Review

deadman - in the direction of sunrise and night light

06/02/2007 2007-02-06 12:00:00 KoME Author: Lacy

deadman - in the direction of sunrise and night light

deadman's unanticipated farewell.

In the direction of sunrise and night light is deadman's second, and unfortunately final, full-length album. A mix of the band’s trademark gloom, hard-hitting sounds, and melancholy melodies, this CD definitely shines.

The album opens with the quick-paced star baby, a short track that sets the stage for what’s to come. Preparing the listener, it leaves one curious and anticipating. Rip roll soil, with its steady drumbeats and driving guitar, is a real stand-out track. Kazuya's subtle bass lines flow nicely through the track and Mako's vocals are perfection, displaying his usual strengths with an insane laugh tossed in here and there.

Following that is raison d'etre, another song driven by drums but with a stronger bass sound and softer vocals. It doesn't leave the kind of impression on the listener that its predecessor does, but aie's short guitar solo at the end is a nice surprise. A re-recording of when the saints go marching in [seijya no koushin] is next up and does not disappoint. Carried by Mako's powerful vocals and showcasing Kazuya's bass style, it’s a new taste of a previously recorded favorite.

Asthenia bullet stain, a gloomy tune with a haunting melody, is a chance for the listener to hear just what Mako can do with his voice with highs, lows, and melancholy cries throughout. Toki's drumming is steady and rhythmic, setting a perfect pace for, what sounds like, the saddest of love songs. Beautiful guitar and bass work balance this song; a masterful mix of instruments and vocals.

A mournful guitar riff takes the listener into additional cause for sorrow, a beautifully melancholy tune. Mako's emotional vocals pair wonderfully with the guitar breaks throughout, slowly thumping drums, and again subtle bass lines. The vocals are the shining force of this song, sorrowful and crying out. The opening guitar of follow the night light sets the pace for the entire song, which is a catchy number with an impressive bass line and delightful vocals. The chorus is particularly enjoyable after the quick, almost whispered verses. aie's guitar solo is short but effective and is a refreshing break in this piece, one of the stars of this release.

Next up is fragile sandy, a quiet, versed track with steady guitar work backing up Mako's multifaceted vocals. The strength of this song lies not in the verses, but in the chorus and bridges. A masterful instrumental break balances the start and end of the song and carries the listener through to the end. While not the best track on this release, it is in no way out of place. Sandwiched between follow the night light and dim quiet, it doesn’t stand out as much as it possibly could, but remains a solid track. Dim quiet is a bit of a surprise. The deep opening bass line and tapping drumbeats give way to heavier guitar riffs that drop out to make way for Mako's whispering vocals. The whispering grows from that to growling yells, a series of ups and downs. Though not showcasing Mako's true vocal skill, his voice carries this sort of rough yelling off rather well. While it may be a bit overwhelming to some, this song is a different approach to deadman's usual style of gloom and doom and a fine example of their versatility.

Underlying bass and quick, catchy guitar riffs kick off grand ground. With, once again, quiet and seductively sung verses, the drums really drive this song. Both Kazuya and aie get chances to demonstrate their skills in short instrumental breaks between Mako's hushed yet forceful vocals. The bridge is catchy, with the vocals more upbeat and backed by nice drumbeats before switching back to the original melody and fading out with Mako's trademark laughter.

Another re-recording, this day. this rain, is laden with gloomy bass, haunting cries and whispers, and steady drumbeats. While always skillful, aie's guitar work is a bit lost until the end when the screeching yelps mix in with Mako's heartbreaking calls, giving way to a fantastic and quick-paced closing solo paired with amazing drum work. It's definitely an appropriate ending to the album.

This release also contains a DVD with the PV for follow the night light. Following Mako as he is tormented by his evil doppelganger, the video is crisp, clean and simple with bright white lighting and no complicated effects to distract the viewer. It is true to what deadman is.

