Review: Shinkou Shuukyou Gakudan NoGoD - Mugen Kyou

01	Maboroshi	幻
02	Saikou no sekai	最高の世界
03	Shirasagi	白鷺
04	Shinjitsu no hana	真実の花
05	Rinne tenshou	輪廻天昇
06	Atarimae	アタリマエ
07	Aozora	青空
08	Tsumibatsu Egoist	罪罰エゴイスト
09	Kono sekai ni mi hansarete mo	この世界に見放されても
10	Shukufuku no uta	祝福の唄
11	Yume	夢

Maboroshi opens the album with soft guitars. It provides a dreamy, almost ethereal soundscape. The framework of the song starts out fragile with Kyrie’s soft guitar strumming holds the melody as the other musicians seamlessly weave into the music. Danchou’s soaring vocals building to a rousing climax and then sliding smoothly into Saikou no Sekai. Maboroshi translates as phantom and the song itself gives off the illusion that nothing is playing while it’s playing. It comes and it goes. It’s not a song I can listen to on repeat but it’s a great introduction into the album so it gets a 7.5. Saikou no Sekai brings the hard, NoGoD sound we’re used to and rocks it hard. If Maboroshi was to lead me in, Saikou no Sekai was to smack me with awesomeness. It’s definitely a listen and the teamwork between Kyrie and Shinno makes the track stand out on this album. Definitely worth a listen. 10.

Shirasagi, the next track, doesn’t have the same punch as Saikou no Sekai. The melody is light and bouncy, but the melody is too ordinary even by NoGoD standards. The song seems to rely overly on Danchou’s falsetto and that is not a good thing. It was an A-side too. Quite a same really because this song had something going for it. The title translates as “White Heron” I believe, but at the end of the day I’ll just roast the damn heron and skip this song more often than I’ll listen to it. Go fly off with your 7.

Shinjitsu no Hana gets the album back on track. Opening with a sick bass line mirrored with some guitars in the background, this song is one of the better ones on the album. The overall funky groove matched with the acoustic guitars in the chorus is an immediate transition, but the powerful guitar chords throughout and a breakdown between Karin’s bass and Shinno’s guitar at the mid way point, keep this song far above average, sitting somewhere at 9.

Rinne Tenshou is the first ballad on the album, and a beautiful one at that. There is an epic feel to this piece of music, despite the overall quiet nature surrounding the song. The guitars in this song are just beautiful, as notes are hit in such ways that make me scream in silence. It sends shivers up and down my back imagining their fingers moving so fast and creating something so serene an quiet. With a title that translates as Transmigration of Souls, it feels like the spirits are moving around in this song. Or at least that’s the feel I get. It may be a little lengthy, but a good song is always a good song. Comparing this with the craphole that is Tenbatsu Enban, I must say that the band has matured greatly from the two or three years they’ve spent on the scene. In a way, you might not want this song to end, because Atarimae comes next. To me it comes off as just bland, but it’s a good indicator of the style that they’re going for in the near future. Well hell, the title translates as “Ordinary” and this song is as “average” as you can get. It’s a shame; they should channel some more Saikou no Sekai. I don’t like this song all that much and I usually skip it because this isn’t NoGoD for me. It’s just as alienating as Dou. Well that, and the licks annoy me. 9 and 6.

Aozora, hands down, is the best song on Mugenkyo. Strangely enough, it’s also the riskiest. Most bands try to avoid instrumentals altogether, and then it’s usually one or two minutes long and could be cut out. This band takes an all-out risk and goes for a six minute EPIC that rivals Rinne Tenshou in pure awesomeness. This must have been inspired by some sick weed or something, and is the complete opposite in nature of Atarimae. It’s lively, full of life and has a slapped bass solo early into the instrumental! The detailed riffing and soaring guitar licks are all throughout this song. Listening to it creates images of a great flight into the stratosphere, even though I get images of green and not blue. After Aozora it is hard to imagine where NoGoD will head next; it makes such a radical, bold imprint on the album with its professional display of musical finesse that it should leave the other tracks behind it in its wake. An automatic 10.

