9GOATS BLACK OUT - Sleeping Beauty

In late 2008, 9GOATS BLACK OUT released their first maxi single, Sleeping Beauty, in two editions. The limited edition was sold only by mail order and at live events. It included four tracks with two remixes of popular songs off their first mini-album Devils in Bedside.

The introduction track, Sleeping Beauty, makes it evident that the sound style established by 9GOATS hasn't changed much with their new release. The song has a catchy jazz flair that really becomes evident towards the chorus when ryo lets it all go, his vocals clear and vociferous. The uniqueness of his vocals are exemplified during this song, as the stanzas are much gentler with a delicate melody, giving a greater opportunity to focus on the singing. Despite the vastly different ideas presented in the song, the two rhythms mesh well to produce a great track.

Lestat doesn't follow the preceding track too well with its whispered and growled vocals, clamorous instrumentals and basic melody. This all changes when Lestat reaches the chorus and the beauty in ryo's voice is unveiled, but not for long. While he gives listeners a variety of vocal ranges, along with a much neater musical composition that brings the song back into focus, the song takes several strange turns in the following stanzas. The song is full of unorganized instrumental solos, ryo's screams and lyrics that are practically nothing but rasps. The track ends very abruptly, giving it not only a very unfinished feeling, but leaves us wondering what happened.

The first remix, nocturne-REMIX, has a very ancient feel, starting out with a drum beat that is reminiscent of a tribal jungle dance. There's heavily filtered electronic waves that shoot throughout the opening, breaking up the vocals that slip in and out, accompanied only by the drums. As the instrumentals slowly enter, the song heats up and ryo begins to sing a capella before he is reunited with the sound. The chorus is full of interesting sound effects and clear vocals which intensify the entire song. The new composition stays very steady and produces a solid sound that is very different from the original track, which stands well on its own as it is, as a creative and well thought out remix.

sink-REMIX is the remixed version of sink, the slowest song off the album devils in bedside. The opening is full of sound effects, beginning with the gentle cry of birds that is broken abruptly by static and metallic tears. It is not long before sink's melody fades in, along with the sound effects of water droplets, machines and haunting whispers. Once sink launches into full sound, the song follows the original, with the exception of electronic sound effects spaced throughout, breaking apart gentle stanzas and a delicate chorus. The beauty of sink is shattered by all of these effects, and it is hard to listen to the song without wincing at some of the noisy filters that have been mixed in. Sink-REMIX is more of a soundscape than a real song, and it proves that some mixes will never out-do the original.

While Sleeping Beauty has its advantages and draw backs, it is still a single that can be admired as a successful release by this rising band. Without a doubt, 9GOATS is sure to bounce back with their next CD, showing us they still have what it takes - and more.