Necronomidol is compelling. Whereas other idols that do metal opt for either a big, melody-heavy sound (Babymetal, Mugen Regina) or thrashy, boot-to-face headbanging fury (Haloperi Doll, Fruitpochette), Necroma has a place thats half rooted in Black Sabbath and half in Kraftwerk; at their prettiest and most idol, theyre often at their darkest and most synthetically ethereal. They often sound like a dance party in hell. Like, when people would say, Seriously, dude, this J-pop thing, Id throw them the Vulture MV thats been scrubbed from the Internet but needs to be restored even if its just on my hard drive because that was some creepy, scary shit. When they graduated from temple maidens garb for their current were attendants for the Undertaker outfits, it was like theyd found their soul. In truth, I was prepared to not be wowed by this album. On the one hand, its loaded with material from their singles (albeit in some cases completely re-done); on the other, when a group is less defined by genre than by atmosphere, attitude and style, theres a greater risk of swinging and missing. Formulaic isnt a great thing, but its a safe thing, and good formulaic is at least more pleasing to the ear than a sonic whiff.
