BAND-MAID®’s second mini-album New Beginning proves that the band consists of skilled musicians instead of idols. The nine-track album comprises hard rock songs taking elements of pop, metal and even funk. It is full of addictive numbers with a powerful chemistry of twin vocals, killer guitar riffs, low-end bass line and a precise pounding beat of the drums. Each sound by the five band members has a strong personality, but their collision unleashes huge amounts of energy in each song. Although the band shows their techniques throughout the album, all songs have both pleasant and easy-to-follow melodies for every one to enjoy.
The album begins with Thrill, the music video for which has been viewed more than a million times on YouTube. The song is well-structured so that listeners can enjoy what each member is capable of doing. Bass and guitar solos at the middle part of the song, which are empowered by AKANE’s well-controlled drumming, definitely live up to the song title.
The band introduces its heavy side in the second song FREEZER. KANAMI’s guitar play has both strength and a sharp edge. The third song REAL EXISTENCE instantly captures listeners, SAIKI and MIKU’s provocative vocals as well as a fiery combination of full throttle drum and guitar plays proving both their techniques and attitude as a rock band.
BAND-MAID® shows no sign of being girly. The twin vocalists sing their hearts out to show their determination to lead their own live concerts during the following songs Price of Pride and Arcadia Girl. The sixth song, Don't apply the brake, would make a great climax during their live shows. Uplifting cutting guitar riffs and passionate vocals in this song of the dreamer would unite the stage and the floor. The song seemingly has potential to grow into an anthem when it is played live. However, the band shows a different side in Beauty and the beast, a mixture of pop and funk rock combining memorable guitar riffs and MISA’s slap bass play. The song actually has parts that fans might be able to enjoy call-and-response and headbang to during a live.
On the eighth song Don't let me down, the twin vocalists actually sing in English. The heaviness of the band's sound adds a frenzied feeling to the song together with deep emotional intensity of the twin vocals. Lead vocalist SAIKI unleashes her glamorous voice sometimes by giving powerful shouts during the song. The band has chosen not to play any emotional ballad in the album, instead sticking with their signature hard rock style even to the last song, Shake That!!.
BAND-MAID® still has much potential to reveal and it would be fair to say that they are one of the most promising bands in today’s Japanese music scene.
The music video for Don't let me down can be viewed below.
