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BALZAC :
13 STAIRWAY - THE CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT
Many of you are wondering "who the hell is this"?. Well, they are a horror punk band from Japan, they are huge there, and are very heavily influenced by the Misfits. In fact, when ever the Misfits tour Japan, they take Balzac out as the opening band. They have 4 full length CDs, plus a mess of singles, and a new DVD. They market themselves almost as much as their heroes the Misfits, with clothing, action figures, etc. This particular CD is album # 3 called "13 Stairway - The Children Of The Night". Punkers who are globally savvy, already know these guys rock. The sound is taken straight from old school Misfits, with a tinge of modern Industrial (distorted vocals etc.) added here and there, to come up with a slightly modernized version. If these guys sang in English they would a house hold name in North American punk circles, as it stands, they are hardly known outside of Japan, their name spoken here, almost as a punk myth? the killer band from Japan, that no one has heard. If you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to get your hands on a copy of this CD (or any other of their recordings) do it! You will be glad you did.
RATING = 8 Horror-Punk (Released 1998)
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BALZAC :
ZENNOU NARO MUSUVU NO ME HA SHI WO YUBI SASU
Well, Balzac (the Japanese version of the Misfits) are back with their fourth full length CD (no idea what the title means). This outing does not see them changing too much, a little more industrial tinged maybe, but the Misfits worship is still solidly intact. If only these guys could get international distribution... paying for Japanese imports is not cheap! So if you happen to be a dot com millionaire, go to HMV Japan and place your order today! If you don't have a wallet the size of Bill Gates, then I guess you're S.O.L.
RATING = 8 Horror-Punk (Released 2000)
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BALZAC :
TERRIFYING! ART OF DYING - THE LAST MEN ON EARTH II
Here we have the latest release from Japan's Misfits worshipers, Balzac. And with the new CD, comes yet another bizarre title. What we have here is actually a re-recording of the band's first full length CD, 95's "Last Men On Earth", and a second disc of new tracks. The original pressing of Last Men is long out of print, and goes for about the net worth of Taiwan, when it shows up for auction on the web. Instead of arranging for it to be re-released, (not sure if there are legal issues or not) we are now treated to this new version. I don't have the original CD, as I'm not a millionaire, but my contacts tell me this re-recording shows more of Balzac's Industrial edge then the previous disc did. Judged on its own merits, it fuckin' smokes! Great Misfits-isms abound, and songs like "Day The Earth Caught Fire" and "Fiendish Ghouls" are true classics. Next we move onto the next disc in this cool set, "Art Of Dying" (actually it's listed as disc 1, and Last Men On Earth II is disc 2). This disc is all new stuff, they band has turned it up a notch, the songs seem harder, faster, and yet somehow, seem to be more accessible!! Not sure how they managed to pulled that off! "Out Of The Blue" hits you like a shovel in the face, then just keeps kickin' you while your jaw is on the floor. Just when you think the last tune was a fluke, and they all can't be that good, the next one starts, and blasts that theory all to hell. This disc is only 24 minutes long, but like Slayer's "Reign In Blood" you'll forgive them for the shorter listening experience, because the quality far overshadows any worries you'll have over CD capacity. This is an essential Horror-Punk purchase.
RATING = 9 Horror-Punk (Released 2002)
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BALZAC :
BEYOND THE DARKNESS
Finally, Japan's premier Horror-Punk band gets a US release! As you all know by know, this Misfits inspired act has been praised by almost everyone that's ever been able to get their hands on any of their numerous Japan-only releases. With an almost uncountable amount of singles, videos, DVDs, and 5 full-length albums to their credit, it is way past due that the US gets a taste of the genius of Balzac. "Beyond The Darkness", titled as such as it follows the release of their extended CD single and DVD "Beware of Darkness", is a best-of type deal. The catch is, that they have gone back and rerecorded most of the older tunes with their new drummer (Takayuki), which has resulted in many of the oldies sounding quite different compare to their original studio versions. For example, "Day The Earth Caught Fire" sounds a lot more loose and laidback compared to the version that appeared on their first full-length, "The Last Men on Earth", or the version they re did for the double CD release, "Terrifying-Art Of Dying! The Last Men On Earth II". So, you long time fans that thought you could pass this release up better think again! The initial pressing of this disc also comes with 3 live bonus cuts; "Diabolos", "13 Ghosts", and "Day The Earth Caught Fire". As well, you'll get a free bonus DVD! The DVD contains stuff that has previously been on other Balzac DVDs and vids, but of course, non of this has been released state side before, you get four music vids, and a "making-of" type vid, very cool for "free". Balzac, is a fantastic band, and it only stands to reason that a CD of their best stuff turned out to be a fantastic disc, add the DVD to the mix, and you have a "must-have" purchase for any fan of the 'fits, Balzac or Horror-Punk.
RATING = 9.5 Horror-Punk (Released 2003)
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BALZAC :
OUT OF THE GRAVE AND INTO THE DARK
All my life my mother told me never to procrastinate (or maybe that was masturbate?... I can’t remember) but sometimes it pays off in the long run. (Procrastinating that is, the other always pays off). This jam-packed, double-disc release, just so happens to makes this one of those times. You see last year, Japan's Industrial Horror-Punks Balzac, released their latest album "Came Out of the Grave". I meant to get it, but a lack of funds forced me to wait, then they quickly followed that up with an 8-track EP called "Dark-Ism". Still being a little tight on the green, this went unpurchased as well. The two of those discs would have cost me $33.00 US plus shipping, but now for the low price of like $15.00 or so, we get both of those releases together on one disc, plus an additional track called "Gimme Some Truth". That's 22 tracks in all! If that wasn't already enough, Jerry Only (this is on Misfits Records) and the boys have added a bonus DVD as well! The DVD includes three promo vids, five live performance vids, a short horror flick filmed by the band, and five audio only tracks! So, as a set, and value for your dollar, this easily sits at the top of any list you could care to compile. However, it all wouldn't mean a thing if the material on these two little shiny discs happened to suck, so lets take a gander at the songs themselves. Well, let it be know throughout the land that you will not be disappointed, in fact, you'll be pretty much blown away! Older fans know what this group is capable of, and they deliver the goods once again. Their devilish blend of old-school Horror-Punk, and modern industrialization makes for a stunning, and unique sound. All at once the songs are disturbingly edgy, razor sharp, and yet catchy as all hell! This just shreds from start to finish, and the creepy atmosphere is almost palpable. This is hands-down, the Horror-Punk release of the year! If you've ever had even a passing interest in this band, I would say grab this. Only those with no taste, and the functionally retarded, will be disappointed. Man, I just wish I new what the hell they we're saying! For more info on these ghouls from the east, check out what is now their official US web site, at balzac308.com, or Misfits.com.
RATING = 9.5 Horror-Punk (Released 2005)
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