exist†trace - VIRGIN

All-female visual kei band exist†trace was formed in Tokyo in 2003. They have been garnering an international fanbase recently with appearances at Sakura-Con in 2011 and a US East Coast tour in March 2012. Despite having been around for almost a decade and having released a number of singles and compilation albums, their latest release is their first full-length major album. In honour of this the band have named it VIRGIN, and it will be out on 23rd May.

VIRGIN turns out to be an exploration of a variety of sounds. It contains eight new tracks, with the rest coming from previous EPs TRUE and THE LAST DAYBREAK. There is of course gothic styling dotted throughout—the organ intro of opening track WONDERLAND for example. The track has great guitar riffs mixed with a deep, commanding bass and drum combo from NAOTO and Mally. Guitarist Omi also experimented with a slide effect for the first time in her solo. Next track Daybreak ~Juusangatsu no shikisai~ first appeared on the mini album THE LAST DAYBREAK at the end of last year. With its stand out twin guitar sections from Omi and miko and unrelenting cymbal-heavy drumming, it's highly infectious stuff that is worthy of gracing any action film soundtrack.

Continuing the upbeat rock theme is HONEY, a real crowd pleaser with its big walls of sound and rousing chorus. Especially of note is Omi's guitar solo, and she also shines in her simple yet effective solo in SIGNAL. I feel you is another piece that features a strong, well-performed rhythm section to back Jou's dominating vocals in kind.

Solid pieces of visual rock include Keiyaku, which makes good use of Jou's low, intimidating register, and Futatsu no koe, a powerful track with a traditional Japanese main melody. The expressive Anata, Jou's self-confessed favourite of the album, is probably the most vocally impressive of all the songs. The vocals shift from just above a whisper in the creeping verse to emotional cries by the climactic end, and Jou has admitted that she had never expressed her feminine side as much as when she sang miko's frank lyrics. Little Mary to utsukushiki nikushimi no donau plays out like a haunted Viennese waltz. miko's sweeter voice, stealing the spotlight from Jou for once, suits the gothic fairy tale atmosphere of this song and duets well with the lead singer.

exist†trace collides with a brass band to create the uber jazzy GINGER. With jazz-rock crossovers seeming like a rite of passage for metal bands nowadays, it might be easy to dismiss this as the token novelty track. However with the playful interchange and harmonies between Jou and miko and a strong performance from all the band, it makes for a good, fun listen. Even so the squealing trumpets and slow "The Stripper" style section midway may really turn off those who love the band for earlier, darker songs like Judea. The upbeat KISS IN THE DARK runs along similar lines, following a swing rhythm but with an added creepy fairground interlude. These are miles away from their older songs, where Jou's growls and screams used to make a frequent appearance.

Final track and power ballad SORA is one to wave lighters to. It's a pleasant and softer ending to the album, but lacks the oomph needed to leave a lasting impression despite its memorable and moving chorus.

People will, unfairly, judge exist†trace with a more scrutinising eye than usual because of their unorthodox line-up—there is a dearth of females in the visual kei market, let alone entire bands of them. With their debut major album the girls have shown that they can more than hold their own against the boys. They've strived to cover different genres and have experimented more than before, resulting in a varied collection of well-written songs packed with skillful playing and catchy melodies. By doing this though they have made a risky gamble, hoping that fans who have admired them from their indie days will follow them regardless of the change. VIRGIN is a good debut, but it is just that, lacking teeth and a fire in its belly. Maybe by album number two they will give us something of the same quality, but with more bite.

A clip of GINGER is below. Look out for the owl, nicknamed "Ginger-kun" by miko.