Review by tonberry
Nickname changes can be made in your account information.
-
Le cirque de soir
SyndromeLe cirque de soirSyndromeSyndrome live goodnessAmazing live performance by Syndrome, probably one of the best visual bands ever. The recording quality is not really good (especially audio), but it's the only live release so it's a must-buy. There are also two PV's for "Yume utsutsu" and "Arubino".
-
Dixanadu -Fated "raison d'etre"- Europe Tour 2007Moi dix MoisGreat souvenir of the europe tour
Best DVD release by Moi dix Mois so far. The new members are absolutely great and the DVD is better produced than before. There is also a really cool documentary following Moi dix Mois in tour with fun moments.
-
Curse of virgoHIZAKI grace project*drools*
Ambitious work by HIZAKI, releasing a great instrumental album. Guitar work is over the top here, and the digital photobook included has some very nice pictures. You really need to buy this if you like Versailles and other related projects.
-
MonshoHIZAKI grace projectGood DVD
Despite having a quite cheap production and only few cameras doing the whole job, this DVD is seriously great. The concert is really good and some songs are even better than in the studio versions. Bonus footage are a short offshot clip and a live PV.
-
Aesthetic Violence: KAMIJO Ver. [w/ Perfume, Limited Edition]VersaillesLouis
The decription of this product is wrong. This is not a live DVD...the DVD features only a PV made merging some live footage with studio audio. The main product is the perfume, which smells strong but very good. The perfume bottle is very small though.
-
Aesthetic Violence: HIZAKI Ver. [w/ Perfume, Limited Edition]VersaillesPrincess Stairs
The decription of this product is wrong. This is not a live DVD...the DVD features only a PV made merging some live footage with studio audio. The main product is the perfume, which smells strong but very good. The perfume bottle is very small though.
-
ETUDELAREINEETUDE
Nice mini-album by the Kamijo's solo period of LAREINE. If features a really cool reworked version of MIST and some new tracks. I must admit that Whiteness is one of LAREINE's worst songs but the others are just worth the price of this mini.
-
SCREAMLAREINESCREAM
SCREAM isn't rather a solo album by KAMIJO than an actual LAREINE work. He is the only member featured here along with some almost unknown support musicians from APPLAUSE RECORDS. That's why the songs sound really different compared to what LAREINE offered before. It was a refreshing and new experiment at that time and it's still a unique experience in KAMIJO's career.
-
Ruined kingdomHIZAKI grace projectRuined Kingdom
In the three new songs featured in Ruined Kingdom HIZAKI's guitar playing really shined. Two are classical HIZAKI grace projects compositions (Dark Passage, Ruined Kingdom), while the other one (Distorted Thought) brings a new flavour to this solo project. The sound production (by Versailles' KAMIJO) really improved and the live tracks are mixed very well too. However, I didn't like the the choice to add the live songs (which were already released in the Monshou DVD) to make the whole package more expensive.
-
Node of ScherzoNode of ScherzoNode of Scherzo
Node of Scherzo is a nice song by KAMIJO. It's catchy but has also a good epic feel, and listening to these three amazing vocalists together is just wonderful. The only bad point is the booklet...I hoped to find some photos inside but there are just two pages with the lyrics and some small pics in the background. But we should not complain if we consider the price.
-
The name of the ROSE w/ DVD (incl. "Sleeper" music video) [Limited Edition]DThe name of the ROSE
The Name of the Rose is still D's best release, I have no doubt about it. It's just a great and solid album, probably one of the best debut albums I've ever heard. This limited edition includes a cool DVD with the Sleeper PV and an extra booklet with pictures from the PV set.
-
DIXANADUMoi dix MoisDixanadu
Dixanadu is probably the best album of Moi dix Mois. Mana's project has grown up so much since its beginning, especially in terms of arrangements. In addition Seth's amazing vocal performance adds something more to this already great album. Be careful as you might not like Dixanadu if you didn't like Moi dix Mois' metal side.
-
Deep Forest -Live at 2005.10.16 Shibuya O-East-LAREINEgood
This live album features many classics from Lareine's whole career but also recent songs that are just awsesome! Kamijo's performance isn't perfect, but still ok, while Mayu, Emiru and Kazumi are as great as always.Probably the best live release of Lareine with their best lineup. Too bad the three singles performed at the end of the concert weren't included.
-
D Tafel Anatomie Tour 2006 - 12.06 Tour Final Shibuya KokaiDtafel anatomie
The DVD is quite short and some songs have been deleted, but the live material is simply amazing! The band plays live as good as in studio recordings and everyone is really active on stage. The songs from Tafel Anatomie found a new dimension in concerts and there are also few masterpieces from The Name of the Rose and the mini albums. The DVD production is also quite good for an indie release: it almost felt like standing in front of them at Shibuya Kokaido!
-
Dignity of crest [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]HIZAKI grace projectalbum of the year?
Dignity of Crest will probably be one of the highlights of 2007. Hizaki found great musicians for his project, including Mikage on drums and Teru from Aikaryu on guitar. The re-arranged songs are usually better than the original versions and the album can't get boring because of its variety. I just hope hope Hizaki will resume this project soon.
-
Lamentful MissMoi dix Moismagic *_*
The new bass player Sugiya really shines in this record, especially on the title track and on Perish.Lamentful Miss is a nice song with all the elements of Mana's sound with a tempting tune and great guitar arrangements. Perish features a darker mood and a more rock and atmospheric arrangement compared to the Nocturnal Opera version, with the addition of Seth's soothing and obscure vocals. Forbidden sounds stronger than ever in this new version, slightly different from the original track but way more powerful.
-
GardeniaMALICE MIZERnice
Gardenia is the weirdest single among Malice Mizer's last releases. While the main style of the band was a metal-oriented gothic/symphonic sound, Gardenia featured a sweet and romantic ballad (the title track) and a weird electronic-industrial track (Houkai Jokyoku). The mood and sound of this single probably look back to the old days of Malice Mizer but sound refreshing and different at the same time.
-
memoire DX [Regular Edition]MALICE MIZERgreat debut album
Memoire is a unique experience in Malice Mizer's history, being the only official release from the first era (1992-1994) with Tetsu on vocals. It's really different compared to the later releases, featuring a gothic-baroque rock sound with common visual-kei vocals. Main songwriter Mana focused his compositions on melodic twin guitar riffs and classical music influences (in Baroque we can even recognize a classical tune in the guitar solo), creating a dark and melodic mood. The album was self-released and it lacks of good production, but it's still worth the money. Definately one of the most original albums in japanese music history.
-
Uruwashiki Kamen no ShotaijoMALICE MIZERfirst single
This single is a turning point in Malice Mizer's career. With the new vocalist Gackt the band changed its style looking for a sweet and romantic french alike sound and moving away from the gothic-rock oriented songs of the previous album Memoire. Synthezisers and vocals are the main elements of the arrangements while twin guitars parts (one of Malice Mizer's tradmarks) can't be found anymore. Not their best work, but still a refreshing work for the time when he was released.
-
Dix InfernalMoi dix MoisNice
The concert is quite good. The only disappointing performance is Juka's, who sings great in studio releases but not so good in concerts, probably because he's still a newcomer and needs more experience. Mana, Tohru and Kazuno did a very good job, but the whole concert is a bit boring because of the songs, which are really too similar and sound quite boring after a while. The new tracks featured in this concert are really good, showing new elements and atmosphere. Bonus contents are really poor this time, but overall the product is worth the money.