Customer Reviews

666

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a recent fan of Hideto Takarai (better known as Hyde), and have all three of his solo works. I love each one for different reasons, but 666 has quickly become my absolute favourite and has been on heavy rotation on my MP3 player for a few months.

Roentgen introduced us to his softer, passionate side (and his voice reminds me of David Sylvian, lead vocalist for the 80's art rock group Japan). Faith was his grittier side, proving that Hyde is an extremely gifted performer with a stunning range. 666 takes up where Faith left off, kicking things up several notches and delivers one blistering track after another. The guitars are simply brutal, the bass lines are thick and the drumming just smokes.

I really don't know how anyone could possibly think this album isn't one of Hyde's best. Granted this album--as well as Faith--are a lot darker and heavier than Roentgen, but good music is all about evolution and never being content to do what works because it sells. This is rock n' roll the way we used to do it here in the states before self-indulgent emo-rock and whiny vocals became radio staples. I am in total awe of Haido-chan's skills as a songwriter and musician.

No memorable songs? Hmm, let's see: 'Prayer' is the harsh lament of a man caught between his faith and duty; 'Masquerade', is the angry cry of faithful believer struggling with discovering who's real and represents his/her message (it was cool to hear Anis from Monrial 'rapping' in the middle of the song). 'Sweet Vanilla' and 'Midnight Celebration' could just as easy work as punk anthems. While Faith was an album of affirmation, 666 is rebelliously asking god just what the hell's really going on.

Like Roentgen and Faith, Hyde sings in both Japanese and English and neither detracts from the sheer power of the songs. His vocals range from full-on, take no prisoners rock to a softer ballad-style, like in 'Shining Over You'. I'm actually trying to learn the Japanese lyrics. In spite of the language, good music still speaks to all of us, regardless of nationality.

I bought this CD because, well, it was Hyde. I had known he was releasing a new album for awhile before it came out, but I hadn't known when exactly he was dropping it, and I happened upon it during one trip to my nearby Asahiya Bookseller. ^^ Needless to say, I bought it. I was also quite startled upon listening to it for the first time. The only songs I had heard from it at that time were the two singles (Hello and Horizon), and the rest of the album is quite a bit harder and darker than those two songs. It grows on you, though, and is never the less a very good album, one that ought to appeal to most J-Rock fans. The two singles are definitely standout songs, as well as Shining over You (my personal favorite from this album ^^), Fruits of Chaos and Hideaway.

The DVD was a nice touch, especially for overseas fans who can't watch the PVs on TV. The only bad thing about the DVD is that it's region 2. Hello is a great, and Horizon scared the bejeezus out of me the first time I watched it. But both are worth a watch if you have the time and an region 2 DVD player.

It's not his best album, in my opinion, but I loved it anyway. I think it's worth it just for "Words Of Love". As always, Hyde's amazing vocals will instantly wash you away and capture you into a world of his creating.

If you're new to Hyde or J-rock, I suggest Roentgen (English Version) or Faith before you move on to this album.

Athough still the vocalist of L'Arc~en~Ciel, Hyde also works solo, and without the different spices of the band in his music, he does well going solo. UNLIKE his previous album, Hyde plays and sings hardcore, American rock, and LIKE Roentogen, he still sings a lot of his songs English. I like "666" mainly 'cause it's just how I see Hyde, scary, seductive, passionate, thrilling, and fun. He can sing and play with so much passion that's it's difficult not to feel what he feels in his music. He is so awesome. It's easy for me to get lost in what he says for his English is not the best, but his deep, warm, handsome voice makes up for it. Though the man can be kind of controversial, he is a great singer, writer, and player, and he works very hard. This album is worth every dime and sweat.

This album is a lot darker and 'heavier' than his previous album Roentgen. It is a good hard rock CD to listen to in your car or after school. You can hear Hyde's impressive vocals on here, from hard rock vocals to operatic vocals on the ballads, especially in the song Shining Over You where Hyde's vocals is really 'shining' through.

The lyrics are mainly written in English, with a mix of Japanese, so I guess the english-speaking audience would have no problem understanding his songs.

My favorites: Shining Over You, Sweet Vanilla, Words of Love, Hideaway, Fruits of Chaos, Masquarade... well, basically all songs in this album....

what a great voice this man has.he sings with so much passion and makes such a great concert. this is my favorite of his albums, i could listen to it all day long. give it a try. soon you'll end up buying all his albums like i did.