There's a dirge of new music lately, and I'm kinda desperate for anything. Fortunately...
Sum 41 was a fun little pop-punk band way back before I had proper taste. I thought they were fine, but I never followed their career. My taste in punk music was a bit less mainstream and actual antiestablishment like NOFX, Iggy Pop, and Minor Threat. Honestly, I never got too into the genre, but I did consider myself a fan. But not of that pouser pop-puck garbage! But because all the musicians are on break, and Sun 41 has called this their final album, I've opted to give this a listen.
And I gotta say, I might be sad to hear them go. Heaven x Hell is a double album that explores Sum's distant past and their heavier recent stuff that I've never heard. Part one discusses several heavy topics about getting old, depression, and raging against the system. It's done with the traditional peppy aplomb you'd expect from the genre, and there even feels like some callbacks to inspirations. Future Primitive could be an Offspring song.
Side "two" is quite a lot heavier. I wish I had followed Sum 41 more because this stuff rules. Musically, it is metal, although the singer's voice still sounds pretty punky. Can't hide a voice as well as an instrument. Lyrics over here are more about revenge and self preservation. There's a cover of the Rolling Stone's Paint in Black, and the final song feels like a band's final farewell. Quite fitting.
---
Skill) There's a lot going on between the twenty songs. Plenty of good riffs, solos, and lyrical inventiveness that even a jaded old man like me can enjoy it. 2/2
Variation) There are two very different sides, and both genres allow for plenty of changes. 2/2
Bangers) 2. One for each side, which is rad.
Replayability) I might come back to this. And I would like to check out their metal albums... 2/2
Extras) There are twenty songs, but it only clocks in at fifty five minutes. More importantly, it's a good going away present for fans, new and old. And even for those who don't really care. 2/2
Total Score; 9/10
I can't believe this album is a nine!? I don't say that out of disdain, but it turns out I enjoyed the HxH out of this album. Sum 41 showed up when I started puberty, but I didn't let them hang around. I quickly moved on with my musical tastes (I didn't) and never heard from them again. I kinda regret it. Most bands don't get to go out on their say. But maybe they don't. Deryck Whibly, the lead singer, has a lot of health issues, so maybe touring isn't wise for him. That's not for me to worry about, though. I'm just here to fangirl over a new album. Apparently, I'm not the only one. Regardless of if you're a fan, Heaven x Hell is a worthwhile listen.
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
It's still March...
So it's still Dragon Quest month!
I hoped to start playing this a few weeks ago, but I let Crowns of Power take priority. I'm back into development, so it still might. But I'm gonna try to get some game time with Dragon Quest VII!
DQVII was actually the first DQ game I ever played. I only messed around for a few hours because something else came up, and I hated the menu system. Even after becoming a DQ veteran, the menu in VII is clunky. But that's later... I don't remember when I tried, but I'm gonna give it a legitimate go now. I've heard nothing but good (and long) things, so let's see if the hype is real.
I boot up the game and name my character. The wiki says our hero's name is a misspelled variant of Oyster, Auster, so that's what I call him. I regret it! The PS1 localization doesn't have the seafood based puns. Should have went with Arus... A cinematic scene begins by hovering over a small island. The camera cuts through a castle town on a peninsula, a foggy forest, a small village, a foggy cemetery, and probably a couple of other places. Lotta fog... We hover over a marble gravestone and begin to hear a voice. They're nervous, and one doesn't want their dad to find out. They push the grave marker, and a gloved hand shoots out from the hole.
We cut to the in-engine scene. It's the middle of the night, and two kids are sitting on the beach with their village behind them. The girl, Maribele, asks if Arus will ever tell her where he sneaks off to. I reply, "Yes," but it doesn't elicit a meaningful response. But it's late, and Mari is worried her parents will find out she sneaked out and runs home. We have an important event tomorrow, so we should get along, too. I find my house, crawl into bed, and get woken up by dear old mom. She's mad we, the son of a famed fisherman, slept in. And in the morning of the Amitt Harvest, when the men in the village go out for a grand fishing trip. Arus is sixteen and able to join this year! Mom tells us to run along but stops us to give us our dad's fish sub.
Rather than b line it or the docks, I gotta Link it up. There are so many barrels, pots, and wardrobes to seek out and raid. Who doesn't love a good old person panty raid? I found a good amount of gold and an excessive amount of herbs. Eventually, though, I talked to my dad at the ship. He's furious I'm late, but mom's fish sub tides him over. He's more interested in a new fishing spot, so he sends us to clean the cabin. While there, I see that Maribele has snuck aboard. She's a strong willed tomboy and wants to join us on the expedition. The cook finds her and demands she leave, and she compiles. We end up having to leave as well, and our dad calls us a piece of garbage and tells us we can't go on the harvest. So we're kicked off the boat.
A soldier from the castle walks up to us, informing us we've been summoned to the castle. We're friends with the prince, Kiefer, so this isn't out of the ordinary. Maribele heard the summons, too, so she came with us. She wants to go shopping! We make our way to the world map and stumble upon a dude in the forest talking to animals. He warns us of a man named Handara. He sucks. But the castle town is north.
Maribele runs off to buy a new dress, and we raid the town again. We find Handara, who's our uncle, drunk and in debt. Maybe I should stop breaking everyone's pots? But the castle is up next, and we'll do that...
Ya know, whenever.
I don't know how I'm going to detail this. Writing all this took a while, and I quickly reminded myself why I was burnt out. Maybe I'll write weekly, maybe just when something happens. First impressions: I don't like Maribele. She's conceited and annoying. But we've got 109 more hours to go...
I hoped to start playing this a few weeks ago, but I let Crowns of Power take priority. I'm back into development, so it still might. But I'm gonna try to get some game time with Dragon Quest VII!
DQVII was actually the first DQ game I ever played. I only messed around for a few hours because something else came up, and I hated the menu system. Even after becoming a DQ veteran, the menu in VII is clunky. But that's later... I don't remember when I tried, but I'm gonna give it a legitimate go now. I've heard nothing but good (and long) things, so let's see if the hype is real.
I boot up the game and name my character. The wiki says our hero's name is a misspelled variant of Oyster, Auster, so that's what I call him. I regret it! The PS1 localization doesn't have the seafood based puns. Should have went with Arus... A cinematic scene begins by hovering over a small island. The camera cuts through a castle town on a peninsula, a foggy forest, a small village, a foggy cemetery, and probably a couple of other places. Lotta fog... We hover over a marble gravestone and begin to hear a voice. They're nervous, and one doesn't want their dad to find out. They push the grave marker, and a gloved hand shoots out from the hole.
