New Customer Review

1. Every song of this album is a banger. The composition is excellent with symphonic/neoclassic elements. 2. The guitar work of Yuki and the voice of ROA (a real doctor) are the strong points of this cd. 3. Songs recommended: Soldier in Doctor Coat, Dysmorphophobia and the first song Anatomy. One of the best albums of 2020. Buy it.

Cradle of Filth have been around for a very long-time and the band are still firing the big shots! From their humble beginnings and raw brutal black metal sounds, the band have evolved over the years to a more sophisticated, dare I even say it, more 'mainstream' sound. Valkyries takes things a step further from the previous two albums, the production and mix in particular the most noticeable difference. Dany Filth is a polarising vocalist, love him or hate him, no one else sounds like him and his lyrics are unique as well as being extremely interesting and thought provoking. It's fast, furious, catchy, epic and symphonic, pretty much everything you already love about the band, but this time all the pieces fit together so well.

Katatonia have been around for a long time, this is their 13th studio album. The modern sound of the past three album is present, but something is lacking to my ears. Given that the band is essentially now just Jonas Renske, who wrote all of the music and lyrics. For this could easily be a Renske 'solo' album, but under the Katatonia name is is presented. The big almost 1980's hair metal drum sound it the first thing that stands out, also some of the songs seem to just plod along with n real direction, structure or even a hint of a chorus. Most great album take many listen to unpick and fully understand, it's whether I want to take the time to do this, or simply pick any other Katatonia album to get my fix from.

Veteran English doom metal band are back with another solid album. Paradise Lost have been around for a very long time, have been hit and miss over their long career, this one I am happy to say continues the recent trend of them delivering high quality music. Five years from their last release (not counting the rerecorded Icon) this follows the same path as 'Obsidian' with a good mix of styles from the band previous 30 years recording history. Nick Holmes is again delivering a very strong vocal performance, switching between his raspy clear voice to the low guttural growls. His lyrics are always sharp and to the point, giving the listener something to think about. In 2025 it's very comforting for an old metal-head to be hearing such fantastic new music from the likes of Paradise Lost, Amorphis and Testament.

In The Groove is another excellent release from Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media, delivering the tight grooves and rich jazz-funk sound the group is known for. The arrangements are rhythmic, soulful, and full of energy, making this album a very enjoyable spin from start to finish. This clear yellow vinyl edition looks great and plays even better. The pressing is clean with low noise, solid dynamics, and a warm, well-balanced tone that highlights both the horns and the rhythm section beautifully. A strong reissue for fans of Japanese jazz-funk and anyone building a collection of classic Soul Media records. Highly recommended.

This is a beautiful reissue of a timeless jazz-funk classic from Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media. The clear sky blue vinyl looks stunning in person and matches the warm, atmospheric vibe of the music perfectly. The sound quality is excellent — clean, full, and well-balanced with great presence on the horns and rhythm section. The album blends soulful grooves, mellow jazz lines, and a nostalgic mood that makes it easy to keep flipping back to Side A. Even if you’re not deeply into jazz-funk, this pressing is smooth, accessible, and very enjoyable from start to finish. A great addition to any vinyl collection.

This limited reissue of Toki by the Hidefumi Toki Quartet is a wonderful addition for anyone who enjoys smooth, expressive Japanese jazz. The recording has a warm, intimate feel, and Toki’s saxophone tone is especially beautiful — rich, airy, and full of emotion. The pressing quality is impressive: low surface noise, clean dynamics, and a nice balance between the rhythm section and the lead lines. It’s the kind of record that feels great both for focused listening and for relaxing late-night spins. A timeless session that absolutely deserves to be back in print. Highly recommended if you’re exploring 70s–80s Japanese jazz or simply want a refined, soulful record in your collection.

Still Life Donuts is a beautifully crafted piano jazz album from Ken Muramatsu, and this limited vinyl release presents it with impressive clarity. The recording has a warm, intimate feel — gentle melodies, soft textures, and a cozy atmosphere that makes it perfect for late-night or weekend listening. The pressing is clean and quiet with good dynamics, allowing the nuance of Muramatsu’s playing to really come through. The piano tone is especially pleasing: smooth, balanced, and full of character. If you enjoy mellow, melodic Japanese jazz or want a relaxing record to unwind with, this release is an excellent addition to your collection. A subtle but very charming album.

Kenji Shock is a powerful and energetic album that showcases Kenji Omura’s unique approach to guitar-driven fusion. The music is bright, rhythmic, and full of creative ideas, blending rock, jazz, and electronic touches in a way that feels both bold and fun to listen to. This reissue sounds great — clean pressing, strong clarity on the guitars, and solid low-end presence without overwhelming the mix. The production really lets the details of Omura’s playing shine through. A standout release for fans of Japanese fusion and anyone looking for something colorful and dynamic in their vinyl collection. Very glad this limited edition was brought back.

Ensiferum have been around for more than 20 years and this is their 9th studio album. The band are often referred to as 'Viking metal' which is a good description, also with a folk element present in many songs. This album than band have a more epic sound, thanks to the symphonic sounds and the nature of the material. Second album to feature clean vocalist/keyboardist Pekka Montin. He has scaled back his 'power metal' vocals that many fans disliked on the previous album and his voice fits in a lot better here. The sound is polished, yet maintains a rough enough edge to give the band their trademark style room to breathe. A solid album that I would rate close to 3.5/5, but after repeated listens I've pushed it up to 4/5. There no extra tracks for Japan on this release.

