#adoratio

sukekiyo - ADORATIO

PZCD-002

Three sukekiyo works so far only available through the official online shop or at the concert venues will get general release editions that will be available at music stores around Japan including online stores.

If you were me, writing the lyrics and singing What kind of dazzling blood would you spit And how will you spend your days

Hello everyone! Today i am going to do another promo review since nothing is really sparking an interest on my anniversary sheet. This is the second album by the Japanese band Sukekiyo. It is a supergroup that is notable for having members from the bands Rentrer en Soi, Kannivalism, 9Goats Black Out; and Dir en Grey. The singer Kyo from Dir en grey helms this project so if you are a fan of that group than this will add to your offerings from him. If you listened to their debut album Immortalis and follow up ep Vitium; then you should know that this band is very different from the member’s original projects. This is more artsy and operatic in theme that could be comparable to Radiohead in terms of experimentation. This album from what i’ve noticed is a lot more focused and cohesive than their prior work; since i believe the previous releases were more so intended as song collections rather than a proper album form. Hopefully you guys will find this interesting because it is definitely going to be a complex one.

Giji Necromancer: We begin with some electronic effects and the gloomy fade in of some tense yet soothingly melodic guitar riffs. The drums incorporate a nicely metallic texture into the mix while the bass infuses a nice rhythm to complement. The vocals are spaced out in a rather intriguing manner; which uses deeper and more rough backing vocals to give the song a very dark atmosphere which will do a fair job of garnering the listener’s curiousity. The guitars do a good job of incorporating some very experimentally complex riffs throughout this song. Eventually it shifts into some more aggressive instrumentals once Kyo begins incorporating aggressive vocals into the mix. It retains a nice pace to it and brings in a very impressive jazz style key instrumental into the mix. Strings support the background during this segment and the guitars begin to infuse some deeply layered solos; which are rather engaging in speed and technical originality. The jazz elements are a nice touch in this one that will help to keep its six minute run time feeling rather smooth and meaningful. This song’s ambitious format should do very well at appeasing fans of more thought provoking and attention invested music. 8.5/10

Gunya Ketsuron sohite chimanako: This four minute number begins on a soft but similarly dark note due to reserved yet melodic guitar riffs. The bass and drums work to infuse a dark roughness; which is combine with subtle electronic flair to elevate things smoothly. Kyo arrives smoothly with a very lively deliver; and infuses a sinister sense of catchiness that will show off nicely during a live performance. He makes heavier use of his high notes on this one than he did on the prior song; which allows for this song to display a little extra emotion for the listener to soak in. The guitars will continue to provide some very engaging riffs that will space things out rather effectively. Things get a little more aggressive towards the end and Kyo begins to utilize some of his demonic style vocals and this i’m sure will appeal heavily to fans of his more complex work with Dir en Grey. The catchiness of this one will actually help it to appeal heavily during live performances. I could also see the added benefit of it being a very easy one to dance along to as well. 9/10

Hidauta: Strings and classical sounding guitars or sitars begin this one on a rather blissful note before going to a very gloomy note. The electric riffs add in a very fitting sense of turmoil before utilizing a back and forth approach between peace and conflict tones to proceed. Kyo uses his more experimatal vocal style to fill in spaces while the instrumentals take the lead in developing the energy needed for the listener to retain a strong sense of engagement. This will showcases decently live and will help to fill the audience with a sense of chaotic energy and emotional doom. The subtle electronic elements are brought in when needed and help to further fill in the mix; even if it risks in making the song feel a bit bloated at times. This one can risk losing the listener at times due to its clunky progression at times but should still keep things moving at a decent pace for the album to avoid feeling like its dragging at this stage. I will give them props for the upgrade on the instrumentals for this album; since they have a better sense of strength and complexity to them verses their debut album. This in my opinion shows that the group is building a stronger sense of comfort with each other and has helped their writing to grow stronger as a result. 7/10

