ONE OK ROCK - "Re:make"

Rating: 7/10 I can't believe in you, I see you 'nother day, ‘nother way This song doesn't really stand out to me as being amazing in any particular way, but I quite like it. It's a really solid J-Rock track that I discovered a while ago. The chorus is really catchy and the vocalist for these guys is quite good, overall, a song worth hearing, but not anything too insane.

Klaypex - "1941" (feat. Virian)

Rating: 6/10 I'll bring the cadillac if you bring the rum... I wanna party like it's 1941 Released this past week, Klaypex's Anything Goes boasts quite a variety of styles, from big room house to electro swing, as exemplified in this track. This duo has gained a large following from their first major release's feature on several viral videos, but this new collection should ensure they retain their audience. Happy listening!

ArchonofFail's Top 10 Touhou Original Songs #1!

Rating: 8/10 Solar Sect of Mystic Wisdom ~ Nuclear Fusion. Holy shit this song, a final boss theme to end all final boss themes. The intro just building up and building up until the amazing chorus, I cannot get enough of this song it's so great! Well, that concludes my top 10 Touhou original songs, I might return to Touhou and do an honorable mentions post, but for now, on to other amazing music! Link to #2 Link to #3 Link to #4 Link to #5 Link to #6 Link to #7 Link to #8 Link to #9 Link to #10

ArchonofFail's Top 10 Touhou Original Songs #2

Rating: 8/10 Whooooops, looks like I missed a bit more than a day this time, anyways, nearly done with the list! I am such a huge fan of this song, I don't really have much to say besides that. !!Warning!! tomorrow's post, will be epic, make sure to come back for it! Link to #3 Link to #4 Link to #5 Link to #6 Link to #7 Link to #8 Link to #9 Link to #10

Arty - "Up All Night" (Nev Cover)

Rating: 5/10 There's an angel beside saying things just ain't right, but I'm no good at listening There's a really special feeling when you see someone take a great tune, skillfully cover it, and have a brilliant time doing so. This entire anthem bursts out as fun, especially when watching the dexterity of that hand-over-hand motion. You can see the original here.

Stromae - "Papaoutai"

Rating: 7/10 Sans même devoir lui parler....Il sait ce qui ne va pas. A son calls out to his absentee father, begging for understanding and interaction. Stromae captures this call beautifully in this electronic/piano studded piece with a driving beat and choral backing, not too mention the physical manifestation of an empty husk present in the accompanying video.

Linkin Park - The Hunting Party

Warning: this is a long track-by-track review. Rating: 9/10

A little less than a week ago on June 17, Linkin Park dropped their sixth studio album, probably their heaviest to date. After their booming debut Hybrid Theory, similar sophomore release Meteora, alternative rock Minutes to Midnight, stylistically different concept record A Thousand Suns, and last album Living Things that combined everything they had ever done, the band returned to their roots from even before 1999 with influences like Helmet, the Refused, and At the Drive-In. Going into the studio about a year earlier, emcee Mike Shinoda said he brought in some demos with a more alternative style that would satisfy pop radio, but came to a point where he hated it and trashed those, diving into the aggressive sound he felt is missing from current rock music. We wanted to write music that gets that 17-year-old who was never thinking about guitars to go, "I want play guitar because of that song!" -Chester Bennington (vocalist)

The record bangs off with an opener that shocks anyone who has heard LP’s last three albums. No more short instrumental intros; “Keys to the Kingdom” begins with Bennington’s distorted screams wailing about “fighting in futility” and sails smoothly into hard, and fast-paced drums that continue throughout the record. Following loud guitars, Shinoda graces the track with his low, melodic voice between choruses before ripping out a verse to remind everyone of his rapping skills. The second song is no disappointment either with its heavy intro Shinoda’s unforgiving rap that leads into Page Hamilton of Helmet on the chorus. “All For Nothing” even brings in their electronica influence with small drops in the second verse, and ends on a quiter note before their heavy first single “Guilty All the Same”. Before any vocals appear, it holds about a minute and a half of guitar, drums, piano, and bass that show everyone Linkin Park is back, and then Bennington yells out the verses and choruses with heated accusations. Enter legendary artist Rakim to spit a rap relevant to the whole idea of the album on the bridge. After the final chorus, Delson and Rob Bourdon finish the song as hard as it started. “The Summoning” is the short and strange instrumental that gives the listener’s ear a break before slamming it with “War”, a track with so much anger not only can you hear it in Bennington’s screams, but the instruments as well. Leading off with “Lies Greed Misery"-like drums, “Wastelands” is the third single of the album. Shinoda blasts you with a fearless rap on the verses, while Bennington yells the chorus in a similar manner as “Guilty All the Same”. Taking a break from the heaviness (sort of) with the second single “Until It’s Gone”, Bennington displays his incredible voice with singing reminiscent of “Burn It Down". The Hunting Party then hits you with an almost heavy metal track that is the fourth single. “Rebellion” is layed out with Shinoda’s deep voice singing the verse and Bennington on the pre-chorus and a blending of vocals for the chorus and screams on the bridge, all the while backed with Daron Malakian of System of a Down on guitar. “Mark the Graves” begins soft, but enters some more loud guitar by Delson that cuts out when Bennington’s smooth vocals come in with Shinoda on the harmonies. Breaking from the loudness, there is the absolutely beautiful instrumental “Drawbar” that features Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine before going into the other softest song on the record and fifth single “Final Masquerade” that is another glowing example of Bennington’s incredible singing voice. The final track is a little like the first in that it has many different ideas used in the band. “A Line in the Sand” starts simply with quiet vocals sung by Shinoda before hitting off like the rest of the tracks with the guitars, drums, and screams of Bennington. Lasting approximately six and a half minutes, it is the epitome of The Hunting Party and Linkin Park, combining nearly everything they have ever done.
Overall, it is one of the best records this “nu-metal”, alternative rock band of six has put out (not just my opinion either). Brad Delson has finally come out of his shell to show the world that he is truly a guitarist worth remembering and Rob Bourdon developed his drumming skills well over what we have seen in the past. Even the quieter songs of the album hold heavy riffs that make them fit perfectly with such a hard collection. Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington demonstrate their ability to not only seamlessly flow between each other’s vocals, but also to blend their voices into one. It is an amazing piece of work by the band and all you that ran off at their last three releases, I suggest you at least check out this record; Linkin Park wanted loud and aggressive, and that is what they made.

