Single: D'espairsRay - BRILLIANT

Date released: 14.5.2008.

Track list
1. BRILLIANT [Listen]
2. Cocoon [Listen]

It took me three years to actually start listening to Visual kei after I've heard about it. I knew that Visual kei were some crazy Manson-like, eccentric Japanese rockers often having a very dark and morbid look. The band names like Dir en grey, Kagerou, Moi dix Mois and D'espairsRay rang in my head as something dark, mysterious, aggressive... D'espairsRay always seemed to me as one of the darkest Visual kei bands around. When I started listening to Visual kei, I've found their dark and mysterious sound very fitting to their appearance. The name D'espairsRay even today echoes in my head as the dark and respectful Visual kei band, rocking all the way from 1999...

So a year after their last release, the album MIRROR, D'espairsRay return with a bit pompous but completely justified named single BRILLIANT. From the very first riff to the last punch in the drum, BRILLIANT simply shines with brilliancy, ingenious riffs that make me want to kiss Karyu all over his face, explosive drumming by Tsukasa and the dynamic, strong Hizumi's voice which simply proves that he has got one of the best voices in J-rock overall. But not just BRILLIANT shows the pure genius of the band, Cocoon violently rips it's way to the speakers ear with fierce screams, trembling bass lines by Zero and sinister riffs grabbing you by the throat. The song bursts out on the anthem-like rock eruption of a chorus, contrasting with it's bright sound the viciousness of the bridges.

But then again the choruses are the weak-point of the single: they resemble each other too much and remind on the song Trickstar melody-wise (though Cocoon's refrain would be better if it weren't for the background English lyrics that often make me love less some of their songs than I should (eg. ANGELDUST)). You can practically sing Break out set me free yeah! on both BRILLIANT and Cocoon's choruses and you'd be surprised how much it fits. Both of the songs deliver a similar construction based on thick verses, ingenious riffs and bridges and explosive, feather-light, catchy choruses. Unfortunately BRILLIANT is a sure-shot from D'espairsRay showing their excellent songwriting, but without much innovation, being in front row something only fans will probably enjoy in it's fullest.

But overall BRILLIANT is brilliant and something every Visual kei fan shouldn't miss. These boys don't release something so often and I think it is more than picky to ask for something more. I have no complaints and recommend this excellent single of one of the most representative Visual kei bands around.