Regina❤'s Blog

Sorry I haven't been on or anything the past couple of days, guys x_x You see, I've been at the hospital again since my wound was bleeding AGAIN, post-op. But I'm much better now and I'm home, thankfully ^^

Hey everyone! I'm back from the hospital~!

It... wasn't a good time, I mean being on painkillers for a week and trying to relearn how to walk after an op on your spine is definitely no piece of cake. Sitting was (still is) painful, and so is standing/walking, but I'm learning how to deal with it.

I'm tired haha. The trip home was pretty tiring actually.

I'll see you guys soon <3

Holy shiz it's been so long since I posted here :/

I'll admit, my love for Buzznet is no longer quite the same. To be honest so many people have left... or simply aren't as active any more. Things like that. I guess we all change.

Well, no, I'm not leaving. I'm sticking around for some people still. <3

But I am going to leave temporarily. Reason being that I'll be in the hospital from tomorrow afternoon onwards, all the way till next Wednesday, as I have my scoliosis operation on Friday. I don't think the internet connection there is very good at all, and that means I'll miss many of your updates. x( Well, I'll be back, but exactly when I'm not so sure because I'm not supposed to be sitting up at my computer for quite a few weeks.

But don't worry, I shall be back nevertheless! <3

I love you guys. <3

L-R: Yuura (ba.), Mai (gt.), Keiyuu (vo. & piano), Yasuno (dr.)

Finding a band that makes great music that doesn't sound like everything else out there can be hard. Finding a good band that makes that sort of music, which had also stayed together for the past decade (or just a little under it), is even harder. Thankfully, Kra is one of those latter bands.

Formed in August 2001, they released two demo tapes in May and August 2002, before getting signed to PS Company - which also handles several other popular Jrock bands. They then released five mini-albums and EPs in 2003, displaying great versatility in their music - from hard rock to softer ballads, and even a couple of jazz elements to soften their sound.

Come 2004, they released their first single, Kuu, and also formed a side project under the name of 36481?. They released a mini-album covering one song from each of their fellow PS Company bands - Miyavi, the GazettE, and Kagrra, - along with another of their own songs. 36481? showcased their darker side and further potential and talent.

In 2005, they went on the Peace&Smile Tour, featuring all PS Company bands, and their popularity increased greatly post-tour final, in December of that year. Their big break came the following year with the major debut single Heart Balance in September, although before that they did release another single, and two more mini albums. Their first full-length album, dhar-ma was released in March 2007, and was also their first major album.

They had six releases throughout 2008, including a tour DVD and a PV collection DVD, that further increased the band's prominence. The single Kizuna was used as the opening theme for the anime show Yu Gi Oh 5D's. The band then kicked off 2009 with the 2009 Peace&Smile Carnival at Nippon Budoukan, celebrating the tenth anniversary of the record company, and played several older fan favourites at the show.

In March they released their third full-length album, titled Life ~Today is a very good day to Die~, featuring a variety of hard rock and pop-rock music, and including various previous singles such as Kizuna. Towards the latter half of the year, Kra's music and image became noticeably brighter, with the release of the singles Love Lab. and bird. In 2010, they have so far released an album containing eleven fan favourites from 2006 to 2009, and are currently on a oneman spring tour.

It would be hard not to smile looking at Kra. They vary from dark and serious in certain releases, to bright and poppy in others, most notably in more recent years. Yet, don't be fooled by their sweet image - for they have more talent in four people than many other bands put together. Keiyuu, though he might look sweet and small due to his petite frame, is a vocal powerhouse - his voice ranges from low growls to sweet, almost lullaby-like crooning. Backed up by Mai's guitar harmonies and the powerful rhythm duo of bassist Yuura and drummer Yasuno, they never fail to make an impression.

Though they might not get as much exposure as several other bands in the Jrock scene, they are nonetheless one of the better, albeit low-profile, bands of the industry, and are definitely worth a listen.

Kuu

Setsugekka

Kizuna

Marry

bird

Buriki no Hata (live at 2009 Peace&Smile Carnival)

it has been forever hasn't it guys? :/

Buzz doesn't quite, quite feel the same now. I miss lots of people who've left or are no longer active.

Well.

BIG NEWS. I'm turning 15 tomorrow. At LAST. I've been hanging around 15-year-olds-and-above ever since I joined Buzznet or something, haha!

