Arfah's Top 10 Jrock Releases of 2012

There weren't a lot of gems this year by the heavyweights and other bands I had been looking forward to - which fell short of expectations (D, NoGoD, Matenrou Opera). What is inspiring about 2012 is the uprising of metal heads like Crossfaith and the delicious obscurity of Skywings.

1. LUNA SEA - The End Of The Dream / Rouge
Was gunning for Rouge as the better half of this double A-side single but TEOTD sounds more wicked than the former. "End of the Dream" for chorus sticks better in yer head too. It's not their typical run of the mill rock song and it might stick out as bother to most fans, but I love it anyway.

2. Inoran - Dive youth, Sonik Dive
Inoran never fails to deliver and he gives us so much more for this album. Dare I say, I'm in love with it because of the FAKE?-esque edgy rock & roll vibe. It's a fun album and you can't hate fun albums. Favs are Get Laid, Selfless, Hide and Seek and no options.

3. MUCC - Shangri-La
What we have is a good mix of genres and styles with strong outcomes (Omake, Honey) but falls short of being perfect only because of the tracks arrangements. I mean who the heck sorted this tracklist? They shouldn't have put perfectly good songs like Shangri-La, You&I and Yozora no Claypas into the B-Side because they completely outshine the singles. I love Arcadia and Nirvana but definitely not as A-Sides.

4. 9Goats Black Out - Calling
It's their last album before they disband and it's so good that it really is too bad that we can't have more after this. Gotta love Panta rhei. Listen to these: you, Yurikago and dye an unease.

5. Skywings - Grace Grade
I consider it a fluke that I mistakenly downloaded this album instead of Crossfaith. A destined fluke. This obscure prog-metal band is a newbie that has only released 2 albums so far and they're reaalllly good. Not much info of Skywings anywhere so I really would like to hear more from them in 2013.

6. Crossfaith - zion
They've got to be the most promosing band to breakthrough this year, I believe. If you haven't heard of them yet, please do! Go. And. Listen. Especially to Monolith and Leviathan.

7. MIYAVI - Samurai Session vol.1
The collaborations omg. New songs with Ellegarden vocalist and Miu Sakamoto. Utmost favourite song has got to be HA NA BI (him versus a shamisen).

8. Kiyoharu - Under the Sun
Ok, it's about time to admit that I only like this album because of the Miyavi collaboration. So I'm regretting not voting properly for that MusicJapan Awards thing.

9. DEAD END - dream demon analyzer
Not as impactful as Metamorphosis, but you have to hand it to DEAD END. They still know how to rock.

10. ALSDEAD - Puzzle
So I told myself that I wouldn't go and like newer bands who looked overtly pretty because it would be an insult to my musical preferences. Eheheh. No no no, I'm in it totally because of their awesome skills. Uh huh.