Re:Born

Re:Born
Studio album by Gackt
Released December 2, 2009
Recorded 2008-2009
Genre Alternative rock, neo-prog, trance, symphonic rock, pop rock
Length 66:55 (Music CD)
68:48 (Original Drama CD)
Label Dears
Producer Gackt
Gackt chronology
Slo-Pachinko Gladiator Evolution
(2009)		 Re:Born
(2009)		 Are You "Fried Chickenz"??
(2010)
Singles from Re:Born
  1. "Jesus"
    Released: December 3, 2008
  2. "Ghost"
    Released: January 28, 2009
  3. "Koakuma Heaven"
    Released: June 10, 2009
  4. "Faraway"
    Released: June 17, 2009
  5. "Lost Angels"
    Released: June 24, 2009
  6. "Flower"
    Released: July 01, 2009
Alternative cover
Dears only

Re:Born is the seventh full-length studio album released by Japanese recording artist Gackt on December 2, 2009 in Japan. It is conceptually linked to its predecessor Rebirth from 2001, and besides the music disc, contains an original audio drama.

Overview

Gackt performing live at the tour in Tokyo, 2009.

The December 2008, with the release of his first single "Jesus" in over a year,[1][2][3] marked Gackt's return to his solo music projects after three years, and the sequel to the concept created and incorporated in the second studio album Rebirth and tour Requiem et Reminiscence I in 2001.[1]

In 2009, on January 28 was released his twenty-ninth single "Ghost",[4][5][6] and in commemoration to his 10th anniversary as a solo artist, were released four singles, "Koakuma Heaven", "Faraway", "Lost Angels", and "Flower", a week after one another starting from June 17, and ending on July 1.[7][8][9][10][11]

The album contains two CDs. The "Music CD" contains songs from six of the eight singles released by Gackt from December 2008 to July 2009, and the "Original Drama CD" contains the original audio story Requiem et Reminiscence II, which is a audio drama featuring Gackt and many well known voice actors such as Hidekatsu Shibata, Unshō Ishizuka, Jun Fukuyama, and Keiji Fujiwara.

Summary

The concept's "Requiem et Reminiscence II" story was first revealed through "Asakura Report" before the tour, and like the "Requiem et Reminiscence I" story, is set during the World War II in Third Reich. It follows two soldiers Rei Hartmann and Ryuichi Asakura who were recruited in the SS German army. Asakura was studying in robotics engineering corporation's laboratory when the eventual friendship triangle between them and Maria was interrupted by Ryuchi's jealousy; the similarity of Rei with disappeared cyborg Proto was enough to unwillingly be transformed into a cyborg. Like Proto, Rei now known as Zero, became Humanoid Assault Weapon Type 2, "Zwei", and the commander of regrouped 4th Independent Tactical Guerrilla Force (part of the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich), shortened name "Ghost". Seemingly with erased memories, Zero began to remember his most precious memories when was human, and when finally recalled and understood his existence, led other awakened cyborgs in a failed revolt against the engineering headquarters.

The theme of the concept, like his other "Moon", is about the existential questions of humanity. Questions who are humans and the existence of a God, and why at the same time destructive and loving, humanity decides to start wars.[12]

Composition

The album's songs range from a variety of genres, including the heavy metal number "Jesus", the trance-themed "Blue Lagoon", the techno styled "Ghost", the symphonic rocker "Lost Angels", the neo-progressive numbers "Suddenly" and "In Flames", the pop/folk flavoured "Oblivious", and the piano ballad "Sayonara", among others. The album is also noted for its mainstream sound, with a heavier reliance on guitar riffs and solos by You Kurosaki and Chachamaru, and vocal melodies by Gackt than on his previous works.

Release

A special edition was released exclusively for members of Gackt's fanclub Dears. In addition to the two CDs, this edition includes an extra 10th anniversary disc with two promotional videos for "Flower", extra pictures and documents from the making of Requiem et Reminiscence II, and a special message to his fans.

The album was released on December 2, 2009 in Japan by his own independent label Dears, still owned by Nippon Crown. In the initial daily release it reached number two on the Oricon charts, with sales of 13,371 copies. Although with promising first daily count, in the initial counting week it ended at number nine with sales of 19,655 copies. In the monthly chart were counted sales of 31,403 copies, and charted for 8 weeks.[13] On the Billboard Japan Top Albums chart peaked at number seventeen,[14] and on Top Independent at number three.[15]

The singles "Jesus" and "Ghost" reached number seven and six, and charted for ten and six weeks.[16] The four commemorative singles all managed to enter the top ten on the charts, and all singles sold between 20,000 and 35,000 copies.[16] On the Billboard Japan Hot 100, they mostly reached top forty ("Flower" peaked at number 30),[17] while on Hot Single Sales nearly the same as on Oricon charts ("Lost Angels" peaked at number 5).[18]

The DVD video recording of the final concert, although initially planned for November 18 in 2009, because of editing and sound production was released on March 31, 2010.[19] The video film screened in many cinemas across Japan, and attracted an audience of several thousands of spectators.[19]

Promotion

On December 14, Gackt went on his longest nationwide tour Requiem et Reminiscence II -Saisei to Kaikō- (Requiem et Reminiscence II -再生と邂逅-?, -Rebirth and Reunion-) , which included over 60 concerts in more than forty-five cities.[20] On May 18, Gackt was scheduled to perform a concert in South Korea at Seoul's Olympic Hall, but due to the effects of the global recession the sponsors of the concert withdrew their support.[21] On June 13, began the arena part of the tour, and on July 4 was held a fanclub concert to celebrate his birthday at the Yoyogi National Stadium. On July 11 and 12 were held the final concerts at the Saitama Super Arena.[12]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Gackt C. 

