Local Sound Style is borrowing heavily from other epic rock groups to create their own punk anthem in “The Symphony.” It sounds like LSS has been listening to “November Rain” by Guns N Roses, My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade Album and Green Day’s American Idiot to craft their own punk masterpiece, and for the most part they succeed in a paint by numbers kind of way.

Starting with a guitar solo that sounds vaguely similar to a national anthem. Check.

Chorus that everyone knows the words to except you, so you better learn them quick. Check.

Chug along punk with guitar sweeps. Check.

Momentary pause and slow tempo break. Check.

“La La La’s” so the crowd can wave their hands from side to side in unison. Check.

Make the song over 8 minutes long. Check and done.

“The Symphony” isn’t new. It’s formulaic and almost a standard. That being said, it’s still quite enjoyable for what it is, because every band deserves one moment of epicness per lifespan. Local Sound Style just went ahead and blew their load. There is no where to go but down now, boys.

Grab the single “The Symphony” out 12.8.2010 from yesasia.com.

Local Sound Style demand your attention at their official website and blog.

Cold Kitchen pull out the rattling U2 guitar sound for their single “Kuuchuu Roukaku” and it works incredibly well. It’s very neat to watch how the guitarist picks at the strings to pull off the sound effect; It’s reason alone to watch the video.

While the lead singer’s voice is a little distorted (like he’s singing through a walkie talkie) there is still a great deep presence there. If only he’d lose the Marcel Marceau black and white skinny striped shirt, not cool anymore man. I won’t hold that against the band, because the sound is awesome. I”ve listened to the track 3 times already, and I can see why the first press sold out over at CDJAPAN. Cold Kitchen are great. So try yesasia.com for the full album Ryuseigun to Nakiyamanu Amplifier which came out 7.7.2010.

Also hear samples of other tracks over at their myspace page and find out more about Cold Kitchen at their official website.

Beware of The Ivy. This is not the Takeshi Hosomi you thought you knew.

I’m going to do the unthinkable and compare “The Ivy” to Radiohead. Maybe it is the  earshattering noise at the start of the track that fades into a piano melody. But even moreso I think Takeshi Hosomi is echoing Thom Yorke when he aches that someone “takes his breath away.” Of course you could also mention Muse’s Matthew Bellamy in this comparison. Both lead singers have a grandiose way of singing that separates from the music in easy to peel off layers. Regardless, you need to give this track your full attention.

Does that peak your interest in The Hiatus’ new album Anomaly? The preorder it at yesasia.com. It’s out 6-30-2010.

Don’t forget to drop by the hiatus’ official website.

It takes balls to perform naked, but I’m glad The Beat Motors embrace the mosaic in their latest PV for “きれいな少女.”

I’d like to say that The Beat Motors are rocking out with their.. no that is just too obvious. Let me try that again.

The Beat Motors have a great harmonica-filled tune on their hands, but I think the music may be overshadowed by the lack of clothing in their promotional video. And they are not afraid to hide behind their instruments either. o_0

Should you want to explore their music more, their newest 7-track album Subarashiine is available at yesasia.com.

Read up on these chaps at their official website, twitter and myspace pages.

Oil78proof’s band name sounds like an extremely flamable liquor or maybe a great detergent, like BLEACH maybe? Because the newly released live PV for “Searchlight” sounds a lot  like “Bleach” era Nirvana.

From the Dave Grohl-esque drums to the gritty Kobain like voice and the Novoselic bass lines.. oil78proof are playing the part fairly well.

The video is even looks like BLEACH’s album cover (if I remember correctly).

Regardless, I’m a Nirvana fan for life, so to hear something like this… brings back some good memories. “Searchlight” is off of Oil78proof’s 2009 album Moonage. Buy it at Amazon.com now.

Please check out Oil78proof’s myspace and official website for some more 90′s alternative flashback music.

Noisy. Loud. Full Speed on rock. Your choice of feedback and distortion. All for you with Hanumaan’s second mini-album Re Distortion out June 9th, 2010 (yesasia is a good choice for preorder).

Hanumaan’s single “Fever Believer Feedback” bleeds out color and sound in their newest PV. With a squeeky riff  and some of the fastest drumming I’ve heard in a while, Fever Believer Feedback pleases. Add some addictive pachinko imagery and Hanumaan will rock you into gambling rehab.

Of course feedback and distortion are the required ending for song… Hanumaan do not disappoint.

You like? I like. So read up on this terrific trio: myspace and official website.

I have HIJACKED SPARKPLUGGED.NET to throw up the new ONE OK ROCK video. No it’s not indie. No it’s not alternative. It’s straight up mainstream rock which probably gets compared to My Chemical Romance on a daily basis.. why would I do this?

Honestly I can’t post myspace videos over at Neaux Clicked on it! Ha Ha! But I can’t get enough of this song “じ ぶんROCK” off of ONE OK ROCK’s new album Niche Syndrome coming out June 09th,  2010 (preorder from yesasia.com)

You too shall be infected! Plus I love the animation. Get a shot and Check out ONE OK ROCK’s myspace and official website.

Step 1 in how to Rock ‘N Roll: name yourself an outrageous band name like Thunder Baum.

Step 2. Wear jackets without shirts.

Step 3.  Hire crazy women on stripper poles.

That’s really all you need to know. Should you need more instruction, check out Thunder Baum’s How to Rock ‘N Roll out May 18th, 2010 with their first single “Beautiful Girl”. You can preorder it from yesasia.com.

Oh if Step 3 didn’t convince you to watch Thunder Baum’s “Beautiful Girl” PV, you are missing out on some fun.

Lastly, please visit Thunder Baum’s official website and myspace. Thunder Baum’s myspace has 3 tracks to sample off the new album! Enjoy!

Innovator and electronic musician extraordinaire DE DE MOUSE trades in his table-top synths for a key(board)blade.

DE DE MOUSE’s new album, A journey to freedom comes out simultaneously in 23 countries via iTunes on April 7th. The album’s cover art and DE DE MOUSE’s portrait are illustrated by SQUARE ENIX artist Yoshida Akihiko (吉田明彦), main character designer for Final Fantasy XII, art director for Final Fantasy XIV, and many more timeless hits.

The Final Fantasy connection isn’t surprising since some of DE DE MOUSE’s songs sound straight out of an RPG quest.

In case one full, fresh new album isn’t enough, remixes by PLAID, CEEPHAX, Hudson Mohawke, GOLD PANDA, Dorian, and KALAVNIK will apparently come out the same day. A journey to freedom preorders start March 31st.

DE DE MOUSE doesn’t stop his journey with an international release or remixes by UK artists. He heads to London to perform on April 17th.

DE DE MOUSE’s official site and MySpace page hold more info and awesome music. Track samples here.

I originally posted this on my personal blog, Galaxico’s (shhhhh! this is only between you and me) only to later realize that it’s pure and awesome SparkPlugged-worthy material.

via Natalie.mu

“Again” is the latest single from YUI and I must say, it’s pretty cool. The song has some nice guitar riffs weaved in and YUI’s vocals shine with the contrasting verse & chorus. “Again” is