Aoi - Eden

Ex-Fanatic Crisis and current BOUNTY vocalist Aoi is rather busy at the moment juggling two projects, the aforementioned BOUNTY, and his own solo work, for which he has released two maxi-singles and one album since commencing activities in December 2007. EDEN is the second maxi-single, comprising of two very different sides of Aoi all smoothed over by his evident talents as a vocalist.

EDEN is an interesting song. From an unrelenting introduction it adopts a curious pop-goth sound concealing a real surprise as Aoi starts to sing: he sounds frighteningly like hyde, and that develops into a greater L'Arc~en~Ciel feel throughout. Aoi's vocals are smooth and silky, providing a great contrast to the flourishes of synth piano and frantic drumming that cut in violently between Aoi's quieter vocal moments. The peaceful moments are gratefully received, for the onslaught of heavy instrumental is a tad headache inducing and only saved by Aoi's voice. Despite this, EDEN is an interesting and exciting song that showcases Aoi's incredible vocal talents.

SYNDROME, however, contrasts Aoi's vocals with industrial, heavy music. It is a short, sharp song with an attention grabbing punk sound as the powerful guitars are let loose. The music threatens to drown Aoi a couple of times but he rises above the heaviness and those smooth vocals again complement and balance the raw sound. If anything, the less violent switches in volume during SYNDROME combined with an addictive beat make SYNDROME more enjoyable than title track, EDEN.

EDEN is as yet Aoi's second outing alone, but immediately he is showing keen signs of promise as a solo artist. The comparisons to L'Arc~en~Ciel are there, but Aoi brings something extra - a flourish of something darker - to his music that maintains it as a fresh experience.