FIXER started as a session band under the name “Fixer…”, and officially turned into a band with the name FIXER on April 15, 2014. In December of the same year bassist Makoto announced that he would be leaving FIXER in mid-January of 2015 and was officially replaced by the support bassist 70 (formally known as nao of Dollis and VanessA) in December of the same year.
In February of 2016, the band signed to Starwave Records, and has been on the label since then, releasing 2 full albums, 2 mini-albums, 1 live DVD, 1 MV collection DVD and 3 singles through Starwave Records. The single ARBITER was released on the 17th of January, of this year.
Tracklist:
01. ARBITER
02. sublime dystopia
03. TEMPtation
As expected from quite a number of artists signed to Starwave Records, FIXER brings a fast-paced heavy sound distributed over three songs. Growls, grunts and screams combined with heavy guitar riffs and melodic vocals here and there aren’t any strange aspects here. It’s a fast-paced dark sound that caters to a specific audience while still maintaining a typical visual kei sound mixed through the entire single. Vocalist Jey can change between his different vocal styles easily, and it definitely shows on this single, considering sublime dystopia has a dance feel mixed through it, taking the heavy core of the release to a different level.
If you like the darker, heavier side of visual kei being combined with a bit of speed, take some time to give ARBITER a listen. It won’t take you more than 10 minutes, and it will drag you across the fast line in no time, leaving you with the thought of “is it over yet?” and hopefully the need for more!
Rating: 85/100
