Aural Vampire - Vampire Ecstasy

This week’s album is definitely not for the weak hearted. This is some of the darkest electronic synthpop you’ll ever hear. It’s industrial, raw, warped and twisted. There are sounds on this album you will have never heard anything like in your entire life. I warned you that this is some pretty intense stuff, but if you are looking for an underground experimental experience like no other, look no further than Vampire Ecstasy by Aural Vampire.

Aural Vampire is made up of two members: Exo-Chika supplying vocals and one of my favorite DJs of all time, Raveman, doing everything else. Raveman is one of the Buckethead/Daft Punk variety in that he conceals his face from public view by the use of his signature mask. I like comparing him to Buckethead not only because of his “fashion sense,” but also because of the obscure experimental musical talent. Like I said, you will hear some sounds you have never heard before. Raveman lays it all out to give you the most unique listening experience possible. These are sounds I simply cannot explain. In order to understand you need to give it a listen yourself. A great example of this obscurity is the album’s title track “Vampire Ecstasy.” Go ahead; take a listen......pretty damn nuts, huh?

As far as Exo-Chika goes, it’s almost hard to believe how well her voice goes with this genre. It fits the pop sound so well, yet still holds really dark expressions. Her voice is powerfully alluring and on top of the background music it’s almost hypnotizing. Listen to the song “Disco King” and you will know exactly what I mean; she is one talented girl.

The electronic duo is actually relatively new to the music world, debuting in 2004 on an independent label. Vampire Ecstasy was Aural Vampire’s first album and still remains to be their only full length LP. The band puts a lot more work into being a live band than releasing an extensive amount of albums. This may change however, since the band has recently signed with Avex Trax, planning a summer release date for their newest album.

The album itself pulls you in further and further with each track. It has you from its strong industrial tracks like “Terror Vixen” and “Banboro Koubou,” to the electronic mayhem of “S.O.B.” and “Murealism.” But don’t let me convince you that this album is solely about oddities, because it also has its fill of mellow pop and house techno. “Freeeeze!!” will definitely have you raving the instant you throw it on the speakers, but throw on “Hana no Sakigake” and you’ll almost be in tears. On top of all this there are also many musical surprises planted by Raveman throughout the album. “Crimson Tyrant” and the latter of “PNFPN” will creep you out like no other. You just never know what you will get from Raveman.

If you are into electronica music in any way, I recommend you check this album out. It’s an almost undiscovered gem in the darkwave/synthpop world and deserves to be heard. Also, if you like some of Daft Punks less mainstream recordings, you might be inclined to give this album a listen as well.

The whole album can be found on this guys YouTube channel, here:

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=ahotaku&view=videos&query=aural+vampire