Beyond the Darkness

Beyond the Darkness Artist: Balzac
Label: Rykodisc
Category: Music


Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 2


UPC: 014431064425
EAN: 0014431064425
ASIN: B0000AB13Q


Release Date: 2003-08-05

Beyond the Darkness


Related Categories:

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Categories | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
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Categories | Pop | Styles | Music

Tracks:

  1. Thirteen
  2. Day The Earth Caught Fire
  3. Wall
  4. Into The Light Of The 13 Dark Night
  5. The Black Light Shines In '99
  6. Nowhere #13
  7. Yami-No Mukou-No Subete-Wo
  8. Out Of The Blue II
  9. In Your Face
  10. The Silence Of Crows
  11. Tomorrow
  12. Vanishes In Oblivion
  13. The End Of Century
  14. Monster II
  15. Beware Of Darkness
  16. Violent Paradise
  17. The Bleeding Light
  18. Diabolos (Live)
  19. 13 Ghosts (Live)
  20. Day The Earth Caught Fire (Live)

Similar Items:

  1. Out of the Grave and into the Dark
  2. Osaka Popstar & the American Legends of Punk (Bonus DVD)
  3. Project 1950
  4. Day the Earth Caught Fire
  5. Punk Rock Is Dead

Amazon.com

The influence of horror-punk cult icons the Misfits has stretched well beyond the band's original modest successes to win over successive generations of headbanging fans and influence numerous musicians. A prime example of that reach is this 16-track compilation by Japan's premiere quartet of skeleton-suited horror punks. Released on the Misfits own label and mentored by the masters themselves, this collection displays Balzac's rabid-speed-metal instincts and an occasionally zippy pop sense that owes at least a few bangs of the head to the manic, cartoon energy of the Dickies. There are moments early on ("Wall," "The Black Light Shines in `99") when it sounds like the band's triple-time fury just might permanently shred vocalist Hirosuke's voicebox or flail a limb or two loose, while later tracks like "Out of the Blue II" seem more rooted in the traditional lead guitar assault of Atsushi and the gang vocals of "Tomorrow" and "Monster II." The energy of their blitz-pop is impressive, if a bit two-dimensional, but there are hints here of some real promise beyond the "1-2-3-4-GO!" mentality, too. Includes three live cuts as well as a bonus DVD containing four videos and a "making-of" short. <I>--Jerry McCulley</I>

Album Description

Japan's premiere Horror-Punks release their very first US album at last! 20 of their greatest songs re-recorded in all new up-to-the-minute versions exclusive to this CD, including 3 bonus tracks, 'Diabolos' (Live), '13 Ghosts' (Live) & 'Day The Earth Caught Fire' (Live). Includes a bonus DVD featuring 4 music videos, 'Beware Of Darkness', 'Yami-No Mukou-No Subete-Wo', 'The Silence Of Crows' & 'Out Of The Blue', plus the making of Beware Of Darkness footage never before seen in the U.S.! Rykodisc. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Jap Horror punk.... How ammusing!.......2005-10-11

Ok, in a nutshell, this band is basicly what would happen if the misfits came from Japan instead of here. These guys sound, look, and basicly are the japanese version of the misfits. While they do have a slight twinge in difference. (basicly they are more poppy) That is all balzac is. Now, that might sound like a bad thing, but I assure you it's not. As you might know already, this is balzac's first U.S. Album and it's a darn good one. Every song is quality horror punk material, not to mention the few live cuts at the end. From the dark and gloomy intro to catchy Silence of the century, all these songs have personality. A trait that many punk albums lack these days. Honestly, there aren't any throwaway songs here. Every one is original and fast hit you in the head tempo.

That's not to say that there aren't some flaws, even though they're minor ones. I'd have to say my biggest complaint is the vocals. Given, this guy has a great voice, and the chorus "whoah whoahs" are done very well. It's just that I can't inderstand a word he's saying!!! Clearly these guys need to go back to english school before they release another album, or at least give us some lyrics. I could also talk about how the CD gets just a bit repetitive around track 13, but it's not that big of a deal.

Oh, and of course the DVD! Well, what can I say? Four well done videos...and a decent "making of" short. That plus the CD is a good deal for the 8 bucks I laid down for it.

All in all, I'm very glad I bought this. It's a nice addition to my and any punk lover's collection. Heck, 20 above average misfits-esque songs and a DVD! I'd pay double what I paid for it.

2 out of 5 stars wtf, mate?.......2005-06-27

Music is cool but not diggin the guys voice. Would be nice if I could understand a word he was saying. Plus i have no respect for the remaining "Misfits" and Jerry Only. Because of this I give it only 2 stars. While the music is pretty good, I wouldnt recommend this album unless ur a fan of words that sound like jibberish

5 out of 5 stars Awesome.......2005-06-10

I am not much for words, except this album is AWESOME! Balzac is similar to Misfits in many ways, but it is quite different in many aspects, but it is its own entity. Super cool. Grab this album! And look foward to: Out of The Grave and Into The Dark! June 28th!

3 out of 5 stars horror punk from the far east.......2003-08-17

First off, I'd like to say that before the release of the Misfits cover of 'Day The Earth Caught Fire' I had never so much as heard of Balzac. That being said, i'm going to jump right into why I think you should check out this album. The raw/aggressive sound. Balzac nails the horror core sound better than most others. It reminds me of several "DIFFERENT" bands. Including the Misfits and Ministry to name a couple. It's not all horror "PUNK" either. Traces of other genres are present within the Balzac sound. This influence isn't in every song, but it's noticable from time to time. I'm not going to say that everyone will love this album. In fact, i'm positive that many will not, and here's why. The "THICK" japanese accent in the vocals. But what do you expect? The guys are from Japan. To put it into simple terms, "if you wanna hear something different then check this album out." If you think the japanese accent will get on your nerves then "don't buy it." That's as simple as it gets...

5 out of 5 stars I can't believe it!!!!!.......2003-08-08

Wow, I just found out that Balzac has actually released an album in the US through the Misfits record company! I haven't bought this yet (But I will!), but I am 110% sure this will be a top notch record. Anyone who is a Misfits fan should check these guys out. I have two burnt CD's full of thier songs because I was never able to purchase thier stuff in the US.

Music Album:

  1. Perfect Day for Stars
  2. World on a Wire ~ Marc Carroll
  3. At Rollin' Rock: Las Vegas Stomp ~ Mack Stevens
  4. Bleachin the Blues ~ Tony McPhee
  5. I Love Math ~ I Love Math
  6. 360 Business/360 Bypass ~ Pan American
  7. Dance With The Guitar Man/Twistin' & Twangin' ~ Duane Eddy
  8. Creation of Sunlight ~ Creation of Sunlight
  9. The Human Value ~ The Human Value
  10. Put Your Gloves on and Wave ~ Halifax Pier

Music Album

Music Album

Music CD

Ultimate Butler ~ Jonathan Butler

Myths, Modes & Means: Live at Hot Brass ~ Steve Coleman & the Mystic Rhythm Society

1938-1939, Vol. 9 ~ Benny Carter

Piano Jazz: McPartland/Ellington ~ Marian Mcpartland, Mercer Ellington

Very Best of Dickie Valentine ~ Dickie Valentine

Non Solo Blues ~ Fausto Leali

Du Ich Lieb'dich ~ Claudia Jung

Live ~ A.R. Rahman

Beyond Imagination

Newest Hits ~ Chuji Mikado