VAMPS instead of L’Arc~en~ Ciel

VAMPS
VAMPS
LABLE: VAMPROSE

[rating:7.2/10]

I did miss a band which has published a debut album few months ago. The band is called VAMPS, formed by the vocalist HYDE from L’Arc~en~ Ciel and the guitarist, K.A.Z from Oblivion Dust. The lineup of VAMPS forces me to think of The Tears, one of the most evanescent and great band formed by my favorite ARTIST Brett Anderson and Bernard Butler, the later is also a famous guitarist. Unfortunately The Tears has been AMOST disbanded. Now I am going to talk about this new group.

Few days ago I listened to some of their singles, I was a bit disappointed at the beginning. Those singles somehow is quiet ordinary and tasteless, although its much heavier than L’Arc~en~ Ciel’s songs. The band sounds punk, yet, it seems that there is nothing very artistic and outstanding in those singles. I am almost stop following L’Arc~en~ Ciel’s musical publishing because of their decreasing creativity of making music. Their recent works have become more and more popular, also, have become quiet soulless and lost. Every instruments and melodies of their songs are fine, but you can sense that there are something missed. L’Arc~en~ Ciel is artistically tired I guess. So does HYDE.

Nevertheless, A moment ago I have finished the whole debut album of VAMPS, then I am confused and surprised, although singles are featureless, however the sidetracks are exciting, heavy and powerful. I can guess that HYDE and K.A.Z both want to compose some non-japanese-style songs, I can intensively feel this purpose by listening those Garage rock style songs like first single “LOVE ADDICT” and other sidetracks. Those songs sound very “foreign”, except the most lovely song “EVANESCENT”. I think that their vision of making non-traditional sounds is good, unfortunately “EVANESCENT” is still the most excellent one in the album, which featured a graceful and transparent guitar playing. It is quiet like L’Arc~en~ Ciel’s old work, so called the KILLER SINGER. The tragical and breakable melody of this song properly impresses me.

Track Listing:

• 01. BITE
• 02. LOVE ADDICT
• 03. COSMOS
• 04. SECRET IN MY HEART
• 05. EVANESCENT
• 06. VAMPIRE DEPRESSION
• 07. REDRUM
• 08. DEEP RED
• 09. I GOTTA KICK START NOW
• 10. TIME GOES BY
• 11. SWEET DREAMS
• 12. HUNTING
• 13. SEX BLOOD ROCK N’ ROLL

Tags | 日本, 樂隊音樂