But Tsumibatsu Egoist plummets into the depths of pure heaviness with astonishing low vocals from Danchou and a speed metal drumbeat from K. It’s badass and addictive, and is a damn good song. The chorus has a sudden raise in pitch and return of a familiar falsetto, which is comfortable territory for this band. NoGoD handles heavy well, and this song shows why. This has to be my personal favorite song on the album, and here’s an interesting fact about the solo: it’s done ON THE NECK!. Instead of topping Aozora, they go in a different direction, and that works for the better. Another 10.

Kono Sekai ni Mihanasaretemo starts off with a strong acoustic and Danchou’s quiet but forceful vocals continue throughout the song. This is one of my favorite ballads from them and when you go back and listen to the original version, you can see the progress Shinno has had on the band. It’s got a dreamy feel all throughout it that can’t be ignored. Overall, it was a great idea to implement this on their first album. The way it rises and falls is smooth, subtle, and forceful. It doesn’t press too hard but it doesn’t fail to leave an impression. It gets an 8.

Shukufuku no Uta is the next song, and sounds like something straight out of the 70’s. It wraps around a typically NoGoD rhythm with a bit of funk and “woah oh” ing going on throughout the song. It’s one song that’s sure to get you up on your feet and get you moving around. Overall, after all the great songs that have come before it, you might end up forgetting about this song, which is a shame really. Songs like Atarimae take preference and the bastard stepchild leaves a better song for the end of the album <_<.>

Yume is a little surprise tucked away at the end of the album. I would call this Kitou with finesse and skill. While the opening is boring and heavy, Yume soon reveals an interesting side: Danchou’s vocals have a sinister edge around which Eastern sounding guitars wind. It doesn’t get started for two minutes though, which could turn you off. This is a complete contrast to the soaring chorus. What gets me the most about this song is the sense of finality about it and the feeling it has in the last minute or so. You KNOW the album is ending and you don’t want it to, but it is and Yume tucks you back into the sheets and tells you to sleep. A great way to end the album, so you also get a 9.

Mugenkyo is a real dreamscape of sounds as it’s title suggests; from feelings of flying off to a deep nightmare to a dream of tranquility and peace, it is a varied album that paints a vivid picture (very bad Gokusaishiki reference there but bear with me). It could be criticized for lack of consistency or for experimentation, but what do you want? 11 tracks of the same thing over and over again? Please, this album has something that anyone can enjoy. As NoGoD takes us on this journey through a strange world of darkness and light, some ideas work (Aozora) while others (Atarimae and Shirasagi) don’t. Mugenkyo is not the perfect album but it’s damn good.

Rating: 4.3/5 (regular edition) 3.9/5 (limited edition)
Best Song: Aozora
Worst Song: Atarimae

Recommended Listen:
Aozora
Tsumibatsu Egoist
Saikou no Sekai
Shinjitsu no Hana
Yume
(seriously, everything but Atarimae)

And because I’m in a good mood, and because I need more translations on this site, I will attempt to translate Saikou no Sekai and Tsumibatsu Egoist.

Saikou no Sekai

Koudokeizai gizensha shakai banzai
Haisetsuteki benri joukyuu

Denpa hasshin jushin sokushibou yuugi
Rakkanteki jibun shugi

Sono te wa mienai basho de tada nonoshitte
Daiji na mono wo kesshite tsukamenai

Dakara koso ima
Sora miage kaze wo kanji iki wo sutte
Kiri no kakaru mori no naka nigeteku genjitsu(ima)
Tsukamae hikisaki kuraitsukeba ii

Ikite ite
Kono yume mo kibou mo motenu utsukushisa wo
Daite ite
Sono hako no nakami wa kitto zetsubou dake janai

Manpuku kan mansai sengo nippon
Taiman teki higai mousou

Sekai wa mata dareka ni tsumi wo natsuritsuke
Kakurisareta heya de inochi wo tsumitoru

Dakara koso ima
Shinjitsu wo chiisana te de dakishimete ite
Kanousei wa sono mune ni ikidzuiteru
Matteru kimeru no wa jibun jishin sa

Ikite ite
Kono yume mo kibou mo motenu utsukushisa wo
Daite ite
Sono hako no nakami wa kitto zetsubou dake janai
Kore ijou
Soko ni ite mo hikari nante todokanai kara
Ikite ike
Kono utsushiku mo yogoreta mawari tsudzukeru
Aisubeki saikou no sekai

