Review ~ D'espairsRay
MIRROR
D’espairsRay is one of those bands that genuinely brings forth a vibrant sound that demands attention. In an industry where an increasing number of bands take the elements that worked for successful bands (Dir en Grey for instance) and apply it to their own music without any substance attached, D’espairsRay stands out with unpredictable songs and a mix of synthesized beats with hard, grinding guitars, a pumping base line, fast drums and crooning vocals.
At least that’s what their 2005 debut, Coll:set, implied. Sophomore albums tend to be tricky affairs. They walk the line between sounding too much like their predecessor and too different for the masses. Mirror has enough of a hard rock vibe to pleasure D’espairsRay fans with tossed in mixtures of experimental electro rock. The result is a vast canvas full of varying sounds.
Angeldust, for instance, features exemplary euphoric, multi-vocal refrains while Hollow churns out the very essence of a fast-paced, hard-drummed headbanger. That’s not to say sound quality has been substituted over emotion. Mirror retains its depth with songs like Lost Scene, an emotion-driven fist pumper with a tragic undertone to it, and Squall. Squall, previously released as a single, transcends rock alone and introduces various symphonic elements which makes for a sublimely juicy track. However, it’s the track Kaleidoscope that honors well the visual kei crown that D’espairsRay have so earnestly acquired.
With such diversity and versatility, D’espairsRay’s Mirror is full-fledged proof that the band has earned their spot among visual kei giants. They’re a group that is aware to not push themselves too far beyond what they don’t know, but to never stay stranded, lulling about in what they do know. The medium creates an album that clearly showcases the effort and thought put behind it, as well as opening up creative outlets for each members’ strengths to shine.
track list
1. Damned
2. Trickstar
3. Mirror
4. Sixty Nine
5. 凍える夜に咲いた花
6. Screen
7. Lost Scene
8. Hollow
9. Closer to Ideal
10. Angeldust
11. Squall
12.Kaleidoscope
Review by Sarah; album art copyright D'espairsRay
D'espairsRay Official Website
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