Set sail with on a voyage of "Imagination" with Jikuu Kaizoku SEVEN SEAS.
This visual style power metal band has been around since 2004 and have so far, they have released a steady back catalogue of CDs. This is the review of their latest offering, Imagination.
The five member band Jikuu Kaizoku SEVEN SEAS bases its music and style around a space/time pirate concept. There is obviously a lot of humour and fun in what they do, and this is clearly reflected in their high spirited, optimistic music, cosplay outfits and the "Space Pirate" characters they perform as. Unusually, the band has a female guitarist. EITA is probably one of the most famous active female guitarists in the Japanese metal scene, respected and admired for her highly skilled guitar shredding. However, the other members of the band are excellent musicians also, and each of them perform admirably on this album. Together the band plays well together, complimenting each others' performances but still giving the impression of individual style.
The album begins with Prism, which is a simple instrumental mood setter with a cinematic nautical style. It sets the mood for the beginning of a voyage. Immediately after the calm conclusion of Prism, Feel begins with great energy, hard drumming, a pulsing bass line and speedy, intricate guitar work before Marshal K's vocals burst into the song. His surprisingly catchy vocals lead to an infectiously happy chorus. The song bounces along until its conclusion with some great guitar work underpinning the vocal lines.
The fast pace continues through into Calling, which is very much in the same vein as the previous track but with more space for guitar solos. There is also greater contrast in tempo and dynamics, which adds color and interest to the song.
United is a fun song that features all the trademark J.SEVEN SEAS musical themes and an infectious chorus, which leads through to Sweet Rose, the highlight track of the album. It's slightly heavier and faster than the other songs on Imagination. It has a great intensity that starts from the very beginning of the song and never lets go. A guitar duel with multiple mini-solos back and forth mid-song lifts the song and makes it a standout track on the album.
Seasons follows, bringing another dose of speedy metal with an uplifting vocal line. The tempo slows at some junctions, and it adds variety and interest to the song. Roadless, an instrumental track, follows, and it brings the tempo further down as a short, calm piano and synth piece. Then, the final track kaze wataru kizuna rounds off the album.
The twin guitar shredding of EITA and Prince YO- is a definite highlight on this album, but this is not to say that the other members of the band are unworthy of mention. The rhythm section of Tatsuhowa sho-gun and Kyosatan skillfully support the band, providing a strong backdrop to the speeding guitars and Marshal K's joyful vocals. The fast, high energy drumming of Kyosatan is especially enjoyable without being too overpowering.
Jikuu Kaizoku SEVEN SEAS is on the softer side of the metal spectrum, mainly due to the vocalist Marshal K's refined, flexible rock vocal stylings and the band's pirate theme. However, this in no way detracts from their viability as an enjoyable and skilled metal band.
Imagination is a solid release. There is a lot to enjoy on this album, although the songs do seem to lack a little in terms of tempo variation. Still, the album is a good way to get to know the band, and fans of neo-classical metal or metal inspired visual kei should particularly like it.
