REVIEW: Girugamesh - Chimera

It's actually been quite a while since we've heard from Girugamesh, in thinking earlier today about how great Gravitation was and how I was excited for Chimera I had forgotten that it's been over a year since we got to hear anything new. Which is interesting in and of itself because they tend to overproduce music and often it can be seen as an over saturation of their work. Thankfully, they seem to have gotten over that phase. While Gravitation was pretty divisive for fans due to its heavy electronic influence (sort of a continuation of the theme from MONSTER), I think longtime fans will really get to know and love the new EP, Chimera.

1. Introduction
2. Slip Out
3. Chimera
4. Wither Mind
5. Horizon
6. End
7. Big Bear Remix from Gravitation

Easily enough, the EP starts with an introduction that just makes a lot of sense. It's equal parts electronic and rock that shows the audience what their in for. While it is significantly less electronic than past releases, it shows that part of the band's element is here to stay. Thusly blending directly into "Slip Out," which has some very real lyrics for that early-2000's emo kid in you who remembers Girugamesh's old days. "Get me, get me out of here" repeated in various degrees of vocal distortion marks the middle of the song. Clearly meant to be a live banger.

The title track was released days before the EP with an exceedingly Visual Kei music video which you can and SHOULD watch by clicking here. This is easily their best video in years. It has a theme that isn't just the boys performing, it's dark and Dir en grey-esque while not pandering to or trying too hard to emulate them. But, most importantly, the song is incredibly heavy with next to no electronic influence. Satoshi is pitch perfect in his clean vocals and heavy on the harsh vocals. The breakdown is also not something to knock, it's probably the most important part of the song to distinguish it from the rest.

"Wither Mind" has a bit more electronic influence than we've seen on this release and a lot of it is pretty heavy and rhythmic with several of the same or similar breakdowns throughout which makes the song incredibly high energy. The trend of electronic introductions continues on "Horizon," forcing me to believe that they have somewhat forgotten how to introduce a song with anything other than a synthesizer. The presence of this electronic influence is prominent throughout the verses of this song and the choruses are sung in powerful clean vocals. However, the rest of the song is pretty much just more of the same. It's a good song, just not good enough to stand out amongst a tapestry of other rhythms and harmonies.

Finally, the EP comes to a close with an aptly-titled "End." This was a pretty significant improvement over "Horizon" because it's as heavy as it is powerful, which can be a rare find. Satoshi's vocals are powerful, clean, and featured prominently. The song is metaphorically huge, its' presence is massive... A perfect closer.

The regular edition of the EP comes with a remixed bonus track, "Big Bear Remix from Gravition." Now, I'm not totally certain what the point of this song is, but if you're into EDM in any fashion you'll probably at least appreciate this. While most voices are pretty good for EDM, Satoshi only sounds okay in this song. While I consider this song unnecessary, I don't consider it a blemish on what is otherwise a totally incredible EP with amazing energy! Support the band by buying the EP here at CD Japan!

chimera [TYPE A] (¥2,500)
[CD]
01. Introduction
02. slip out
03. chimera
04. wither mind
05. Horizon
06. END
07. Big Bear Remix from gravitation

[DVD: 2015/3/14 Live at Studio Coast]
01. gravitation
02. Go ahead
03. driving time
04. Not Found
05. suiren
06. crime-tsumi-
07. Drain
08. VOLTAGE
09. Omaeni sasageru minikui koe
10. Zecchou BANG!!
11. arrow

*Purchase it on CDJapan

chimera [TYPE B] (¥2,500)
[CD]
01. Introduction
02. slip out
03. chimera
04. wither mind
05. Horizon
06. END
07. Big Bear Remix from gravitation

[DVD: Documentary]
01. girugamesh 2015 documentary

*Purchase it on CDJapan

chimera [European Edition] (¥2,500)
[DISC 1]
01. Introduction
02. slip out
03. chimera
04. wither mind
05. Horizon
06. END
07. Big Bear Remix from gravitation

[DISC 2: BONUS]
01. Go ahead
02. gravitation
03. Not Found
04. reflection
05. Vortex

*Purchase it in-store (EU)

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