ArchonofFail's Top 10 Touhou Original Songs #3

Rating: 8/10 Whoops, looks like I missed a day, I guess #1 will be coming next Monday, anyways, #3, Bloom Nobly Ink-Black Cherry Blossoms ~ Border of Life, right from the start this song just sounds like an epic final boss theme. This song is just so good and also has a super badass name. Link to #4 Link to #5 Link to #6 Link to #7 Link to #8 Link to #9 Link to #10

ArchonofFail's Top 10 Touhou Original Songs #4

Rating: 8/10 Now that we have reached the top four, we are into my absolute favorite Touhou songs. These final four songs really stand out from the others to me as being absolutely amazing. Starting off, Native Faith. Earlier we had Candid Friend which I consider a happy upbeat song, but this song takes the cake for being happy and upbeat. I really don't have much else to say about it except that it is amazing. Link to #5 Link to #6 Link to #7 Link to #8 Link to #9 Link to #10

ArchonofFail's Top 10 Touhou Original Songs #5

Rating: 7/10 This song, Flight in the Bamboo Cutter ~ Lunatic Princess, while a great song on it's own is the king of being remixes. I am convinced that is actually impossible to make a bad remix of this song. Here are some of my favorite remixes of this amazing song. Link to #6 Link to #7 Link to #8 Link to #9 Link to #10

ArchonofFail's Top 10 Touhou Original Songs #6

Rating: 7/10 The next two song are songs that, while amazing on their own, are made even more awesome for me because they have awesome remixes. First off, Flowering Night, which is another song that makes a really catchy exciting boss battle theme. It has also spawned this somewhat famous remix which is amazing and just exemplifies what makes the song good. Link to #7 Link to #8 Link to #9 Link to #10

ArchonofFail's Top 10 Touhou Original Songs #7

Rating: 7/10 Time for #7, Reverse Ideology. Not only does it have an awesome name, it is really catchy and sounds like an epic boss theme, which it is. This and most of the remaining song on this list just get me pumped up for an epic boss. This song recently came onto my radar because just a week ago Touhou 14.3 was released featuring Seija Kijin as the main character who's theme this is. Although it is only used for a few tutorial levels, it got me thinking about this song and remembering how awesome it was. Link to #8 Link to #9 Link to #10

Kogicon's Summer Playlist!

Use this smooth and slightly eccentric mix of summer songs to set off your vacation. Enjoy :)

ArchonofFail's Top 10 Touhou Original Songs #8

Rating: 7/10 For #8 on this list, a very special song for me. Akutagawa Ryuunosuke's "Kappa" ~ Candid Friend, the boss theme for my favorite Touhou character, Nitori Kawashiro. This song is really happy and relaxing to listen to and, although it is a bit repetitive, it is really awesome throughout. Definitely one of my favorites and a great song to listen to if you want to relax. Unfortunately it is not one of the more popular songs to remix and there aren't a ton of great remixes out there, but if you look you can find them. Link to #9 Link to #10

ArchonofFail's Top 10 Touhou Original Songs #9

Rating: 6/10 And now for #9 Maiden's Capriccio ~ Dream Battle, this one I like particularly because of the impressive keyboard background throughout the song playing all sorts of amazing melodies. Also the chorus is really good too. Although entirely computer generated, the piano patters are just so impressive to me putting this song at a solid #9 on my list. Link to #10