.  The breakdown part though was hard to follow though…

 

 

Possibly the final single of the current era, Kimi no Uta wasn’t exactly my cup of tea this time.  I find the strange way of taking the song’s chorus too a slow speed and the rest of the song faster was very awkward transitioning-wise.  The English version of JAP was pretty cool, but I was hoping for another B-side rather than that.  Is it that bad that I’m finally disappointed in an a.b.s. single?

abingdon boys school – JAP May 19, 2009

Track Listing

1. JAP
2. Valkyrie

1. JAP

Even though “STRENGTH.” was a more serious track, JAP takes a more lighter route, but continues has the hard sound the band has been well known for since the last album.  It starts off with a clapping rhythm which is a nice addition and you can hear off and on again through the song.  Everyone in the band is powerful here and the chords during the chorus was awesome.  Takanori even sounds awesome and even cooler the muddled vocals that were present in “BLADE CHORD” is also here… wow another amazing A-side XD

2. Valkyrie

I was expecting something not so good for the B-side, but a.b.s proved me wrong with Valkyrie.  It’s basically the darker song of the single and of course just like the other B-sides, it’s sung fully in English.  Takanori is also sounding a lot more deeper than normal which made me question his vocal because he sounded so off in tone and his pronunciation is also not that good, but easily recognizable so it’s not horrible by no means.  I actually think this is the best B-side of the era actually.

 

 

If you’ve paid attention to this band, you will know that JAP as a track was well-known before “STRENGTH.” and I wonder why they held it back as single until now.  Then again we wouldn’t have gotten such a strong single from then.  JAP is their most upbeat track as of now and it’s great to hear that from them.  Valkyrie though is definitly A-side material as it’s a darker track and is kickass track all-around despite the Engrish.  Great single.

abingdon boys school – STRENGTH. February 25, 2009

Track Listing

1. STRENGTH.
2. Freedom

1. STRENGTH.

It’s finally becoming true fact that anything abingdon boys school rips out is gold and STRENGTH. is definitly representing that theory very well.  STRENGTH. has that dark feeling that their first two single A-sides had and included piano which made it more epic.  Takanori as usual has continued to surprise me in this group because of how his voice fits in the rock mode.  Amazing.

2. Freedom

I’m surprised “JAP” didn’t take its place on the single, so we got a new track instead.  Just like previous B-sides, Freedom is sung entirely in English, but I’m having a harder time understanding his accent because of how fast and up and down Takanori is going through the notes.  Luckily, this beats out “Desert Rose” by a long shot.

 

 

I knew why they took a small hiatus after “BLADE CHORD” and that was primarily because Takanori wanted to release a single under the T.M.Revolution moniker and the wait for this single was very unbearable.  They didn’t disappoint with this release for sure.  It’s up there next to “Nephilim” right now.

abingdon boys school – BLADE CHORD September 21, 2008

Track Listing

1. BLADE CHORD
2. Desert Rose

1. BLADE CHORD

Definitly a pretty epic way to start with sounds you’d hear when you see a samurai hence the cover.  Takanori is once again the driving force with the song and everyone playing as strong as powerful.  There’s a little rapping section that covers the bridge and that pumped me up.  Still carrying the fuel from the last album, it’s pretty good for an A-side!

2. Desert Rose

Am I supposed to remember this track?  I mean it’s alright but it just isn’t as mind-numbing as “BLADE CHORD”.  It’s basically in English and has some pretty depressing lyrics.  ~I’m a criminal~.  Sadly, Takanori and his vibrato disrupt the pronunciation of some words and got me lost.   Try to make sense next time

 

 

So the new era starts off with a bang as BLADE CHORD represented to power this band can take while the B-side shows off that the lyrics are pretty important as well.  As I’m reviewing this, I’m thinking where the hell did they go they haven’t released anything since except a live DVD which didn’t include an new material.  So I’m waiting for their return.

abingdon boys school – abingdon boys school July 22, 2008

Track Listing

1. As One
2. HOWLING -INCH UP-
3. Via Dolorosa
4. INNOCENT SORROW
5. DOWN TO YOU
6. Athena
7. stay away
8. Nephilim
9. LOST REASON -feat. MICRO-
10. DESIRE
11. Dress
12. ReBirth + ReVerse

1. As One

Totally, the strongest first track I heard in a while.  As One, is in English and once again shows a very good aggression and it’s a little bit like “Nephilim” mixed with “LOST REASON” which is totally awesome.  The guitars are furious and Takanori showing just as much.  The solo is even cooler with everything going on.  Very strong beginning.

2. HOWLING -INCH UP-

2nd single, HOWLING is still the powerhouse rock track and it fits so much in the album.  Though I don’t know the difference between the album to the single version but it still captures the fierceness of the track.  ~Just HOWLING in the shadows~ still sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it.  Love It!!!

3. Via Dolorosa

Static sounds and piano starts off with this even creepier rock track that puts “Nephilim” in its place.  The verses are soft with piano & strings being heard while Takanori goes through.  Then it gets hard in the 2nd verse.  The song is just filled with more power than ever.  It’s just a great new song.

4. INNOCENT SORROW

Wow, the first single shows up and I was surprised how well it was transitioned from after “Via Dolorosa”.  This is probably the first of the not-surprising rock track.  It’s not that I didn’t like it, its that it’s a bit of a step down from the bombs the previous tracks had.  I did love the anime -tie-in and how it worked for INNOCENT SORROW.

5. DOWN TO YOU

A cool riff starts out this even hard track.  It’s got such a tense feeling in it like “HOWLING” and power also.  The chorus is in English and Japanese and wow, Takanori sounds so great in it.  I love the BKGD singers fit in perfectly with Takanori singing different parts.  This has to be the best new track on the album.