We cut to the in-engine scene. It's the middle of the night, and two kids are sitting on the beach with their village behind them. The girl, Maribele, asks if Arus will ever tell her where he sneaks off to. I reply, "Yes," but it doesn't elicit a meaningful response. But it's late, and Mari is worried her parents will find out she sneaked out and runs home. We have an important event tomorrow, so we should get along, too. I find my house, crawl into bed, and get woken up by dear old mom. She's mad we, the son of a famed fisherman, slept in. And in the morning of the Amitt Harvest, when the men in the village go out for a grand fishing trip. Arus is sixteen and able to join this year! Mom tells us to run along but stops us to give us our dad's fish sub.
Rather than b line it or the docks, I gotta Link it up. There are so many barrels, pots, and wardrobes to seek out and raid. Who doesn't love a good old person panty raid? I found a good amount of gold and an excessive amount of herbs. Eventually, though, I talked to my dad at the ship. He's furious I'm late, but mom's fish sub tides him over. He's more interested in a new fishing spot, so he sends us to clean the cabin. While there, I see that Maribele has snuck aboard. She's a strong willed tomboy and wants to join us on the expedition. The cook finds her and demands she leave, and she compiles. We end up having to leave as well, and our dad calls us a piece of garbage and tells us we can't go on the harvest. So we're kicked off the boat.
A soldier from the castle walks up to us, informing us we've been summoned to the castle. We're friends with the prince, Kiefer, so this isn't out of the ordinary. Maribele heard the summons, too, so she came with us. She wants to go shopping! We make our way to the world map and stumble upon a dude in the forest talking to animals. He warns us of a man named Handara. He sucks. But the castle town is north.
Maribele runs off to buy a new dress, and we raid the town again. We find Handara, who's our uncle, drunk and in debt. Maybe I should stop breaking everyone's pots? But the castle is up next, and we'll do that...
Ya know, whenever.
I don't know how I'm going to detail this. Writing all this took a while, and I quickly reminded myself why I was burnt out. Maybe I'll write weekly, maybe just when something happens. First impressions: I don't like Maribele. She's conceited and annoying. But we've got 109 more hours to go...
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Magic Son Goku
It's kinda like Dragonball, and it's proof that I'm still playing video games! It's Saiyuki: Journey West.
I don't know what a Saiyuki is, but it's an sRPG in the vein of Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre. That's likely why I stumbled upon it after high school. It was so deep in my dark ages that I forgot all about it for almost four years. I've been looking for things to scratch that FFT itch since 1999. Unlike the previously stated games, Saiyuki doesn't have a rotatable job system. Instead, all the characters have roles, but a lot of those roles are pretty malleable thanks to the element system.
The other main difference between games in the genre is each character has a grid that shows the five elements that make up each character. The elements are the traditional flavor, and they don't really do much outside of what spells someone can equip. Characters can don any spell, given they have the right number next to the correct color. I didn't deviate too much, but those numbers rose pretty naturally, and I never had a problem.
And those spells are pretty rad. They start out small, but they grow steadily as you progress. From a single target element, to buffs and nerfs, to massive AoEs. While characters seem pretty boring, the way magic works gives characters a role. Water, for example, has so many debuffs. Wood is for healing, obviously. Fire and gold, though, is pretty much just damage. Earth is used by a tank, so I never got much offensive power from it.
Your characters can also turn into giant monsters...
That's probably the biggest unique trait about Saiyki. Everyone except Sanzo can transform into a kaiju! This alters their stats and attack patterns, giving them incredibly powerful new attacks. There is a gauge that limits its capabilities, but it's always worth using them before you need them.
Even out of battle, those characters are so fun and interesting. They have their own personalities, reasons for teaming, feelings about being a were (the kaijus), and feelings towards Buddha and the bad guys. And half of them are even optional!
But I can't talk about them without getting into the plot. Saiyuki is based on Journey to the West, Xiyou Ji, the Chinese epic about a Buddhist monk's pilgrimage to India to discover the sacred texts. On that journey, he finds new friends and fights demons. In Saiyuki, you play a main character whose gender you can choose. I choose fem-Sango, so I'm going to use she/her pronouns. She travels from her temple because Lady Kannon, a Buddha adjacent, told her to find the guardians of Heaven and store them in a staff on the way to East India. On the journey, she meets new friends who can turn into weres, giant monsters, and is accosted by demons. Her group learns some exciting truths, grows as friends and people, and saves the world. While Sanzo can't transform, she can summon the guardians she finds to buff the party. Her element grid has good access to all the types, so she can always be relied on to heal and provide magic damage. Summons also grant a free physical attack spell for massive damage.
Son Goku is the monkey king and once fought against Buddha. He was sealed in a rock and only freed by Kannon to protect Sanzo from bandits. He starts off as a hard nosed, quick-to-anger man but becomes a softy at the end. His element is fire.
Hokkai is a hungry hungry pig who can't keep a job. He gets getting run off by scared humans who don't appreciate monsters. All he wants is a home and to be a good cook. In fact, he gets a side quest to become a renowned cook, which is a powerful magical scroll. His element is earth.
Ryorin is a young, emotional dragon girl who wants what's best for her tribe. She also doesn't want to marry the sketchy dude. She starts off with a questionable reason to join the team but becomes a key connection to a certain enemy. Her element is gold.
Gojo can turn into the Creature from the Black Lagoon. He hates being a were but comes around to it. He is a wise man who acts as the party's guide. As you'd guess, he likes water.
Lady Kikka is a fairy/druid who was trapped in a tree after being hit by a guardian. She's the best mage and attacks with a bow. Her were is a butterfly, and her wood element makes her a great healer. Though I mostly used her to charm enemies. She joins the party just because...
There are also six more characters that are hidden. Most have a connection to others but don't have any vital scenes once they join. But their side quests to get them are interesting and have backstories or world building on China.
And that can be said for both forms of enemy groups. Lord Taurus and his men, former underlings of Goku, are the primary antagonists for the first half of the game. But they're just small fries trying to rule western China. It's the Devils who want to destroy the world who take the spotlight in the second half. All of them have multiple reasons to follow their leader and his war against the Buddha.
That's the general overview, so that should make this next part fast.
What does Saiyuki: Journey West do that sucks?
Honestly, not much. Kikka doesn't have a great reason to join the group, but that's hardly worth ranting about. The secret characters don't need to exist, but I love backstories! The music is kinda mid, but it's still far from bad.
So, guess what the game does well?
The characters are all fun and unique, and their were forms are rad. I enjoyed the interactions with the enemies.
The battle system isn't revolutionary, but it's a lot of fun, and I'm sure there are a lot of strategies nestled in, especially with the secret characters.
