Album review: KAMIJO - Heart

Good day, dear readers!~

Finally the great day had come: On Wednesday one of my favourite artists, KAMIJO, released his first full album entitled "Heart". Although my ordered copy hasn't arrived yet I had the possibility to listen to it already, and of course a short review mustn't miss!
So let's get started~

1. Vive le Roi
An opening typical for this artist, packed with symphonical elements like violins, church organ, a ringing bell, piano etc. It reminds of Versailles' introductions like "Intro" or "Prelude" quite much but is a fabulous beginning of the album.
Rating: 5 / 5



 
2. Rose Croix
This song continues the intro properly and is a typical symphonic metal song we got used to from his solo project already. The speed combined with the mix of classical and modern instruments forms an impressing number that makes fun to listen to. Also the equilibrium between the remarkable melody and the middle part creating a mysterious atmosphere makes it an interesting song.
Rating: 4,5 / 5

3. Yamiyo no Lion

As we already knew this song from the second single of his consecutive releases it nevertheless doesn't loose its impact on the album and is well-placed as the third number. A song filled with symphonic metal power that quite reminds of Versailles times.
Rating: 4 / 5

4. Louis - Enketsu no La Vie en Rose - Symphonic Metal version
The remastered version of his very first solo release indeed sounds more modern because it focuses on guitar, bass and drums and even includes a new guitar solo. Compared to the original version his voice has improved again after just one year, a very positive side effect. Personally I like both versions quite much because the song is just a great work and represents his solo project in best way.
Rating: 5 / 5


 

5. Death Parade
In my opinion the most experimenting and innovative song of this release. When listening to it for the first time it maybe sounds a bit strange, but after some time the melody becomes pleasing and the song enjoyable four minutes filled with an interesting combination of various stylistic elements. Based on march rhythm you really can be reminded of a death parade, also because of some vocoder voices that could represent voices of ghosts or other mischievous creatures. It's not too dark and also consists of cheerful moments what makes it not easy to like this song instantly - just give it a while and then it will become a number one really can like very much.
Rating: 4 / 5



6. Romantique
After the first five songs filled with symphonic metal and action the atmosphere now changes to a more romantic one, in the truest sense of the title of the sixth number. Maybe the most Lareine-like song on this album represents KAMIJO's softer side that can touch one's heart very well. The song is perfect for dreaming and just adoring his pleasant voice; most likely you should listen to it when you want to calm down or spend some time at a beautiful place. For me it's a good option to forget stress and to grant myself a break from everyday life. The melody accompagnied with a violin and the piano elements form a wonderful ballad that's definitely worth listening to.
Rating: 4,5 / 5



7. Dakishimerarenagara (what a title x___x;  its meaning is "While hugging" )
This song creates a motivating and elated atmosphere enjoyable like a walk along an alley or a tour in a gondola on a ship canal in Venice. Dominated by French elements like an accordeon one can go on short vacations while listening to this song. Not too slow but also not too fast it goes along with the previous number quite well and is a typical KAMIJO song worth listening to.
Personally I prefer the "harder" symphonic metal songs, so my rating of 3,5 of 5 maybe is a bit influenced by my personal opinion... If you are more the type for ballads our point of view can differ maybe, but I also would be willing to rate it up to 4.



8. Moulin Rouge
The main song of his first consecutive releases single abducts you into the world of night life in Paris and indeed creates the atmosphere of joining the same-named revue theatre, as the number intends to do. Finding saxophones in his solo project is quite rare, but he used similar effects in Lareines "Fuyu Tokyo" and again refers to his earlier works. The song's atmosphere is swinging and peppy, motivates and it just makes fun listening to it, especially because it's a neat experiment with styles (in musical matter as well as in face of his outfit ^__^). In my opinion still one of his best songs I always would recommend to listen to if you want to get to know his solo project better~
Rating: 5 / 5

9. Sanctuary
Number nine of this album is a quick song consisting of symphonic metal elements and a light, almost hovering atmosphere that gets a bit more serious in the middle part. Nevertheless the return to the melody is obvious, and personally I can observe many characteristics which also are present in Versailles' songs, like one of support guitarist Meku's famous solos.
Rating: 4 / 5



