blast - kurutta kajitsu

In 2001, blast released kurutta kajitsu and kurutta kajitsu (ura), 5 track mini-album releases that contained a unique track on each version.

With a short opener of random mixed noises of funneled concert sounds, tape recorders and an array of other items, the album breaks into its first song, Distortion, which is a fast paced rush song. One thing blast knows how to do is a good headbanging rhythm, which is clearly displayed in Distortion. However, that rhythm seems to be the only real purpose for the song, as there's nothing particularly stunning about this track. It's a rough, headbanging melody with a funky guitar solo and a shouted chorus. Overall though, it's a pretty fun song.

Shadow of Phantom is the A-type track, and is a good rock song with a solid melody and really robust lyrics. The angry headbanging rhythm that opens this track is amazing, and when Yuina comes in singing, it's a shining moment. He really lets go in this song and you can hear him clearly. The lyrics are on the interesting side, with a lot of English scattered through it; however, none of it really makes any sense. The big additions to this song are the heavy sound that filters through and Hiderou's bass skills in the very beginning; it just can't be beat. Finishing out with another rough mosh melody, your neck will be aching after rocking out to Shadow of Phantom.

Happy Birthday? is featured on the B-type. The song is jazz-laced with a very bluesy beat that is easy to dance around to. Yuina doesn't have too much emotion in his voice except when belting out "happy birthday to you?" during the chorus, so we don't get a variety of range. Instrumentally, however, we get a harmonious mix of all instruments with a really good guitar solo and a touch of bass through almost the whole song. The song has a really fun vibe, but is probably the silliest track off both CDs.

One of blast's more popular songs is Metamorphose, starting out with a long jazzy opening distorted with a guitar pedal before jumping into vocals that are better suited for a rapper. The chorus is quite different, however, with the background vocals chanting "metamorphose" as Yuina croons out the rest of the vocals. There is another great instrumental in the middle that's very bass heavy. The beat of this song has a really enjoyable feel that is easy to jump around to, and coupled with the emotion filled lyrics, Metamorphose is one of the best songs on the album.

CRY☆BABY, is the album's mediocre addition. In terms of composition, it's a run of the mill rock song, and the slowest one on the release. This isn't really a song you can headbang or really move around to - it's one you just tap your foot to and really enjoy the bass, which there is luckily a lot of. There's a good bass and guitar solo in this song, which is the song's saving grace, making up for the boring vocals that offer very little variety in sound and lyrical quality.

CHILD PLAY is one of BLAST's best songs. Kicking off with a really fast drum beat, it goes into a wild guitar intro with Yuina sloppily humming to the song before he starts to sing. CHILD PLAY is where we really start to see what Yuina is capable of, from his high pitched cries to his growls and whines. The song transitions from fast to slow a few times, but it's all for the sake of a good rhythm, and it works in their favor. The song ends as noisily as it began with Yuina's slurred humming, closing the album out with a bang.

There are hidden tracks on both types. On the A-type, it is a one minute closer of the band tuning their instruments, talking and then testing out the microphone - during which Yuina screams for about five seconds. The hidden track on the B-type is much longer and more fulfilling. It starts with a sound like a radio turning on, and we're given a new song from blast we haven't heard yet - but it's full of static and heavy distortion, as if heard from a radio going in and out. For a fan of their music though, distorted music is better than no music, making the hidden track an exciting find.

blast showed fans that they could still fit in with the Nagoya visual scene while having fun with their music, providing a range of melodies that gave them many different sounds thanks to Yuina's unique vocals. kurutta kajitsu laid the ground work for their final two albums, but was probably one of blast's biggest achievements in terms of their discography.