86: Gu:Laymu - Gu:Laymu
This is the short-lived Gu:Laymu's first demotape. Initially, they were Matina supported, but they were officially signed to the label with the release of their second demotape. (Interestingly, the Matina 1997~2002 history book retroactively claimed that the first DT was released through Soleil Matina, but nothing backs up that claim-the only mention of Matina is in the special thanks section.) Other cool connections: they were produced by DAS:VASSER'S Hideaki (who now produces Ru:natic!), and two members went on to join Eze:quL and Mist of Rouge.
Gu:Laymu - Gu:Laymu
1999-06-28(?); Matina supported; Limited 1,000
No design, just black and white (was it really necessary to credit AKI OKAMURA?). However, a separate lyric sheet is included, and that's especially good in this case-there's no sticker on the tape to differentiate side A from side B, so you need the lyrics to know which song is which! No release date or product number listed either... That's bothersome.
On KYOHEI's official MySpace, he lists one of his companies “Matina; from 1998 to 2001; Osaka, tax evasion office JP.” Loool
Gu:Laymu - Gu:Laymu
1999-06-28(?); Matina supported; Limited 1,000
No design, just black and white (was it really necessary to credit AKI OKAMURA?). However, a separate lyric sheet is included, and that's especially good in this case-there's no sticker on the tape to differentiate side A from side B, so you need the lyrics to know which song is which! No release date or product number listed either... That's bothersome.
- Dying message
A standard visual rock tune, a.k.a. “the Matina sound.” It starts with a common start-stop riff, then cuts to a sped-up, filtered section, and finally jumps into a too-light chorus that doesn't quite gel. Another start-stop section, then the ultra visual spoken word section, sped-up filtered, too-light chorus, start-stop, the end. It's not bad by any means, and the vocalist is even kind of good, but we've been here a million times before, and it's not the kind of place you want to visit too often. ★☆☆ (okay) - 覚醒の罠 (Kakusei no Wana)
Definitely a rush song! The instrumental music is basic visual guitar riffing, and the vocal melody is simple, but the song is engaging. Like the last track, we've been here a million times before, but we like being here. It's concise and fun, and they even give us a “DEATH TRAP” shout, a brief guitar solo, and some nice screams, so what more can we ask for? Definitely the better of the two songs. ★★☆ (good)
On KYOHEI's official MySpace, he lists one of his companies “Matina; from 1998 to 2001; Osaka, tax evasion office JP.” Loool