I’m usually not into the whole synthesizer/trance style of music, and there are also only a few “screamer”/hardcore type of groups that I also enjoy listening to (one of them is MAXIMUM THE HORMONE). But there is a band out of Osaka Japan called CROSSFAITH that changes all of that.
Their latest EP “Zion” was released in November 2012 and it just rocks. The second track (Photosphere) with its synthesized sequence and atmospheric sound at the beginning, is what really drew me into the band. Then the chord progression of the guitar riff kicks in along to a bass and drum rhythm that just gets the head banging. The best is the melody of the synthesizers during the chorus (and the midsection/solo and outro). It’s incredibly tight; I seriously don’t how many times I just listened to this particular song over and over just trying to take in all of the musical textures.
The following is the official video they posted for the song set to live video footage from their appearance at Summer Sonic 2012.
What’s even more impressive is their high energy live performances (drummer Tatsuya Amano is absolutely crazy). The lead vocalist Kenta Koie also speaks decent english which is paramount to being able to really communicate with an international crowd (they’ve toured Europe and Asia at small venues but are getting their name out in the process). What makes them more likable is how humble they are in person.
These guys are more than likely going to blow up and gain even more followers including older fogies like myself who have traditionally listened to more typical metal groups. It wouldn’t surprise me if they are headlining one of the bigger music festivals (where they are currently just one of the smaller listed acts) both inside and outside of Japan in the future.
