Album Rating: 2.0

Definitely. It was the 20 year anniversary of Ocean Machine: Biomech, so they played the album all the way through. It was great. I wish DEG had done that for the Uroboros 10 year anniversary instead of what we got, but never mind.

They did a 2 year tour which had 7 individual tours for their 20th anniversary playing all their albums again (one tour dedicated to each album) in full and releasing every tour on Blu Ray/DVD, so you basically got that and far more.

Album Rating: 2.0

@Calc The MODE OF tours were great, but it's a shame they didn't take the Uroboros one abroad for the 10th anniversary. Overseas touring definitely isn't their priority, though.



Do you think they'll do another album/tour cycle, or retire after this one?

Album Rating: 3.0

@Irony Dev's a legend. The dude can have Murphy's Law work against him and he'll find a way to handle it professionally while giving the crowd a few laughs.



I've asked that burning question several times, and I think they have at least one more album in them. It'd be a dick move on DEG to say, "We will come back, Europe.", only to disband after the end of this album cycle". Personally, I'd want DEG to go the way of Dillinger, Botch, and Isis and disband at the top...but it's a bit too late for that cause Insulated was anything but the top for me. And considering X Japan's blue ball hype for a new album and alleged world domination following it (honestly, I don't think they'll succeed), they might just stick around for a few more years.

Album Rating: 4.5

Some people have said that Higeki wa Mabuta wo Oroshita Yasashiki Utsu was written about a fan that killed him/herself after sending Kyo fanmail but I’m pretty sure that’s just a bullshit internet rumor. I’ve never seen a single piece of evidence supporting it.

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

Lol X Japan are never dropping that album. If anything in four years or so Yoshiki will half heartedly attemp to market it as a solo album with a million guest appearances from fellow washed up J-rockers like Morrie and Luna Sea will already be on reunion album no 5

Album Rating: 3.0

I'm starting to believe that they'll never drop that album myself, Jas. And I think it's borderline comical if they really think that if said album gets released worldwide that they'll just magically break through the western market. At best, it'd be a minor success in some rock circles only.

Album Rating: 2.0

@Acme I definitely would sooner have seen DEG go out Dillinger-style after Arche, but as you said it's too late for that now. I'd still sooner they ended it now rather than make more embarrassing records, but I think they may well stick around way past their prime like X Japan have. I agree that we're unlikely to ever see this new X Japan record. I consider a new Tool album substantially more likely.

Album Rating: 3.0

Considering X Japan reformed in 2007 and Tool put out 10,000 Days in 2006...if Tool puts out their new album first, it'll just make X Japan look bad IMO.

Album Rating: 3.0

@Acme



Loving how your rating is whittling down lol

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

the harder you think about this album, the shitter it is

@Irony: I much prefer what we got, so many songs finally got the treatment they deserve.

@Acme: With their management, they'll milk the band dry. I'll stick around to see what they do (they could pull it back, it's one dud) but for now, my hopes are with Sukekiyo.

@Jas: I hope you'll join me in 1'ing X Japan's new album if it drops.

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

X Japan could drop the most out of this world set of bops and i'd still 1 it on principle

It would take almost every song to be Silent Jealousy levels of good for me to not be jaded about it due to Yoshiki being such a fuckboi.

Album Rating: 2.0

@Calc I'll judge the X Japan record on its own merits. If it's bloody awful, I'll rate it as such.



DEG has a hard core of fanatics who'll keep supporting them whatever, so they could just keep going on diminishing returns. I think that's likely at this point.



@Acme The Tool album is supposed to be next year, but I'm not expecting anything soon. Maynard said the other guys have a very slow writing process and he gets frustrated with them. I do think it's more realistic than new X Japan, though. It has a much higher chance of being good, as well.

"I think that's likely at this point."

I'm inclined to agree, unfortunately.

Album Rating: 2.0

Bands going on well past their prime is pretty normal. DM fans here probably all wish Morbid Angel and Cryptopsy had ended before they embarrassed themselves. And Metallica after AJFA is pretty lame, even though I love their first 4 albums. We were all hoping DEG were better than that, but they're just meeting the fate of a lot of once great bands.

I at least have confidence they'll produce superb live DVD's and shows in Japan once they get rid of the horrible taste in production they've adapted. Can't say that for the other acts you mentioned.

Album Rating: 2.0

Metallica live look fine, I just don't like anything much they've written since 1990.



I wouldn't necessarily be confident DEG are going to fix their production, though they might do. You've said before how bad the management is, and they obviously don't care much about the quality of the product. I don't know why they didn't get Tue Madsen back, but if they didn't for this, why would they in future?

They can be bad but not on a consistent basis. 2017 onwards has been something else, unfortunately. They always change so they can get back on the upswing, it won't be the same style all the time that's for sure.