Review by Kym

After Jasmine You passed away last year, I wondered what this incredibly talented group would do. Thankfully they are continuing the legacy of Versailles and I believe that's exactly what Jasmine would have wanted. I can't wait to have this!

I can't believe that I just discovered this band, but I am SO glad I have! Outside of Diru, Versailles, The Underneath, the much missed Rentrer en Soi and D'espairs Ray, I've found that some Vis-Kei bands only have the look without the sound to go with the outfits. I can't help it, I LOVE metal and Dio has consistently delivered. I've seen comments on You Tube about this band and how they like and dress like women, but it is undeniable that Dio puts more testosterone-laced, jeans-wearing bands to shame. Then again, I've always said that Visual Kei is 70's glam rock on steroids. Apparently, grunge made rockers forget that part of being a rock star/musician is DRESSING the part. The added video that comes with the CD makes me all nice and tingly. I have fallen and fallen HARD for lead vocalist Mikaru (sorry Gackt, but I still love you too lol). Not only is Mikaru insanely sexy (I wouldn't mind if he came and bit me at all), he is an incredble and versatile vocalist. It is extremely taxing on the voice to do clean singing and then death metal growls in the same phrasing, but somehow he does it and very well. Guitarists Kei and Erina are simply amazing. Their twin guitar attacks remind a little of Chris de Garmo and Michael Wilton of Queensryche. They work well together and while neither breaks new ground, their style is pure and simple metal. Denka's drumming is rock solid and comes through beautifully. And I love Ivy's bass lines and wish the sound engineers allowed him to shine through more. 'Carry Dawn' is not only a headbanger's paradise, but it has a sort of funky-rock groove that just makes me dance. I love this song and I'm driving my coworkers nuts because I keep playing it. I am making a point to learn the Japanese lyrics so that I can sing along with Mikaru. Dio are so much more than than just metal. Songs like 'Haunting' (not on this CD) and the second track on this CD 'Beautiful' showcase their more straight-ahead rock stylings. Overall, this CD is perfect and if you're new to Visual Kei or are looking for something awesome, give Dio a try.

...in a good way. I first read about Dio in CURE MAGAZINE and was curious to check them out. I watched a few of their PVs on You Tube and was rather impressed at how heavy they were, until I heard HAUNTING and then wondered "WTF"???? So curiosity getting the better of me, I purchased this compilation featuring two PVs. Dio is obviously a visual band on a mission. They might have all the trappings, but obviously they're not satisfied with just one style or sound, which makes this compilation somewhat schizophenic--in a good sonic, teeth-rattling way. Dio does the melodic heavy thing, then they let loose a blistering barrage on other songs which lets you know these aren't just pretty boys on guitars. Vocalist Mikaru might be beautiful to look at, but don't let that fool you. This guy is SCARY, especially with those death metal growls that would have many American and European bands giving him big kudos. Liked it and can't wait to see what comes next with this band.

Okay, true story: I just popped this into my computer at work and my co-worker who's a die-hard metalhead walked by and was totallt blown away. Imagine his shock when he saw that these guys looked like!!! He's ordering his copy as I write this(lol) and has become a total Versailles fan (he's into bands like Slayer and Exodus)! As for me, this was so worth the wait! From the Prelude to Episode, I was totally blown away. I love Yuki's double-bass and the really chunky-fast riffing guitars from Hizaki and Teru. Kamijo's voice is just damn amazing (he's sexy too)! The packaging is just gorgeous and I can't wait to watch the DVD! This band is so tight and I haven't heard a bad song so far. I really LOVE this band!

In this lush musical and video collection, Hyde puts some of his most emotional songs from Roentgen to film and it's both heartbreaking and ethereal. Partly inspired by Last Quarter (at least to me), my favourite piece is 'Secret Letters' with its homage to early French folk songs. The only song that wasn't on here was 'The Cape of Storms', but that's a very small matter. Any fan of this talented singer/songwriter should have this DVD collection. Yes, it's Region 2, so playing it on U.S. machines can be tough, but I lucked out. It's still worth having.

This is my first taste of D'espairs Ray but certainly not my last! The title track just gets me going and is just a great rock tune. I am totally impressed from these two songs and plan to check out all their music.

