Review: D'espairsRay - Gärnet

Behind [coll:set], this is my favorite D'espairsRay release of all time. Gärnet is the perfect example of what a single should be like, and I haven't liked a single as much as Gärnet after this one. Gemini came close but Gärnet still reigns supreme in my book, and for good reason. It's the first single to hit the #1 on the indies charts for them, and was what propelled them into the major leagues in the first place. The epitome of their dark, goth sound this single is a required listening in my notebook.

01. Gärnet
02. Oboro no Tsuki
03. Subliminal

01. Gärnet	I am unsure of whether or not I hand out perfect scores too liberally but Gärnet is surely deserving of one. From the twisted effect opening with Tsukasa’s pounding drums to the end with Hizumi’s pained moans, Gärnet is the type of experimental track that typifies what I want D’espairsRay to put out. Lighter, quieter, darker verses are contrasted by louder, heavier, but no less dark choruses with the trademark Hizumi barks and screams. Haunting electronic sounds are used to great effect as they provide the ambience and give the track some support; other than the drums and Hizumi’s singing there isn’t much going on in the way of musicality. In this case however, less is more and it all comes together to create an addictive, dark piece of a tale about human suffering.	10/10
02. Oboro no Tsuki	The perfect B-side to Gärnet. The single has an overall tone of despair coursing through its veins and Oboro no Tsuki does not let up. More electronic effects are found here but less is used and they fit in more with the guitars, which move along at a roaring pace and don’t stop for anything. Hizumi sings a tale of the death of hope and what not. The chorus is the standout point in this song, as Hizumi’s clean vocals are mixed in with female vocals that soar and the bass is clearly audible underneath everything that’s going on – a rarity in D’espairsRay songs. It’s dark, heavy, and sounds much like it’s former track, but it’s strong enough to stand up on it’s own.	10/10
03. Subliminal	Another excellent track, but it’s not as solid as the last two. A song about subliminal mindfuckery and mental sabotage, the message is executed flawlessly through a myriad of electronic effects and intentional overdubbing. Hizumi’s screaming is at its greatest here and at parts he sounds demented, as if he’s lost his mind. The song goes from verse to chorus flawlessly and I can’t even tell when the transition begins and which part is what. I take a point off of the song because it loses steam in the middle and it feels like it drags on for a bit too long but otherwise it doesn’t disappoint and ends this single off on the right foot.	9/10

Any fan of darker music needs to absolutely pick this CD up. It may be only three tracks long, but it's a positively monstrous piece of industrious metal. There's a good reason why Gärnet is the signature song many associate with D'espairsRay - it's that damn good.

Download:
- Gärnet
- Oboro no Tsuki
- Subliminal

Rating: 97%