Hot on the heels of their great 1987 record Ghost of Romance, Dead End returned the following year with another seductive slab of melodic and emotional speed metal. This album, their third full-length, sees a larger infusion of J-pop values that place the band in slightly friendlier radio rock territory than peers Anthem or Loudness, but just as charming if you're a fan of their broken, mixed Japanese-English vocals and highly dramatic riffing. Of note is the rather grotesque cover image which seems to belong more to a death metal aesthetic than what Dead End perform. Like an organic, living level of Metroid. Interestingly enough, not only is this the same line-up as Ghost of Romance, but remains the band's roster today, over 20 years later, on the band's reunion album Metamorphoses in 2009.Though it may seem an inkling more poppy than its direct predecessor, there is no reason one who enjoyed that will not quickly find themselves ensnared by the same wiles. The band has a superb knack for catchy vocal melodies, brief flurries of lead work and memorable writing overall, so it's a shame they never saw the success of a Loudness or X Japan. And though Shambara has no scorching tracks ala "Phantom Nation" from the prior album, this is a trip well worth taking if you're part of the niche who appreciates all things Japanese, 80s and metal. There is a certain glint to some of these tracks that makes them fit in well with both the visual kei J-rock scene as well as the more European concept of classic speed and power metal.
"Embryo Burning" starts off fresh with some popping guitar melodies and a swell of choir and synthesizer, the bass thumping beneath a sequence of mystical chords in the verse that perfectly complement Motoyuki Ohtsuka's fetching native tongue. The solo sequence is excellent, as Masafumi Minato thunders below and the rhythm guitar rocks along, creating a skeleton over which the leads flow like sharp, cutting crystals. "Junk" feels like a more straightforward NWOBHM-influenced rocker ala Loudness or 80s Saxon, with a cool echo to the wavering vocals, and some melodic backups. The track feels fairly accessible and processed, but not bad for over the top radio fare. "Night Song" is a great track for cruising the streets in the late evening, half-drunk off the neon and flashing lights of an 80s urban sprawl. The lyrics are totally cheesy but in the awesome, semi-Engrish way: 'shake me down in the illusion, slow down your time, never leave me!'. "Serpent Silver" is a speed metal number which glistens with a lot of resonant clean guitars, and I love the mystery of the bridge and chorus, how the vocals interact beautifully with the descending bass lines. "Psychomania" is a bar mesh of burning hard rock, tiny metal licks and funky fusion, with a solid solo.
"Luna Madness" commences the second half of the record, an uptempo ballad piece which might have fit in perfectly with some pioneering 80s cyberpunk anime, something like Bubblegum Crisis. Probably one of the few tracks here that feel more pop than metal, but the drum beat maintains a stock, leaden weight that keeps it aloft from the idol girl domain. "Blind Boy Project" returns to the street metal, with a nice sparkle to the riffing and some nasally, slightly distorted counter vocals in the verse. After this comes "Blood Music", a very pop-metal track which would not have sounded out of place on Judas Priest's Turbo, aside from the vocals of course. I was afraid "Heaven" might turn out some sappy ballad like so many songs of the same name, but it's more like a jarring, situational piece composed of scintillating clean guitars and a traditional Japanese flair to the percussion and the melodies. It's actually quite beautiful. Closer "I Can Hear the Rain" is a little closer to the power ballad formula, but with an emphasis on power, as the chorus is pure hard rock with keys and a thick bass line.
I can't think that there are that many people outside of the J-rock, J-pop fandom who would truly appreciate Dead End here. Like so many other facets of their artistic culture, they've taken the best of the West and infused it with their own personalities, and the result is a solid enough hard rock album with more than enough 80s to drive the hipsters well out of town, since it sounds almost entirely out of place in the current generation. However, if you like a little cheese, some burning lead guitars and melodic, traditional Japanese metal, I'd definitely urge you to check it out as with their first two albums!
Highlights: Embryo Burning, Night Song, Serpent Silver, Heaven
Verdict: Win [7.5/10] (junk boys will be damned)
http://www.deadendofficial.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment