Hyde
Faith

April 2007
Released: 2006, Gan-Shin Records/Sound Pollution
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: Anders Sandvall

Hyde has been a member of one of the largest Japanese rock bands in Asia for over ten years, but decided in 2001 to take on a solo career and released his debut album the following year, which was extremely well-received in Asia. FAITH is Hyde’s third album and the music is what I call melancholic guitar-based black rock in the veins of The Mission, Sisters of Mercy, or a slightly more commercial version of Paradise Lost’s newer albums.

Hyde chose to sing in English, which he does remarkably well. The Japanese people aren’t known for speaking good English, but Hyde proves that assumption incorrect. If I didn’t know he was Japanese I could easily believe he was a native English speaker.

He wrote most of the material by himself, but got some help from Kaz on 5 tracks. It’s an excellent mix of both melancholic and melodic songs, and the performances are flawless. My favorite songs are “Jesus Christ”, “Countdown”, “Made in Heaven”, “Season’s Call”, “Faith” and “Dolly”, which give a fair representation of what the album has to offer. Hyde and Kaz also produced the album, and it’s of the highest class. Lead vocals and guitar are the main focus with the programming below them, making a firm foundation on which the vocals and guitars can rest.

I guess that both fans of Goth and sad, dark rock can find a new favorite album in FAITH. If you’re into this style of music I definitely think you should check out Hyde and FAITH.