ZAMZA

Zamza may be a new rock band, but the four musicians are industry veterans whose collaboration results in the exciting new release entitled "Manga Rock". This combination of vitality and experience infuses "Manga Rock" with the right degree of edginess and maturity to produce rock music delicious enough to leave you wanting more. The opening track drives hard, with skillful use of keyboards to set off the grinding guitar and bass. Other songs are softer, but hold your attention with catchy hooks that stick in your mind and suddenly make a reappearance hours or days after listening. The title song closes the album with references to the fictional character Gregor Samsa in Franz Kafka's short story "The Metamorphosis", and embarks on a trancelike course at times augmented by a catchy bubbling bass line. Following the 9 album tracks are additional remixes of 4 of the earlier songs. Vocalist, Zinc White, displays a wide range, reaching some incredibly high notes in some songs while dropping to a normal range elsewhere, giving the compositions added variety. If you prefer lyrics that touch on their meaning without hitting you over the head with it, you ought to appreciate this album. Production quality is top notch, with each band member crisply defined in punchy, but well-balanced sound. Overall, a very entertaining and memorable album. by Anton de Flon - Anton de Flon

Sometimes it?fs so disappointing when you hear about bands you like breaking up. My heart skipped a beat the day Soundgarden disbanded, but not all hope was lost. A few years later members from Soundgarden and Rage Against The Machine joined forces to form the super rock group Audioslave, which later became one of the biggest bands of the decade.

With a new decade underway the time has come for another phoenix to rise, but this time around our heroes helm from the ashes of two Japanese juggernaut bands. Released through Mar Rock Records, ZAMZA, is the combination of JUDY AND MARY's bass player, "Banshee Aliouxce" (Yoshihito Onda) and drummer "KOHTA" (Kohta Igarashi) alongside guitarist ?gHiroki?h (Hiroki Ito) and vocalist "Zinc White" (Jinsei Tsuji) of the band ECHOES, which found success with their 1989 hit "Zoo." On top of making music, Zinc is also the first Japanese writer to win the prestigious French Prix Femina Award for his literature. The four men teamed up in 2007 and have been working at full-throttle ever since, leading up to the U.S. release of their debut album, Manga Rock.

Filled with melodic hooks and edgy guitar licks, Zinc?fs vocals provide listeners with just enough angst to headbang and mosh without causing too much damage. Backed by stellar production, each instrument?fs harrowing presence is felt throughout the album?fs synth-filled jam sessions. From the opening guitar on "Satori" to the epic chorus of ?gAmerica?h, Manga Rock takes audiences on a sonic rollercoaster that gets better everytime you ride it. With copies of Manga Rock already flying off the shelves in Japan, it?fs only a matter of time before these rock heroes impact the American music scene.

The best part about a band like ZAMZA is how it appeals to established fanbases as well as younger audiences who?fve never heard JUDY AND MARY or ECHOES. So don?ft fret the next time your favorite band breaks up. You never know what super rock group may come from it. - Sam Frank (published on Chopsticks NY

“Manga Rock” brings energy and life to music. This powerful CD brings together different elements of rebellion and re-defines defiant mannerisms in a more progressive style. Fusing together rock music from older era’s, while also being themselves and creating something a bit more clever and unique, “Manga Rock” is a very interesting CD to listen to, and I most certainly mean that in a positive way.

The opening track, “I’ll Give You All” is tricky. For the first few seconds, keyboards will make you believe that this CD is about being softer and more melodic, but instantly, the forceful guitars enter to remind you that this is a rock CD. The song is actually very simple, with some repetition, but catchy nonetheless. The vocals seem almost as though they were meant for the stage. Shouting, “Hey! Hey! Hey!” like there should be an audience to cheer along is very lively and very rock and roll. The following tracks are a little more punk, both in lyrical content and instrumental dynamics.

