I’ve listened to the album several times and finally decided to post a review. I watched the teasers for it but didn’t listen to the previews of each song. I thought Ninth was a step back so I really wanted this album to be good.
Count-10
A weird intro. Sounded like a ritual or something at the end but I was somewhat disappointed that it didn’t just transition into the next song. Nothing too special. 5/10
Blinding Hope
I recognized the intro from the teaser for this album. I had really high hopes for it but was disappointed. Even on their mediocre albums the GazettE are pretty good at title tracks but this was one of their worst ones. It just doesn’t do anything beyond the amazing intro. Really a wasted opportunity. 4/10
Rollin’
A heavy song that feels slowed down for some reason. Usually mixing heavy music and clean vocals doesn’t do it for me but for this song it worked. The highlight was definitely the section with clean vocals towards the end. Ruki’s voice just sounds so beautiful in that part. 8/10
Nox
There were some good riffs in this song, especially between the lyrics. I think it’d sound great live. It sounds like something that’s been done before but is still catchy nonetheless. 7/10
Hold
This song has a lot of tension and keeps it throughout. Not sure how to describe it but it sounds like a bomb is ticking down with the way the song is structured. It kind of made me think of a crazy circus or something. Very unrestrained and wild. I loved it. 9/10
濁
Wow. This song took me back to Dogma. Much like how Undying was a continuation of Dogma, this song felt like a continuation of Ominous. But whereas Undying was as good as Dogma, 濁 doesn’t quite reach the heights that Ominous did. Even so, it’s clearly the best song on the album. I kind of wish it was put at the end of the album like Ominous was. It carries the middle of the album. 9/10
The Pale
A beautiful song. It felt like a ballad but is probably too heavy to be called that, kind of like Grudge from Dogma. My only complaint is that Ruki’s voice sounded kind of muffled at the beginning, like he was singing from behind a wall or something. The opening was beautiful and the rest of the song didn’t disappoint either. I really enjoyed the chorus as well. 9/10
Moment
This was definitely something I was not expecting, but in a good way. The GazettE are generally pretty good at ballads and this one isn’t an exception. It’s a nice break from the heaviness of most of the album. It’s a simple song but it works and I really enjoyed it. 8/10
Barbarian
A generic heavy GazettE song. Really forgettable. Every time I hear the opening of a new heavy song, I hold out hope that it will be the next Maggots or Headache Man but each time I am disappointed. The part before the three-minute mark sounded like it was building up to something but unfortunately it didn’t deliver. 4/10
Frenzy
There was some promise in the opening but it soon devolves into alternating screaming and singing, neither of which is particularly memorable. At least some of the tunes sounded kind of sinister. 4/10
Last Song
This song was surprisingly similar to Blinding Hope in terms of my opinion. A really strong opening and some good tunes but it’s ruined by the rest. The chorus was repeated too many times, which I wouldn’t have minded if it was good, but it’s just average. It’s not as bad as Blinding Hope though, since the tunes are enjoyable enough that I don’t really mind listening to the song. Still, it feels like the GazettE missed a good chance to make an amazing song and settled with just making a decent one. 6/10
I noticed that this album didn’t have notable solos or female vocals, two areas I’d say that GazettE are pretty good at. There were parts in some of the songs without singing where it feels like a solo could have been put in but unfortunately wasn’t. Another ballad wouldn’t have hurt either.
I like to judge albums by their best songs and due to 濁, I would rank this album higher than Ninth, which didn’t have any songs that were as memorable. I would like to see the GazettE do more experimental stuff like B-sides because I feel that some of their best stuff came about like that. Hopefully their next album is more varied.