L'Arc~en~Ciel - SEVENTH HEAVEN

Following not only a brief hiatus to pursue solo work, but also the celebration of fifteen years together, the members of L'Arc~en~Ciel are back with their first original single since 2005! Featuring a catchy title track and a P'UNK version of a L'Arc~en~Ciel favorite, the single absolutely does not disappoint.

SEVENTH HEAVEN, an up-tempo song with danceable rhythms, will likely find the listener unable to sit still, but rather move around to the sound of yukihiro's pounding drumbeats and Tetsu's constantly throbbing bass line. Hyde's voice is flawless, smooth and rich, the verses leading through to a catchy chorus that is set off by Ken's distinctive guitar work. An extremely fun and pleasant listen, SEVENTH HEAVEN does a superb job of showing off Hyde's outstanding voice and showcasing the talents of the other members as well.

The second track on the single is a new version of one of L'Arc~en~Ciel's previous releases. HONEY 2007 sees the members switching positions for this P'UNK rendition of the 1998 hit. Hyde plays growling guitar riffs as Ken pounds away on the drums and yukihiro takes up the bass. With the switches in lineup and punk-rock flavor, the song takes on a completely new life. Tetsu's voice, though undeniably different from Hyde's, is well suited to the snappy style of this re-make. It's just fun to listen to!

The other two songs included on this single are voiceless versions of the previous songs, SEVENTH HEAVEN (hydeless version) and HONEY 2007 (TETSU P'UNKless version), and just what the hardcore L'Arc~en~Ciel fan needs to sing along to these addictive tunes.

L'Arc~en~Ciel starts their busy 2007 release schedule with this commendable single. SEVENTH HEAVEN, a combination of optimistic, lively melodies and punky rhythms, is just one more reminder of why L'Arc~en~Ciel remains a force to be reckoned with. It will leave listeners happily awaiting whatever the band has in store for them in the coming months.