In the direction of sunrise and night light is one of those albums that can easily be counted as a favorite. It is a solid release that wonderfully displays the skills that each band member possesses. Mako's voice is beautifully haunting and mournful, powerfully blending with sometimes subtle bass lines, masterful guitar work, and heart-pounding drumbeats. Being the final CD from such a talented band, it is a fond farewell to those who, at the time of its release, had no idea that it was in fact goodbye.
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Artists

Related Releases

Album CD + DVD 2005-12-14 2005-12-14
deadman

Nagoya Kei

the studs' Tour'08 creepy crawly Final © the studs

Live Report

the studs' Tour'08 creepy crawly Final

the studs ended their Tour'08 creepy crawly with an eventful oneman at Shibuya O-EAST.

the studs - Spider Nest/Yami Nochi Ame © the studs

Review

the studs - Spider Nest/Yami Nochi Ame

the studs shine with the release of Spider Nest/Yami Nochi Ame.

the studs - Tobari © the studs

Review

the studs - Tobari

the studs' final of their triple release campaign proves that the third time is a charm.

the studs - Creepy Crawly © the studs

Review

the studs - Creepy Crawly

the studs' first of three releases isn't as great as anticipated.

lynch. at LIQUIDROOM Ebisu © marginal works - lynch.

Live Report

lynch. at LIQUIDROOM Ebisu

lynch.'s oneman tour 08 "THE DIFFUSING IDEAL" kicks off with a powerful live at LIQUIDROOM.

the studs at Thundersnake Atsugi © Free Will - JaME - Polina Kogan

Live Report

the studs at Thundersnake Atsugi

A report of one of the first lives in the studs' Tour'08 creepy crawly at Thundersnake Atsugi.

blast - kurutta kajitsu © Free Will - JaME - Polina Kogan

Review

blast - kurutta kajitsu

blast's double release kurutta kajitsu is packed with great old school visual rock.

the studs - Fair Occasionally Dark © Free Will - JaME - Polina Kogan

Review

the studs - Fair Occasionally Dark

A surprising addition turns the studs' mediocre mail order single into a masterpiece.

Nagoya Kei © JaME

Special

Nagoya Kei

JaME delves into the mystery of Nagoya kei and its musicians.

Kein - mourou no jitsu © JaME

Review

Kein - mourou no jitsu

Kein's mourou no jitsu brings you back to the roots of visual kei.

the studs - And Hate © JaME

Review

the studs - And Hate

the studs return with a power packed album that brings back Nagoya kei.

the studs - Ano oto © JaME

Review

the studs - Ano oto

the studs' recent single is a shortcoming.

Lamiel - Zekuu © JaME

Review

Lamiel - Zekuu

Lamiel's final work underscores their successful career with some of their greatest songs.

EAT YOU ALIVE at Takadanobaba AREA © EAT YOU ALIVE - JaME - Polina Kogan

Live Report

EAT YOU ALIVE at Takadanobaba AREA

The young Nagoya band EAT YOU ALIVE came to impress the capital with their powerful show.

DEATHGAZE - abyss © EAT YOU ALIVE - JaME - Polina Kogan

Review

DEATHGAZE - abyss

DEATHGAZE produces a typical title track, but delivers a relentless B-side.

GULLET - mad bless you © EAT YOU ALIVE - JaME - Polina Kogan

Review

GULLET - mad bless you

The whole spectrum of GULLET's talent is offered in one release.

the studs 'Sakura no Toge' Final © Free Will

Live Report

the studs 'Sakura no Toge' Final

A live report from the studs' Tour'08 "Sakura no Toge" Final in Ebisu LIQUIDROOM at the beginning of May.

lynch.'s URGE to DROWN Final Live Report © marginal works - lynch.

Live Report

lynch.'s URGE to DROWN Final Live Report

A report of the final concert of lynch.'s first oneman tour 'URGE to DROWN' at Ebisu LIQUIDROOM on April 25.

An interview with lynch. © marginal works

Interview

An interview with lynch.

JaME had the chance to interview vocalist Hazuki and guitarist Reo of the powerful, high energy band lynch.

lynch. - THE BURIED © marginal works

Review

lynch. - THE BURIED

lynch. offers new spins on old favorites.

deadman - in the direction of sunrise and night light © marginal works

Review

deadman - in the direction of sunrise and night light

deadman's unanticipated farewell.

DEATHGAZE - genocide and mass murder © marginal works

Review

DEATHGAZE - genocide and mass murder

FREELANCE review

deadman live at the Kyoto MUSE © deadman

Live Report

deadman live at the Kyoto MUSE

Live report of deadman in Japan

deadman live at the Kanazawa AZ © deadman

Live Report

deadman live at the Kanazawa AZ

Live report of deadman in Japan.

deadman interview © JaME

Interview

deadman interview

Press conference in Paris, January 2006, a day before their concert in France.

ADVERTISEMENT