There are plenty of side missions, content, and even a blackjack card game. Hakkai's recipes, the secret emperor guardian quest, and the powerful Star Ore upgrade were exciting.
The story took turns that I didn't see coming, and I really shouldn't have taken a month to finish this.
And that artwork!!!
Let's get to the numbers!
Plot: worthy of the source. I've never read it, though, so what do I know? Regardless, the main cast is fun, and the villains are meaningful. The story isn't groundbreaking, but I enjoyed it. 8/10
Gameplay: solid. In a world of sRPGs, Saiyuki wasn't going to change the world. As cool as the wereforms are, they're just a gimmick. But it doesn't do anything to set the genre back. 7/10
Music: fine. There are no standouts, but it leans into the Chinese source and fits in. There's enough to go around, too, so you don't get annoyed with anything. 8/10
Art: stunning. Character portraits are the prettiest things on the PlayStation. And the artists drew five variants to showcase emotions for everyone important. Sprite work is also amazing, and there's so much scenery for the battles. 10/10
Charm: perfect? Side content is all over the place, something very few sRPGs (that I've played) try. The world is nice, and it's filled with cute little side stuff to explore. There's only one NPC you really interact with, which isn't great, and I think everything is too linear to give an honest replay point. 7/10
Total: 40/50.
I shouldn't have played my game instead of Saiyuki. In my defense, I've been dealing with some stuff in the background, so I kept showing up to work late. If you're late, why even bother? But I see why Saiyuki has a cult following, and I consider myself a part of that.
But here's proof I haven't abandoned games yet. Sadly, my next adventure is 110 hours long...
I don't know what a Saiyuki is, but it's an sRPG in the vein of Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre. That's likely why I stumbled upon it after high school. It was so deep in my dark ages that I forgot all about it for almost four years. I've been looking for things to scratch that FFT itch since 1999. Unlike the previously stated games, Saiyuki doesn't have a rotatable job system. Instead, all the characters have roles, but a lot of those roles are pretty malleable thanks to the element system.
The other main difference between games in the genre is each character has a grid that shows the five elements that make up each character. The elements are the traditional flavor, and they don't really do much outside of what spells someone can equip. Characters can don any spell, given they have the right number next to the correct color. I didn't deviate too much, but those numbers rose pretty naturally, and I never had a problem.
And those spells are pretty rad. They start out small, but they grow steadily as you progress. From a single target element, to buffs and nerfs, to massive AoEs. While characters seem pretty boring, the way magic works gives characters a role. Water, for example, has so many debuffs. Wood is for healing, obviously. Fire and gold, though, is pretty much just damage. Earth is used by a tank, so I never got much offensive power from it.
Your characters can also turn into giant monsters...
That's probably the biggest unique trait about Saiyki. Everyone except Sanzo can transform into a kaiju! This alters their stats and attack patterns, giving them incredibly powerful new attacks. There is a gauge that limits its capabilities, but it's always worth using them before you need them.
Even out of battle, those characters are so fun and interesting. They have their own personalities, reasons for teaming, feelings about being a were (the kaijus), and feelings towards Buddha and the bad guys. And half of them are even optional!
But I can't talk about them without getting into the plot. Saiyuki is based on Journey to the West, Xiyou Ji, the Chinese epic about a Buddhist monk's pilgrimage to India to discover the sacred texts. On that journey, he finds new friends and fights demons. In Saiyuki, you play a main character whose gender you can choose. I choose fem-Sango, so I'm going to use she/her pronouns. She travels from her temple because Lady Kannon, a Buddha adjacent, told her to find the guardians of Heaven and store them in a staff on the way to East India. On the journey, she meets new friends who can turn into weres, giant monsters, and is accosted by demons. Her group learns some exciting truths, grows as friends and people, and saves the world. While Sanzo can't transform, she can summon the guardians she finds to buff the party. Her element grid has good access to all the types, so she can always be relied on to heal and provide magic damage. Summons also grant a free physical attack spell for massive damage.
Son Goku is the monkey king and once fought against Buddha. He was sealed in a rock and only freed by Kannon to protect Sanzo from bandits. He starts off as a hard nosed, quick-to-anger man but becomes a softy at the end. His element is fire.
Hokkai is a hungry hungry pig who can't keep a job. He gets getting run off by scared humans who don't appreciate monsters. All he wants is a home and to be a good cook. In fact, he gets a side quest to become a renowned cook, which is a powerful magical scroll. His element is earth.
Ryorin is a young, emotional dragon girl who wants what's best for her tribe. She also doesn't want to marry the sketchy dude. She starts off with a questionable reason to join the team but becomes a key connection to a certain enemy. Her element is gold.
Gojo can turn into the Creature from the Black Lagoon. He hates being a were but comes around to it. He is a wise man who acts as the party's guide. As you'd guess, he likes water.
Lady Kikka is a fairy/druid who was trapped in a tree after being hit by a guardian. She's the best mage and attacks with a bow. Her were is a butterfly, and her wood element makes her a great healer. Though I mostly used her to charm enemies. She joins the party just because...
There are also six more characters that are hidden. Most have a connection to others but don't have any vital scenes once they join. But their side quests to get them are interesting and have backstories or world building on China.
And that can be said for both forms of enemy groups. Lord Taurus and his men, former underlings of Goku, are the primary antagonists for the first half of the game. But they're just small fries trying to rule western China. It's the Devils who want to destroy the world who take the spotlight in the second half. All of them have multiple reasons to follow their leader and his war against the Buddha.
That's the general overview, so that should make this next part fast.
What does Saiyuki: Journey West do that sucks?
Honestly, not much. Kikka doesn't have a great reason to join the group, but that's hardly worth ranting about. The secret characters don't need to exist, but I love backstories! The music is kinda mid, but it's still far from bad.
So, guess what the game does well?
The characters are all fun and unique, and their were forms are rad. I enjoyed the interactions with the enemies.
The battle system isn't revolutionary, but it's a lot of fun, and I'm sure there are a lot of strategies nestled in, especially with the secret characters.
There are plenty of side missions, content, and even a blackjack card game. Hakkai's recipes, the secret emperor guardian quest, and the powerful Star Ore upgrade were exciting.
The story took turns that I didn't see coming, and I really shouldn't have taken a month to finish this.
And that artwork!!!
Let's get to the numbers!
