#plus magic

I have radioapple babies

and I’m working on a radiohusk baby and chaggie baby

Here I am with a new band review in “Focusing on”! Today’s subject is a visual kei band, which always distinguished by a great mix of colors and sound. We’re talking about the Raid., formed on 2011 and composed by Sena (vo.), Bo-ya (gt.), Yuuha (gt.), former member of NeXuS and lilt, who replaced Yuta on 2012, Tenshi (ba.), former member of Plus Magic, who replaced Iori on 2016 and Kazhi (dr.). Their band name has not a precise meaning, but the word is a synonym of attack, where each song is like a challenge, making them not having a definite concept. Their genre is rock, with really energetic notes and roots from oshare kei, without neglecting maturer compositions. Their debut occurred on October 2011 with the first single Starry Heaven.

The lead-track, named Zero ~0~, features an energetic and really electronic sound, with pleasant vocals and a catchy rhythm; the song is about overcoming any limit, at any cost. It has been followed by the singles My Dear/Blue and Tsubasa (Wings), the first mini-album Feathers, the singles Ketsuraku Lover (Missing lover), Snow pledge, Judgement and Moment.

The title-track sees a more positive and melodic sound, along with electronic notes and a paced rhythm; the song is about stopping our lives to a meaningful moment. It has been followed by the second mini-album Alice. and the singles Raison d’etre, Period and Rebellion.

The title-track exalts more the extreme component of their sound, even with screamed parts, without changing it completely; the song is about a dream of revolution and change. It has been followed by the first album Ray, the singles Junketsu Piranha (Pure-blood piranha), Kurobara rondo (Black rose rondo), Shirayuki no saku koro ni (When the white lilies bloom), Yowamushi Monster (Wimp monster) and Mercari (reviewed here), the compilation Coupling Best -Yuuha and Bo-ya side-, the singles Yanderu kimi ni okuru uta (Song for you sick) and Re:born, the third mini-album Mikan (Unfinished), the singles Dead Xmas Party, Gomennasai (Sorry), Urameshiya (I curse you) and Seisan curry (Hydrocyanic acid curry), the fourth mini-album Omen, the singles Go Diva (False diva), Kagiana (Keyhole), Kago onna uta (Song of woman in cage), Otogiri kusa (Younger brother cuts the grass), Boku wa kaibutsu (I am a monster), Anomaly, Kabukichou rainy, Kamisama nande!? (Why God!?), Watashi kirei? (Am I beautiful?), Koroshitaru naru hodo dareka o aishita koto wa arimasu ka? (Have you loved someone enough to kill you?) and One night kareshi (Boyfriend for one night).

The title-track has a nostalgical style, fitting with the cheerful melody and the simple rhythm, for a quite pleasant ballad; the song is about a love-story lasting only one night.

In the visual kei scene most bands rely on the positive vibes and the strong colors, and the Raid. joins this group, even if they get something unpredictable along with them. Each song carries up a new side of them, going from extreme to light in a single hit, adding electronic notes for making the melody more flowing and listenable to everybody and nice vocals, not fearing to be heavier when needed. the Raid. is the kind of band which you don’t hear much about, but they are still a relevant presence in the visual kei scene, making it even less boring, thanks to wide choice of songs in their repertory. If you are a fan of their world, you will look forward for their next work, the single Kimipuri (You prince), coming out this July, which makes this summer even more colorful than expected.

Who might enjoy: who loves colorful and energetic bands, made of fun and positive vibes.

Recommended songs: Zero ~0~, Tsubasa, Moment, Period, Rebellion, Mercari and One night kareshi.

That’s all folks! See you on Wednesday for a new review in “Let’s Listen to”!

Um.

Zakki

Plus Magic

Drummer

December 31st