"Looking for reviews elsewhere, it's about the same. The general consensus is that it's a good album, not their best. Nothing wrong with that."

When the majority of western fans don't keep up with their lives and news and this is what they got after 4 years, it's not good enough. Despite my frustrations about worshiping the big 3 and shafting everything else, those albums are regarded as they are for a reason. This is different from the previous scenarios that you listed because it represents the end to many, a 6-8 year career high and they waited a long time for this.

But at the same time, I also found it irritating that people were complaining about the new album taking so long when you have the modes coming out at a consistent basis.

"Lyrically, I thought Marrow was comically bad."

Oh yes, and it's awesome Imao.

"I'm sure the next album will be different, but it may just be moving further in the current direction, which I don't like. As I said, an amazing comeback is possible, but a bit unlikely. I'm not saying it's absolutely over, just that it probably is."

"Bear in mind that I'm not old enough to have cared about nu metal when it was relevant. Also, my first DEG album was Uroboros, so I started with their strongest work."

This applies to me yet 2 out of my 5 fav things from the band are tied with their Nu Metal work. Having said that though, I can definitely see why Marrow is met with ire.

""I'd probably have given this a 3 if the production wasn't so bloody awful."

I'm gonna double down and say I'd 4 it if the production wasn't like it is, it's that woeful.

"so there's no nostalgia factor involved for me."

Nostalgia doesn't play a huge factor as to why those were good, although Withering benefits from knowing it for a while due to the soaring melodies and the overall cultural significance the album has.

"Has been their best by a long stretch until Uroboros dropped as far as I'm concerned."

Hard this.

"I do like Vulgar and Withering to Death though, but the other pre-Uroboros stuff never clicked with me. Haven't given MOAB much attention admittedly, but apart from some moments (like the opener) it feels bland to me."

The lives help massively with those, would have never liked those songs without them.

Album Rating: 2.0

I definitely wasn't complaining about a 4 year wait for an album, especially since I follow Sukekiyo. I'd have been quite happy for them to stop recording after Arche, which seems like a natural conclusion.



As I've said before, the idea that it's the end is because it's after 3 great albums and the band are in their 40s. Yes, a great comeback from 45 year old men is possible (see Brave New World by Iron Maiden), but it seems a bit unlikely.

" I'd have been quite happy for them to stop recording after Arche, which seems like a natural conclusion."

Beyond a Vacant Image is a much more impactful final impression of the band than anything from this. Get chills thinking about the final chorus of that song. Hopefully, they go out on a bang but I'm definitely more interested in what Sukekiyo has to say in future.

Album Rating: 2.0

I agree about Behind a Vacant Image; it's one of their best songs. I'm more interested in Sukekiyo as well at this point, but if this is just DEG's No Prayer For The Dying and they end up doing a Brave New World or Book Of Souls, I'll be back on board.

Even if they're stuck with disappointing releases, it's moments like this which I'll never forget: https://youtu.be/KApu-ne1Vak?t=183

Album Rating: 2.0

Their live videos are good. DSS at Budokan is my favourite. They'll presumably do one for TIW, which will be good for those who like the album, but I'll give it a miss.

I'm watching it when it drops since their Budokan shows are must watch for me. They got a 5/5 performance out of KR Cube so they can get one from this album.

Album Rating: 2.0

Based on the length of the last tour cycle, the Budokan shows will be in 2020.

They should do the Utafumi till the break and walk off stage and them continue it for the encore.

Album Rating: 3.0

Going through the whole discography again, I've come to the conclusion that this (although people exaggerate its weak points) is their weakest good album, contested only by Vulgar due to that one's horrendous lows. There are three albums of theirs that I like considerably less than this one though.

You consider Marrow a stronger album than Vulgar?

Album Rating: 3.0

Nah, that's one of the three albums that I don't consider "good". Like I said, I see this and Vulgar their worst good albums, Marrow is beneath that.

Album Rating: 2.0

I agree this is better than Marrow - certainly if we don't consider production. But that's not a high standard for me.

I don’t agree. I’d rather listen to Marrow

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

Marrow's got more slappers tbh

Album Rating: 4.5

This album really feels like a direct successor to Marrow but more mature.

Album Rating: 3.0

^



this is pretty spot on tbh



doesn't make it a good thing though lol

Album Rating: 2.0

It's pretty marginal for me, especially with the production on this. I mean, I gave them the same rating. As I said, I'm not at all keen on either.

User has put up some vids from latest dvd thingy

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5SlJQa8SIJGddIyLnuDDmw/videos

Album Rating: 4.5

The production bugged me a lot but I’ve mostly gotten used to it by now. Not that that’s an excuse but it doesn’t bother me as much after listening to it so much.

Although the production on Utafumi is awful. The guitar tone is not heavy at all compared to the rest of the heavy songs and it doesn’t help that the riff itself sounds like a funk rock riff to begin with. The group vocals sound terrible on the album version and Kyo’s voice cracks really noticeably during the growling section in the second verse. They also sucked all the reverb put the the softer interlude part which just sounds awkward.