Plot: worthy of the source. I've never read it, though, so what do I know? Regardless, the main cast is fun, and the villains are meaningful. The story isn't groundbreaking, but I enjoyed it. 8/10
Gameplay: solid. In a world of sRPGs, Saiyuki wasn't going to change the world. As cool as the wereforms are, they're just a gimmick. But it doesn't do anything to set the genre back. 7/10
Music: fine. There are no standouts, but it leans into the Chinese source and fits in. There's enough to go around, too, so you don't get annoyed with anything. 8/10
Art: stunning. Character portraits are the prettiest things on the PlayStation. And the artists drew five variants to showcase emotions for everyone important. Sprite work is also amazing, and there's so much scenery for the battles. 10/10
Charm: perfect? Side content is all over the place, something very few sRPGs (that I've played) try. The world is nice, and it's filled with cute little side stuff to explore. There's only one NPC you really interact with, which isn't great, and I think everything is too linear to give an honest replay point. 7/10
Total: 40/50.
I shouldn't have played my game instead of Saiyuki. In my defense, I've been dealing with some stuff in the background, so I kept showing up to work late. If you're late, why even bother? But I see why Saiyuki has a cult following, and I consider myself a part of that.
But here's proof I haven't abandoned games yet. Sadly, my next adventure is 110 hours long...
Friday, March 15, 2024
Brother Dege - Aurora
Brother Dege died last week. The man of many talents has had his time run out, and the world is less fun because of it. I don't know how he passed, but he had tour dates planned because he was releasing another album that came out today. Life isn't fair.
I don't recall exactly how I discovered Brother Dege Legg, but I think it involved a Dax Riggs fan site. Someone posted Santeria, the band Dege was in before going solo, and I was hooked. Even back then, those guitar riffs blew my mind. Etherial grooves on a guitar I could not understand, and lyrics that took me into the unknown sung by a man everyone could understand. "They somehow retooled the basics of southern rock and modified it into a new and inspired form—relatively free of Confederate clichés and beer guzzling drunkenness - concentrating their creative energies on expressing the isolation and loneliness of the modern south." A mix of blues and southern rock made "Mexico" one of the greatest songs I've ever heard. The band went their separate ways, but the video of a man playing something similar in a full public bathroom was next on the watch list. I listened to a scruffy man play a metallic guitar in a room that enhanced the echo. It was pure magic. Despite not caring for either of those genres, a fandom that has lasted fifteen years became an integral part of me. Brother Dege was another constant musical companion during college. I eagerly awaited every announced album. Folksong of the American Longhair was amazing. How to Kill a Horse may have been a first date? Farmers Almanac and Scorched Earth Policy were full of bangers. And now, the resonator writes Aurora...
The title track is how Brother Dege started off his last album. "Aurora" is a pure instrumental that welcomes us to his otherworldly plane where only the good brother lives. A tasty blues riff plays underneath a raising overture. Welcome to the swamps of Louisiana.
"Where the Black Flowers Grow" is a banger. It's catchy, and it's obvious why this was the first single. That opening riff is primo Dege, and that's why I listen to him. Lyrically, it's a bit repetitive, but I'm so enamored by the Dege's voice. There's something about his voice that pierces the veil and reaches out to the inner depths of one's existence to make them hear and listen to what's happening. I have to assume it's that deep Louisiana accent combined with that voodoo curse. Even when he gets gruff with it, and it almost sounds like he is out of tune, it brings you in deeper. As far as I can tell, the song is about being weird and accepting it. He wants to go where black flowers glow. Flowers don't tend to be black unless, according to Wikipedia, "black roses symbolize ideas such as hatred, despair, death or rebirths." Hmm... The song is surprisingly rock compared to previous Dege albums. My mind is probably misremembering, but it doesn't recall Dege having such a backing band on other albums. A drummer, yes, but an entire ensemble?
"Climbing Ivy (Sleep Beside You" has a piano in the background. That's definitely different. There's another instrument that I can't figure out too that sounds like a violin or dulcimer keeping time. The lyrics are a love song, but it's a type I don't really get. I think the person of interest is a popular person with many admirers. But the writer loves them in a different way. But it's a love "that's lost its way." Some words are uttered before and during the breakdown that makes me think something creepy is going on, but maybe that's just because it's hidden. That blues guitar riff is another experience.
"A Man Needs a Mommy" is a song I wouldn't write. The distorted lullaby guitar is rad, but "mommy" kinda throws me off. Maybe it's a Southern thing I don't understand? It's a song that empowers women but only because men need them. The vibes are just off with me, ya know?
"Turn of the Screw" is the third single. It's another full on rock song with an obvious band behind him. I have no clue what the song is about, even in the slightest. Is it a reference to an 1898 horror book? Musically, it's fun and exciting, with a great slide guitar solo thrown in. It's becoming a theme that I don't know what's going on in the tracks, but I am glad I'm here.
"Ouroboros" is an instrumental song, unlike anything Brother Dege has ever done. It starts with a heavy violin that sucks the joy out of life. An ominous, dirty electric guitar joins the procession, but it remains in the back. The last thirty seconds are more usual. It's a bit more upbeat, but it feels like I should be longing for something. That's the vibe, not me disliking it.
"The Devil You Know" is the second single. It's another sad song, even though I find the lyrics hopeful. They're about getting away from a town because he "don't want to be crazy." The first words are "someday," so it's probably a dream. A dream that can't be fulfilled? What's the devil you know here?
With the title of "Loser's Blues," I think this song is about me! If someone told me AC/DC wrote this song, I'd believe it. There's a driving chord progression that's always there throughout. There's even a key change (?) in the pre-chorus. It's an upbeat blues/rock track about the woes of life. Verse one is about a vagabond who wants the blues to end. Verse two is about a successful office worker who hates their fake job. The last section is Dege's guide to a happy existence. Just be a good person. Give the beggars some food, realize the haves and the have-nots are the same, and something I can't make out. A happy track?
"The Longing" is the final song, and it's a lone Brother Dege with his resonator guitar. It's a song about seeing friends leave and saying goodbye in a few different ways. It changes three minutes in into something more rock oriented, where the writer looks forward to "all the things I can't change." A solo breaks out that makes me slightly depressed, and it takes us to the 5:30 mark. Church bells ring out, and the song is over. Like a funeral? The bells subside for a church organ, but that's quickly drowned out by the sound of falling rain for six minutes. A quasi random guitar chord plays and sustains itself from time to time, but even that stops, giving us a minute and a half of steady rain. The last twenty seconds are just silence.
Maybe I'm being over dramatic, but did Brother Dege know he was dying? Was he sick? This entire album is filled with sadness and melancholy that gives off the idea of a farewell. Black flowers, some/one days, the rebirth symbolism of the snake eating itself. Even the album name, Aurora, can be a reference. Some Vikings believed the northern lights to be the bridge that allowed fallen warriors to reach Valhalla. I'm worried that I'm overthinking this and really don't want to get into the private matters of a man I've never met, so I'll just jump to the review.
