overdrive hell 27: Kaze no Tani no Hizumi Tengoku
 |
Album Title: Overdrive Hell 27: Kaze no Tani no Hizumi Tengoku |
| Record Label: Troubadour Record |
|
| Catalog No.: HZMT-0027 |
|
| Release Date: December 29, 2018 |
|
| Purchase: Buy at Sweep Record |
Overview
overdrive hell 27 -Kaze no Tani no Hizumi Tengoku- is the twenty seventh iteration in a series of hardcore and experimental electronic EPs featuring Ayako Saso and Shinji Hosoe. While not for everyone, it does feature some interesting music for those fans of this style of electronic music. In addition, this album features returning vocals by Nazo no vu~o ̄ ! Karisuto Death. How does this album, featuring classic tunes from Studio Ghibli’s repertoire, compare to the previous entries in the ongoing series?
Body
The album opens with “Lesson.124 Now Seeker,” a tune featuring hardcore techno, bordering on happy hardcore at times, featuring female vocals singing alongside melodic references to Studio Ghibli’s Nausicaa. The general tune is bubbly and bright although the high pitched male vocals are more distracting. However, the source material helps to offset this a bit. “Lesson.125 NEKOBUS” blends choppy guttural and high pitched vocal samples with melodic references to My Neighbor Totoro. The synth melody alongside the vocals work surprisingly well together and aren’t as invasive as other examples in the series and the synth helps keep the tune fairly vibrant. “Lesson.126 Ponyo on the Rice,” as one might expect references melodies found in Ponyo. The accompaniment here is more modern electronic dance and is grittier than the more hardcore focused tunes. The vocal samples are certainly hit or miss, especially during the build up sections, and while it is more repetitive than other offerings, it is still an enjoyable listen.
One of the more successful tunes is “Lesson.127 Kuroneko courier service,” referencing the main theme to Kiki’s Delivery Service with its vibrant synth in the melody line. The entire tune is quite bubbly with the vocal samples kept more to a minimum and focusing on more delicate spoken word. There are some hardcore techno sections during the non-referenced sections and the way that the male vocal samples, typical of the series, are utilized in this make them more sound like sharp synth accompaniment rather than a focus, for the most part. The album closes with “Lesson.128 Dear Oxare,” perhaps my favorite tune on this release, in part due to the source material of the vocal theme to Spirited Away. Of course, the male vocals are a part of the mix with a blend of more screaming style vocals that contrast the soft and beautiful female sung parts. The hard techno beat is ever present and the synth melody of the theme is bright and vibrant. However, the inclusion of No Face’s vocal samples are kinda charming. It certainly isn’t for everyone and can get a bit chaotic at times, but I found it to be a fun rendition.
Summary
overdrive hell 27 -Kaze no Tani no Hizumi Tengoku-, much like its predecessors, is an album that is not for everyone. However, the fact that there is a more melodic reference to well known tunes is certain to help it appeal a bit more to some one not familiar with the series. At it’s core, it’s still hardcore and has plenty of heavy vocals, but it is one of the more successful albums since the addition of these vocals.
Do you agree with the review and score? Let us know in the comments below!
3.5
Posted on May 22, 2019 by Don Kotowski. Last modified on May 22, 2019.
About the Author
Don Kotowski Currently residing in Philadelphia. I spend my days working in vaccine characterization and dedicate some of my spare time in the evening to the vast world of video game music, both reviewing soundtracks as well as maintaining relationships with composers overseas in Europe and in Japan.
Related Posts
ESP RA.DE. Ψ Drive Waves 2019 →
BLASTRAVE COMPILATION -Burst Rave- →
Nanosweep 29 →