It's big news to me anyway. XDD I mean, FINALLY! XDD

I love you all still. So how IS everyone? XD I hope all of you are happy and well. <3

*glomps all*

L-R: Ryouga (gt.), Iv (ba.), Shin (vo.), Ko-ki (dr.), Reno (gt.)

It can be hard to stand out among the countless young, fresh faces in the Jrock industry. PS Company, a company known for its good-looking and incredibly popular, talented bands, proves that one of the newest additions, ViViD, is not just another pretty one-hit-wonder band.

Formed in March 2009, the band was quickly signed to Indie PSC, the indie subdivision of PS Company. Many people came to wonder about their sound and style (although there was some criticism about their startling similarity to their senior bands), especially with regards to how the five of them, at that time between 19 and 22, would perform together. Their first live was on 19 April 2009, marking the band's 'birthday'.

Between their formation and the release of their first single, they played several live shows from April to June. Then, they released their debut single in July 2009, Take-off. The title itself seemed to be a sign of things to come, that the band would truly take off in time. Just a month later, they released their second single, Dear, and their first PV off the title track.

Through these months and the rest of the year, they also played quite a few live shows, gaining further popularity. With the release of their mini-album, The ViViD Color in October, it showcased greater maturity and versatility within the young band. 2010 then saw them with a new look and a new single, titled Across the Border, once again showing improvement and growth in their music. They have also been playing shows since January, with their next one-man live on 30 March and more events coming up within the next few months.

Despite their good looks, sure to send many fangirls swooning, ViViD are definitely not just another bunch of pretty faces. Barely 20, they have the potential to grow further and become even better. Although they have faced criticism that they look and sound too much like their seniors, they are slowly proving that they are their own distinctive band. Their music is a smooth blend between hard rock and pop rock, with electronic elements.

With their earnest attitude and their passion and potential for music, they will surely win hearts over. So go ahead and check them out - you will not regret it.

Take-off

Dear

69-II

Hoshi no Ame

Across the Border

Yume no Michishirube

Anyone who has read the previous DMDs for L'Arc~en~Ciel and VAMPS is probably no stranger to their undoubtedly talented frontman, Hyde. This is a versatile musician at the top of his game, who has consistently worked hard to improve ever since he began his music career.

His solo work began in 2000 after his main band, L'Arc~en~Ciel went on an unofficial hiatus, during which each member focused on their own solo careers. Hyde's debut solo single was titled Evergreen, followed up in the next few months by Angel's Tale and Shallow Sleep. His first solo album, Roentgen, was released then in March 2002.

In July 2002, an English edition of Roentgen was released, showing his rather impressive English and his obvious hard work in mastering the language. He soon started work on a new album, with the release of the singles Hello and Horizon in 2003. This was also the start of his collaboration with future VAMPS band-mate, KAZ, of Oblivion Dust. The album. 666, was released in December 2003, and Horizon was used as the ending theme song for the Japanese film titled Sky High.

He returned to working in L'Arc~en~Ciel in 2003, and resumed his solo work in summer 2005, composing the song Glamorous Sky, performed by fellow Japanese singer Mika Nakashima, for the film Nana, based on a manga by Ai Yazawa (who wrote the lyrics for Glamorous Sky). Hyde also played guitar for a live performance for the song in August 2005 alongside Mika Nakashima, and he has also performed the song live on several other occasions, and even recorded an English version of it.

Hyde released the single Countdown in October 2005, and the single Season's Call in February 2006. The latter song was used as the opening theme to the anime show, Blood+. April 2006 saw the release of his third solo album, Faith. He did not stop work then - instead, he went on a five-month tour to promote Faith nationwide, and even performed a few live solo shows in the US. After the Faith tour wrapped up, he released a DVD of the concerts in November 2006.

He has since returned to work with both L'Arc~en~Ciel and VAMPS. However, Hyde is not only a singer - he can act well, too, as shown by his work in the Japanese films Moon Child (alongside fellow Jrock star and good friend, Gackt) and Kagen no Tsuki (Last Quarter of the Moon). as a suffering vampire in the former and a guitarist in the latter. He performed a duet with Gackt titled Orenji no Taiyou (Orange Sun) for Moon Child and the song The Cape of Storms, from Roentgen, was used as the theme song for Kagen no Tsuki.

Hyde is truly a musician - his passion for his work shows through in every song and performance, not to mention that they are actually incredibly well done. His deep, soulful voice will reach out and touch hearts beyond language barriers, and he knows how to play a guitar - and well. He connects with his audience and loves and treasures them all. A true artist, anybody looking for some real, amazing music ought to give Hyde a listen.

