Yousei Teikoku - SHADOW CORPS[e]

One thing many critics agree is essential to long-lasting musical success is evolution. If an artist can't use their own style as a means to develop their music further with every release, utter banality is almost surely just around the corner. Without innovation, there's very little challenge for anyone involved -- artists, listeners, and critics alike. A skilled artist can present something new to their listeners, but have crafted it in such a way that it slips right past their defences and achieves musical victory. And that's what's so exciting about Yousei Teikoku’s new album, SHADOW CORPS[e]. Much like its title implies, the album presents a cadre of songs sure to surprise both fans and new listeners alike.

The album appropriately begins with Attack!!, an eerie, atmospheric opener that starts the album off with a healthy dose of bombastic brass and ambient screams. The band makes its appearance in top form with the next track, "D" chronicle. Long-time fans will find the sound familiar, but the track differentiates itself from previous efforts by way of amped-up speed and aggression. Shiren's blistering guitar work is right at home here, and gets to shine immaculately during the solo. Yami-iro corsage follows with interplay between the band and a choir that's even more impressive than usual. Organs and strings round out the song and lend it an almost religious air, affirming just how different the album is from anything Yousei Teikoku has ever done.

The next track, Shirogane Bara Kitan, will no doubt catch most listeners off-guard thanks to the spooky giggling of a little girl during the intro. The lyrics play out like a ghost story, and the song itself fittingly features the explosive dramatic highs and tense lows common to the very best of the horror genre. There is nothing like Shirogane Bara Kitan in the band's discography, and likely not in any band's discography. The track exemplifies the skill with which Yousei Teikoku can experiment with their sound while still leaving an exciting impression.

Things slow down with Zanya no Kemono, but Yui's aptly anguished vocal work and a generous amount of organ notes ensure that the gothic horror theme stays strong. The next track, calvariae, maintains an equally intimidating air, with an intro reminiscent of Yousei Teikoku’s earlier work that's sure to please fans with trained ears.

The oppressively dark and somber mood eventually lets up with Infection , a song as impressively bouncy and danceable as gothic metal can get. Geki keeps things lively in Yousei Teikoku’s own unique way, featuring almost militaristic call-and-response sections that are destined to make a fondly-regarded appearance at future live shows.

Then comes ancient moonlit battleground, an instrumental track that manages to be just as evocative as its name implies without any vocal work whatsoever. With the release of their last original album, PAX VESANIA, Yousei Teikoku became a quintet, but this is the first track that lets the instrumentalists shine on their own. A somber intro soon gives way to crashing guitars and pounding drums, and the mood stays similarly inconsistent throughout. Through sound alone, the band takes listeners on a trek through a time-worn battlefield, with all the depths and emotive energy that implies.

The penultimate and title track, Shadow Corps, represents the best example of the band's unique military-inspired take on gothic metal. The main melody pulses with the vigor of an army march, but is often restrained by ghostly chanting that's sure to send a chill down listeners' spines. Finally, Tainai Tokei Toshi Orrery, a cover of a song from the anime "Revolutionary Girl Utena", ends the album on a thrillingly florid note. Yousei Teikoku’s skilful interpretation is sure to delight fans of the anime as surely as it would the original composer, J.A. Caesar.

SHADOW CORPS[e] represents an exciting new step for a band that's always on the move. From the deliciously horrifying Shirogane Bara Kitan to the dramatic instrumental stylings of ancient moonlit battleground, SHADOW CORPS[e] is, without a doubt, a masterclass in how to create a unique sound without alienating long-time listeners. There's a definite horror influence, but it's constructed around a solid, military-goth base, rather than simply piled on top of it. Fans of the Japanese goth and metal scenes shouldn't let the band's anime associations discourage them; this is a must-own album for anyone with a bit of darkness in their hearts. There's simply nothing else like it.