6. Athena

More like “Athena” this song has a pretty fast beat to it and kinda sounds refreshing after all the epic rock track laid out so far.  It’s definitly got a good rock sound to it and sound a bit happy.  I love the drummer in the song keeping such a good beat.  One of the standout tracks of the album.

7. stay away

stay away is to me my least favorite track from the album just because I was least surprised by it.  It just sounds a bit too much for me.  Takanori’s English is a bit hard to follow but it’s understandable.  The chorus Is long though I was caught off guard by that.  The guitar solo, was pretty rad though and I praise it!

8. Nephilim

When it comes to power ballads, Nephilim is the perfect example of one.  Such fire from the band is shown in the song and I was totally blown away by how good it sounded.  a.b.s. has a golden track with this one.  I still don’t know what the title means but all I know is that they rocked hard for this one.

9. LOST REASON -feat. MICRO-

I can’t believe they ruined the track by adding a rapper into it.  LOST REASON was an awesome English rock track from them but having a guy switching it up and rap in both languages totally blew it.  Why they decided to do this, I don’t know but seriously, NEVER DO IT AGAIN!  Still, it’s LOST REASON so I can’t hate on it too much because I do love this B-side.

10. DESIRE

DESIRE was a very unusual track adding in some disc scratching in it.  Takanori’s vocals is also at its best and wow, another full English track, it makes up for “LOST REASON”.  I thought it was futuristic during the guitar solo and heard an awesome bass line.  Another great standout track from them, but people might thing its a little messy but its what makes them stick out.

11. Dress

Dress starts out very solemn with low strings growling in it.  The song however is long though which surprised me.  Like a bunch of the other songs on the album Dress doesn’t really make me surprised but I do like how it gradually grows into the rock sound.  Though it’s a BUCK-TICK remake, I thought they did well, but it’s not very memorable to me.

12. ReBirth + ReVerse

Well, the last track is a long instrumental with piano and other underlying sounds.  I would’ve shorten the song because it really doesn’t lead anywhere.  It does get louder gradually and then it just like stops. This is the ReBirth part.  The ReVerse part is the opposite sounding creating a cool dance beat and continuing with the other sounds.  The piano comes back in and it fits strangely with the beat.  Then it calms for the strings that sound wow.  Then it ends practically. 

Tracks Recommended

• Nephilim
• DOWN TO YOU
• Via Dolorosa
• HOWLING -INCH UP-
• Athena

Song of Avoidance

• stay away

Can you hold on as I shit my pants at how good this album is.  It’s a rock hard album.  When I first heard about Takanori creating the band I was skeptical because I wasn’t sure if it would’ve sounded like the T.M.Revolution stuff, but was I surprised.  This debut album was a great start for them.  I totally recommend this album everyone!!!

abingdon boys school – Nephilim July 13, 2008

Track Listing

1. Nephilim
2. LOST REASON

1. Nephilim

So, on this single we start off with Nephilim, the hardass track.  It does start off quietly and then gets quiter with just the piano playing.  But that all ends when the drums kick in.  Welcome to power ballad, and I mean POWER!  Takanori sounds so good in this song, with his signature voice and power.  The bridge was probably the eeriest yet coolest part of the song.  The guitar solo was very smooth and created a sense of loss, it’s quite a treat.  This is their strongest track yet.

2. LOST REASON

Like as if it couldn’t get any better LOST REASON makes us think otherwise.  I also figured out that this was a full English track, which is a great surprise.  Takanori does have a few slip-ups saying some of the words, but he did an awesome job overall.  The music is a lot more livlier than the previous song and it’s a crazy song.  Lyrically, it’s more or less a love track….I mean listen to em’ it’s downright almost obsessive.

 

 

OMG, so I’ve said that each single was better than the last, well this isn’t a surprise as it is the best single from this era.  Nephilim showed true power and that the band can do slower rock songs just fine.  LOST REASON showcased a more rockin’ track and Takanori can do English!  What a great single, GET THIS ONE!!!!!

Abingdon Boys School – HOWLING June 10, 2008

Track Listing

1. HOWLING
2. NERVOUS BREAKDOWN

1. HOWLING

Takanori talks at the beginning of the song, he sounds anxious almost downright creepy ~A night sky full of cries. Hearts filled with lies, The contract – is it worth the price?  A soul pledged to the darkness.  Now I’ve lost it, I know I can kill.  Does truth exist beyond the gates?~ Now that’s even cooler.  Then the song just blazes outta the gates with very loud and strong guitars.  Takanori then proceeds with the song.  It’s so darn catchy to me.  Best part of the entire song is before end of the chorus when Takanori growls out ~Just HOWLING in the shadows~ that’s just perfect right there.  His vibrato works well with this song too.  Then after the second chorus they go on some odd guitar strikes, I lost time with the song, but eventually they get back to the chorus.  Very cool track from a.b.s.

2. NERVOUS BREAKDOWN

Guitars starts going off on this track.  Takanori is singing quietly but seems layered which is pretty cool.  You hear him getting louder.  The chorus sounds great with the members having great tone quality with each other.  It’s slower than “HOWLING” plus it sounds like they are singing majority in English which is pretty surprising for them Takanori fans out there.  The guitar solo = awesome!

 

 

a.b.s’s second single is so much better than the 1st.  HOWLING was a great rock tune, that was in your face rock.  NERVOUS BREAKDOWN is also very powerful, but not as dark and menacing as the title track.  NERVOUS BREAKDOWN does not appear on the album, which is a bit of a disappointment.  Still, great, GREAT single. you gotta get it!!!