A while has passed since I have written a report or a review - but today I want to give my opinion about Jupiter's latest album, called "THE HISTORY OF GENESIS"~ I already have ordered my copy of the limited edition, but of course I couldn't withstand to already listen to the album and to form my opinion of it ^____^
So, let's take a closer look on it~
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| The new look for the album |
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| Regular Edition |
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| Limited Edition |
Luckily Jupiter had created a special English page about this album, you can find it here. They added descriptions and their background thoughts about every single song what maybe makes it easier to understand the meaning of every piece.
It's quite obvious that HIZAKI produced the main part of lyrics and music - that surprised me, because at the previous album "CLASSICAL ELEMENT" the work was more split up to the single members.
1. The Birth of Venus
Lyrics & Music: HIZAKI
The song starts with one of HIZAKI's famous and easily recognizable guitar melodies and promises to be a fitting opening song of the album. It consists of all typical symphonic metal elements that characterize Jupiter's music style and conveys a vivid and speedy atmosphere which will continue throughout the album. Also the guitar solo leaves you stunned as always and proves that these guys know how to write songs and to play their instruments. ZIN's voice fits quite good to the melody and the song in general, too and rounds the song off. One of the common and most promising really new songs of the album.
Unfortunately one can't find the music video on Youtube, and there are no recorded live performances yet...
Rating: 4,5 / 5
2. LAST MOMENT
Lyrics & Music: HIZAKI
This song already was released as a single before and also has an instrumental version.
It's a typical Jupiter song with melodic as well as power metal elements. Battling and progressing guitars are perfectly underlined by ZINs melodious singing and result in a refrain with earwig potential, as well as the female voice in the beginning and in between the song. The guitar solos are stunning and impressing and perfectly into the song's scheme. Nevertheless, the lyrics of the song always make me sad because it shall remind you of living every single moment as it could be your last one. So its meaning is closely connected with death - what not neccessarily mean that this song causes depressions, in opposite. It shall create a more optimistic atmosphere, and in general this works quite fine.
Unfortunately the official music video isn't available on Youtube, but this live is also a good proof of their stunning performances, I think~
Rating: 5 / 5
3. Darkness
Lyrics: ZIN / Music: HIZAKI
This song was released on the ARCADIA single as well before. It is one of the harder numbers and can be better categorized as Death Metal.
It starts with an interesting opening that shall create a solemn and dark atmosphere, in the truest sense of the word. Scared people, little bells resounding, a screaming child - as if the Demons of Darkness personally would stray through the streets. Then a powerful speed metal introduces the song until ZIN starts growling. The song maintains its power throughout the stanzas and results in a refrain that is just catchy in the ear, with HIZAKI and TERU battling themselves with their awesome guitar skills. Also HIZAKI's guitar solo is stunning as always and directly buries itself in your ear. Then the song returns to its power metal opening and is followed again by the refrain.
I personally like the song quite much, also because I prefer the harder metal songs. Another plus point we can give because the entire lyrics are held in English and non-Japanese have the possibility to understand the meaning of the song more easily. It's a pity that ZINs voice can't handle growling that professionally... In my opinion he would need more practise concerning that. But nobody was perfect from beginning on, and the only way for him to improve is to just continue trying~ I would like the song even better if his voice could underline the awesome music more...
Rating: 4,5 / 5
4. B.L.A.S.T
Lyrics: HIZAKI / Music: TERU
This song is striking from the very first tune and perfectly connects with the also heavy previous number. In the beginning we deal with characteristic Jupiter power metal and also shouting background vocals until ZIN resolves in a melodic refrain which is accompagnied by some "glittering" effects. Soon the atmosphere turns more serious again, and a chaotic and somewhat confusing part begins: ZIN does his best with growling and shouting and in my opinion succeeds more than for example in Darkness. HIZAKI and TERU unleash a, in the truest sense of the word, blasting guitar fire until they change to a destructive-sounding instrumental part that somehow can remind of a crashing aircraft, for example. In between, MASASHIs bass perfectly intervenes and creates a "silence before the guitar solo storm" what is realized quite successfully here. In following the song turns to the refrain and its usual pattern again with which it ends and forms a fluent connection to the next number.
In my personal opinion the best completely new song of the album, but you may have a different opinion if you are more in favour of the more peaceful ballads - just from the view of the harder metal fan ^___^ Nevertheless, one could critisize that the song is a bit chaotic in the middle part what could mess up an "enjoyable" listening... Not for me, but because of this I tune down my rating to 4,5 of 5 - just because of solidarity reasons to the other songs.