[A/N: I suggest that the first four videos be watched in order, as they form their own story from Roentgen]

Evergreen

Angel's Tale

Shallow Sleep

Secret Letters

Hello

Season's Call

Top: KAZ, bottom: HYDE

When two musical geniuses work together, you expect pure brilliance - and when they do come together to form a band, you expect nothing less than perfection. And VAMPS, made up of two of the best rock musicians Japan has to offer, definitely does not disappoint.

Kaz, of Oblivion Dust fame, has worked with Hyde (of L'Arc~en~Ciel fame) on the latter's solo work since 2003. The years of constantly working together eventually led to the formation of Vamps in 2008. They released their debut single Love Addict in July, and in August kicked off their nationwide tour. The tour was played in Zepp livehouses across Japan, and every show was sold out - an unprecedented success of Zepp tours in Japan.

Not long after the tour ended in October, they released another single, I GOTTA KICK START NOW in March, along with EVANESCENT in May 2009. Their first self-titled album was also released in June 2009, to positive reviews. The band even had their first US tour a year after their formation, from July to August. Afterwards, they went to Taiwan and played two shows there, a string of successful lives back in Japan and ended the VAMPS year with a single release (SWEET DREAMS) in September, and Halloween lives in October.

2010 is a promising year for VAMPS as well - not only are they working on another single, to be released in May, and their second album, due out in July, they will also be going on a world tour in Europe, Asia and North America. VAMPS is promising a lot this year - and they will definitely deliver.

VAMPS is best described as a rock/alternative duo, supported by a backup band consisting of Ju-ken on bass, Arimatsu on drums, and Jin on keyboards. Forget synths and electronic elements and the like - what you hear is what you get. They are hard hitting and deliver rock tune after rock tune, occasionally calming down with a couple of emotional ballads, before cranking up the volume and energy once more. Their shows are infused with energy and power, and they play with all their heart and soul. They also connect with the audience with funny, touching MCs (members' comments) and it is impossible to leave their show feeling disappointed.

In short, they deliver more than what they promise, and anyone interested in some good old rock music should definitely check them out. Forget language barriers (in some songs, the lack thereof, even!), their music is powerful enough to make you headbang to your heart's content.

LOVE ADDICT

I GOTTA KICK START NOW

EVANESCENT

GLAMOROUS SKY (Live)

SWEET DREAMS (Live)

Title: The Shadows of Memories
Author: infinitysanti/silveryxdark
Pairings: TomoxRui, UmixYuh, YuhxTohya, UmixYuhxTohya, ToraxSaga, GacktxHyde
Bands: vistlip, Alice Nine, the GazettE, Gackt, Hyde, Dir en Grey, Miyavi, SCREW, SuG, Versailles, possibly more to come.
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Angst, action, drama, romance
Warning: Lots of angst, possibly poorly written action, manxman relationships
Disclaimer: I do not own ANYONE mentioned here unless specified otherwise (ie OCs). Only the plot is mine, insofar as I know.
Summary: Rui cannot remember anything before an assault on not only his body, but his very mind and soul too. For years, he has been trying to hunt down the ones who took everything he had away. One night, he finally finds some clues and he might get the answers he has always wanted - but he might not like them much at all...
A/N: Sorry about the long wait D: But here's Chapter 1 at last 8D

[PROLOGUE]

Blood.

It runs red and hot on the ground, from a death wound to his heart. It smells metallic and stale - but after all, it is borrowed blood. The monster in front of me moves no longer, but the blood still flows.

I feel it on my shoes and jeans, and I resist the urge to wipe it off right there and then, as sick as it makes me feel.

I wonder, if I were like him, a vampire, would I want all that blood? The very liquid that runs in everyone's veins - on my tongue and down my throat. Would it satisfy a sick craving that I hope never to understand? Blood gives life, and to take it is to rob someone else of life. Would I bear that on my conscience?

These vampires steal life in all its forms, and just about every one of them I have met is a cruel monster.

Some have the nerve to beg for mercy even when they never gave their victims a chance. Some plead with me to spare them, promising never to do it again. They do not want to meet their final death, so they beg and lie.

At first, you might pity them. It is, in a way, taking life. Yet, the moment you turn your back on them, leaving them bleeding but alive and healing, they will take a chance to try to kill you.

I am lucky I managed to survive my first kill, blessed with quick reflexes I trained for years. Else I might not be standing here today, and taking down another vampire.

You learn never to pity the monsters after one tries to kill you.

