Three years after releasing its album EMMUREE, dark rock band emmurée produced a new album titled 窓の外は、カァニバル。 (Mado no soto wa, kaanibaru.). The title means the carnival outside the window.
Tracklist:
01. 混沌≒秩序 (Konton≒chitsujo)
02. カタルマド (Katarumado)
03. ノスタルジックに、風の吹くままに。 (Nosutarujikku ni, fū no fuku mama ni)
04. Picturesque World
05. 時計草 (Tokeigusa)
06. 太陽のメロディー (Taiyō no merodī)
07. 瞬きの裏の瞬間の思想 (Mabataki no ura no shunkan no shisō)
08. recollection
09. 窓の外は、カァニバル。(Mado no soto wa, kaanibaru.)
After 15 years of making music, which is a considerable time for a band, the question arises: will emmurée once again manage to impress with a new album? Can we expect a carnival in terms of music or will the band keep the sound they have been bringing for years? In the three years between the third and fourth albums, the band had to say goodbye to drummer Yuki and TELL (MUNIMUNI’s support drummer, ex-MOTHER GOOSE) took his place. This means this is the first proper release with a new line-up.
The first feeling with this album was that the album did feel clearly different, this will perhaps have to do with the fact that the band seems to be constantly renewing itself. But even though the album seems to sound different, it is still has the dark and gloomy emmurée sound. This has to do with the combination that seems to have been successful for years: the music still exudes the same darkness as we are used to from emmurée, Sou’s voice enchants you and takes you to deep valleys and through dark forests, while the instruments do the accompaniment and make you feel gloomy at one moment and very powerful at another.
Upon entering the album with 混沌≒秩序 (Konton≒chitsujo), the first thing that can be noticed was that the drums are louder compared to previous works of emmurée. But it sounds very pleasant and is perhaps a sign from TELL to let people know there is a new drummer.
That Sou can sing was already known, but on this album he shows the listener what he can do with his voice. The powerful breakdowns create goosebumps, while his normal singing voice is compelling. This is especially well heard in the songs 瞬きの裏の瞬間の思想 (Mabataki no ura no shunkan no shisō) and recollection.
Instrumentally, there is little to say about this: Halka’s guitar work sounds good on every track, in some songs he can make his guitar ‘sing’ more, which is very pleasant to the ears. You can expect more fine guitar work from Halka on this album. From 太陽のメロディー (Taiyō no merodī), there is clearly a jazzy vibe because the bass sound of Tomo’s bass guitar can be heard very clearly. But the bass generally stands out well in emmurée’s songs. And the drums have already been mentioned, but TELL lets you know it is present, but also complements it where it needs to be complemented. Instrumentally, it seems to be as solid as a house.
In the end, I want to present my favourites from this album, namely カタルマド (Katarumado), Picturesque World, 瞬きの裏の瞬間の思想 (Mabataki no ura no shunkan no shisō) and recollection or tracks 2, 4, 7 and 8 on the album. Recollection in particular is a favourite, considering it starts very heavy instrumentally, but continues as a nice quiet song with a very powerful chorus.
It’s been a long time since an album grabbed me from the very first notes, wrapped me up and still makes me enjoy it after listening to it many times. I don’t think there will be an album that will top it anytime soon, the question is whether this band will ever top this album! In any case, I am very curious and am of course eagerly waiting for this! But first I want to go and see the band live.
