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WORLD CHAOS PRODUCTIONS, the most promising Japanese extreme metal label. Please find 1 of their releases that didn't rules? I can't find one. From their debut, TERROR SQUAD until KING'S EVIL album pass the mark 3.5/5 in our reviews section. Mayumi manage to do a live interview with the boss of WCP, Munetaka Masuko. |
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Why did you decide to establish WORLD CHAOS PRODUCTION ? Before I started WORLD CHAOS
PRODUCTION (WCP), I had worked at a record company here in Japan. Since I
had been very frustrated by the company, I left there and decided to
establish a new label by myself. I personally regard major label as
"organization" that limits personal activities due to many ridiculous
troubles in the relationship between me and other colleagues. On the other
hand, independent label such as WCP is "personal", rather than
"organization", of which activities are not limited. When I was working at
my old company, I never felt comfortable and, at last, my frustration burst
out. Well, I might be one who can never adapt oneself to the society. I did not think about it at all
when I started, and even now I do not think about it. In fact, I do not
believe I can earn a lot of money by this business. Since I had realized
from the beginning that it would be quite difficult to make my living by
only running a small label, I just wanted to release by myself what I like.
My wife, however, very worried about my business and our lives (laughter). To tell the truth, I did not
know anything about TERROR SQUAD. One day, I happened to meet Udagawa (Vo)
of TERROR SQUAD who came together with a guy from TYRANT, whom I originally
had an appointment to see. At first, I misunderstood he was also a member of
TYRANT, but later, he was introduced as a member of a band called TERROR
SQUAD and gave me their demo. I was so much impressed to listen to it, like
"Such a cool band exists here in Japan!!! Killer!!!". Actually, I had no
intention to run a label by myself at that time, but later, when I decided
to start a new label, I had no doubt to ask TERROR SQUAD to be the first
band of my new label, and they accepted my offer. I can't explain how great they
are, and I do not expect that my elocution of their sound affects increasing
their CD sales (laughter). You should go to their live, rather than hearing
my bad elocution Go to see their live!!!! Anyway, I strongly recommend you
guys to experience their live performance to realize how they are cool!!!
Well, about their album, although the total running time is just less than
30 minutes, I comfortably feel tired to listen to it due to their full of
passion. The more I see their live, the more I realize their superbness. As
you already know, of our bands, they are the most-highly appreciated around
the world. When DEFLESHED, NIGHT IN GALES, and DEW-SCENTED came to play in
Japan, I asked them if they had TERROR SQUAD's album, all said, "Yes!!!".
This fact means that they are real "Musicians' musicians". Also, I remember,
the review of German "Legacy" magazine gives 9 out of 20 to their sound, but
1,000,000 to their lyrics and attitude (laughter). Finally, I have to
confess that my label would not last without the world-wide success of
TERROR SQUAD. I really thank them. They are from Osaka, melodic and
dramatic Death/Thrash band consisting of 4 members. I can not deny that they
are not enough matured in the first album, however, I anticipate that they
will brush up themselves and will be original in the coming second album. I
hope I can release this new album in August. Also I mention the personality
of the singer, Kageyama. He is a funny guy, who is following the typical
funny and merry character that is, generally speaking, naturally owned by
the people living in Osaka area. (editor's note : Osaka is famous for
comedy) He is also running his own label and a rock bar called "Lights Out". They are also from Osaka. They
play tense Thrash Metal influenced by 80's Bay Area style. When I first
listened to their demo, I honestly wondered why nobody had signed to such a
terrific band. They should have been caught by some labels to release if
they had resided somewhere in Europe or America. I therefore think, living
in Japan is kind of tragedy for them, because they had been abandoned.
Nakabayashi, singer and guitar player, is a very talented composer. However,
the only one bad thing for them is the unstable line-up. I believe that they
will obtain much success if they can solve this problem. They are often described as
"Female Mystic Night Metal", however, their music is too complicated to be
described. The opinions of the people listening to their music are divided
into just two patterns; "I love it" or "I hate it", and such neutral
opinions as "so" or "not too bad" are hardly found. Thus, I could say, their
music tends to select certain listeners, and the selected listeners will be
dedicating to FATIMA HILL forever. Their atmosphere is very dark,
mysterious, but also romantic. All the members are quite modest. "Valhalla",
which was released from WCP last year, contains the re-master version of
their old stuff that was recorded 4 years ago, and one bonus track. They are
planning to finish the recording of the next album this year and release it
next year. They are also from Osaka, and
consist of 4 members. After 6 years of the release of the first album, they
have just released the second album, which is the newest line-up of my label
at the moment. It is difficult to explain their unique sound, but if I try
to describe, it could be described as FORBIDDEN plus LOUDNESS. Some might
not accept their vocal, however, I stress that this release is full of
originality. Warsaw's sharp and technical guitar play is quite worth
listening. I have to tell you the important information on them for you
people in Europe!!! They are planning to tour in East Europe!!! They
strongly wish to succeed not only in Japan but also in the world. I sign to bands who seem to be
eligible to success world-widely. This is more important than anything else.
Then, we all, three staffs of WCP, well discuss and vote to decide what we
should release. Usually, two of us are pro and the other is con (laughter).
I hope that our bands will continue their band activities as long as
possible, though I know it is not easy as we expect. Of course, I am thinking about
it. I hope to sign to some bands as soon as I finish brushing up my English
(laughter). However, before I explore foreign bands, I would like to prove
the world that there are a lot of good bands in Japan. That's the priority.
In Japan, Thrash Metal seems to
be the most popular among all styles of Extreme Metal. Brutal Death, Black
Metal, and Gothic Metal might be not as familiar as you expect. This
tendency is contrary to Euro-American one. Over there, Gore Metal is popular
than Thrash Metal. Though I do not know about the
situation of punk labels, as far as running a metal label in Japan, I
definitely say there is no merit. However, I could say, people would regard
my label as important, because we are the only one independent label for
real Metal here in Japan. Not all, of course, but some from abroad seem to
have prejudice and look down on us just because we are Japanese. It is a
pity. As far as Japanese scene, as I
told you before, it will not be improved unless mass-media supporting the
scene exist. However, nowadays the situation might be not so bad because of
the development of internet. I did not listen to Japanese bands at all long
time ago, but thanks to internet, I have found that there are a lot of good
Japanese bands too. In addition, I believe that a healthy major scene is
necessary for the growth of underground scene. I therefore expect major
bands are continuing to succeed because they accordingly help the
underground scene.. Mmmm... This kind of question
kills me. (Laughter) Well, please go to see live as many as you can anyway,
and find your favorite bands there. If you pay just 2,000 yen at a club, you
can see 5 or 6 bands, and I think this price is very reasonable. I very
appreciate if you like the bands in the live and then buy our CD's. If you
can not find our CD's in the stores near by, we accept your mail order. Ask
for the price. World Chaos Production, |
