2016 turned out to be a particularly big year for up-and-coming visual kei metallers RAINDIA, which saw the release of their mini-album Ki sho in April followed by the single Bindume ni the following month. Whilst those releases showcased the band’s youthful and invigorating sound, one which is very much rooted in the ‘90s scene, it would not be until later in the year that a heavier, more distinguished sound would amplify itself from the, well, the band’s amplifiers: after taking on a darker wardrobe in September, RAINDIA were quick to release their follow-up single Trash Juice which includes their most melodic and best-produced material yet.
Do not be fooled by the vivid-yet-doodled colours embracing the cover art, as the music on Trash Juice is anything but amateurish. Being produced by visual kei legend Akiya of Kagrra, fame, the three-track single is lusciously polished with a more professional feel than anything else they have released. It shows leanings towards the melodic metal leanings of 2000s bands including NIGHTMARE, MERRY, the GazettE, and, more noticeably, the sadly defunct RENTRER EN SOI, to the point where closing track Yuutsu feels like it belongs on their final album The Bottom of Chaos. Whilst not being overly heavy, the song packs plenty of harmonious vocal lines whilst also pushing the extent of Miyoshi’s vocal chords, from those chorus highs to the screaming lows; coupled with the heavy riffing the song calls for a headbanging audience as well as a sing-along one.
The other two songs aren’t without merit: opener Hekiraku no higanbana begins on an uplifting lead before becoming seduced by heavier crunching metal riffs which perfectly set the tone for this short release; the fills by drummer Tsubasa before and during the solo induce goosebumps all up the body thanks to their deep sound. This is more prominent during the funky tunes in in Kaigisei Paranoia complete with those MERRY-esque bass beats and guitar licks. By far the lightest track on offer, the second song does show RAINDIA at their most melodious, showcasing their ability to perform more thought-provoking compositions. At times however, the song comes across a little flat and could have done with being filled out a little more.
Overall, Trash Juice shows a marked improvement by a band slowly climbing their way out from the underground – theirs is a progression from the garage to professional, and in the space of less than a year. With two releases on the way this month and a successful debut one-man show under their belt, it is clear that RAINDIA are a band to be taken seriously in the months to follow. Though their sound seems to rely heavily on the legacy of more prominent bands, it isn’t a bad sound at all and will no doubt grow with the band as they continue to form a clear path to their next goal.