Saikou no Sekai Translation (this isn’t accurate at all! take it as a general summary of the song in English)

The economic growth of a hypocritical society HURRAH
Management conveniently excretes superiority

Sending transmissions, recieving, the sudden ends of friendships
It’s my own optimistic doctrine

It seems this place is usually abusive
The people I cherish should never be attacked

So definitely now,
I look toward the wind and the heavens feeling as if I’m going to breathe in this hanging fog as I watch from the forest above
Pleasantly catching, tearing, biting

Living this dream also carries my fierce suggestions
Embrace the contents of the box that question only despair

Japan appears healthy but is talking deliriously
Ignoring these damaging delusions

The sin of happiness awaits someone in my world
My isolated life in this room has been plucked away

So for sure now,
My small truth holds someone tight
The likelihood of my will to breathe life
Decides to wait for itself

Living,
This dream also carries my fierce suggestions
Embrace the contents of the box that question only despair
Tt’s strange how that place of light reaches out!
Living this ideal it becomes stained with blood as it circulates
I am the most lovable in the world

Tsumibatsu Egoist

[Zettaiteki na souo]
Tsukisasu shisen no naka
Koko wa marude jigoku sa
Kan ni sawaru gebita koe da

[Taihaiteki na kanjou]
Teinou ni shite oroka na saru
Murete mawari ni awasete
Kobi bakari uri tsuzukete

Kono ryoute ga hamono dattara
Sono kubikiri otoshite shimaitai
Soshite fumitsubushi tsuba wo hakitsukete mikuda shite

Asa wa tada yuu’utsu no hajimari de
~Kurikaesu~
Yoru wa asa wo osore nemuru
Furue nagara

Kawaranai sekai wo
Kaeru no wa boku dakara
Tada no haguruma dakara
Kimitachi wa kono kowareta kikai no
Ima wa kienai
Umi to kizu wo kamishimete
Kurai asa ga mata shinu no wo matteru

[Shoudouteki na koudou]
Subete kiete shimau
Inochigoi suru kimi de sae
Yasashiku kuchi wo fusaide

Zainin ni shi no seisai wo “danzai”
Toganin ni shi no seisai wo “danzai”
Kimitachi ni shi no seisai wo “danzai”
Kono boku ni “yasuragi” wo

Mimi ga itai hodo no seijaku wa
~Yasashikute~
Yogoreta karada wo dakishimeru itai hodo ni

Kono basho ga motomete ita hazu no rakuen de
Daremo okase wa shinai
Boku dake no gyokuza ga aru meikyuu

Namida ga denai
Kokoro wa mou inakunatta ne
Nano ni kuuhaku ga umerarenai

Oto wo tate boku wa kowarete yuku
Soshite kami ni narou
Hiki kane wo hiite

Tsumibatsu Egoist (Translated. These lyrics are miles better but not 100% accurate.)

[Absolute compliance]
A deep, piercing look here,
this sensation is quite hellish
Your touch coarsens, your voice degenerates

[Decadent Emotions]
A particular “hero’s” imbecility
Completely surrounds him
Nothing but flattery to acquire (knowledge) again and again

If it’s the case, then with this edged tool the execution will be complete
and with my spit I revoke this monitored annulment

The origin of my usual melancholic mornings
~Repeat~
Concern my mornings as I shiver while I sleep

My world transforms
Replacing me so
I stray from the usual so
All of you destroyed this chance
Now I vanish
Reflecting upon the pain I brought
And on this dark morning I wait to die

[Impulsive Behavior]
All of you vanish completely
Even as you beg for your lives
Kindly shut your mouths

The punishment of death to a criminal “CONVICTED!”
The punishment of death to an offender “CONVICTED”
The punishment of death to ALL OF YOU ” CONVICTED!”
This is “tranquility” to me

Looking at the corpses only silence remains
~Kindness~
My dirty body holds all that remains

This place seeks to be a garden of pleasure
All of you violate the throne, the mystery of life
Only my throne remains a mystery

Tears come forth
My heart already bears fruit but
There isn’t any place to give birth

The length and sound of my voice breaks and dies out
And God bears fruit
As my bell of joys and sorrows pull back