The blood stops, not even a mere trickle. What was once a man is now truly dead, a pale creature sprawled on the floor.

I walk out then, up a flight of steps to the trapdoor located just above. It leads to the alley and out to the street, where Yuh is waiting for me in the car. He looks at me, and I sense the sorrow in his gaze, the sorrow that tells me he wishes I weren't so bent on revenge.

I can't help but look away.

Maybe I am weak. Maybe I will always want revenge and I won't stop. Maybe I will always ache for the life that I lost - a life I will never fully know.

I step into the car and look out resolutely, trying not to meet Yuh's sad gaze again. In the dark of the night, buildings are still lit up, dancing and laughing figures visible in bright fluorescent lighting everywhere. Somewhere along a pavement, a vampire - a girl, who looks no older than sixteen - is laughing with another man, and I see a group of college students, among them a few vampires.

I wonder if their human companions know how cruel they, or other vampires can be. They might have lived openly among us for the past fifteen years, and people might have, more or less, accepted them, but I still refuse to trust them. There are those who remain fascinated with them, even obsessed, and grow careless.

These are the ones who die before long.

"Rui," Yuh calls, and I focus on him instead. "Tohya just called."

"Did something happen?"

"Not really... Well, the Council wants to meet us next week," Yuh replies, and I notice apprehension in his voice.

"All three of us? What for?"

"Yeah. Tohya doesn't know why, but Kazuki just showed up a few minutes ago to tell Tohya that the Council expects us on Monday. Kazuki knew nothing else, and was just as confused. He assured Tohya that none of us were in trouble, though."

"That's... better, I guess. I still don't like the sound of this though. The last time they wanted to meet all of us together was when I became a vampire hunter, and that was five years ago. Prior to that, it was another three years before to get my training. If they had anything to tell us, they would send Kazuki or Yuuto, wouldn't they?"

"It must be very important then, Rui. Maybe something big cropped up, and they want us."

"I don't like how it sounds."

"Neither do I," Yuh agrees, and just then, he pulls up.

We're home, and I see a small smile touch Yuh's lips. He's always happy to be home, of course. So am I, but we have somewhat different reasons for that. Home means safety, and I don't have to worry too much about other things. And it's nice to live somewhere with people you love and call family. Yuh loves home for the same reasons, except that when it comes to people he loves, one is his 'brother' (which is to say, me) and the other is his lover - Tohya.

And admittedly, home is a very nice place to live in. It's really quite a big apartment, and we have three bedrooms - one for me, another is shared by Yuh and Tohya, and the third is for any guests we might have. We have another room, where we keep documents, books and our weapons, and aside from that, we have average-sized bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room.

It's comfortable, maybe even excessive, but it's not really ours. The Council just takes very good care of its 'property'.

When we reach our door, Tohya opens the door and Yuh smiles. I smile back at Tohya too - he's too cheerful, too nice to frown at, really. "Okaeri!" he says, and we step in.

Tohya takes one look at my jeans, but before he can ask, I say, "It's not my blood, Tohya. Don't worry, trust me."

I go straight to the bathroom and take off my eans, carefully putting them in the laundry bin, the one we use every time one of us happen to get our clothes bloodied. It's Tohya's turn to do the laundry this week, and it's really not nice to give them too much work. I wish I killed more neatly, with less blood spilling.

"Hey, Rui?" Tohya's voice calls from the door, and I open it, poking my head out.

"Yes?"

"What do you want for dinner? Yuh's cooking," Tohya asks happily.

I smile and respond, "Soba noodles, I think. And remind him not to tip over the entire bottle of pepper like he did last time, all right?"

Tohya laughs as he nods, practically skipping off. I watch him for a moment and I can't help but feel a prick of envy. If only I was as carefree as Tohya. He is not quite as serious as Yuh, nor as bitter as I am. He has a persistent streak of childlike innocence in him, and it makes life a lot brighter and more bearable. Out of the three of us, he's probably the only one who is still most human.

After ten years, I guess it's about time to start thinking on the brighter side.

Some things might be confusing here, like the 'Council' and vampires living among humans and stuff, but a lot of things will be explained in upcoming chapters. Also, none of the three of them are vampires, but they aren't human either. Like I said, more will be explained soon. I hope you liked this instalment! :3

Lakeishaaaaa I miss you. ): We'll go out soon, yes?

In other news, I think I screwed up History, E-lit AND Higher Chinese. Also, I'm not going for Paramore any longer... ah well.