NIKO!!!

[hollypolly]

I really like Niko.. It's a rocky and crazy eurobeat (that's my personal opinion). I would like to know what you think about him, about his works, etc.. My opinion is that he is a energy piece in the eurobeat field. But in the last year we just have two cover songs and the new Superbad... It is not enough for such an artist.. I would like to have more.. This is why I can 't wait for his next song.. ( I saw his new title on Delta's database... hope it will be on Seb soon)..
Together with Dave Rodgers he's the rocky side of eurobeat.. And I love that.. I wait for your comments...

[Shinji-kun[NGE]]

My life on the speedway
My Hands on steering wheel
Risk of racing in my eyes...
YEAH! NIKO IS THE BEST!!!

[Chico Chico]

It's a shame we haven't heard from him in awhile... Wouldn't mind hearing some new material...

[orochi]

Please give other artistes a chance!
Niko and Ace have been dominating the SEBs so frequently.

In fact based on frequency, Niko is on par with Manuel with most released male songs in 141-149.
I want more Matt Land and J. Storm!

Niko needs more catchier songs, and Superbad was on the right direction!

[Guest]

Matt Land yes but last I was told J.Storm wasn't doing anymore eurobeat. :-/ And what we need is more D.Essex and the return of Bazooka Girl

[aXu]

What we need is one killer song from Dave Rodgers, to proof that he still got it what makes him Mr. Eurobeat, not behind the desk and studio, but behind the mic! I haven't heard any good song from him in ages.

And it would be nice to hear Nuages new material, and new material from Niko too, not covers but he's own songs. Spiders from Mars would do just fine too, and Wain L and a mindblowing song from NRG Man.

But all is well from me if eurobeat would be eurobeat again, not cool and pop, but speed and power. Few slow songs in album doesn't bother me but if they all are slow or cool & pop then i get mad or should i say i'm badly hung.

There was my "wish" list =)

[Bore]

I'll right away say, that when I got into eurobeat I really disliked Niko above anything else. It's pretty evident in the first reviews I did, where I bashed him in every way...
Yet by time I've grown to like him and the songs I used to hate back in the days, all sound good now. I am still all for the female vocalists, but I have to admit that when Delta presents such classics like 1 For The Money, 2 For The Show or Superbad, you just gotta love them.
Yet I do have to say that I love the other titles Maurizio has, a lot more... Marko Polo and Morris definitely work much better. And the early Kevin Johnson songs that had Maurizio's vocals worked perfectly... Yankee Yankee, damn Yankee...

[Bore]

Please give other artistes a chance!
Niko and Ace have been dominating the SEBs so frequently.

In fact based on frequency, Niko is on par with Manuel with most released male songs in 141-149.
I want more Matt Land and J. Storm!

Niko needs more catchier songs, and Superbad was on the right direction!

Heh, if you've ever heard me complain in IRC, you'd know that I agree totally with you. Since 141 there's been what... 1 album without either of the two? (SEB148). I'm slowly growing tired with them. Ace already got a bit boring by time, but Fastway still has some energy left... Though if they keep up with the same pace, I'd guess that soon Fastway'll start getting bad grades as well.

And yes, totally up for new Matt Land! And also I wouldn't mind having some new Brian Ice songs or Nick Key... the two have been featured on the albums way too seldom.

[Bore]

Matt Land yes but last I was told J.Storm wasn't doing anymore eurobeat. :-/ And what we need is more D.Essex and the return of Bazooka Girl

Bleh, why couldn't I answer all of the questions in one post..
Well anyways... I also heard those news about J. Storm and he did post those news directly on his own site. But still, Shout wasn't named anywhere on his site, and it seems to be somewhat new. So he might've changed his mind (or then there's the chance that it's just a really old song...)

[Nine]

I agree with Panu, especially with Ace.

It's like
*looks at album* Ace? Cool!
*looks at next album* Ace? Neat.
*looks at next album* Ace? oh...
*looks at next album* Ace? WTF AGAIN!@#?!@#1
*looks at next album* ACE!@?#!#@%!#@%!#@$!#@$!@#$!#@$!@#$1324

XD

I like some songs from Niko, but the songs that I don't like of his aren't because of him... like I *HATE* night of fire because its the #1 most played out song ever invented, ever. XD Niko looks creepy too, but in a sort of cool, creepy but cool way? XD BE READY FOR EUROBEAT OKAY?! XDD

[Ricfiam]

There is a new Niko song at Delta catalog. But I think no chance to see it on the next SEBs because there is a new Kevin Johnson song too...
Bleh, I want more Niko than K.J.
Avex planners love K.J.

[Jion]

In response to AxU, Wain L technically is still here. Karen has just decided to stay with her original God given name. I think the main reason Dave hasn't released a single song in a while is because he figures its a lot easier to do duets and produce rather than do producing plus singing.