Jyunboku muku de arouga: Key begin this one on a very blissful note and the drums bring forth a nice sense of crunchy echoing into the background. The guitars do well to set the stage for Kyo to arrive on easy footing. His delivery is composed of a layered and melodic style. He relies heavily on his high notes during the chorus then breaks away for the electronics to take the lead. They develop careful trance elements that will do very well to actually get the listener up and dancing. This would of made it a decent choice for a single and definitely will make it a solid live picks due to its dance elements. Kyo’s vocals flow with a catchy flow to them and the guitars arrive over a complexly tense set of strings to deliver some rather entertaining riffs. It all takes a break for a moment before returning to the soothing key opening that this song began with. The vocals then proceed to close this one on a rather soothing note. This is a good one to pay attention to during your first listen. Definitely love the dark dance elements on this one. 9/10

Mannerism na tsumetai souretsusya: Acoustic riffs start this on a rather calm note while drums and keys build up the energy gradually. It has a very relaxing and complex tone; which will do a very good job of spurring further interest from the listener. The vocals develop rather nicely with calm melodies and pleasant spacing. The instrumentals definitely do a good job at ensuring the flow is free from boredom and inactivity. The drums keep a steady presence which will do well to keep Kyo’s vocals from falling flat. I will give Kyo props for the vocal style he uses with this band because its different from his work with Dir en Grey and carries a higher sense of risk as a result. Especially since he serves more in a supportive role in the music. This helps to complement my comparisons of this group to Radiohead since Thom Yorke serves exactly the same role in his band’s music. Both are very skilled and stand out firmly in their music; but are clearly position as supportive tools in the song rather than being just the dominant focus. I actually give the instrumentals more dominance as a result due to their complexity and consistent diversity. 8.5/10

En: This middle track begins quickly with tense guitars before shifting into very beautifully thought provoking key segments. These keys will be very pleasing to the ears and are a perfect support for Kyo’s vocals. Kyo uses a familiar style on this one and allows for the keys and complementary guitar riffs to develop a really engaging sense of emotional bliss. This will help to give this one more of a ballad format on the album; as well as a better sense of melody to enjoy as the song progresses. The bass does well to keep an interesting sense of rhythm in the song and should elevate the potential for some romantic slow dancing if you are having a more culturally themed date night than normal. 10/10

Kubitsuri yuugu: Synths begin this one with a unique fairy tale atmosphere before the guitars and drums arrive with a very groovy jazz tone. It is going to be very interesting to dance along to and should work up a nice response during a live performance. The vocals take on a more electronic note which works out rather well for this one. It helps to give off a very authentic live feel and Kyo’s more energetically cheerful tone will help to make his vocals stick out very firmly on this one. This combined with the instrumentals is going to make this one very infectious to the listener and help to ensure that they have no choice but to get up and start moving once it starts. So far this one and the last song are easily coming across to be my favorites on this album and would easily recommend them as singles. I could only imagine how entertaining the music videos would of been for both songs. 10/10

Saredo michizure: Bass and electronic sounding drum beats begin this one with a Nine Inch Nails like tones before the keys arrive to give off a very layered background atmosphere. Kyo arrives with a very slow and calm vocal delivery. His style is definitely builds up a tense mood for the song while the instrumentals continue to develop their unconventional rhythm. The guitar riffs fill in gaps nicely with their simple flairs and the keys will help to add in a little extra energy as things venture further on. Because the rhythm maintains a steady tempo; it does feel a bit longer for a listen. The electronica eventually goes full Nine Inch Nails towards the end with a very intense yet brief breakdown to help it stick out to the listener. It then returns to the regular verses but with a louder instrumental presence to help push it to the finish line. This song is a prime example of the risky nature of Kyo’s chosen vocal style. It also showcases what can happen when his vocals with this group are given too much room to move around on their own. Still not a bad piece but it does show you how careful this group has to be to make their sound work. 7.5/10

Shiryou no ariana: The guitars and drums begin with a very tribal synth like structure which changes things up rather nicely. It builds rather fondly on their Nine Inch Nails tendencies while adding in a rather engaging sense of anger into the mix. The vocals return to their support role with low and rough yet successful vocals. He gradually grows more intense as the song progresses and infuses near shouts as the instrumentals take the lead for a soft refresh period; while still building up the tension and frustration in the room. This will do very well at getting the listener’s adrenaline moving during a live performance; and should nicely with the more aggressive elements of their previous material. This one vocally will definitely contain more familiarity with later era Dir en Grey work (especially Dum Spiro Spero to be precise). This will help it to give their Kyo centric followers something a bit more familiar to enjoy. 9/10

