Hi there~ ^^ 

    Starting again from where I left this week, today's post is about a breathtaking J-Rock album. While the singer may be best known for her seiyuu works, this surprising side of her voicing appeared after her work in Chaos;Head, both in the game and the anime. Creepy, amazing and really raw, this project continued to make success even after the ending of the show, which led Yui Sakakibara to keep on making new songs under the same style, even though she's not using the name of the fictional group due to... well, not being only about Chaos;Head anymore.

    Released in 2009, "PHANTASM End Prophecy" is mainly a collection of all the previous singles, featuring just some minor rearrangements. But that's why it is so incredible. If one of the singles alone were enough to make you feel in musical heaven, a full album of these songs was simply THE Album to look out for.

    Everything starts with "Mikkyou no Kubikazari", now in the "Black Mass Version". A Kokusyoku Sumire-like intro lets you breath for a moment before the hardcore stuff comes in. When Yui starts singing, those who are used to cute characters she may have given her voice to will certainly be in shock. Yes, it's pure awesomeness indeed. Plus cookies for the Yousei Teikoku kind of interlude and emotional singing.

    "Shokuzai no Erotica" comes next. After an intro resembling post-apocalyptic movies, the song slowly builds up power. A softer song if compared to the first one, but still a dark tune. Fitting for ending themes, maybe it was really used as one? I never played the Chaos games, so I wouldn't know .___.

   Going to number 3, we encounter "Zaika ni Keiyaku no Chi wo". I remember playing this song on StepMania, lol. I reckon it continues the slower flow of the last song. This time, though, it grabbed more my attention with a powerful chorus. It is incredibly catchy, so be careful! xD   

    Prepare yourself for one of the best songs of the album. "Yami ni Hikari wo Sasumono" gathers everything, from the slow tempo, hardcore riffs, emotional vocals, to the gothness from the past songs and makes them rock into one majestic song. Also, add a mad (and unfortunately short) guitar solo to the list.

    Following the path of darkness, the singer presents us a slightly different song this time. Deep, cruel and raw, "Haritsuke no Misa -To the distance Ver.-" reminds me of some Visual Kei bands. Definitely a great song, with highlights on Yui's vocals.

    "Haruka Naru Idiyona -Heavy Generation Ver.-" is our next stop. Despite the insane solo near the end of the song, it seems a pretty relaxing moment if you take a look back at what already happened. I'll take it as a break time... @-@

    Now, at least in my honest opinion, begins the best song of the album. "Allelujah no Fukuin -Extra Solo Ver.-" might be a tad boring in the verses for some people. On the other hand, that's where it shines for me. The ability of creation tension and building up the emotion in this song is just fantastic. The chorus has the most brilliant melody and you can just feel the singer releasing all her feelings on it. After the solo, where Yui sings the chorus first softly and then returns to it in full scale is just...wow.

    Approaching the end Prophecy of the album, "Gradual" is pretty much a review of the first songs. Not that it's a bad thing, but just not overly impressive... Still, much better than some A-sides out there! :P

    Closing (NOOOO DDD: ) this supreme collection, "Nageki no Arabesque" uses once more a different formula. It sounds more like a song for fighting games trailers/openings. Don't ask me why I think that, because I actually can't explain it. It's an epic song on its own and certainly an important part of the album.

  

    With a total of 9 tracks, this production is a must to any appreciator of good J-Rock. It has everything needed to impress the listener and to bind you to your computer while it grabs your soul and transforms your being into a goth-goth servant of doom. LOL *-*

Allelujah no Fukuin -Extra Solo Ver.-

Yami ni Hikari wo Sasumono

 Mikkyou no Kubikazari -Black Mass Ver.-

Haritsuke no Misa -To the distance Ver.-