paradise lost

Finally, after two singles with only one track and some filler Gackt released a single with both an A-side and B-side. And for this single, released on 2009.01.28, Gackt would introduce a completely new sound for both.

GHOST is the Techno-rock track that nobody could see coming, but something that leaves you craving for Gackt to continue to experiment with music like this. The song starts quietly with muffled synth before introducing the thumping bass line, more synth, and finally the gritty, digitally modified rock instrumentation.  When Gackt’s vocals come in they are also often modified adding to the heavy techno atmosphere but without losing their power and emotion. The backing vocals are also subtle and don’t distract or annoy. The song sounds dark and still retains a rock feeling to it, but in a way it’s also part catchy dance number. The repetition throughout also helps to get the song 100% stuck in one’s head, although there is enough variation throughout to keep it interesting. It’s a heavy song, powerful as you would expect from Gackt but very different and totally interesting.  I love how the song ends too, it begins sounding like a machine starting up and then ends sounding like it’s broken down/malfunctioned. This song is definitely well thought out, too. The music video is also pretty cool, ugly old man included. I mean Gackt looks hot and he dances.

So after GHOST will the single get better or worse? Well, it’s Gackt so the latter is not an option. However compared to GHOST, the B-side of this single is completely different although somehow it still fits here- utilising again the very heavy synth affects, just not in such an obvious techno/dancey way. Blue Lagoon ~深海~ is another refreshing track from Gackt, being a murky synth filled rock number. It makes me think of movies with underwater action scenes. There is something dramatic, and desperate about the song even as the rhythms sound as if they are being dragged out against their will (not in the bad way) and the in a way, the song is muffled and holding back. The song blends extremely heavy rock instrumentation, with lighter synth effects which make the song sound so ‘watery’. Gackt’s vocals have an interesting sound and rhythm to them, keeping to the same note and sounding as if he’s singing slower than he wants to, however despite this like always his vocals are powerful and expressive. His vibrato is gorgeous here, too. Gackt really showcases some very controlled vocals here (showing just why he has one of the best voices in the industry). Really everything about this song just adds to that murky, deep sea feeling and the overall feel to the song. An underwater action scene, the most dramatic and final battle complete with flashbacks to the angsty past of the protagonist as he remembers the girl he loves…or something like that.  Either way, there is something extremely powerful about this song, something very emotional. I love it.

Overall rating: 90835984/5 (Awesomeness)
Favourite Tracks: GHOST, Blue Lagoon ~深海~

As soon as I heard GHOST I was excited for this single and it didn’t disappoint. The cover is awful but the tracks themselves- thankfully two of them and no lives or redone tracks to act as fillers- are incredible. Gackt has tried something new in both tracks, which makes the single very refreshing and different. I am also glad that Gackt has not tried something different and failed like so many artists (Ok, not that many but still) tend to do. Really both of these tracks are powerful and unique. Well worth listening to.