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- Aug 7, 2004
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It's a review I whipped up while listening to each song. It's nothing spectacular in terms of a review, but I felt I should give it my play-by-play. Here we go.
1.) Misty - A very nice piano/violin ballad. Very beautiful intro. It kind of makes me wonder where the album will be headed in terms of direction. The violin in this song is especially gorgeous. The end fades out with some guitar and a beat and onto..
2.) Farewell - This song already has a great sound to it. It rocks hard from the moment it starts. The music cuts out and Gackt's vocals start (a typical thing in a Gackt song). The album already seem to have a mysterious, dark feel. I really like the rhythm of the bridge vocals, as well as the chorus. Seems that Gackt always knows how to make a nice dramatic chorus. I've noticed so far that he's not going too strong on the vibrato, which isn't a bad thing. There's some very cool drums in the backround of the second verse, adding to that dramatic feel. A small guitar solo comes in and then band kicks it up a bit for a heavy rock out session but it's pretty short. I would've liked to hear that carry out. One more chorus and the song comes to a close.
3.) noesis - I loved this track as a b-side, so I have no problem with it being on the album. It easily became one of my favorite Gackt songs once I heard it. I love how it's got that industrial feel to it. It, to me, is an absolutely wonderful song and one of Gackt's best. The album version is actually different from the single version with some added synth in the bridge. I'm very fond of the verse vocals and how they're distorted. I'd really love to see noesis live. It's also come to my attention that so far, this album seems to be pretty dark. Very fitting as a continuation to MOON. The instrumental part towards the end of the song is wonderful, especially when it breaks into the orchestral part.
4.) ASH - Ash was another b-side that I liked. It reminded me of bird cage in the way that it was a pretty calm-ish ballad, and then breaks into a heavier rock song. It's a relatively simple song. Really nothing crazy about the song to rant and rave over besides it being a pretty song. I remember the lyrics being kind of sad, but Gackt is the master of depressing lyrics. The only part I really find to be "awesome" is after the instrumental in the middle, the rest is pretty mediocre compared to Farewell and noesis.
5.) Metamorphoze - This song was, I thought, the weakest of the three singles Gackt released for DIABOLOS. The PV was cool though. Everyone likes some Gundam action. Another pretty basic rock song for Gackt, but I think it's good that the singles aren't as epic and dramatic as the material on the album. It leaves room for him to do much more things on the album. Again, there's nothing much to this song really except for a nice chorus and some nice drums/guitar.
6.) Dispar - This song is all.. got cool beats in the beginning and seems like it's going to be synthy. Then some AWESOME guitars break in and this might just be my new favorite Gackt song. The rhythm he sings in for the verses is great. The bassline is especially impressive. The chorus is really catchy and this song is pretty damn different for Gackt. I'd say it's along the lines of.. a futuristic Papa lapped a pap lopped except without horns. It has that rhythm and dancey feel that Papa lapped a pap lopped had, which is why I relate Dispar to it. Although the song is short, it's simple and to the point. So far, my favorite song on the album.
7.) Future - Acoustic guitar starts up this song, and makes you think "here comes a ballad", and you'd be right about that with the violin kicking in. From the title, I expected another song like Dispar or something, with that cyber rock feel. There is a few elements that make thing "futuristic" in the song though. The beat comes in after the first verse and it's got a nice melody to it. Following the trend of Gackt songs we jump back into the verse, repeat chorus and then there's.. sounds of like a war, people dying, and when combining that with the title I assume it's about a war in the future, or the future AFTER a war. One more chorus, a violin outro and we jump into the very different BLACK STONE.
8.) BLACK STONE - Well, this is a kick in the other direction. I'm sure Gackt fans have met BLACK STONE by now. It was probably my favorite of the three singles. Upbeat, rocky, fun. It has that ANOTHER WORLD vibe but doesn't sound like it. Every Gackt album needs one of these songs. Great to switch things up on a, so far, dark album. One thing I really love about BLACK STONE is its guitar solo and following chorus variation. Hearing BLACK STONE again after so long also furthers my interest in a tour for this album. I think I'll surely be investing in the DVD when it comes out.
