It’s been just a month and a half since the release of their third album, and rockers 8otto have already dropped another full-length release — a remix album. While remix albums are hardly a highlight, the October 22nd release of Catch an another fire is worthy and gives us an excuse to write about 8otto.

Catch an another fire closely follows the September 3rd release of HYPER, HYP8R, HYPER by the explosive quartet lead by vocalist & drummer Maenosono Masaki (マエノソノ マサキ).

Biting into 8otto’s solid, “rocky” shell reveals a layer beneath. The initial fun and rugged sound of boisterous enthusiasm is backed up to the core by careful and deliberate artistry with some classic rock flavor.

The remix release features house and electro renditions of some of 8otto’s greatest tracks like “1977″, “0zero”, “BLOW”, and more by remixers like Tacteel, Chicken Lips, and 80kidz. While it may be good since the music is still 8otto at heart, how can it compare to the raw-yet-graceful sound of the original tracks?

HYPER, HYP8R, HYPER is the band’s “masterpiece of 8ottoyear 2008″. The 12-track release boasts standouts like “Bomb -Devil’s here version-”, “DESTINATION”, “REAL COKE’S FRIEND”, “CLASSIC” and “MACHINEGUN BEAT” among others.

8otto’s sound is as anomalous as their situation. The afro-clad Maenosono Masaki takes on the roles and responsibilities of both lead singer and drummer, and pulls it off exceptionally well. Alongside Masaki are Ryo (リョウ, guitar/chorus), Yoshimura Seiei (ヨシムラ セイエイ, guitar), and TORA (bass).

The band’s name is derived from the Italian word for “eight”: “otto” (オットー), which is how 8otto is pronounced. The band formed in Osaka in 1999 and have been signed with BMG JAPAN since 2006.

While watching a performance or PV by 8otto, one can’t help but be enveloped by Masaki’s dual contributions. It’s hard not to focus on the percussion and that’s probably certainly because the guy singing is also pounding away on the drums, making ‘em hard to miss or get lost in the mix. Yoshimura’s guitar cuts in throughout and shares the musical space — especially on tracks like “C”, off of the band’s debut album, we do vibration. Ryo and his guitar add to the treble-end of things, playing rhythm, puncuating, and contributing to the chaos. TORA’s bass looms in the background completing the mix…or starting it; like in “0zero”.

Watch the PV for “Bomb” off of HYPER, HYP8R, HYPER:

Thanks to last.fm user lops-sama for recommending 8otto.

Buy HYPER, HYP8R, HYPER
Buy Catch an another fire
Check out 8otto’s official MySpace