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MP3: VAMPS – Love Addict

This one is for the J-Rockers out there. Look no farther than Baltimore’s own Japanese extravaganza Otakon this coming weekend for evidence of their power and numbers. The name L’Arc-en-Ciel should ring some of their Pavlovian bells. They are one of those rare entities that manage to attain massive commercial success (in a highly competitive market) with shifting musical style.

Vocalist Hyde from that iconic Japanese rock band has teamed with notable guitarist K.A.Z. to form a new, pretty sardonic side-project called VAMPS. They manage to traipse all over the musical landscape of modern rock, laying down everything from melodramatic ballads to bits of swaggering garage to various tropes of metal. While their approach may be (for better or worse) remarkably similar to much of what you might find on Warped Tour, the merit lies in the execution.  Hyde’s voice is great and versatile, the compositions are catchy and solid straight-ahead rock, the music technically tight and inventive.  And I’m sure with all the experience behind them, the live show is sure to be a spectacle not to be missed.

So don’t.  They are stopping by Sonar this Thursday July 16th and I’m happy to say we have a pair of tickets to giveaway to one lucky, music-loving otaku. Sign up for our mailing list by leaving your name and email along with a good reason to name you the winner in the comments (or send an email if your prefer).  I’ll pick a winner before the show.

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