---
Skill) Brother Dege's guitar playing is as good as ever. He introduced me to the delta blues, and I really should listen more. The lyrics are entertaining, but I feel like the choruses get repetitive. He tends to repeat the same line or two. 1/2
Variation) There's a share of blues, rock, and a mix of moods. They tend to be sad moods, but depression comes in many forms. 2/2
Bangers) One at the moment. Will "Turn of the Screw" breakthrough soon? "Devil You Know" will likely be on a lot of people's lists. 1/2
Replayability) Between lyric deciphering, the addictive qualities of a resonator guitar, and a musician's final recordings, you'll be back to this album a lot. 2/2
Extra) Aurora clocks in at forty two minutes across nine songs. And if I'm correct about my overly thought out could-be prophecy, there's an aura of something here. 2/2
Total: 8/10
Brother Dege has been a musician, a cab driver, and a writer throughout his life. I've been wanting to buy Cablog, but I suck. His life was filled with a lot of activities, and everyone who knew him loved him. His music touched all who heard it, and he was unable to write a bad song. There may be one track on his last album that confused me, but this is a great album that's worth an addition to everyone's revolving music rotation. Farewell, brother.
I don't recall exactly how I discovered Brother Dege Legg, but I think it involved a Dax Riggs fan site. Someone posted Santeria, the band Dege was in before going solo, and I was hooked. Even back then, those guitar riffs blew my mind. Etherial grooves on a guitar I could not understand, and lyrics that took me into the unknown sung by a man everyone could understand. "They somehow retooled the basics of southern rock and modified it into a new and inspired form—relatively free of Confederate clichés and beer guzzling drunkenness - concentrating their creative energies on expressing the isolation and loneliness of the modern south." A mix of blues and southern rock made "Mexico" one of the greatest songs I've ever heard. The band went their separate ways, but the video of a man playing something similar in a full public bathroom was next on the watch list. I listened to a scruffy man play a metallic guitar in a room that enhanced the echo. It was pure magic. Despite not caring for either of those genres, a fandom that has lasted fifteen years became an integral part of me. Brother Dege was another constant musical companion during college. I eagerly awaited every announced album. Folksong of the American Longhair was amazing. How to Kill a Horse may have been a first date? Farmers Almanac and Scorched Earth Policy were full of bangers. And now, the resonator writes Aurora...
The title track is how Brother Dege started off his last album. "Aurora" is a pure instrumental that welcomes us to his otherworldly plane where only the good brother lives. A tasty blues riff plays underneath a raising overture. Welcome to the swamps of Louisiana.
"Where the Black Flowers Grow" is a banger. It's catchy, and it's obvious why this was the first single. That opening riff is primo Dege, and that's why I listen to him. Lyrically, it's a bit repetitive, but I'm so enamored by the Dege's voice. There's something about his voice that pierces the veil and reaches out to the inner depths of one's existence to make them hear and listen to what's happening. I have to assume it's that deep Louisiana accent combined with that voodoo curse. Even when he gets gruff with it, and it almost sounds like he is out of tune, it brings you in deeper. As far as I can tell, the song is about being weird and accepting it. He wants to go where black flowers glow. Flowers don't tend to be black unless, according to Wikipedia, "black roses symbolize ideas such as hatred, despair, death or rebirths." Hmm... The song is surprisingly rock compared to previous Dege albums. My mind is probably misremembering, but it doesn't recall Dege having such a backing band on other albums. A drummer, yes, but an entire ensemble?
"Climbing Ivy (Sleep Beside You" has a piano in the background. That's definitely different. There's another instrument that I can't figure out too that sounds like a violin or dulcimer keeping time. The lyrics are a love song, but it's a type I don't really get. I think the person of interest is a popular person with many admirers. But the writer loves them in a different way. But it's a love "that's lost its way." Some words are uttered before and during the breakdown that makes me think something creepy is going on, but maybe that's just because it's hidden. That blues guitar riff is another experience.
"A Man Needs a Mommy" is a song I wouldn't write. The distorted lullaby guitar is rad, but "mommy" kinda throws me off. Maybe it's a Southern thing I don't understand? It's a song that empowers women but only because men need them. The vibes are just off with me, ya know?
"Turn of the Screw" is the third single. It's another full on rock song with an obvious band behind him. I have no clue what the song is about, even in the slightest. Is it a reference to an 1898 horror book? Musically, it's fun and exciting, with a great slide guitar solo thrown in. It's becoming a theme that I don't know what's going on in the tracks, but I am glad I'm here.
"Ouroboros" is an instrumental song, unlike anything Brother Dege has ever done. It starts with a heavy violin that sucks the joy out of life. An ominous, dirty electric guitar joins the procession, but it remains in the back. The last thirty seconds are more usual. It's a bit more upbeat, but it feels like I should be longing for something. That's the vibe, not me disliking it.
"The Devil You Know" is the second single. It's another sad song, even though I find the lyrics hopeful. They're about getting away from a town because he "don't want to be crazy." The first words are "someday," so it's probably a dream. A dream that can't be fulfilled? What's the devil you know here?
With the title of "Loser's Blues," I think this song is about me! If someone told me AC/DC wrote this song, I'd believe it. There's a driving chord progression that's always there throughout. There's even a key change (?) in the pre-chorus. It's an upbeat blues/rock track about the woes of life. Verse one is about a vagabond who wants the blues to end. Verse two is about a successful office worker who hates their fake job. The last section is Dege's guide to a happy existence. Just be a good person. Give the beggars some food, realize the haves and the have-nots are the same, and something I can't make out. A happy track?
"The Longing" is the final song, and it's a lone Brother Dege with his resonator guitar. It's a song about seeing friends leave and saying goodbye in a few different ways. It changes three minutes in into something more rock oriented, where the writer looks forward to "all the things I can't change." A solo breaks out that makes me slightly depressed, and it takes us to the 5:30 mark. Church bells ring out, and the song is over. Like a funeral? The bells subside for a church organ, but that's quickly drowned out by the sound of falling rain for six minutes. A quasi random guitar chord plays and sustains itself from time to time, but even that stops, giving us a minute and a half of steady rain. The last twenty seconds are just silence.
Maybe I'm being over dramatic, but did Brother Dege know he was dying? Was he sick? This entire album is filled with sadness and melancholy that gives off the idea of a farewell. Black flowers, some/one days, the rebirth symbolism of the snake eating itself. Even the album name, Aurora, can be a reference. Some Vikings believed the northern lights to be the bridge that allowed fallen warriors to reach Valhalla. I'm worried that I'm overthinking this and really don't want to get into the private matters of a man I've never met, so I'll just jump to the review.
