D'espairsRay - Coll:set

MaruMusic is back with another North American release from visual kei giants D’espairsRay. Coll:set is the group’s first full release. Featuring tracks from the early part of their career, this fourteen track album is one that fans will definitely want in their collection.

Infection opens the album with an unusual atmosphere created by chimes, distinctly Indian drums and quiet singing. With the entrance of the chorus however, the song becomes loud and anguished. With lyrics all in English, it is a timeless and universal number describing someone who cannot live without his beloved. The pace picks up with the catchier Dears, which runs along at an urgent speed and features some heavy guitar play. The third track, in vain, has an excellent moshing atmosphere, though the pace slows in parts. The following Grudge is a reversal: it's slow until the chorus, which is full of HIZUMI’s angry scream-singing and heavy rhythmic guitars.

The fifth track, Tsuki no kioku -Fallen- (Memories of the moon -Fallen-), is a lovely ballad with unusual sounds like squeaking and creaking doors, which actually work quite well. It opens with a beautiful, distinctly Japanese instrument, and the first verse is almost sung completely a capella, with periodic glints of guitars and eventually some bass from ZERO. The second chorus finishes with some great distortion of HIZUMI’s vocals.

The next four are great live numbers. Track six is a fan favorite, Garnet, which has a rocking chorus with intense death vocals and head banging rhythm. The following rowdy, synth-filled Abel to Cain is a welcome addition to any album with its infectious groove and irresistible refrain. The sprinting Fuyuu shita risou (Suspended Ideal) is up next, and it combines beauty and intensity particularly well in its memorable chorus. The final refrain is especially enjoyable as HIZUMI ups the emotion even further.

Track nine, Forbidden, is catchy and probably familiar to most J-rock fans. Racing along at a fast pace and adorned with a multitude of synths, this fan favorite’s melodies are burned into D’espa canon. Next is the ballad composed by drummer TSUKASA, Hai to ame (Disaster and Rain). This is one of the most beautiful D’espairsRay songs around, with its floating melodies and a lovely piano throughout. Next up isTainted World, a good rock number with a nice mix of aggression and soaring melodies.

The only throw away number is track twelve, The world in a cage, which is a very sleepy instrumental with some haunting tones and horror movie drone. The next song, Marry of the blood, has a very intriguing digital sound and mysterious atmosphere.

The album finishes up with BORN -white stream mix-, which sounds like a somewhat digitalized version of the moody rock number BORN. Remixes are always interesting, but as a song on its own, it’s a little disappointing. Along with some interesting effects and synths, there is a layer of what sounds like static that may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and some of the raucous feeling from the original is lost as the sound is obscured.

Overall, this album is a great testament to the talent of HIZUMI and guitarist Karyu, the main composer. For those who don’t know this band yet, Coll:set is a great way to get acquainted. With fourteen tracks, many of which have formed the classic D’espairsRay sound, this release will show you what all the hype around the band is about.