D'espairsRay. Well, a while ago, I did a review of some album called MIRROR, and didn't like it very much, criticising it for Hitsumi's ridiculous singing and pop-influenced hooks. A year later, this finds its way to my ears and promptly blows me away. Read on...
Human-clad monster. Little tinny drum pattern, a few flirts of guitar, then "RAWR!" Hitsumi sings after a brief intro and his voice reaches me for the first time in a year. And I like it quite a bit. Catchy song, few complaints here, really. But they're just warming up.
Death Point. The third released single off this album (besides Final Call and Love is Dead). The guitar in the intro has such a huge sound, enveloping you. The hook in the chorus sinks into your head and stays there, making a thoroughly impressive song, which has roots in the D'espairsRay of old. Ah, what a lovely song :P as usual, some impressive bass work, thorough drumming, and brilliant screaminess
13 -thirteen- has one of those driving drum patterns coupled with strong guitar and bass which leads to a thoroughly motivating song, which is one of my personal favourites on the album.
Love is Dead. D'espa haven't just borrowed the riff from Dead or Alive's "You Spin Me Round", they've completely stolen it. Makes the song awesome, mind. The most pop song on here, and for once, I find myself quite enjoying it.
Devils Parade. More of the same evil shouted/spat vocals coupling with punchy guitar. Not particularly incredible, but enjoyable enough. The song after it, Dope, is pretty good too. Little tinkly bit leading into some very headbangable riffs.
Unsurprisingly, Falling is brilliant too, with some very emotional singing especially in the chorus. Progress has moments of brilliance too, though ironically showing absolutely zero progress in terms of muscial style whatsoever :D Enjoyable nonetheless.
The single Final Call has some very bad Engrish, which is always lightly entertaining, but i absolutely love this song...it was probably the first D'espa song I listened to which I actually found enjoyable.
Finally, the emotionally charged Abyss caps the album off nicely- even if you don't understand a word of Japanese, you can still hear the feeling in Hitsumi's voice as he and the other members let this album march to a close.
So, three years after MIRROR, D'espa come back. Is it as bad as last time?
Uh, simply put no. Over the years, my ears have come to rather like this hard music infused with synths and ridiculously downtuned guitars. Either I'm a total moron, or this is a very very good album. Your choice :P
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