---
Skill) Brother Dege's guitar playing is as good as ever. He introduced me to the delta blues, and I really should listen more. The lyrics are entertaining, but I feel like the choruses get repetitive. He tends to repeat the same line or two. 1/2
Variation) There's a share of blues, rock, and a mix of moods. They tend to be sad moods, but depression comes in many forms. 2/2
Bangers) One at the moment. Will "Turn of the Screw" breakthrough soon? "Devil You Know" will likely be on a lot of people's lists. 1/2
Replayability) Between lyric deciphering, the addictive qualities of a resonator guitar, and a musician's final recordings, you'll be back to this album a lot. 2/2
Extra) Aurora clocks in at forty two minutes across nine songs. And if I'm correct about my overly thought out could-be prophecy, there's an aura of something here. 2/2
Total: 8/10
Brother Dege has been a musician, a cab driver, and a writer throughout his life. I've been wanting to buy Cablog, but I suck. His life was filled with a lot of activities, and everyone who knew him loved him. His music touched all who heard it, and he was unable to write a bad song. There may be one track on his last album that confused me, but this is a great album that's worth an addition to everyone's revolving music rotation. Farewell, brother.
Sunday, March 10, 2024
Judas Priest - Invincible Shield
Judas Priest is one of the most important bands in rock history. They gave metal its appearance, with black leather and metal spikes, back in the late 70s. They've been doing it for fifty years and have yet to miss a beat. Even Nostradamus had plenty of bangers on it! The lineup has been largely the same, although there's some animosity these days. But I'm not gonna touch on that.
Judas Priest has released their nineteenth album, Invincible Shield! I always get pumped when their music comes on the radio, even if it's just the same three tracks... But my Spotify playlists have them up and down the board. They've been one of the few constants in my ear since 2002 when I heard "You've Got Another Thing Coming" on Vice City's V-Rock. When I dove into metal, their Best of and Angel of Retribution were constant companions on my walk to school. I tried to learn so many of their songs when I played guitar. I failed to learn most of them, but "Breaking the Law" was so much fun to play, even if it was only the main riff. Their talent, consistency, and my admiration made me scream for vengeance when Dolly Parton beat them out as the headliner for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame induction. But that was the past!
Track one of Invincible Shield is an early single tilted "Panic Attack." It kicks off the album with the classic Priest formula. Synths amp up to the full powered guitars that fans have come to love. Rob Halford's voice sounds as good as ever as he starts into his cleanest voice, singing about how on edge the world is today. The "lethal icon" leads people astray and tips the scales of justice. I mean, take a guess at what this is about. It's probably not just one person... Halford tries to hit his "Painkiller" screams during a breakdown, but he can't really hit them anymore. I used to be able to mimic that "schizophrenic" sound in high school, but I think I have polyps now, so I understand that it sucks to age. Fun staccato guitars are behind a simple chorus before the duel melodic guitars call forth a classic, face melting guitar solo that lasts long enough to wage a war in your head and eventually brings us to a duel layered melody. Another verse and chorus hits as we finish a 5:26 song. Blast beats ring through the vocal breakdown, so there are all the Priest callbacks here. This song doesn't experiment, and it's vintage Priest and amazing!
"The Serpent and the King" is the newest single. The most obvious thing about it is Halford is trying to Painkiller this again. It's still not working. It comes off as coherent black metal, so it's still pretty fun. Nice, gritty, chugy guitars fight their way through the lyrics about poisonous people who "conjure evil times" and build pyramids of bones. Two guitar solos break it all up, and both are wildly different. The second one churns the last part of the song into sludge for a moment, and it's a nice distraction.
The title track, "Invincible Shield," is about fighting back. I don't know what we're fighting, but I'm down. It's a pretty straightforward track, but there are a number of riffs here, and I start it get groove metal vibes! It's a simple track if you overlook the 984 guitar solos, all by Faulkner. Halford brings out his bass voice here, and there are several random guitar sounds throughout.
"Devil in Disguise" is another song about a terrible person. They "reel you in" romantically and "charming; manipulating dread." If you told me this song was off the Painkiller album, I'd believe it. Halford's voice sounds like it hasn't aged, and the guitar solo is peak Priest.
"Gates of Hell" sounds like it's off the Screaming for Vengeance album. There's a nice build up to the main riff, which is classic eighties metal. The lyrics make me think of Defending the Faith as it equates Judas Priest to a religion. More face melting solos and vocal ranges keep the flow going.
"Crown of Horns" hits us with a 1960's style guitar solo that's all flange and no drums. When the main song begins, you realize it's the slowest track on the album. It's no power ballad, though, as it's still heavier than anything AC/DC's made in their career. It's a song that starts off talking about regrets. Dreams come from pain, long roads have no answers, and love guides us. But the verses go on to indicate everything was worth it. This is a song where the band thanks the fans for their support through fifty years. Faulkner has another amazing solo that lets Rob give us the fade out.
I would have rocked "As God As My Witness" to school all the time. It's got a machine gun riff to wake me up and exciting lyrics about powering through your woes. The dueling solos are the best on the album, and the relentless riffs are just so tasty. If I wasn't an old man, I'd be hurting my head with all my head banging.
"Trial by Fire" is an instant classic. It's the previous song, but better - if you can believe it. Rob plays with his voice some more, and I absolutely love how the guitars in the chorus drop out to let him belt the title. There are more vibes of old; Electric Eye comes to mind, with that lead up and driving riff. But the chorus makes me pine for Angel of Retribution's "Hellrider." The lyrics make me think it's three small stories. Someone kills another in verse one and in a terrible relationship in verse two. The third part is about the pains of existence.
"Escape From Reality" starts being pretty grungey. High school me wants to learn that riff so badly. The verses are actually pretty sludgy, too, as Rob tells us of the regrets of age. The chorus is a simple "Agony" followed by the song title. It's quick and to the point! And then it becomes a Black Sabbath song! I don't know why Rob's singing through water, but I won't complain. I dig the normal high pitch he's hitting, too. At the very least, it's an interesting twist from the first half of the album.
Mid verse guitar solos make "Sons of Thunder" an interesting song. Lyrically, it's a simple song about being cool and powerful, but this track really lets the legendary Glenn Tipton shine. Faulkner probably keeps reminding us why he belongs in Priest, too, but I can't tell who does what. It's the shortest track by far, which helps to keep this moving to the end. Not sure if that's a good thing or what...
The final song, "Giants in the Sky," is a tribute to all the fallen metal brothers and sisters. It's a chuggy guitar riff, and the rest of the song is much of what we've already heard. The message is a nice way to end the album.
There are three more songs on the deluxe edition, but they're overly similar to the rest of the album. But I wish "The Lodger" was a main album song. It's so much different than the rest of the album, as it's a more atmospheric and slow paced track that makes me want to hear "The Ripper" again. It really could have broken up the album better. Unlike the serial killer song, this is about a justified murder: vengeance. Honestly, this might be a callback to said song. It should have been on the main album for several reasons.