Naburi: This six and a half minute number begins on a eerie note before guitars arrive to infuse it with a very dark sense of acoustic horror. It is rather beautiful in tone and the drums do well to keep it flowing rather peacefully with their complex patterns. The vocals arrive slightly under everything to deliver thought provoking yet spacey high note melodies for the listener to relax to. It delivers a very enlightening tone to the listener that will serve as a perfect thinking song for the listener to ponder over current issues in their life with. This certainly is a big plus due to the strong complexity that this song thrives with and immediately brings images to me of a classic gentlemen sipping on scotch while rummaging through his bondage in front of his mistress lol. Yeah this one will bring the listener’s darker fantasies to mind and that’s definitely going to be a nice element to have on the album. Because of this theme; it actually reminds me rather heavily of William Control’s stronger work (Hate Culture and Noir; Havent heard Revelations yet but heard good things). 10/10

Mimi zozo: Keys begin on a soft and gloomy note; while still infusing the song with a strong and highly engaging sense of melodic beauty. Jazz elements arrive right before Kyo enters and it develops a very engaging tempo. The quick speed makes for a very solid flow for this song and helps to ensure that this album is going to be a rather remarkable release when you choose to listen to it. The vocals are very strong and help to keep the energy in this song perfectly refined with its mix of dance crazed tense and classically complex melodies. The strings have a shining moment where they really envelope the song with a sense of fatal doom; while Kyo continues with his supportive verses. The guitars then deliver a nice set of instrumentals while Kyo helps to keep them feeling successfully propped up. This is easily another very nice treat to come across and is leaving things feeling very fresh even at this stage in the album. Normally with an album like this; i’d be feeling pretty exhausted by now and scraping the barrel; but they are doing a very good job of retaining freshness. 10/10

Aoguroi hysteria (single): This is the only album single and it begins with interesting synth loops before the drums arrive with a catchy dance beat to get Kyo moving. His vocals are rather soothing yet complex and will help to get the listener up an moving. This one plays with acoustic echoes very nicely and the guitars will help to get the listener into a hypnotic state of bliss before the chorus arrives. The chorus is rather energetic and feature Kyo delivering a cheerfully powerful set of high notes before returning to the more complex segments of the song. The high dance energy in this one makes a nice appearance towards the middle where the guitars really infuse a strong sense of chaotic fury into the mix without throwing anything out of sync. This sets the song up rather enthusiastically for the finale track. 9.5/10

Hakudaku: This finale track is easily my most listened to song on the album. It begins quickly with an energetic guitar/rhythm opening and the keys infuse it with an enthusiastic sense of melody. Kyo’s vocals infuse it with a demanding sense of complexity that builds a strong sense of farewell emotion for the listener to fall in love with. The vocals as a result dominate the listener’s focus for awhile till the strings enter. They infuse this song with a very complex sense of classical emotion and skill; which will grow in speed and tension as it progresses. It fits perfectly with the drums and and Kyo takes over smoothly to return it to the chorus. This string segment is a real nice surprise at this stage of the album and really sparked my interest in this album when i was shuffling through it the first time. 10/10

Overall album rating:9.1/10

Damn; this album was a really smart pick to do today. It takes a lot to score an A- on my reviews and this one really earned it. The band up’d their game tremendously with this release and has me looking forward to what else they come out with in the future. I’m glad now that they aren’t a one off project; even if it means a slow down in newer stuff from Dir en Grey. In honestly when i first heard this was coming out; i wasn’t very enthusiastic since their debut album was very hit or miss with bumpy flow to it. On this one they really developed their sound and put out what easily a contender for the best overall album for any of the band members career wise. I’m not sure about Kyo because Arche beat this one still by a margin of .1 but flow wise; this album does better at maintaining cohesiveness. I suggest checking this one out when you get the chance because it is going to be a shock when you first hear it and is one that deserves a lot more publicity out there. I hope you all enjoyed this one because i sure as hell did!

Explosive force , an inquisitive spirit and everything thereafter.

Part 1 of Kyo and Yuchi’s interview for spice. 

【sukekiyo】シークレットイベント独占生中継 最新音源＆映像作品集『ADORATIO』先行プレミアム試聴会「黝の密会」