9.) Storm - Some backmasking and rockish feel open this song up. Some synth and a pop kind of beat back up the verses and honestly, it sounds like something recent from Ayumi Hamasaki in terms of music (yes, she does heavy rock now, and does it well mind you). The chorus is pretty heavy rocking along the lines of Farewell. It's late in the album now though, and I feel that the album, so far is missing something. Some guitar solo, heavy rocking riffs, awesome drums and piano follow and lead back into a final chorus.
10.) ROAD - This song almost sounds L'arc~en~Ciel-ish. Usually Gackt's albums take a depressing, sad turn by now, but it's another upbeat pop-rock song. Less punky than BLACK STONE, this song still carries itself well. I can see Gackt fans really liking this song. ROAD also has a different feel for Gackt, although I can't put my finger on what it is. The chorus is rather bouncy (not in a U+K bouncy way. More of a "jump up and down" way) and is the hook of the song. A tiny guitar solo and some harmony from Gackt and in pops in some orchestral elements followed by some great drum rolls. This song is also getting my seal of approval as one of my favorites of the album.
11.) Todokanai Ai to Shitteita no ni Osae Kirezu ni Aishitsuzuketa... - I hate how long this song name is. Anyway, I liked this single alot, especially the PV. It's a very beautiful song, but I wish Gackt hadn't ended the album with a single song. This adds to the feeling of something missing on DIABOLOS. At least the song is a likeable one. I would have hated an ending with Metamorphoze o__O. In a way, ending with this single is like knowing the end to a story before even reading the book. I think people will get what I'm trying to say there. There's nothing really different from the single version but it still is a beautiful song to close an album with.
Overall, I'd have to say my favorite songs are Farewell, noesis, Dispar and BLACK STONE. Gackt needs to take more time out and make his albums longer. I don't feel that, as a sequal to MOON, DIABOLOS did justice to MOON. Some tracks were quite on par with MOON while others just seemed to lack in that epic feel MOON had. In all though, it's still a good album. Not his best, but better than Crescent by a bit.
1.) Misty - A very nice piano/violin ballad. Very beautiful intro. It kind of makes me wonder where the album will be headed in terms of direction. The violin in this song is especially gorgeous. The end fades out with some guitar and a beat and onto..
2.) Farewell - This song already has a great sound to it. It rocks hard from the moment it starts. The music cuts out and Gackt's vocals start (a typical thing in a Gackt song). The album already seem to have a mysterious, dark feel. I really like the rhythm of the bridge vocals, as well as the chorus. Seems that Gackt always knows how to make a nice dramatic chorus. I've noticed so far that he's not going too strong on the vibrato, which isn't a bad thing. There's some very cool drums in the backround of the second verse, adding to that dramatic feel. A small guitar solo comes in and then band kicks it up a bit for a heavy rock out session but it's pretty short. I would've liked to hear that carry out. One more chorus and the song comes to a close.
3.) noesis - I loved this track as a b-side, so I have no problem with it being on the album. It easily became one of my favorite Gackt songs once I heard it. I love how it's got that industrial feel to it. It, to me, is an absolutely wonderful song and one of Gackt's best. The album version is actually different from the single version with some added synth in the bridge. I'm very fond of the verse vocals and how they're distorted. I'd really love to see noesis live. It's also come to my attention that so far, this album seems to be pretty dark. Very fitting as a continuation to MOON. The instrumental part towards the end of the song is wonderful, especially when it breaks into the orchestral part.
4.) ASH - Ash was another b-side that I liked. It reminded me of bird cage in the way that it was a pretty calm-ish ballad, and then breaks into a heavier rock song. It's a relatively simple song. Really nothing crazy about the song to rant and rave over besides it being a pretty song. I remember the lyrics being kind of sad, but Gackt is the master of depressing lyrics. The only part I really find to be "awesome" is after the instrumental in the middle, the rest is pretty mediocre compared to Farewell and noesis.
5.) Metamorphoze - This song was, I thought, the weakest of the three singles Gackt released for DIABOLOS. The PV was cool though. Everyone likes some Gundam action. Another pretty basic rock song for Gackt, but I think it's good that the singles aren't as epic and dramatic as the material on the album. It leaves room for him to do much more things on the album. Again, there's nothing much to this song really except for a nice chorus and some nice drums/guitar.
