The Ultimate Review of Heart

Kamijo is, of course, the singer of the popular Japanese power metal band Versailles, which is currently on hold. While the other members joined forces with a new singer called Zin to form the band Jupiter (which released its first full length album Classical Element in summer of 2013), Kamijo started a solo career under his own name, and has delivered his first strike entitled Heart here in autumn of 2014. While Kamijo’s solo record isn’t far from the symphonic visual kei sound of his original band, this record turns out to be quite odd, and has massive ups and downs.

As so many Japanese artists, Kamijo also delivers an interesting mix of genres. This record features some very calm music with warm organ sounds, which are wonderful to listen to in winter time and around Christmas. There are symphonic elements, but they are decently employed and neither too fluffy nor too overwhelming due to a balanced but sluggish production. Here and there, we even get to hear some swing music, which is definitely something one doesn’t hear very often on a metal album. Minimal French chanson elements here and there fit in with the francophile artist who sang about Louis XIV and the Moulin Rouge, among other subjects. The stereotypical imagery and predictable lyrics are mildly amusing, but add to the grace of the record. Still, all these elements are mixed in a coherent, harmonious, and smooth way. Don’t expect too many random genre changes in the same song. This record sounds a lot more graceful, mature, and organized than Babymetal, for example, but here lies the main problem of Heart. Despite all thFinal Score: 59 / 100