VAMPS - VAMPS

Released on June 10th, VAMPS is the highly-anticipated, self titled debut album from the well known duo of HYDE and K.A.Z.. Be prepared for some screams and thrills, and expect the unexpected.

Opening the album is BITE, a provoking introduction which sets the mood perfectly. Creaking doors and a blood curdling scream inspire thoughts of a haunted mansion, as if to imply that there is no going back once you step into the world of VAMPS. It leads nicely to LOVE ADDICT, a previously released single that takes you on the journey in finding out just what VAMPS’s musical style is like. Although it's a guitar based song, it’s not too heavy and burdensome, making this an intense but enjoyable experience. The riffs create a perfect, American-orientated rock song, fitting in with their USA tour. It’s fierce, forceful, totally wild and sexy. It must be noted that HYDE’s English is perfectly understandable.

COSMOS has a more relaxed tempo, but by no means is it slow. Emotional and raw, HYDE’s voice bleeds mental agony and pain. Many times he screams out notes of anguish, going into high vocal ranges. However, SECRET IN MY HEART is somewhat of a less clear cut song. The mash of timbre in the chorus crosses the fine line between having genius layering and confusing the listener. It creates an uncertain, eerie atmosphere that does not particularly blend as too many of the instruments clash.

As if the cries in COSMOS weren’t touching enough, the ones at the beginning of EVANESCENT are even more heart-wrenching. In the verses, HYDE’s voice is soft, but in the choruses, it’s rough and broken. Lyrically, it is also vastly powerful. There is little complexity in the vocal line, meaning that less effort is spent on reaching notes and more expression can be put into the words.

VAMPIRE DEPRESSION is psychedelic and repetitive in structure, with the synths creating a hypnotic backdrop. Like A SECRET IN MY HEART it is enigmatic, but unlike it, VAMPIRE DEPRESSION is more successful in integrating the different layers. HYDE’s roars, drenched in anguish, are very impressive here. Next up is REDRUM, which readers of "The Shining" should know to mean 'murder' spelled backwards. Dynamic and powerful, it contains ultra slick guitar riffs and pulsating drum beats.

From the intro, DEEP RED may come across as being more melodic. This proves to be rather deceptive as the vocals slide and slither down dangerously in both verse and chorus. The simple structure makes this an easy song to divulge in and become addicted to, adding to the trance-like atmosphere already created by the endless continuity of the backing. Also released as a single is I GOTTA KICK START NOW, which feels all too similar to LOVE ADDICT. Although the melody is different, it doesn’t offer anything that hasn't been heard before.

Tenth on the album is TIME GOES BY, which is much softer with more focus on the vocal melody. It’s not as driven as the other songs, instead offering a more peaceful escape from reality. Further continuing the soft vibe is SWEET DREAMS, a relaxed and calming song with a slightly disorientated feel provided by the offbeat drumming and dreamy synthesizers. The use of a violin is most welcomed here.

HUNTING offers an exhilarating chase with its distorted guitar effects and screaming vocals. It’s chaotic and totally juxtaposes SWEET DREAMS, providing more of an alternative nightmare dimension. Rather comically, HYDE interjects "where’s my lamb?" in the middle and at the end of the track. Finishing the album is SEX BLOOD ROCK N' ROLL, a great anthem that will bound to get the audience going at gigs.

On the whole, VAMPS is an intricately layered album that mostly delivers, keeping up the haunted vampire theme and containing that instantly recognizable VAMPS essence. If you love any one of the songs, you’ll love the entire album. However, for those who are more indecisive, the songs may sound too similar as a few of the tracks aren't very distinctive from each other. Diversity would widely broaden the appeal of VAMPS, and it would be great to see the band explore their acoustic side as demonstrated by the beginning of TIME GOES BY. Nonetheless, the album is a punchy debut that revels in noise and is definitely not to be missed.