Music CD
No. Title Length
1. "Jesus -ЯRII-"   4:08
2. "Suddenly"   5:10
3. "No Reason -ЯRII-"   4:30
4. "In Flames"   6:38
5. "Sayonara -ЯRII-"   6:15
6. "Ghost"   4:05
7. "Blue Lagoon (Shinkai)" (Blue Lagoon -深海-; "Blue Lagoon -Ocean Depths-") 4:39
8. "Oblivious (Kao no Nai Tenshi)" (Oblivious -顔のない天使-; "Oblivious -Faceless Angel-") 5:14
9. "My Father's Day"   4:08
10. "Koakuma Heaven" (小悪魔ヘヴン; "Devil Heaven") 3:48
11. "Faraway (Hoshi ni Negai o)" (Faraway -星に願いを-; "Faraway -Wish Upon a Star-") 5:14
12. "Flower -ЯRII-"   6:32
13. "Lost Angels"   6:33
Drama CD
No. Title Length
1. "Re:born "Zero's Mail" - Scene (1-25)"    

Notes

Cast

Album credits

Personnel
  • Vocals, Piano: Gackt
  • Guitar, Violin: You
  • Guitar: Chachamaru
  • Bass: Ikuo, Masao Akashi
  • Drums: Jun-Ji, Sakura
  • Violin: Gen Ittetsu
  • Programming & Manipulator: You, Tsugumichi “Atw” Takagi, Keiichi “Ishiichan” Sugiyama, Daisuke Kikuchi, Masafumi Okubo (Zack)
  • Strings Arrangement Coordinate: Mitsunori Ohta (Zack)
  • Strings Arrangement: Masafumi Okubo (Zack)
Production
  • Producer: Gackt
  • Associate Producer: Chachamaru
  • Executive Producer: Hiroshi Hasegawa (Gordie Entertainment)
  • Recording Engineer: Katsuyuki Abe (Mixer’s Lab), Masahiro Shimbo (Mixer’s Lab)
  • Mixing Engineer/Programming: Masahito Tobisawa
  • Mastering Engineer: Yoichi Aikawa (Rolling Sound Mastering Stuio)
  • Recording Studio: Boomerang Studio (Recording), Wonder Station (Final Mixing), Aobadai Studio (Mastering), Pre-Mix and Walla Works Studio (Foley)
Design
  • Art direction & Design: Jun Misaki
  • Photographer: Kenji Tsukagoshi

References

  1. 1 2 "Gackt 1年半ぶりの新作と約3年ぶりライブについて語る!!" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2008-12-03. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Gackt is Back！1年半ぶりのシングルで音楽シーンに堂々帰還". barks.jp (in Japanese). Global Plus. 2008-10-23. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Gackt史上最大11万人動員の全国ツアーがスタート！". listenmusic.jp (in Japanese). Global Plus. 2008-12-15. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Gackt、3年ぶりの全国ツアーで新曲披露" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2008-12-15. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Gackt、「待たせてゴメンチャイ」3年ぶりのツアーが2時間遅れで開幕". barks.jp (in Japanese). Global Plus. 2008-12-16. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  6. ↑ "新Gacktはターミネーター？PVでロボット・ダンスを披露". barks.jp (in Japanese). Global Plus. 2009-01-12. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Gackt、4週連続リリースで10周年＆新たなる章へ" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2009-04-21. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Gackt、"面白さ"求めて女装「僕も壊れちゃいました！ 」" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2009-05-14. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Gackt、"アゲ嬢"シングルが初日3位と好スタート" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2009-06-21. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Gackt、カラオケ熱唱シーンで渋谷ジャック?!" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2009-06-29. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Gackt、「小悪魔ヘヴン」はサザンへのオマージュだった？". barks.jp (in Japanese). Global Plus. 2009-06-25. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  12. 1 2 "(Live Report) Gackt 10周年"Visualive"アリーナツアーの初日をレポート！！" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2009-06-15. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  13. 1 2 "Re:Born Oricon Profile" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-12-19.
  14. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Albums December Chart". Billboard Japan. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Independent December Chart". Billboard Japan. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  16. 1 2 "Gackt singles on Oricon" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 July Chart" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Singles Sales July Chart" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  19. 1 2 "「ダスダス、う!さぎ!?」も登場、GacktライブDVD上映会". barks.jp (in Japanese). Global Plus. 2010-03-30. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  20. ↑ "(Live Report) Gackt 映像・演劇・音楽をフルに使った圧巻の"Visualive"" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2009-02-04. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Gackt cancels Korea concert". tokyograph.com. 2009-04-17. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
  22. ↑ "音魂：第77回Gackt　美しさと悲しさが共存する「雪月花」" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-12-22.
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