5. The Moon
Lyrics & Music: HIZAKI
This song is more peaceful than the previous two ones and consists of one surprising turn what made it sympathetic to me - I always approve artists trying out new and unusual elements, and here it turns out quite well. It starts with a more calm guitar intro and radiates a slow and somehow beaming style, synthesizer sounds accompagnied by flashing guitar and bass sounds. ZINs voice is pleasurable to listen to and conveys the tranquil atmosphere quite well - one easily can flow away with the song. Nevertheless it takes an interesting turning point after the second stanza: The tune turns to a bar piano which quickly battles with HIZAKIs guitar and shortly changes the atmosphere to a more vivid and light style. But this sequence only lasts a few moments until the song returns to its usual pattern with the chorus and the song is rounded off by the same instrumental part like in the beginning - as if we would have walked around the full moon's silhouette one time. At least that was my metaphorical image in front of my inner eye when listening to this song.
To put it in a nutshell this song has high potential to become an enjoyable ballad and really shouldn't miss on this album. It conveys Jupiter's main thought of creating an own universe quite good.
Rating: 4 / 5
6. 氷の中の少女 Koori no Naka no ShoujoLyrics & Music: HIZAKI
This song was released as the second digital download single before.
It is a more "common" song that reminds me of typical JRock. It consists of Jupiter's usual speedy pattern and a catchy refrain, although the lyrics generally deal with sadness. HIZAKI again reveals his fabulous guitar skills and proves once more that Jupiter always have something melodic and characteristic in store to maintain their image. Nevertheless, in my personal opinion it's nothing very special, a more - well, just common song.
Rating: 3 / 5
7. Church Candle
Music: HIZAKI
The only instrumental number of this album. HIZAKI again has created one of his famous guitar solos that reminds quite much of his earlier times of HIZAKI Grace Project. Also this time he makes use of many special effects like a harpsichord and violins what creates a choral and somehow Christian atmosphere - as it's intended by the title. His soft, skilled guitar playing sounds quite similar to a violin and is patient, reminds more of a singing voice than an instrument. Finally percussion elements are added which underline the sublime style of the song, and the number ends in a highly symphonic style.
Just a song to admire the skills of this guitarist - my highest regards to him.
Rating: 5 / 5
8. Red Carnation
Lyrics: HIZAKI / Music: ZIN
The song starts with choral elements, for example a harpsichord and a harp, then takes the turn to Jupiter's usual speed metal style. Most remarkable sign of this song is the female voice especially inventing in the chorus and later parts. The style generally differs a bit from HIZAKI's way to compose a song and often takes semitone steps, as it seems to be more ZIN's style. Nevertheless the song sticks to the usual pattern of their music.
Personally, it's not really my taste, but objectively no bad song at all.
Rating: 2,5 / 5
9. 絶望ラビリンス Zetsubou Labyrinth
Lyrics & Music: HIZAKI
Again a harder and highly speedy song with strong metal accent. In opposite to B.L.A.S.T it has a strict pattern and isn't that experimental. Also the title "Labyrinth of Despair" fits perfectly to the ascending synthesizer effects as well as the descending guitar in the middle part of the song. The catchy voice and melody makes it good to listen to this number, and I guess it is a highly rocking song especially at lives that is able to heat up the audience. A firing guitar solo goes along with a short passage of ROOKIE FIDDLER's violin, and even ZIN's voice does a good job here. Because the beginning and the end are the same the"completition" of the song is emphasized. A very promising song I personally like quite much!
Rating: 4,5 / 5
10. Shining
Lyrics: HIZAKI / Music: TERU
This song conveys a motivating and more vivd atmosphere from the beginning on and raises your mood after the somehow a bit chaotic and threatening previous song. ZIN's voice fits very good to the song and the vocals underline the permanent speedy guitar riffs. Of course a guitar solo mustn't miss also here, this time it's TERU'S turn. Nevertheless I personally consider this song as a bit too conventional and non-surprising - it's just predictable and doesn't contain a really kicking moment. It's more JRock and VKei "mainstream"
Rating: 2,5 / 5
11. ARCADIA
Lyrics & Music: HIZAKI
Also this song was released earlier as the first of the two digital download singles. 
It has a catchy refrain with the stanza "We have all the Love we need in the World". I personally was caught instantly by this when I listened to the song for the first time and think, this motto has something true in it.Still one of my favourite songs of the album.
Rating: 5 / 5
12. Luminous
Lyrics & Music: HIZAKI
This song was released as the second track on the "LAST MOMENT" single. It's a slow and shining ballad with the touching words " I will always be with you" as the beginning of the refrain. You can listen perfectly to it when you want to calm down or try to fall asleep - it comforts your heart and soul if you are willing to listen carefully. ZINs voice with the characteristic tremolo brings inner peace and is enjoyable to listen to. A felicitous ballad that mustn't miss on every album.