And they're together and better than ever! This sounds a lot like early Cult (which I love)! This is pure rock and roll and let's face it, Hyde and Kaz are HOT! Just buy it.

My mother happened to walk in on the opening sequence of Diablos and she thought it was a MOVIE! My jaw dropped when Gackt and the band rode in on actual horses then broke into one of my favourite songs, Dybbuk. Gackt didn't let up on the intensity. Very few rock concerts have ever moved me and made me just weak, but this one tops that list. Every song was amazing, especially Lust for Blood (OMG!!!) and Mirror. My only complaint--not enough Chacha--although his solo at the beginning of Lust for Blood just smoked. It was haunting, dark and sexy. Other than that, I just wish I was in Tokyo in 2005. This DVD is worth owning just for its sheer awesomeness! Gackt rocks!

I just received my calendar today and all I have to say is OMG!!! This is more than just eye-candy. This is twelve glorious months of full-colour, drop-dead gorgeous, drool-worthy Gackt! Those lips, those eyes...pure unadulterated Gackt, no additives, fillers or preservatives. The only thing better than having this marvelous work of art gracing my wall would be having him in real life, but since that's not possible, this will do just nicely. Honestly, the photography is just exquisite and brings out every subtle nuance of Gackt's expressions from playful to downright sultry. Even if you haven't a CLUE as to who this artist is (and it's well worth discovering his music), buy the calendar as a fitting tribute to a beautiful man. I am now the envy of all my J-Rock femme friends who want one too.

I puchased this CD on the strong recommendations of the reviewers here and they were absolutely on target. Thank you!!! Chachamaru is one smoking guitar player who is severely underrated. He combines the best of hard rock with a distinctly progressive edge and this CD was the result. I went in not knowing what to expect and found myself in a lush sonic soundscape that ranks right up there with the best prog bands. Though my favorite track so far is 'As' with its haunting, smoky quality, I was totally blown away by the mean and gritty blues-rock of 'Grieve'. Aerosmith would indeed be proud. I didn't even care if the words were in Japanese, his voice was just raw and gritty and blew me away. And what better way to showcase Chacha's incredible virtuosity than by awesome CD packaging--glorious artwork, a cool cover and now for my fangirl moment (lol)--Chacha is just sooo sexy. Yes, I like my rocker boyz pretty but with an edge. Overall, even if you are not a J-Rock fan, this CD is worth having if you love good rock music.

The film Last Quarter was my very first introduction to Hyde, though I'd heard of his band L'arc en Ciel. I fell madly in love with the song 'The Cape of Storms' and was determined to find it no matter what. Roentgen was the result and very well worth it. Hyde's voice reminds me of David Sylvian, the frontman for 80's art-wave group Japan (interesting that). It has that same smoky, sultry jazzy quality. This is perfect listening to wind down and savor the remains of the day. It's also the perfect CD to share with your significant other. My favourite tracks outside of 'The Cape of Storms' (which would be perfectly at home on any adult contemporary music station) are 'Unexpected'; 'Oasis'(great for a moonlight tango); 'A Drop of Colour' and 'Secret Letters'. The reprise of 'Angel's Tale' is awesome and takes one back to the days of understated cocktail clubs. I have Hyde's two following CDs and each has their own special character. This is another extremely talented and versatile musician who deserves more exposure worldwide. Then again, he's like a precious secret who can only be appreciated by those who love great music regardless of language and/or culture.

In spite of these songs being soundtracks for a computer game (Dirge of Ceberus, which I don't even play), I purchased this cd because it's Gackt and I wasn't the least bit sorry. This CD does in only 4 songs (two of which are instrumental) what some bands can't even do with a full CD's worth of material, and that's saying something. Gackt's vocals are just blistering here, and showcases his incredible range. However, the real treat here is his guitarist, Chachamaru, who just smokes! On 'Longing', Chacha goes full-on ballistic, delivering scorching licks that any metal guitarist would envy (and I hear he's got a solo album). I especially love the instrumental versions of 'Redemption' and 'Longing' where I get to really hear Chacha's talent. Not to mention that Chacha is another extremely sexy bishonen male...an added bonus. This CD is also getting heavy rotation on the old MP3 and is a great way to start even the dreariest of days. It's powerful, heady stuff from Gackt.