Since Pierrot is my latest obsession, I thought it only fair that I review some of their albums. Thus, I chose to begin with PRIVATE ENEMY because I think it is a good example of Pierrot's style. I'll hopefully have time to review FINALE, CELLULOID, and HEAVEN THE CUSTOMIZED LANDSCAPE soon too.

Kirito... with a blue stripe?!

1. The first cry in Hades (GUILTY)
What an unusual title. The song begins with some strange banging noises and a creepy male choir in the background. For some reason, it reminds me of movies about the Spanish Inquisition. Soon, Kohta enters and plays the bassline that underscores the entire song. All of this has set an incredible mood when Kirito finally begins singing. He has a wonderful lower range, and his voice is particularly rich here. The instrumentation remains sparse throughout the first verse, and then the chorus explodes. Kirito's voice takes on more of an edge here. The second verse is harder and seems to move faster. Some nice crunchy guitars here, too.
On to the lyrics. Throughout the song, there is the feeling of someone going to his death. Kirito's lyrics convey this wonderfully. "I'm going without even a goodbye, / because you've seen it all now, / Tear streaked, this is the end. / To a future (hell) without end."
This is truly masterful work.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10

2. Creature
We've all seen movies where a scientist creates a monster and/or robot that either turns on him or develops emotions of its own. This song reminds me of that. It begins with the same banging sound as the previous track, and Kirito whispering. This is a harder, fast-paced song with LOTS of guitar. Kirito's voice goes from being almost vicious to soft. Oh, and Aiji has a great guitar solo about halfway through.
The lyrics suggest that Kirito is singing to this creature, asking it to say sane but pushing it in the exact opposite direction. "My dear emotionless one, / please stay sane for me. / There's nothing for you to do but watch me as you fall to hell." Not the best way to help someone maintain their sanity.
Rating: 10 out of 10

3. Enemy
Whoo, where to start with this song. Again, very hard, but Kirito's vocals are more restrained. His voice can be so beautiful when he wants it to be. This song has some great percussion and a very memorable chorus. The guitar parts aren't quite as cool, but definitely still rock.
Kirito is really sneering at the human condition in this one. He is trying to make the point that often times to avoid being destroyed, one must destroy others. (Much thanks to Centigrade-J for this interpretation.) I think this idea is best exemplified in the line, "Your future, opening gloriously, surrounded by light, / is held up by sacrifices lying motionless at your feet." In other words, we too often trample others to get what we want.
Rating: 9 out of 10

4. Mass Game
This song is instantly recognizable by its bass line and opening guitar riff. Everything is very dark, very driving. The percussion is great, although subtle. And oh yes, Kirito's voice is great, particularly going into the chorus. Nothing here is very fast or loud, but it blends together perfectly to make an excellent track.
This song strikingly reminds me of Communism. It's all about the greatest good for the majority of the people, the minority be damned. Individualism doesn't exist. "Even the tear running down your cheek, has been dismissed by decision of the majority." Kinda disconcerting, huh??
Rating: 10 out of 10

5. Agitator
Now comes my very favourite track on the album. The beat is actually kind of happy and has a nice cadence. I mean, you can actually bop your head to it. The song is pretty laid back until the chorus, which is just amazing. The melody is so catchy. Everytime the words "Kowai kurai" come along I have to sing.
The lyrics deal with torment and the fear of not knowing what is about to happen. There is also the suggestion of a life wasted on loneliness. "I can see the loneliness that is splitting your breast, / you're already on a countdown to madness. / If you die will it be easier ? you should be saying "I want to be loved.""
Rating: 10 out of 10

6. fukinshin na koi
In case you wanted to know, the title translates to "Indiscreet Love." I think of it as a love that is taboo or unaccepted. The song starts off with percussion and guitar, and the percussion in this case is particularly good. The guitars are muted and kind of fuzzy, which is a pretty cool effect. Kirito sings quietly, and in a way that makes me imagine a small smile on his face. The chorus has this pounding, relentless beat that is really effective at giving the song a driving feel.
The folks over at Centigrade-J say this song is about Kirito chasing after a young girl. Afterward, she is tainted and can't go back to where she's from, so she must belong to him forever. For some reason, this makes me think of 'Phantom of the Opera.' "Shall we begin our grotesque love from now? / It's okay, you can just sleep through it. / If we step out of normality, It'll become easier in a flash, / even if you can't go back again." Does that seem a bit perverse to anyone else? I hope so...
Rating: 8.5 out of 10

7. Waltz
Just so you know, this is NOT a ballad. No. Not even close. This song picks up the pace again (the past few songs have been slower). There are lots of strange sound effects in the background, but overall the song is a bit more 'conventional,' at least by visual kei standards. However, it's still a unique and well-written track. If you like guitar, you should like this song. ^_^
Kirito seems to be speaking to his lover, and their relationship seems to be stagnating. He suggests they make their love more "twisted" to make it stronger. "Let's deepen our love in a twisted way. / In everybody's eyes this level of distortion is just right." In other words, stop just going through the motions and do something shocking.
Rating: 8 out of 10