Rating: 5 / 5
13. The History of Genesis
Lyrics & Music: HIZAKI
The title song of the album is a longer song, as it is usual for Jupiter and also already visible in Versailles' times. If we compare the albums and their longer, highly innovative and changing songs we can come up with this scheme:
Versailles:
Holy Grail => Faith & Decision
Versailles => Created Beauty
Jupiter:
CLASSICAL ELEMENT => CLASSICAL ELEMENT
The History of Genesis => The History of Genesis
Moreover it's significant that HIZAKI has composed all this songs himself. So we are dealing with an instrumental masterpiece again.
ZIN's voice is pleasant to listen to, and the song begins as a marching ballad with little bells resounding in the background which remind a bit of Christmas time (at least me). Then a turning point is reached and the song gains speed by YUKI's drums, a violin joins in, and in the end also the powerful guitar riffs emphasize the more metal-like style of Jupiter. Two English part follow where also the other members sing along, then TERU strikes with a kicking guitar solo until ZIN starts singing again and the song returns to the characteristic Jupiter speed metal style. Shortly before the end the song returns to it's ballad pattern from the beginning and makes you want to wave your arm together with the crowd on a concert. Finally the song results in a fantastic last accord and sums up the album quite well; at least the limited edition.
A great song with highly innovative elements that proves best that all the members are fantastic musicians and master of their job. My highest regards to their musical career and their skills!
Rating: 5 / 5
14. SACRED ALTAR
Lyrics: ZIN / Music: HIZAKI
This song was the second one on the "Koori no Naka no Shoujo" single and is only available on the Regular Edition.
Again we deal with a harder number, starting with a mysteriously whispering female voice. A sinister and scary atmosphere shall be introduced, underlined by the words "To those who haven't trust in God's sanctuary - you shall suffer your punishment - foolish humans". In following two blasting powerchords overwhelm you before the two guitars open the song with a melodic intro and finally result in one of Jupiter's famous speed metal battles. In the first stanza ZIN starts singing, focusing on a deep voice level until he changes to growling and shouting - perfectly underlined by the continuous firework of power metal in the background.
In the refrain ZIN tries to pitch his voice to higher tones and to sound like an angel of vengeance - but he fails concerning that, unfortunately. It sounds more wanted than skilled, and once again we have to observe that he just lacks of skill in some aspects. Again a generally awesome song suffers from that, so that I won't rate it with full points, but with 4 of 5.
The musical aspect is and stays awesome though, and I especially love these guitar solos and the battle between the guitars~ Also the fact that the complete song except of the refrain is held in English makes it easier for oversea fans to follow the content of the song which is quite fitting to the hard death metal-like sound - another positive aspect here.
Final conclusion:
I must confess, at the very first I didn't have high expectations in this album. Maybe this was influenced by KAMIJOs fabulous "Heart" which absolutely captured me and of course because of my opinion that no band ever can be as good as Versailles... I still miss them although I'm quite glad especially about KAMIJOs solo project. Jupiter aren't able to hit my very taste: I like them quite much and also ZIN is a sympathethic young singer, but this band just can't replace Versailles, sorry...
So I was quite sceptical about how this album would turn out. After the last releases I was quite disappointed by their latest work, and I wasn't sure whether I should "The History of Genesis" at all. LAST MOMENT wasn't able to make me absolutely enthusiastic, nor the two digital releases. Moreover I was even more concerned when I saw that all titles from the singles also would be on the album - for what I'm buying it when I already know half of the songs? Another fact that made me sceptical... But in the end I'm very glad I've bought it though!~
The reasons: Although we maybe already knew so many songs, in their setlist and their order on this album they can unfold a completely different impact. Especially LAST MOMENT, followed by the harder Darkness and B.L.A.S.T and the more slowly The Moon form a perfect unit, as well as ARCADIA, Luminous and The History of Genesis. The songs just sound better when listening to them in the complete album than as single ones.
Moreover I listened to the already released songs with different ears, especially to LAST MOMENT and ARCADIA. Somehow I learned to value them more, and now they're two of my favourites, as well as Darkness and SACRED ALTAR.
Also I was positively impressed by the most of the new songs - only disappointment were Red Carnation and Shining which don't hit my personal taste. But all in all this album was definitely worth buying and listening concentratedly to it~ Somehow Jupiter managed to pull me into their universe again, although I was very sceptical before... They just proved that they are too talented and experienced musicians not to be taken serious. I just can recommend this album to everybody who loves Versailles and their power-symphonic metal influences as well as to everyone who can become enthusiastic about astonishing guitar solos, instrumental parts and harder metal sounds. And please don't judge ZIN too much - although he also isn't my favourite singer I have learned to value him and will give him the chance to improve since he is still quite young and new in the business. Moreover I can say from my own experience that he sounds better live - so if you should have the possibility to visit one of their concerts, go there and let yourself be drawn into their very special but fantastic universe!
Thank you for reading and see you with the next review!
Junsui
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