Manatsu no Yoru no Yume [UHQCD]

I’ve spent over a month listening to Manatsu no Yoru no Yume, or A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to give an informed review. Its another good and entertaining release worth buying. Opener Night Wail appears to be a straight rocker but pulls an unexpected time signature change which leads to an understated guitar solo that contrasts the frantic rhythm. Then, at what seems the end another time change calls back to the opening notes. Music of Downfall has no changes. Its just a barreling locomotive! Youth Beyond the Wasteland is a Shinji Wajima slide guitar exhibition. Flying Saucer features harmonized vocals, heavy Theremin use and an intro reminiscent of 1960’s American television series The Twilight Zone. Next is frenetic Monkey’s Fleet. On the menacing Necrology, bassist Ken-ichi Suzuki should be credited as the vocalist/growlist. Daydream is 180 degrees different, laid back and chill. Peony Lantern is a bass heavy, mid tempo scary sounding tune. Being based on a Japanese ghost story, it should. Research it and find out why. Flowers for World is the longest song here featuring a lot of spoken word. The dialogue and music build together like waves and fall. Pus Story is rightly included on the 20 year best of set while That’s All for Tonight are on both the 25 and 30 year sets. Track 11, The Obese Angel, is another heavy song that could have taken its place on either. Overall, the mixture of heavy stuff, lighter fare and the time signature changes this is another good album worth buying. Track listing: 1. Night Wail 2. Music of Downfall 3. Youth Beyond the Wasteland 4. Flying Saucer 5. Monkey’s Fleet 6. Necrology 7. Daydream 8. Peony Lantern 9. Flowers for World 10. Pus Story 11. The Obese Angel 12. That’s All for Tonight If you like metal, own this music.