Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Lovebites - The Lovebites EP (2017)
What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the phrase "Japanese all-female metal band"? Around 90% of the time, the answer would be Babymetal. The remainder of that amount would have a different band in mind, and for me, it would be Lovebites. The band was formed by bassist Miho and drummer Haruna after the disbandment of their previous band Destrose. They have the f***ing incredible talent and beauty you would expect from this kind of band. I can say the same about guitarists Midori and Miyako. Well that was at the time when Miyako was more of a session member than full-time. She has also pulled off some serene keys. And of course, we have the lovely smooth vocalist Asami. She has both power and accessibility in her voice that has won fans both metal and non-metal.
Named after a Halestorm song, Lovebites entered the studio to record their 4-track self-titled demo EP. And let me tell you, they were on f***ing fire in both the music and the recording process. With grand production and record label support, they already have what it takes to make an EP that would launch them into the charts at lightspeed, which came true when this release has already reached Oricon and Billboard. It's amazing how much their metal tracks sound like potential hits. I haven't DragonForce-speed songs that would fit so well in anime since some of Galneryus' material. It's just so wild!
"Don't Bite the Dust" kicks things off interestingly, as the riffing melody comes off as Iron Maiden gone J-rock. Asami's superb vocals fly over the groovy sounds of Hammond organ alongside the metallic guitar. And with her impressive octave jump after the final chorus, this band is already at a massive start. "The Apocalypse" is my favorite of this EP, giving their power metal sound a thrashy edge, especially in the guitarwork. And g****mn, Asami has such majestic emotion in the chorus. I love that one!
"Scream for Me" has more kick-A riffing that's kinda bluesy but at the same time too fast for blues. This upbeat punky vibe works well for this band while staying metal. Miho's bass is stronger and more audible, and holy sh*t, does it slap! The 6-minute finale "Bravehearted" is another fast power metal track. Everything sounds so bombastic and it would make you want more from this band. However, I feel this song has more power in the version that appears in their debut album Awakening from Abyss. The EP version also has Japanese lyrics (the only song from the band to do so), written by Haruna for Destrose. I prefer the more understandable English lyrics, no disrespect.
I wouldn't say Lovebites have reinvented the wheel, but they have put their work in enhancing the Japanese all-female metal wheel. Lovebites has proven that their vision as a rising band that's more than just a Destrose spinoff would become a reality. And the songs in this EP are so glorious that I would've given it 5 stars, if not for the Japanese lyrical usage in one of their songs, again no disrespect. I just think Asami sounds better when she sings in English, and luckily she has that chance in every other song. Also this is the kind of band I can say I'm obsessed with without sounding, well, weird, unlike a band like Babymetal that became popular as a teen group. So yeah, a promising energetic start for those wonderful ladies determined to change the future of Japanese metal!
Favorites: All songs (despite the odd Japanese lyrical usage), especially "Don't Bite the Dust" and "The Apocalypse"