Bulimia is a word that doesn’t quite conjure up happy or positive connotations, and that’s most likely what rockers bulimia are going for.

The band’s most recent release came out January 28th and it’s intense enough you can almost taste it through the speakers.

via bulimia’s offcial Flickr photostream

bulimia’s first mini album, Gifted propels with painful melodies that are backed by twin guitars and an occasional slamming piano. The five-track release is rife with power. Even when one of the songs decrescendos, the vocal and lyrical emotion continues to surge.

The first track, “Gifted” charges with fervid tenacity that’s not loud so much as it is raucous with layers of harmony. “Gifted” rages through with vocalist Ohnaka’s commanding and thick vocals. The fiery and flangered guitars of Watanabe and ‘Amow’ pump about each verse before finding their way to a smooth, steady rhythm — like a car rolling on and off the rumble strips along the side of a highway. Cymbals crash at every turn as drummer ‘Destroy’ maintains speed and the bass of ‘Mkt’ hums along.

At its arduous apex, much of Gifted (the mini album) sounds like “Gifted” (the song). Each proceeding track varies substantially more though.

“Zoi” shines with its more restrained, clean guitars that achieve something of beauty while still grooving. Both “A story” and “Smile” reach even lower dynamic levels but eventually lunging forward. Gifted’s final track, “SweetSteps” continues in the fashion of its successors, rolling up and down, yet it’s much more fluid and the changes are not nearly as pronounced. It is a level-headed conclusion that befits the audacious release.

bulimia (ブリミア) formed in Tokyo in 2004. They released a single and two albums before releases Gifted on EVOL RECORDS.

Watch the PV for “Gifted”:

Check out the band’s official site and MySpace page.

Buy Gifted by bulimia on HearJapan