the GazettE - DIM

Seven years, fifteen singles, six mini-albums, and DIM will make four studio albums - the GazettE certainly keeps fans preoccupied with a steady stream of releases. Making their prolific career even more impressive is that they've managed to keep listeners on their toes with their ever-changing looks and styles. Whether or not people embrace those changes is an entirely different matter altogether, but without question, fans and anti-fans are on the constant look out for what this talented band comes out with next. With DIM, they've prepared an hour-long album that does not disappoint.

The album begins with 「HAKURI」, which sounds like a sound-bite out of a cult-favorite horror movie. Eerie and sinister, it's very appropriate for the moody songs that make up the album. But going into the first track, THE INVISIBLE WALL, the transition just feels clunky.

Fortunately, THE INVISIBLE WALL is strong enough to shake off the preceding track and stand on its own. The chorus does get repetitive and the guitar bridge in the middle of the song feels almost gratuitous, but the variation of tones in between and the rise and fall of emotion push it forward. Kai's soft drum rolls guide listeners out of this dramatic track and into two hard and gritty rock tracks, A MOTH UNDER THE SKIN and LEECH. With a seriously infective chorus, a strong bass foundation from Reita and Ruki's constantly changing vocals, A MOTH UNDER THE SKIN is a party. LEECH is still the same aggressive track it was when it came out as a single, and it never gets old.

For a change of flavor, Nakigahara is a powerfully beautiful new ballad like its cousin Guren. Nakigahara and Guren are both dense and impeccably composed ballads; though they are the longest tracks on the album, respectively, they're so rich and full of texture that they never get boring. Nakigahara makes excellent use of the koto to enhance its haunting and lilting melody, while Guren uses a traditional Asian string-inspired melody that transforms it into something completely new and modern. And if it wasn't already great, Aoi's guitar solo in the latter sounds even better!

Strangely enough, HEADACHE MAN - the roaring genre mash-up that first appeared on the DISTRESS AND COMA single - is wedged after Nakigahara and 「ERIKA」, an ambiguous recording of what sounds like bells, and before Guren, making for a slightly awkward flow. HEADACHE MAN is as different as night and day from the two ballads, with its upbeat energy and flurry of action. However, putting differences aside, it's a terrific, fun track.

Getting back on track, the clip of Shikyuu features an unsettling, distorted wailing against two repeated bell notes. It may be hard for some to stomach, but it is undeniably the perfect setup for 13 STAIRS[-]1. Reaching the climax is a gradual climb, but it is so worth it once you get there. The song's standout feature is the energy put into creating its atmosphere: Aoi and Uruha's layered guitars dominate and create the song's deliciously dark and primal sound. DISTRESS AND COMA is a counter to the untamed darkness of 13 STAIRS[-]1, but it carries a similar breed of moodiness through its climbs and descents from quiet to powerful.

Following is 「Kanshoku」, a simple piano melody set to a more hip-hop beat, and the pleasantly surprising Shiroki Yuutsu. Perhaps the softest song of the album, it's been a while since we've heard something like this track from the GazettE. You might call it a relative of their 2006 single REGRET, with its pop-rock undertones and minimal use of filters. The string orchestra and use of acoustic guitar make this song almost tender.

IN THE MIDDLE OF CHAOS is a song summed up by its title. After a strong run with such fresh and distinctive songs, this Green Day copycat is bound to confuse listeners. the GazettE can do so much better this banal anthem. Luckily, this is the only big stumble in the album.

Following some random noise from a broken record on 「MOUROU」, OGRE is a monster of a song that lifts and renews the listener's energy one final time with its uncensored fury. There are two instances where it slows down to an eerie plod, but for the most part, it's loud, dirty, and a lot of fun.

IN THE MIDDLE OF CHAOS and OGRE, with their devil-may-care spirit, offer enough of a break to let the listeners finish out the album with the grim DIM SCENE. The strong instrumentals help give this song an operatic feel. The theatrical track - complete with a wailing violin - ends the album on a strong note.

As with all of the GazettE's releases, the sound quality is unparalleled, and every note possesses an incredible gravity. The album might have flowed a little bit better without so many sound clips punctuating every two or three full-length tracks, but those are minor details in the big picture: DIM is the GazettE's best and strongest release yet. With the only stumble being IN THE MIDDLE OF CHAOS, each individual track excels and holds its own. Their down-and-dirty rock pieces are always fun, and the dramatic songs always overflow with palpable feeling. Of particular note are the ballads, which are sophisticated masterpieces, and 13STAIRS[-]1 is a very unique and a addictive addition to the GazettE's repertoire. the GazettE certainly did not dawdle in finding their direction for DIM. It's a huge improvement from 2007's STACKED RUBBISH, and it will most certainly be one of the summer's J-rock highlights.