As for Manuel and Ace getting tiring I want everyone to realize everything; eurobeat is hardly released as an Artists compliation such as Nuage's Sunday or Domino's Tora Tora Tora. In about 2 years, Manuel has released 5 songs (possibly 7 if Terrence Holler and Ricky M. is him). While every year and a half, artists around the world release albums that have 15 songs. It seems rather foolish to say he or she is tired out when they haven't released enough songs for an artists album. But are we going to say that Linkin Park is tired out when they have released several albums and about 40 or more songs since 2001 or 2002? Of course not.

Now as for Matt Land and J.Storm. As much as we the fans love them, Eurobeat is a side job for them. It is nothing more than a skew of what they do. Matteo Setti (Matt Land) has been fiercely involved with eurobeat for years but as of late, Matteo hasn't been that involved because of his involvement with the Italian version of Broadway. J.Storm has been doing a lot of work with his band and from the beginning never intended to stay in for the long run in eurobeat. Dave just suggested it and J.Storm planned only on releasing at most 12 - 15 songs.

With everyone complaining about the pop style of eurobeat, I'll admit I'm getting a little frustrated. Not with the music itself but how everyone is complaining about it. Who dictated that Eurobeat had to follow a specific format? Do you realize that what's happening now is the same thing that happened in the early days of Eurobeat when it was Italo Disco and gradually moved towards a faster style thus eliminating the Italo Disco? It is also comparable to when eurobeat got faster again ditched the then original speed. Or when guitars were introduced for a rock style eurobeat. Or when HI-NRG Attack and Vibration introduced the insane speed style eurobeat with questionable lyrics. Whats happening now is that SCP has introduced a new style once again to the eurobeat audience and the Japanese are really getting into it which has pushed other labels to follow suit. Mixing styles from current popular music with Eurobeat. SCP has done it with Pop, Cyber Trance, Metal, JPop and Old Style Eurobeat with current style. As a result, in a bold and in my opinion very good move, Delta is also pushing the Pop style as the Disco style. Anyone who said that the Queen 26 song isn't eurobeat is failing to realize that it is using elements that created what we listen to. As hard as it is to see similarities, Disco and Eurobeat are in actuality one in the same. Anyone who isn't liking the new style of Eurobeat because they are comparing it to pop has to realize what I've been saying for quite sometime; yes anyone can make a POarapara to any Eurobeat song, but the fact of the matter remains, Eurobeat is no longer being made mainly for Parapara but more for listening and dancing to. Example of this would be Livin' In The Night by Pamsy or Go Beat Crazy by Fastway. Here in New Jersey, they have both been played by many people because I introduced them to it and my friends have brought it to clubs where many people have been asking them what song is this because they said it was just so fun to dance to. I call this the Emotion Age of Eurobeat where the music has emotion coming out of it now and as such has had to change it's style.

This message is to all that don't like whats happening; realize that you're in the same boat many people were when Eurobeat was changing all the other times before. Many many people like whats happening now and Avex can't ignore that. The same ol tired format of old has to be changed to accomodate growth. I'm sure even those complaining about the new style must agree that they see where I'm coming with this. HI-NRG Attack's new stuff isn't all that innovative as they once were, in fact its more of a throwback to stuff we've heard before. Those that don't like hearing Manuel 3 times per series (every 10 SEBs) realize that pre 140's, a lot of artists had 5 songs per series such as Dave, Cherry, Lolita, Niko, Mega NRG Man, Lou Turner and Vanessa under different names. If you see people that have like one song per series, that means they are doing something else too. Brian Ice is pursuing an acting career from what I have understood and writes Eurobeat songs. Thats what he likes doing and its not that he's being suppressed. Alessio Millani (Nick Key) writes many songs for A-Beat C and from what I've heard is also an Italian pop singer. He probably writes one eurobeat song every series as a break. There are so many arguments that are available but the main point I wanna push is Eurobeat will not be the same good ol Eurobeat; it is going to change but not in the direction most are expecting. By the same token realize a lot of the Eurobeat artists have other things they do and can't always make Eurobeat. Also while there has been so much negativity to the current style of Eurobeat from the fans of it for years, legions upon legions of new fans that never expected to like Eurobeat, such as many casual listeners, are becoming fans of it. Like what is happening with the artists, the old time fans are moving on while new fans are moving in. It's what happens to every music style.

[aXu]

In response to AxU, Wain L technically is still here. Karen has just decided to stay with her original God given name.

I know that Karen and Wain L is the same person, but under Wain L's name Karen sings a bit faster songs. But i must admit that under her real name she's released awesome songs too, like "She's The One" which was on SEB 154.

[orochi]

Phew redtarzanboi, u really let off your steam!
A few points I need some clarification:-

1. Let's say each artiste release 15 songs on average for a 2 year cycle.
The issue is that why is Manuel-Ace represented in every
single album whereas we have to wait 5 albums for every Digital
Planet, Matt Land and so on? Don't the other singers have any songs
left?
Missing people : Mako, Nikkey, Susy Wender,
BTW, I do recognise a bias agaisnt Manuel-Ace. How bout GGG and
Lolita? Their songs may be good but they are in every SINGLE or
OTHER album as well...

