Review: Lycaon - Declaration of War

Declaration of War is a tough nut to crack. If you're listening to the Lycaon concept singles one after another this is easily the low point of all three. Cordyceps sinensis brings a lot more energy and makes you want to get up and jump around and A Box in Beautiful is just too damn good for this song to touch.

Another reason why this song falters a little bit before you even listen to it would be the title. Look at it - DECLARATION OF WAR. You would expect some screaming, hard, rough, insane track to be shoved up your vasdeference to screw with your sperm. It influences you to think you're going to get something you aren't and then when you hear this track you'll be mildly disappointed.

Let's repeat the scale of good to suck here:

A Box in Beautiful > Cordyceps Sinensis > Declaration of War

Excusing the name, Declaration of War is not that bad of a track. I can describe this as a softer touch to hard rock. Sure, it has it's handful of screams and rough passages but the rest of the track is a bit more melodic than we're used to Lycaon composing. This isn't a bad thing by any means but DoW lacks some balls. In fact, it lacks ANY balls: the cover is so badass but the song doesn't deliver on that false promise. If you come into this track looking for something to headbang to go away. Now.

If you're here to just listen to some pleasant music continue.

Now that we've established that remember that Yuuki's voice has the tendency to do weird crap like suck. He's improved of course but you can still see some of the weaknesses in his voice, especially in this single where he relies more on singing than his weird, nasal screaming. The guitars under him do some great things and make a wonderful listen but he can either make or break the track for you. It all really depends on how unskilled you can stand your singers to be.

I really want the lyrics to this and I don't have them so I can't continue on any further at this point but I'd like to sum up this track like this:

Declaration of War is the vagina but vaginas are good too.

OK so my friend said that but it's still applicable. Just because it's not the best doesn't mean it sucks - it's still got enough to keep any fan interested and it's not a half-bad track to get started with. They've done worse in my opinion.