---
Skill) Judas Priest hasn't lost anything since 1975. They're as amazing as they've ever been, and they keep getting better. 2/2
Variation) It's all too fast paced. As much as I enjoy giving myself spinal stenosis, I like to feel things. Luckily, there's plenty of prog rock within the individual tracks. 1/2
Bangers) 3. I got muddled in the middle, but there's at least enough for the full points. And there's a bunch more that I'm sure others want me to put on my list. 2/2
Replayability) I'm gonna keep coming back, and the entire album calls back to previous albums, which I now want to listen to again. 2/2
Extras) If you ignore the "deluxe" edition, it charts in at 52:36 and has eleven songs. It's an album for long time fans and is a continuation of what they've been doing for so long. 2/2
Total Score: 9/10
Invincible Shield is more Judas Priest at their best. And they're always at their best. It's mind boggling that they've done this nineteen times since my parents were in elementary school. This doesn't do anything new, but who cares. Judas Priest is one of the greatest bands ever, and Invincible Shield helps to cement that.
Judas Priest has released their nineteenth album, Invincible Shield! I always get pumped when their music comes on the radio, even if it's just the same three tracks... But my Spotify playlists have them up and down the board. They've been one of the few constants in my ear since 2002 when I heard "You've Got Another Thing Coming" on Vice City's V-Rock. When I dove into metal, their Best of and Angel of Retribution were constant companions on my walk to school. I tried to learn so many of their songs when I played guitar. I failed to learn most of them, but "Breaking the Law" was so much fun to play, even if it was only the main riff. Their talent, consistency, and my admiration made me scream for vengeance when Dolly Parton beat them out as the headliner for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame induction. But that was the past!
Track one of Invincible Shield is an early single tilted "Panic Attack." It kicks off the album with the classic Priest formula. Synths amp up to the full powered guitars that fans have come to love. Rob Halford's voice sounds as good as ever as he starts into his cleanest voice, singing about how on edge the world is today. The "lethal icon" leads people astray and tips the scales of justice. I mean, take a guess at what this is about. It's probably not just one person... Halford tries to hit his "Painkiller" screams during a breakdown, but he can't really hit them anymore. I used to be able to mimic that "schizophrenic" sound in high school, but I think I have polyps now, so I understand that it sucks to age. Fun staccato guitars are behind a simple chorus before the duel melodic guitars call forth a classic, face melting guitar solo that lasts long enough to wage a war in your head and eventually brings us to a duel layered melody. Another verse and chorus hits as we finish a 5:26 song. Blast beats ring through the vocal breakdown, so there are all the Priest callbacks here. This song doesn't experiment, and it's vintage Priest and amazing!
"The Serpent and the King" is the newest single. The most obvious thing about it is Halford is trying to Painkiller this again. It's still not working. It comes off as coherent black metal, so it's still pretty fun. Nice, gritty, chugy guitars fight their way through the lyrics about poisonous people who "conjure evil times" and build pyramids of bones. Two guitar solos break it all up, and both are wildly different. The second one churns the last part of the song into sludge for a moment, and it's a nice distraction.
The title track, "Invincible Shield," is about fighting back. I don't know what we're fighting, but I'm down. It's a pretty straightforward track, but there are a number of riffs here, and I start it get groove metal vibes! It's a simple track if you overlook the 984 guitar solos, all by Faulkner. Halford brings out his bass voice here, and there are several random guitar sounds throughout.
"Devil in Disguise" is another song about a terrible person. They "reel you in" romantically and "charming; manipulating dread." If you told me this song was off the Painkiller album, I'd believe it. Halford's voice sounds like it hasn't aged, and the guitar solo is peak Priest.
"Gates of Hell" sounds like it's off the Screaming for Vengeance album. There's a nice build up to the main riff, which is classic eighties metal. The lyrics make me think of Defending the Faith as it equates Judas Priest to a religion. More face melting solos and vocal ranges keep the flow going.
"Crown of Horns" hits us with a 1960's style guitar solo that's all flange and no drums. When the main song begins, you realize it's the slowest track on the album. It's no power ballad, though, as it's still heavier than anything AC/DC's made in their career. It's a song that starts off talking about regrets. Dreams come from pain, long roads have no answers, and love guides us. But the verses go on to indicate everything was worth it. This is a song where the band thanks the fans for their support through fifty years. Faulkner has another amazing solo that lets Rob give us the fade out.
I would have rocked "As God As My Witness" to school all the time. It's got a machine gun riff to wake me up and exciting lyrics about powering through your woes. The dueling solos are the best on the album, and the relentless riffs are just so tasty. If I wasn't an old man, I'd be hurting my head with all my head banging.
"Trial by Fire" is an instant classic. It's the previous song, but better - if you can believe it. Rob plays with his voice some more, and I absolutely love how the guitars in the chorus drop out to let him belt the title. There are more vibes of old; Electric Eye comes to mind, with that lead up and driving riff. But the chorus makes me pine for Angel of Retribution's "Hellrider." The lyrics make me think it's three small stories. Someone kills another in verse one and in a terrible relationship in verse two. The third part is about the pains of existence.
"Escape From Reality" starts being pretty grungey. High school me wants to learn that riff so badly. The verses are actually pretty sludgy, too, as Rob tells us of the regrets of age. The chorus is a simple "Agony" followed by the song title. It's quick and to the point! And then it becomes a Black Sabbath song! I don't know why Rob's singing through water, but I won't complain. I dig the normal high pitch he's hitting, too. At the very least, it's an interesting twist from the first half of the album.
Mid verse guitar solos make "Sons of Thunder" an interesting song. Lyrically, it's a simple song about being cool and powerful, but this track really lets the legendary Glenn Tipton shine. Faulkner probably keeps reminding us why he belongs in Priest, too, but I can't tell who does what. It's the shortest track by far, which helps to keep this moving to the end. Not sure if that's a good thing or what...
The final song, "Giants in the Sky," is a tribute to all the fallen metal brothers and sisters. It's a chuggy guitar riff, and the rest of the song is much of what we've already heard. The message is a nice way to end the album.
There are three more songs on the deluxe edition, but they're overly similar to the rest of the album. But I wish "The Lodger" was a main album song. It's so much different than the rest of the album, as it's a more atmospheric and slow paced track that makes me want to hear "The Ripper" again. It really could have broken up the album better. Unlike the serial killer song, this is about a justified murder: vengeance. Honestly, this might be a callback to said song. It should have been on the main album for several reasons.
