The Seventh Rose
Here I am with the following part of the themed week in “Throwback Thursday”! Today’s subject is the fifth album, the second under a major label, of the visual kei band D, named 7th Rose and released on 24th March 2010. This album, one of their most important releases, has a concept which embraces the dimension of obscure, melancholic and definitive, hiding their love and justice concept that in those years they started to develop. And now... let’s review!
-7th Rose -Return to Zero-: the opening SE of the album and also the introduction to the title-track, is solemn and symbolic and carries on the meaning of the whole album, as in the words sung by Asagi:
"Haruka kanada no mori no oku ni saku Hajimari de aru watashi mo mata kami ni tsukurareta"
"Blooming deep in a far-off forest I, who was the origin, was created by God."
-7th Rose [original sin and judgement day]: then the title-track opens up, in a strong and well built sound, which literally attracts, thanks to the sublime work of the instruments in developing a piercing rhythm, with Asagi’s wonderful vocals; one of the best songs of the whole D’s discography. ---> 10/10
-Hanatsumi no otome -Rozova Dolina- (Maiden who collects flowers -Valley of the roses-) [waiting for the return of the loved one]: in this song the sound becomes more folkloristic, echoing the Russian traditional music (and featuring also classical guitar in the second part), in a rhythmical and playful track, featuring Asagi’s clear and falsetto-ed vocals. ---> 9.5/10
-Tightrope [submission]: the eleventh single track, another famous song by D, goes into the most extreme metal sound that D can do; Asagi’s vocals are rapid and vibrant, helped by the powerful performance of the instruments, especially drums. ---> 9.5/10
-Crimson fish [darkness in the soul]: the rapid and freaking rock sound proceeds in this song and Asagi’s voice here becomes more sensual, giving the track an unique identity compared to the rest of the album. ---> 9.5/10
-Independent Queen [love slavery]: Hiroki’s drumming articulates another fast-paced song, where also Tsunehito’s bass starts being more relevant with its technical presence, unique in its genre; a good metal track. ---> 9/10
-13gatsu no yumemi oka (The dreamed hill of the thirteenth month) [meeting in the dreams]: a sweet flute opens up to another folkloristic song, which can be resembled to late Middle Age or Renaissance music, characterized by a dancing rock sound, which throws into the atmosphere of the song; an awesome song, thanks to the superb guitars solo and the exciting finale with Asagi’s solemn voice. ---> 10/10
-Day by day [desire of peace and love]: the twelfth single track, another famous tune, has a more living and nostalgic vibe, for never forgetting their musical origins; Ruiza and Hide-zou manage well to enrich the incredible sound that this ballad has. ---> 9.5/10
-Karakuri emaki (Scroll device) [eternity]: a classical guitar starts up this song, helped by a whispering vocal of Asagi; then the sound becomes more whirling and powerful, resulting in a pretty catchy song. ---> 9/10
-Toki no koe (Battle cry) [fighting for justice]: a mad screamed part by Asagi opens up to one of the heaviest and fastest tracks by D; here Asagi moves into the most aggressive and extreme vocals, bringing up another good song. ---> 9/10
-Sleeping Beautiful Beast [love for who is seen as different]: the longest song of 7th Rose retakes the folkloristic vibe, putting it this time in a obscure and melancholic ballad; Asagi’s interpretation is magistral, in one of the best ballads D had ever made so far. ---> 10/10
-Mikazuki youranka (Song of the crescent moon) [death]: the shortest song of the album instead is put into a nocturnal setting, as from the title; the song, even if it is brief, is pretty fascinating, thanks to the piercing vocals by Asagi. ---> 9/10
-Kaze ga mekuru peeji (The wind turns the page) [going beyond even if it can be hard]: the final track, the thirteenth single track, can appear here out of context, with the presence of Japanese folklore, but this doesn’t mean that the song is bad; rather is a good rock ballad, well structured and arranged, an ideal finale for 7th Rose. ---> 9/10
Final Vote ---> 9.5/10
In conclusion, while in The Name of the Rose D showed up their nostalgical side, rooting into their prestigious musical origins, in 7th Rose they focused more on their romantic and obscure side, maturing in some parts, especially the instrumental one; the final result is a another great album, rich of technical pearls and not lacking of originality, which will represent D in their following releases. An album for who wants a darker and more romantic D, adding something folkloristic.
That’s all folks! See you on Sunday for the final part of this themed week in “Focusing on”!
Thanks for reading!