Up until the 5th track, “America” you can rely on catchy tunes. But “America” stands out from the former songs, as it enters with more keyboards that are distinguishing and interesting. The electronics harmonize well with the raw instrumentation, and add a twinkle of danceable music, while the lyrical content remains being defiant. Don’t be fooled, because the following tracks are aggressive. “Veronica” has an insert that sounds like it is parodying a radio-broadcast about taking pride in yourself for being different. Obviously, this band has a message that they would like their listeners to understand. The vocalist also manages to hit some rather high notes.

“Underground” manages to explore some older music styles from the 80’s while also keeping the sound fresh. The vocals are on a lower scale, and the music itself is more mellowed out. Guitars and bass guitars are received on a lower melody, and the drums are less dominant than on the majority of the CD. Supposedly, most CD’s have a “ballad” type song. This would be it for this CD. “Manga” the closing song, is more bass-heavy. It is more intense than the former song, while not being as aggressive as many previous tracks were, thus making itself a bit of an easy listen. This is the only song with any Japanese lyrics at all, which are more spoken in a rhythm than they are necessarily being sang.

The following 4 tracks are remixes of earlier songs which illustrate the songs in different, very interesting ways. While the remix of “Why” paints moments of being dark and twisted, the remix of “Manga” illusions a Disc Jockey and adds some slight hip hop elements to the already bold song at hand.

Overall, ZAMZA makes it apparent that they have an audacious message to send. Beyond some of the provocative lyrics, they also seem to be philosophical in what they have to say. The production quality of the CD is extremely well-done and professional. If you dare to question the normal, chances are, you’ll want to pick up a copy of “Manga Rock” by ZAMZA. - SharleyRabbit/Nippon Project

A less abrasive experimental skate punk sound marks the overall theme for the late 2009 release, MANGA ROCK.

A winter breath of obscurity brushes dusty trails of a dark, sepia toned scene at a gothic carnival which pans the first few seconds of I'll Give You All. Quickly diminishing, it slathers into a typical rock song with the usual synthesizers and experimental sounds in the backing tracks and vocals. Basking in a heavy undertone, a sense of independence within the lyrics is flourished through adolescent pride.

“When I was making love to you, I fell asleep,” is heard in the first verse of In a Waking Dream. The tempo upgrades from its relaxing beginning. The song is light, openhearted and easy to please - just as much as the rest of the tracks, although unfortunately, the tracks sound all too much the same. However, the remix for In a Waking Dream contains a more lively approach than the original version.

Satori fuses traditional Middle Eastern music with classic rock, projecting the image of love and peace. It begins with a light, repeating melody on acoustic guitar and billowing vocals before Zinc growls right at the progression of the chorus. The heaviness of their sound is thrown into the background, paired with echoes of Zinc’s voice. It then backs down to silence. The remix for this track is just as good as the original, if not better. It drives the Middle Eastern sound further into the mix, bouncing between the listener’s ears and circumnavigating their heads in unearthly echoes.

Still continuing with the same overall sound is America, the lyrics deal with “the bad boys of America” in all of its glory. Piano lightens the subject matter as the song presents the idea of how relevant the USA is in present day society and crime. The stanza “Don’t you desire to be free?” suggests that despite freedom in the Land of the Free, the nation sporadically lacks a voice, and the only way to deal with the unresolved anger is to vent. Veronica takes on a slightly different tack, roaring into a gothic/industrial sound with subtle undertones of Celtic singing during the sensual growl of Zinc White’s voice. Singing in the upper falsetto range, Zinc screeches coarsely as if someone were amputating his limbs with vigor; the expression in the song represents his pain. Chants of "la la la" frame the chorus, creating equilibrium within the drowsy mood.

Underground slathers a tinge of a psychedelic country into the tempo, while maintaining the rock style ZAMZA enjoys producing. The heaviness apparent in the track is akin to the mood in Veronica.

Most of the tracks on the album, with the exception of Veronica, the beginning of Satori and the four remixes, churns out the same result. ZAMZA possess the same qualities a Japanese Green Day would and has just as much success. MANGA ROCK contains four remixes - Satori, In a Waking Dream, Why and Manga. It is a must for any fan of Japanese music. - Jessieface/JaME