2. I support your statement regarding the cool and pop eurobeat.
Even though I like the change, does this reflect in sales in Japan???
Maybe Japan still associates Super Eurobeat = quick hyperkinetic para
para music.
If Japan doesn't support it, then this change would kill off those die-
hard speedy Eurobeat fans and finally SEB collapses on itself (perish
the thought)

Why don't Avex release 2 separate albums : one to please the
Eurobeat crowd and other is the Pop/Trance/J-Pop/Disco meets
Eurobeat style? That way u don't kill off either loyal supporters and
develop new fanbase at the same time... I sure would like to hear
more of the new style..

BTW, I will kill to go to any dance club which has Super Eurobeat in it...

[Jion]

Phew redtarzanboi, u really let off your steam!
A few points I need some clarification:-

1. Let's say each artiste release 15 songs on average for a 2 year cycle.
The issue is that why is Manuel-Ace represented in every
single album whereas we have to wait 5 albums for every Digital
Planet, Matt Land and so on? Don't the other singers have any songs
left?
Missing people : Mako, Nikkey, Susy Wender,
BTW, I do recognise a bias agaisnt Manuel-Ace. How bout GGG and
Lolita? Their songs may be good but they are in every SINGLE or
OTHER album as well...

2. I support your statement regarding the cool and pop eurobeat.
Even though I like the change, does this reflect in sales in Japan???
Maybe Japan still associates Super Eurobeat = quick hyperkinetic para
para music.
If Japan doesn't support it, then this change would kill off those die-
hard speedy Eurobeat fans and finally SEB collapses on itself (perish
the thought)

Why don't Avex release 2 separate albums : one to please the
Eurobeat crowd and other is the Pop/Trance/J-Pop/Disco meets
Eurobeat style? That way u don't kill off either loyal supporters and
develop new fanbase at the same time... I sure would like to hear
more of the new style..

BTW, I will kill to go to any dance club which has Super Eurobeat in it...

Well its quite simple as to why Matt Land and others don't have as many songs. First off when Manuel started off he was on 141 and he didn't get another song till 148. In Digital Planet's case he started on 139 and didn't get a song till 145, before Manuel. Also as amazing as Digital Planet is, you have to admit, Manuel's songs have been absolutely incredible. I'm predicting that Digital Planet will become more and more noticeable in SEB soon simply because his stock has increased big time with such hits as "We'll See Heaven" & "Fly Away". Give him some time. But back to Matt Land. As I have stated, Matt Land is doing Broadway. Thats his passion and he'd rather do that over Eurobeat. You can't force someone to just sing Eurobeat exclusively just because he's great. Thats why Clara Moroni, Elena Gobbi, Ennio Zanini, Christian Condenotti, Giancarlo Pasquini (though not as much lately) Maurizio Di Iorio (Niko, D.Essex, Marko Polo & Morris) have songs on almost every SEB because they are focused on that. Eurobeat is what they do for a living (as my understanding). Digital Planet may very well be much like Powerful T. or J. Storm and he may be a metal singer under contract to Rodgers Studio (who produces Metal as well) and may have been asked by Rodgers himself to sing eurobeat much like Roberto Tiranti and Fabio Lione.

As for the new style, well Avex wants a certain style. If you read Domino's interview, she commented on how Dave Rodger's would stay up till the early morning trying to make music to Avex's liking. Reason I think Avex wants this style is so that Eurobeat doesn't get stale. Think about it, we already have people complaining about HI-NRG Attack's new stuff saying it sounds too much like old stuff (which in my opinion it does). Vibration has been changing it style a little bit but its still rather comparable to Euromach and Europanic! stuff. You can't look at an SCP song though and say it sounds a lot like stuff from Euromach or years before or to a certain extent like a lot of songs that are being released now (which is why I love that label so much and talk about it so frequently). Delta is the same and A-Beat C is slighty similar (though treading down the path of similarity). Sales can't be ignored either which is why I have to comment that SEB 150 was on the Japanese top 10 list upon release (from the info I've gathered). The sales are there it's just gotten hard for Eurobeat to be so popular when the one thing that made it so grand (parapara) isn't as much of a hit as it once was (Also the reason why there isn't a second series such as Eurobeat Flash being made). Again it goes back to the style change. If parapara isn't as much of a hit now, then you obviously have to change the style to make it less dependent on parapara (not saying you can't parapara to current music but Eurobeat was sped up for parapara). I know a lot of people don't like the current speed but it's what I think needed to be done to innovate and change Eurobeat. I've stated it before but I'll state my opinion again; I absolutely love the new style and think its amazing. Not everyone agrees but I am definately a fan.