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Moi dix Mois - Reprise


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Previous album of Moi dix Mois, the formation led by Mana, the legend of Japanese gothic scene and visual kei, entitled "D + SECT", was released in December 2010, bringing significant changes in the style of the band - the compositions have become more developed and gained monumental, symphonic character. Few people expected, however, that eight months after the release Mana will announce plans for the next album - compilation made up of tracks newly recorded selected by the fans and deriving from the first two albums and singles released before, the current lineup was formed. Waiting finally come to an end – on the 11th of July we lived to see the album celebrating ten years of the group.
Starting with "Dixanadu" Mana regularly released newly arranged versions of selected tracks. Sometimes better, sometimes worse – they often gained a whole new dimension (brilliant "Last Temptation"), and other time it was left completely devoid of a climate and attractiveness ("Perish" and "Forbidden", which appeared on the single "Lamentful Miss"), so the anxiety was justified. In that case, the Japanese artist did not disappoint, but frankly, he also did not meet completely my expectations either.
What's the hitch? Versions of "Reprise" are remarkably similar to the originals. Personally, I expected an intervene in the structure of the songs, adding new elements. But nothing like that happened. This does not mean, of course, that it is a totally wrong movement. The sound has been deepened, it was given the choral character that reminiscents of "D + SECT", at the same time it seems to be heavier. This peculiar combination of old structures with modern sound allows easily to trace the evolution, that project’s music has come, in which black weight from the beginning repeatedly associates often with soft like satin gothic and distinctive keyboards and choir sounds.
Album is opened with "En Lumière", intro, what's interesting, sounding as if it was removed from the last album of Malice Mizer, "Bara no Seidou", in my opinion, the greatest work, in forming of which participated the famous promoter of gothic lolita style. In fact, that's "Reprise" from all of the achievements of Moi dix Mois that approaches the most to the craft. One of the highlights of the anniversary program is "Dialogue Symphonie", that has the best changes in the highlights. New version shocks with amount of emotion, that it brings, also due to the voice of Seth, so different from the Juka’s vocal using a well-practiced technique, but rarely allowing himself to his own interpretations. Seth has a dark tone that suits much better to a gloomy, romantic climate of Mana’s music, changes intonation perfectly, moving from a whisper to a scream or a classical manner.
When it comes to choosing of tracks, dominate those, that were originally on the "Dix Infernal". If instead of "La dix croix" or any other of the composition from the debut appeared "Mephisto Waltz" or "Monophobia", I would be completely satisfied.
Even before the album’s release there were voices (based on the experience of formation’s performing), that we have to deal with a new Moi dix Mois (and it's not about a color change of hair to blue by Mana). Is it a time the band reached along with a brighter image even a higher level?
After hearing re-published versions on the occasion of the anniversary it is hard to answer that question, and one and half minute intro is yet not a determinant of leader’s come back to the roots. It may be a certain trail, however, what fans have been waiting for the most - "Je l'aime", a brand new composition, a cherry on the anniversary cake, which foretaste could be known after watching the trailer of the album. In "Je l'aime" we have all, of what the group became famous of - weight, amazing atmosphere, the beauty of the words "Viens avec moi" that promises an eternal Eden, a guitar dialogue with a symphonic arrangement of the symphony preceded by a change of pace. That is a section through of Moi dix Mois achievements and its artists of the past twelve years - from "Bara no Seidou" to the keyboards straight from the "Nocturnal Opera" and the riff confusingly similar to those of the "Beyond the Gate" and "Dixanadu" of the symphonic arrangement from the last album. It's definitely a new quality, a path in garden of roses leading to the east of the sunrise. Mana has always been a master of portraying by music the contradicting emotions, and presenting thanks to it, things that not everyone could read from his texts.
Until now all the artist’ musical productions were issued under the sign of Midi:Nette, some time ago, however, there has been a change of name, and here's "Reprise" the first child of Maglaia label, which takes its name from one of the Cheriths, Greek goddesses of charm and beauty, to indicate that new phase. I'm sure that in front of Moi dix Mois is a long, bright moonlight future. As Mana himself summed up - "Half time evermore in the light for eternity."

Tracklist:

01. En Lumière
02. Dialogue Symphonie
03. front et baiser
04. Solitude
05. the Prophet
06. Invite to Immorality
07. Nocturnal Romance
08. Vestige
09. La dix croix
10. Secret longing
11. Pageant
12. Je l'aime
Author:
Translator: hellium
Add date: 2013-03-29 / Music reviews




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