Nightmare rules the world with their newest album.
Nightmare's fourth original album is an interesting mix of vocals and instrumental sounds. From heavy and filtered to symphonic and sweet, it has something for every listener.
BOYS BE SUSPICIOUS starts the album off with a mix of sound effects that lead into a heavy bass and guitar opening. Sensational as always, Yomi's voice soars over the instruments and soft backing vocals. The blending of pop and hard rock works very well and sets the stage for the rest of the tracks. PHANTOM, and The FOOL both act as breaks or filler songs, brief displays of Nightmare's various skills.
Two songs taken from Nightmare's most recent single are also included. The WORLD, a mid-tempo track, starts with rushed vocals and a pulsing bass line. Hitsugi's subtle but effective guitar work encompasses the piece but never overpowers the bass, which drives the track. Yomi's vocals are excellent and the song peaks with Sakito's guitar solo in the middle. Alumina offers beautifully strummed guitar chords and melodic vocals. Ruka's powerful drumming drives along with Ni~Ya's solid bass line. A mesmerizing instrumental break with soothing background vocals fills out the track.
Criminal baby and 18 sai aren't as impressive as some of the other tracks on this CD. Both boast nice guitar work, but the first seems a bit repetitive after a while and the other lacks Yomi's usual vocal prowess, sounding almost forced.
A slightly jazzy number, Alice opens with quick drumming and is highlighted by alternating operatic and filtered verses, the guitars and bass playing secondary roles. The instruments are the stars in Black Sick Spider, a heavy song that pairs Yomi's dramatic vocals, skillful guitar work, a throbbing bass line, and solid, hard drumming.
Not your typical Nightmare song, crevasse is a calm song with a lovely guitar and drum opening. Yomi's vocals are strong, but sweet, and almost sad at times. This is the perfect combination of vocals and instruments, a beautiful melody carried on a great combination of bass and guitar work. Another stand out track, Djaïnism shika launches with a fantastic instrumental intro. Rough guitar riffs, hard drumming, and screaming break up the verses and chorus, a superb display of the skill with which Nightmare performs.
More optimistically sung lyrics go well with short guitar riffs and a subtle bass line in Morpho. A melodic instrumental and vocal break splits the song up and bridges out to let Yomi's voice and a nifty guitar solo carry the listener to the end of this feel-good song.
The album ends with ~lulu~. Piano is played along with the other instruments following a lengthy opening and Ni~Ya's strong bass line flows nicely underneath sweetly sung harmonies. Though not taking the listener out with a bang, it is a nice note on which to close out the release.
Nightmare brings something fresh and exciting with The WORLD Ruler. A combination of classic Nightmare style and an unexpected twists, this release is definitely worth more than a few listens.