8. powder snow
Finally, we get something approaching a ballad. At least, it's a love song. Sort of. (Why can't Kirito ever write simple lyrics?) Anyway, Kirito shows how pure and sweet his voice can be. There is some simple guitarwork and percussion, but even during the louder chorus, the focus is on Kirito. He really lets it all go here.
"Hate me utterly, let me continue to live on inside of you." That's the message of this song. He'd rather be hated and remembered than to be totally forgotten. However, at the end he admits that "Someday this gouged out memory will melt like the powder snow." What a sad thought, to think you'll be forgotten.
Rating: 10 out of 10

9. gerunika (Guernica)
For those of you that don't know, Guernica is a town in Spain that was bombed to rubble by the Germans in 1937. Pablo Picasso made a famous mural depicting this; his painting is filled with chaos, destruction and sorrow. It's one of the most moving depictions of war I have ever seen. Kirito tries to convey this emotion, and does a pretty good job. The beat is pounding and very harsh, and Kirito is almost screaming the lyrics. In a way, the emotions seem to waver between sorrow and rage. I think this is representative of what people feel in a war.
Just a quick example of the lyrics. "The fleeting requiem echos over and over meaninglessly. / Bodies piled up, the scent of death wafting, melts into the land." If you've seen Picasso's painting, this imagery is even more powerful.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10

10. Follower
Again, I have to thank Centigrade-J for their help on this one. I had heard about the Ohm Shinrikyo cult in Japan, but didn't know a lot about it. It was this cult that was responsible for the gas poisonings in the Tokyo subways. The song deals with the cult members reaction to their leader, Asahara(?) being arrested.
"Under the unchanging blue sky, we haven't accomplished our dreams, but we always have a strong will to. Look for more lost sheep, People will never admit to it but they need "necessary evils"." So, even though the poisonings were terrible, Kirito is saying that humans need tragedy to survive. In a way, he's right; look at how the USA came together after September 11 attacks.
Oh, yeah, the music. This song is pretty fast, and the high point is definitely the bridge. "...Anata ga KARISUMA." That part. It's very cool.
Rating: 10 out of 10

11. Analyze Chat [FREAKS]
This is actually just a snippet of a news show discussing a murderer named Shounen A. He was a teenage boy who killed a classmate and placed the victim's head on the school's gate. It gives you some background for the next song, which makes it even more disturbing.

12. FREAKS
This is such a great, loud song. The guitar riff will become stuck in your head, as will the bass part. Kirito growls and screams and spits the lyrics, calling to mind Kyo of Dir en Grey, only cooler. ^_~ The bridge/chorus is so surprising because it is actually a bit more restrained. It ends however with Kirito sighing in a way that is really, really scary. O_o
I already explained the background of this song above, so I'll just give you a sample of the lyrics. Shounen A was famous for taunting the police. "Hurry up and discover me, and put an end to me. 'Cause there's no way to change who I am. Does everyone really cry when they read the bible? It makes me wanna vomit."
Rating: 10 out of 10

13. ATENA
I think Kirito is referring to Athena, the Greek/Roman goddess of War. This song almost seems like "pop" after the past couple tracks, but really it is a nice rock piece. Nice, ringing guitar chords, even if they are a bit muted. The melody is simple, but very enjoyable.
This song has all kinds of imagery in it; goddesses and the legendary city of El Dorado. It was the one supposedly made of gold. Strangely, Kirito equates El Dorado with Heaven. "Pretty soon, you'll see the skeleton of a transparent El Dorado. Do you hear the sounds of the bells celebrating rebirth?" Kirito seems to be talking about destruction and rebirth, but the lyrics are pretty ambiguous.
Rating: 8 out of 10

14. shinkei ga wareru atsui yoru
This song goes back to the patented Pierrot formula of starting with some rocking guitars and percussion, then adding a great melody on top. To top it off, this song also has some nice harmony if you listen. The bridge section with all the crazy electronic noises is neat too. Another cool guitar solo for Aiji as well. All the elements of a great song! ^_^
I love the video for this song. It shows a woman in a glass box. Kirito is trying to reach her, but her emotions seem to have been destroyed. (Explains the "cut nerves" in the title.) Kirito seems frustrated that he can't even scare her anymore. Why aren't you crying on such a terrible night, though you should have noticed this demonic vision of me?"
Rating: 10 out of 10

15. The last cry in Hades (NOT GUILTY)
At last we come full circle. You might think this is the happy ending, but no. Even though the song seems less dark, that because Kirito has become resigned to his fate. He knows he can never escape his sins, and yet he can't even die. "But I wake to welcome the morning again, feeling like I'd heard your voice. The wounds of the heart won't ever go away. This pain will continue to wake me from slumber." He wants to be with his loved one, but can't because he must continue to live.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Overall Rating: 9.5 out of 10