6.) Dispar - This song is all.. got cool beats in the beginning and seems like it's going to be synthy. Then some AWESOME guitars break in and this might just be my new favorite Gackt song. The rhythm he sings in for the verses is great. The bassline is especially impressive. The chorus is really catchy and this song is pretty damn different for Gackt. I'd say it's along the lines of.. a futuristic Papa lapped a pap lopped except without horns. It has that rhythm and dancey feel that Papa lapped a pap lopped had, which is why I relate Dispar to it. Although the song is short, it's simple and to the point. So far, my favorite song on the album.
7.) Future - Acoustic guitar starts up this song, and makes you think "here comes a ballad", and you'd be right about that with the violin kicking in. From the title, I expected another song like Dispar or something, with that cyber rock feel. There is a few elements that make thing "futuristic" in the song though. The beat comes in after the first verse and it's got a nice melody to it. Following the trend of Gackt songs we jump back into the verse, repeat chorus and then there's.. sounds of like a war, people dying, and when combining that with the title I assume it's about a war in the future, or the future AFTER a war. One more chorus, a violin outro and we jump into the very different BLACK STONE.
8.) BLACK STONE - Well, this is a kick in the other direction. I'm sure Gackt fans have met BLACK STONE by now. It was probably my favorite of the three singles. Upbeat, rocky, fun. It has that ANOTHER WORLD vibe but doesn't sound like it. Every Gackt album needs one of these songs. Great to switch things up on a, so far, dark album. One thing I really love about BLACK STONE is its guitar solo and following chorus variation. Hearing BLACK STONE again after so long also furthers my interest in a tour for this album. I think I'll surely be investing in the DVD when it comes out.
9.) Storm - Some backmasking and rockish feel open this song up. Some synth and a pop kind of beat back up the verses and honestly, it sounds like something recent from Ayumi Hamasaki in terms of music (yes, she does heavy rock now, and does it well mind you). The chorus is pretty heavy rocking along the lines of Farewell. It's late in the album now though, and I feel that the album, so far is missing something. Some guitar solo, heavy rocking riffs, awesome drums and piano follow and lead back into a final chorus.
10.) ROAD - This song almost sounds L'arc~en~Ciel-ish. Usually Gackt's albums take a depressing, sad turn by now, but it's another upbeat pop-rock song. Less punky than BLACK STONE, this song still carries itself well. I can see Gackt fans really liking this song. ROAD also has a different feel for Gackt, although I can't put my finger on what it is. The chorus is rather bouncy (not in a U+K bouncy way. More of a "jump up and down" way) and is the hook of the song. A tiny guitar solo and some harmony from Gackt and in pops in some orchestral elements followed by some great drum rolls. This song is also getting my seal of approval as one of my favorites of the album.
11.) Todokanai Ai to Shitteita no ni Osae Kirezu ni Aishitsuzuketa... - I hate how long this song name is. Anyway, I liked this single alot, especially the PV. It's a very beautiful song, but I wish Gackt hadn't ended the album with a single song. This adds to the feeling of something missing on DIABOLOS. At least the song is a likeable one. I would have hated an ending with Metamorphoze o__O. In a way, ending with this single is like knowing the end to a story before even reading the book. I think people will get what I'm trying to say there. There's nothing really different from the single version but it still is a beautiful song to close an album with.
Overall, I'd have to say my favorite songs are Farewell, noesis, Dispar and BLACK STONE. Gackt needs to take more time out and make his albums longer. I don't feel that, as a sequal to MOON, DIABOLOS did justice to MOON. Some tracks were quite on par with MOON while others just seemed to lack in that epic feel MOON had. In all though, it's still a good album. Not his best, but better than Crescent by a bit.
it is not bad, though. I have to agree with something Kazuo said : ROAD sounds VERY l'arc-ish, indeed.
I enjoyed the times when I mistook Gackt's singing voice for that of a mysterious woman, and when you just didn't know WHAT to expect on the next track, because he experimented with all sorts of ballads, rock tunes, pop tunes...
And it helps I really like the song.