BLOOD - Lost Sky

Rather accomplished overseas, the J-goth band BLOOD has decided this year to stop their activities. As a final goodbye, the band created one last album, Lost Sky. The album consists of original songs by the band and remixes by aspiring artists. And while the inclusion of remixes is definitely a bold move from Kiwamu, revealing once more his will to support his favorite genre, are those contributions appropriate for BLOOD's final release?

The opening track is the much acclaimed Lost Sky. The band seems to have placed a lot of faith in this particular song - something partly justified, since Lost Sky successfully combines a nostalgic BLOOD sound with their more recent industrial style. The melodious guitar lines soar brilliantly as always, while Fu-ki's distinctive vocals are at their most wholesome point yet. However, this isn't a song that will be remembered for its originality. Its familiar aroma will make it an instant hit amongst the older fans, but the obvious lack of new elements in its structure is quite foreboding, considering that seven remixes of the exact vocal and guitar line are to follow.

Captured follows with a harsher, rumbling beat. While it doesn't break ties to older releases, the digital elements in melody and beat alike are amplified to the max. This hybrid BLOOD style is incorporated fully in Nothing. With a raging techno beat and a multitude of EBM elements, it retains an unmistakable visual kei flair in the vocal department. The effect of visual kei, however, is tempered by the repetitive, electro sounding chorus and some pleasant keyboard twists.

The first seconds of Absolute sound like the struggle to fire up an uncooperative lawn moaner. Despite the unfortunate low rumbling of the drum-machine, the song is rather lovely with the presence of peculiar, ethnic melodic parts spicing up a generally low key, industrial influenced track. The next song is a slower number, Orboro. Should we take the new BLOOD style into consideration, this is the ballad of the album. Indeed, the pace is slower and female whispers intertwine with Fu-ki's melodious tenor, though the beat gets pretty violent as the track progresses. A simple and short instrumental composition, laconically titled The End, marks the end of the original compositions on Lost Sky.

The first link in the long chain of Lost Sky remixes that follows is quite unexpectedly the strongest one by BLOOD's label mate, Noir du`Soleil. The pace is considerably more relaxed than that of the original, thus giving the song significant lyricism and a wickedly imposing, digitalized atmosphere. Unarguably, the band managed to re-construct the song into a unique piece without employing overly confusing and unnecessary electronic deviations. Next is the rather unimpressive sawDUST in me remix, which chooses to flaunt an incredulous amount of standard beats, one after another, introducing the bare minimum of other elements.

Lost Sky (marlee remix) apparently has two gears - fast and faster. Thus, its duration of almost six minutes seems like an oxymoron. This is easily explained by the endless loops, which result in something that would float in the premises of a loud clubhouse, but unfortunately makes for poor home entertainment. Spectrum-X offers a solid remix by applying a refreshing, spooky sound palette. Shiv-r manages a more than decent follow up, and by utilizing digitalized classic tunes they keep it simple but atmospheric.

The next Lost Sky remix, by Mizuh, has mystical echoes dominating the by now painfully familiar song. Unfortunately, as soon as the chorus comes on, it de-evolves back to the generic electro beat, and even though the soft echoes occasionally reappear, they simply don't justify its duration. Not a moment too early, Broken Lullaby remix waltzes in, and we should be grateful to Echostream. Like the soft tinkling from a music box, this adorable piece offers a welcome break from the heavy build up of club atmosphere.

Crimson (Tragic Black remix) is a standard electro track that doesn't offer many novelties. Just before the final track, an 'uninvited guest' offers one of the most delightful contributions: BLOOD (Uninvited Guest remix). This song features a composition that is soft and rich like velvet, with female and male vocals in harmony and Kiwamu's guitar giving life to the necessary highs and lows. The last track is d.T.M.H. (Virgins O.R. Pigeons remix), and it certainly is the heaviest track on the album. Perhaps not the most considerate choice as far as closure goes, it does leave a strong aftertaste.

Does this album, Lost Sky, do justice as BLOOD's last? This question hardly matters to BLOOD's faithful fans. It offers a good opportunity for them to reminiscence and also enjoy new musicians, some more than the others. And although BLOOD has officially come to an end, fans can still take heart; the band's most successful elements have been incorporated into Kiwamu's new unit, GPK-ism, and there's always the opportunity to have a drink at Fu-ki's new less than celestial heavy metal bar, MiDiAN.