---
Skill) Judas Priest hasn't lost anything since 1975. They're as amazing as they've ever been, and they keep getting better. 2/2
Variation) It's all too fast paced. As much as I enjoy giving myself spinal stenosis, I like to feel things. Luckily, there's plenty of prog rock within the individual tracks. 1/2
Bangers) 3. I got muddled in the middle, but there's at least enough for the full points. And there's a bunch more that I'm sure others want me to put on my list. 2/2
Replayability) I'm gonna keep coming back, and the entire album calls back to previous albums, which I now want to listen to again. 2/2
Extras) If you ignore the "deluxe" edition, it charts in at 52:36 and has eleven songs. It's an album for long time fans and is a continuation of what they've been doing for so long. 2/2
Total Score: 9/10
Invincible Shield is more Judas Priest at their best. And they're always at their best. It's mind boggling that they've done this nineteen times since my parents were in elementary school. This doesn't do anything new, but who cares. Judas Priest is one of the greatest bands ever, and Invincible Shield helps to cement that.
Friday, March 8, 2024
Tribute
My heart ached tonight as I read the news that Akira Toriyama died tonight. I nearly broke into tears several times tonight just thinking about it. I've never met him. I doubt I could even pick him out of a lineup. But Toriyama was a major part of my childhood and even my adult life.
Akira Toriyama is best known for creating Dragonball, Dragonball Z, and Super. Dragonball Z was my favorite TV show as a kid. My friend and I watched the anime, bought magazines that spoiled the American audiences about Cell and Buu, and played the games. Like so many preteen boys at the time, I've tried to do a Kamehameha innumerable times. I don't recall, but I've probably tried as an adult, too. My friend group tried to buy the Burger King toys one summer, which is how we learned you don't need a kid's meal to get a toy at fast food restaurants. I've been a fan for over twenty four years, and that's not gonna stop. Even the joke version from Team Four Star has become a major part of my lexicon.
But he's also the character artist for Chrono Trigger. CT was my favorite game for twenty years. It's a game that many have tried to replicate, but none have. I've spent hours looking and marveling at his drawings for Magus, Schala, and Marle. I still enjoy looking at niche characters who have official art, all drawn by Toriyama.
As an adult, I do the same with his artwork for Dragon Quest. Bianca, Nera, the dancer sisters, etc. That makes me look like a pervert, but look, I like his stuff. Dragon Quest may not have had a massive effect on my life, as I've only recently experienced it, but DQV is in my top fifteen favorite games. It's damn good, and everyone should play it.
I've never played it, but I've read Blue Dragon is one of the best RPGs on the 360. That's not saying much, but it is well regarded.
And this is overlooking his less known projects. Toriyama has been quite prolific, even during the production of Dragonball.
All three of those franchises are pivotal aspects of a lot of nerd or weeb culture. Dragonball made anime popular in the West. Dragon Quest made RPGs cool in the east. And Chrono Trigger is the standard of RPGs, period. Dude is weeb prime, and we all owe him a debt of gratitude. Nobuo Uematsu was the soundtrack of my childhood, and Akira Toriyama was my ocular enjoyment.
But it's not just nerd culture he's affected. I've read a lot of MMA fighters got into the sport because they wanted to be Goku. The same for professional wrestling. Even Rafael Nadal was inspired by him. Nobody is cooler than Goku.
I'm no critic, but all of his flaws mean very little to me. He seemed to be a humble man who took pride in his work and listened to those around him. I don't know anything about his personal life, but I've never heard anything controversial about him. Toriyama sounded like a good man, and the world is a darker place without him. His contributions to manga, anime, video games, and sports make him someone whose contribution to everything is hard to point down. He's inspired so many through his works. And that he had two games in development is even more heartbreaking. Sand Land looks like it could be fun, and I'm sure Dragon Quest XII is gonna be great. There's also Dragonball Daima, which he was excited about. I know I'm a nobody, but thank you, Toriyama-san.
I don't know why I was inspired to write this, but maybe I'll stop almost crying soon. Rest well, sir. You've earned it.
Akira Toriyama is best known for creating Dragonball, Dragonball Z, and Super. Dragonball Z was my favorite TV show as a kid. My friend and I watched the anime, bought magazines that spoiled the American audiences about Cell and Buu, and played the games. Like so many preteen boys at the time, I've tried to do a Kamehameha innumerable times. I don't recall, but I've probably tried as an adult, too. My friend group tried to buy the Burger King toys one summer, which is how we learned you don't need a kid's meal to get a toy at fast food restaurants. I've been a fan for over twenty four years, and that's not gonna stop. Even the joke version from Team Four Star has become a major part of my lexicon.
But he's also the character artist for Chrono Trigger. CT was my favorite game for twenty years. It's a game that many have tried to replicate, but none have. I've spent hours looking and marveling at his drawings for Magus, Schala, and Marle. I still enjoy looking at niche characters who have official art, all drawn by Toriyama.
As an adult, I do the same with his artwork for Dragon Quest. Bianca, Nera, the dancer sisters, etc. That makes me look like a pervert, but look, I like his stuff. Dragon Quest may not have had a massive effect on my life, as I've only recently experienced it, but DQV is in my top fifteen favorite games. It's damn good, and everyone should play it.
I've never played it, but I've read Blue Dragon is one of the best RPGs on the 360. That's not saying much, but it is well regarded.
And this is overlooking his less known projects. Toriyama has been quite prolific, even during the production of Dragonball.
All three of those franchises are pivotal aspects of a lot of nerd or weeb culture. Dragonball made anime popular in the West. Dragon Quest made RPGs cool in the east. And Chrono Trigger is the standard of RPGs, period. Dude is weeb prime, and we all owe him a debt of gratitude. Nobuo Uematsu was the soundtrack of my childhood, and Akira Toriyama was my ocular enjoyment.
But it's not just nerd culture he's affected. I've read a lot of MMA fighters got into the sport because they wanted to be Goku. The same for professional wrestling. Even Rafael Nadal was inspired by him. Nobody is cooler than Goku.
I'm no critic, but all of his flaws mean very little to me. He seemed to be a humble man who took pride in his work and listened to those around him. I don't know anything about his personal life, but I've never heard anything controversial about him. Toriyama sounded like a good man, and the world is a darker place without him. His contributions to manga, anime, video games, and sports make him someone whose contribution to everything is hard to point down. He's inspired so many through his works. And that he had two games in development is even more heartbreaking. Sand Land looks like it could be fun, and I'm sure Dragon Quest XII is gonna be great. There's also Dragonball Daima, which he was excited about. I know I'm a nobody, but thank you, Toriyama-san.
I don't know why I was inspired to write this, but maybe I'll stop almost crying soon. Rest well, sir. You've earned it.
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