10. Katate ni Yume wo motsu Shoujo
A very impressing number characteristical for KAMIJO's solo works. In my opinion the most Versailles-like song with fabulous guitar solo of HIZAKI himself, so the comparison with the band lies quite close. Every Versailles fan will feel remembered of songs like "Princess" or other works from Jubilee and will be satisfied with a "halfway comeback" - although his solo project still is independent and unique enough not to put it on the same level like Versailles. A rocking but nevertheless light-hearted symphonic metal song that contains everything one needs for another wonderful work that definitely is worth a listen.
Rating: 5 / 5

In between these songs a female voice proclaims the following lines:

"The heart is forbidden territory by law of clan.
The empire that conquers the territory of heart -Rose Croix-
The weapon they hold in their arms is Art!
And the heart of human is the greatest weapon.
There is nothing more powerful than love to move one’s heart.
Would he use this weapon for the clan’s pride?
Or just be soaked in love?
From now on, you shall choose your own future
Love or Pride?”

This is the background thought of the release and forms an intermezzo before continuing. I think everybody needs to ask him/herself the rhetorical question at the end, but I think KAMIJO would have problems when chosing between the two options xD


11. Tsuioku no Mon Amour
Although this song also already was known from the Moulin Rouge single it stays a speedy but enjoyable number perfectly fitting in between. The voices recalling in the middle part create an atmosphere that me personally always let fly away in my thoughts - as it's maybe the song's intention, as the title says (Thoughts of my beloved).
Rating: 5 / 5

12. Heart
Finally we have arrived at the title song of the album, and it definitely is holding its promise: It contains everything KAMIJO makes use of in his different solo project numbers. Besides to stunning guitar solos and typical symphonic metal elements he mixes classical instruments like violins, bells, piano etc . Moreover this is the longest song with eight and a half minutes, but it doesn't get boring in one single second and always stays innovative and refreshing because of its many stylistic changes. A really touching song which many catchy melodies will cause you an earwig, absolutely proving his skills as a musician and composer.
Rating: 5 / 5

13. Presto - Acoustic version
The regular edition will also include an acoustic piano and violin version of the already quite famous melody of Presto that appears not only in the same-named song on "Symphony of the Vampire" but also can be found in "Throne"'s refrain. So I was quite irritated why he has composed a third version of the same melody and thought it would just be for commercial issues, but I indeed have changed my opinion after listening to it for the first time. I was absolutely fascinated and touched: The generally catchy melody gets stuck in your ear even better without the speedy metal elements, it's even a bit slower than the original. I almost prefer this version to the symphonic metal one although I'm more the metal type; it's a quite rare case I give such a rating.
Last but not least his voice invites for dreaming and it's just too wonderful listening to it... I think that's KAMIJO's most striking talent: His voice can really touch your heart - not many artists are able to do this to me, but he definitely can be counted as one.
Rating: 5 / 5



Final conclusion
As the title proclaims this album is real art created from the bottom of the artist's heart. As he himself explained the title is also the pun of the words "he" and "art", and believing that love is an art itself he has composed many new tracks that prove exactly this aim. One can feel that KAMIJO has improved a lot again as a musician, not only compared to his Lareine and Versailles times but also in face of his first quite cautious steps of his solo project. Now he definitely doesn't need to hide anymore and has released a first full album that is definitely worth a listen. It can rock you or soothe your soul, just as you want it to do; it consists of a huge variety of atmospheres and nevertheless stays a unique creation that doesn't get boring a single moment. I was really impressed and my high expectations were fulfilled, so buying this CD is absolutely worth its money. Another time KAMIJO has proved he is a Vampire Prince of Hearts, in the truest sense of the word.
Rating: 5 / 5 
Go and get your copy yourself! (<- some hidden advertisement xD )


Have you also already listened to "Heart"? If yes, what do you think about it? You can let me know in the comments ^___^


Thank you for reading and see you another day~
Junsui