MAN WITH A MISSION - database feat. TAKUMA (10-FEET)

Wolf-headed "android" rockers MAN WITH A MISSION recently switched record labels from Nippon Crown to Sony Music Japan with the aim of increasing their global exposure. The first single from their new label, released 9th October, is called database and features TAKUMA from hip-hop/rock band 10-FEET. It will also be used as the opening theme for new anime series "Log Horizon".

database begins with a couple of seconds of computer-y bleeps, but otherwise wastes no time getting down to business with a downright sexy heavy metal guitar riff along with some fierce drumming from Spear Rib. Guitarist Jean-Ken Johnny launches straight into some shouty Beastie Boys rap which is followed by Tokyo Tanaka's raw vocals, both of them delivering the goods with a plenty of volume. Collaborative artist TAKUMA joins in with his own raucous rap in the last quarter. The thrashing guitar work is pure rock delight all the way through, particularly during TAKUMA's stint and of course during the unbelievably catchy, rocking chorus. Well, maybe it's not so unbelievable when it mainly consists of the words "database" and "wo-oah". DJ Santa Monica adds the finishing touches of cuts and samples to produce a thundering, explosive head-banger of a song.

your way is as noisy but much less fierce than the title track, and Tokyo Tanaka gets to flex his vocal muscles properly to give a better impression of his capabilities. It has a much more mainstream American heavy rock feel, bringing to mind bands like BACK-ON and ONE OK ROCK. Whilst lacking bite, it's an accomplished bit of rock.

The band also cover Green-Tinted Sixties Mind by '80s rockers Mr. Big. They've thoroughly updated it, with DJ Santa Monica replacing the original tricky riff with a synth loop and Jean-Ken Johnny rapping the verse with slightly tweaked lyrics instead. Mr. Big fans may shrink back in horror, but the MWAM version is fun enough in its own right. Even if it doesn't sound remotely '60s. Or '80s for that matter.

The final track is an unnecessary remix of their great second single distance by Slipknot's Sid "DJ SID" Wilson, which stamps out all the intricacies of the genre mashup source material. It sounds as if the original was muted and then fed through a drum and bass machine.

All in all this is a promising start for MAN WITH A MISSION's new life with Sony. It's clear that big things are planned for the wolfmen, as having their first single exposed to major airtime is not to be sniffed at. They have already made appearances in the US and Europe, but here's hoping that from here on in they'll be able to branch out even further.