Zigazo is a fantastic reissue from Isao Suzuki, showcasing his unique approach to tone, groove, and improvisation. The album blends deep, earthy bass lines with vibrant jazz fusion colors, creating a sound that is both experimental and very listenable. The pressing quality is excellent — clean playback, solid dynamics, and a warm, detailed low end that really highlights Suzuki’s musicianship. The vinyl feels well-produced and quiet, making the overall experience very enjoyable. Whether you’re a long-time collector of Japanese jazz or just discovering Suzuki’s work, this edition is a strong pick. A distinctive and rewarding record that’s easy to recommend.

This is the second release from all star melodeath super group, featuring former members of In Flames, as well as current Dark Tranquillity singer Michael Stanne. All the hype around this band going back to the classic Gothenburg melodic death metal sound, is once again full justified with this album. It has all the hallmarks of that 1990's sound that fan of this genre can't seem to get enough of. I actually prefer this album to the debut, that said was a killer album, but this one seems to be slightly better in all aspects. The songs, are sharper, focused and straight to the point, the musicianship to high quality, with a polished production and crisp mix.

1. All of this cd is amazing: the cover, the production and the songs. All is perfect. 2. The work and the versatility of all singers is admirable. The guitar riffs and solos of Kim with the drums of Shuhei Kamada are a solid instrumental base. 3. A vital CD in any metal collection. Buy it.

This is the second live album from the 'pumpkins reunited' Helloween line up. The big difference between this one and 'United Alive' is that there are three new songs from the self titled album from 2021. Rest of the set contains the classics which we all expect to see and hear at a live show. Sound quality is pretty good, well lot better than the last studio album to be honest. Nothing extra for this Japan version, just better quality packaging from the 2CD digipak edition.

I like the latest Bon Jovi albums. Sure, it's not like the 80s or 90s. But it's strong albums of the mature band. Nothing to prove for them. "Forever - Legendary edition" 2CD 7" miniLP edition is the best issue of the album. I like Bon Jovi, I like Japan CDs.

This movie was good, its a recap of the first 7 episodes of the show with around 24 minutes of new content, but as well some crucial moments were cut. On to my main issue which is that of the "pre order" bonus of a cd and a box for the movies, which I did not revice and I didn't expect to. I find it really dissapointing that the window to recive it was little over 2 weeks from the launch of the pre orders out of the 3 and a half months the pre order was available. I feel like the box should of been just a general bonus when you bought the 2 movies together, and the cd should of been included in the first press bonus if you bought both of the movies. I personally find it scummy that this company locks away things that are the standard with movie releases from other companies behind 2.5 week pre order windows while making them more expensive too, 8000 yen for a single recap movie thats little under 2 hours long as well having no bonus content, even on the actual disk is ridiculous. As much as I love this series this release feels like a spit to the face of the actual fans that buy this stuff. The same goes for the 2nd movie too.

This clear-vinyl reissue of Smile by Takeo Moriyama exceeded my expectations in every way. The pressing quality is excellent—quiet, clean, and with great clarity even in the more intense passages. Moriyama’s drumming feels incredibly dynamic, and the transparency of the vinyl actually gives the album a unique visual charm when spinning. The packaging is simple but tasteful, and the jacket reproduction is crisp. Even though the item is now no longer available, I’m very happy I managed to secure a copy. For fans of Japanese jazz or collectors looking for high-quality reissues, this pressing is absolutely worth having. Highly recommended.

One Day by Hideki Ishima is a peaceful and atmospheric record that feels perfect for slow mornings or late-night listening. Ishima’s playing has a warm, expressive tone, and this vinyl pressing captures the subtle details of his performance very well. The sound is clean and smooth, with minimal surface noise, allowing the gentle melodies to really shine. The packaging is simple but tasteful, fitting the calm and introspective mood of the album. As a whole, this LP offers a relaxing and immersive listening experience. If you enjoy melodic instrumental music or want something soothing for your collection, this is a wonderful release to own.

Sonzai no Uta is an album that feels both intimate and deeply emotional. Hiroki Tamaki’s performance has a raw, honest quality, and this vinyl pressing captures that feeling wonderfully. The sound is warm and detailed, especially in the quieter passages where his voice and instrumental textures come through with great clarity. The artwork and packaging are also beautifully done—simple but full of character, matching the tone of the music perfectly. The pressing itself is clean with very minimal surface noise, making it a very enjoyable listen from start to finish. For anyone who appreciates thoughtful songwriting and a personal touch in production, this LP is absolutely worth adding to your collection. I’m very glad I picked it up.

The clear pink vinyl edition of High-flying by Hiromasa Suzuki is an absolute joy to listen to. The album’s mix of jazz, fusion, and lively grooves feels as energetic today as ever, and this pressing really brings out the brightness and detail in the music. The soundstage is open and dynamic, with clear separation between instruments—perfect for appreciating Suzuki’s arrangements. The vinyl itself looks beautiful in clear pink and plays very cleanly with minimal surface noise. It adds a fun visual touch that matches the vibrant mood of the album. Packaging is solid and well printed, giving the release a premium feel overall. If you’re a fan of Japanese jazz fusion or collecting high-quality reissues, this version of High-flying is easy to recommend. A great pressing of a fantastic album.