Diabolos

A few years ago, I decided to buy this album along with Gackt's Mars album with some Christmas money for a few listens and then I was going to give them to my friend when I went back home as a gift, as she loves Gakt. I played Mars first, already knowing for the most part what to expect, having already listened to about half of the album. While it was fairly good, it still feels a little too popish. Diabolos, on the other hand, is a well-crafted and genuinely spooky sounding rock experience.It has a thorough gothic feel throughout the album and breaks barriers despite even the fact that the band uses almost purely Japanese lyrics, with only one or two English words gracing the music. Gackt really has a great voice, along with another fellow Japanese vocalist Kyo from the band Dir en Grey, whom I'd only recommend if you can also tolerate screaming throughout half of their music."Misty" is an amazing instrumental that flows brilliantly into the bombastic "Farewell," only to be followed by a small string of softer songs that progressively grow more and more intense in their sound as they go on. While at some points the album seems to droop a little in its sound, it blends in well with the rest of the album and makes for an all-around amazing experience.Even though the album's singles, "Metamorphoze" and "Black Stone," are amazing (the latter of which I didn't find out was a single until later on and found to be an amazing, if not the biggest, standout my first listen) the rest of the album remains wonderful and every song is intensely satisfying.Whether or not you like music with lyrics you can't understand, pick this album up. Ignore the fact that you can't understand the words and focus more on the melodies and more "gentle ferocity" in the album's music.Also notable is the wonderful art inside the booklet, something that has never once ceased to captivate me.One of my favorite albums and probably one of the best of '05.*****5 stars*****

One of my top three GACKT albums. I loved this CD and GACKT's voice was fantastic (as usual) in all of these songs. His vocal skill is top notch and this CD only made him fall even more in love with his voice. A wide variety within the rock genre itself, with (in my opinion) some of his personal bests. Would recommend this album to any new or old GACKT fan. It's brilliant!

This CD arrived quickly and in perfect condition, and I absolutely love it! I've been listening to it every day in the car!

Gackt is always spot on.

Like all his music, love it.

I'm thoroughly impressed with this cd!

I'm definitely not going to sit here and pretend that I wasn't a fan of Gackt before, but this doesn't make me biased to review fairly.This is a great rock CD. There's something extra about Japanese Rock that a lot of people miss-- it's the visual kei element. In order to truly grasp why such elaborate CD covers, and costumes-- to those who think make-up on a man is gay... you really need to do your research.With that said, and moving away from his looks-- buy this CD for his talent. The man composes the music, writes all the lyrics, and plays instruments as well (though he does have his band GacktJob.)The first track Misty, slowly embraces you... drawing you closer and calmly... as if asking "Trust in me, this journey will be worth it."The melody and angst is masterful. It totally prepares you, in a soothing manner, for what you're about to experience.The second track, "Farewell" is one of my favorites. You're immediately drawn to decipher not only his message, but capture every single sound-- and trust me-- he's a musical roller coaster, so hold on."Noesis" is a masterpiece of rock and instruments that leaves me wanting more. So as the tracks move along, you wonder just what he'll do next. In-door roller coaster in the dark type of feeling... he takes you to a different FEELING in every song."Ash" is like watching a battle of a magical and fantastic movie between good and bad... it's just such a grand song, and his vocals stretch to infinitely. Your heart will beat to the drums of this song.It grows from intense, so slightly playful... and for those who get off on the track "Road" -- you get a cheerful goodbye from the CD. It's punkish and you can almost see Gackt smirking and winking at you... all "come again," in expression.However... if you exit in that other track... prepare to leave a changed person. It's breathtakingly gorgeous.I loved his vocals and melody in this CD. I definitely recommend it to old, new, and skeptics.

The newest album from Gackt. Many people have commented on the fact it isn't as varied as albums such as MARS, however, it wasn't meant to be. This is Gackt's rock album.It's very nicely put together. Opening with a haunting piano/violin duet the moving smoothly into the rock.Gackt has truly tried new things on this album. He's found new effects to add into the music and uses them to his advantage. His voice has matured much since his Malice Mizer or early solo works. After experimenting in Seventh Night and Love Letter he has now reclaimed his voice in a beautiful way.The art in the lyric booklet is also amazingly beautiful and haunting. It helps you link together the story that Gackt tells with his albumI gicve this CD an A and I know it won't leave my CD player for quite awhile.

I love it

uno de los mejores CDs de Gackt San, y a "muy" buen precio! buena calidad, buenas canciones, simplemente imperdible!!! la caja del Cd esta buena, tiene un par de canciones traducidas al inglés y el resto en Japonés, y hay un par de fotos interesantes. ^_^

アルバムだからよく分かんないけど、ウチはかっこいいと思ったし良いと思います。とくに、AshとStormはめっちゃ好きになりました。ていう感想です。はい。

詞が何故か頭に入ってこないアルバムです。何故なら、Gacktさんの声が楽器のひとつとして聞こえるというか、メロディラインを奏でる楽器とでも表現しておきましょうか。クラシックって（オペラとかは除きます）、詞無しで曲全部で物語を表現しますよね。あんな感じです。最初は全体を聞いて、次に歌詞を聞いて、もう一度全体を聞く。最初に聞いた印象から次の印象、また違う印象と変化していくでしょう。そう考えると、なかなか楽しいアルバムですよ。

Cool!