D+SECT (Discussion/Reviews)

[voixdinferno]

EXTRA:

the second part of the 333music interview is up!

>> http://www.333music.net/archives/51634467.html <<

Finally we can understand Mana's D+SECT world!!! (?)

 

[holylampposts]

On my second listen-through. I've come to the conclusion that I don't like Seth.

 

[Manneking]

It's like all the good things about Mana's music that have slowly drifted to the bottom of the sea over the years have finally been stirred up and revitalized along with everything he has newly experienced these past couple years. This is definitely a new Moi dix Mois.

This is definitely something I agree with.

Dixanadu was good, not great or fantastic. There was a bit of repetition and some songs were a bit bland.

Now, D+SECT is definitely a fitting successor. The guitars are much cleaner, well played and I actually really enjoy listening to them. He's learned a few new tricks (probably since composing for Kanon & spending a good 3 years on the album) and definitely put some much needed life within his project. With each album there is a 'sound' but within this one he's managed to create a definite personality with each track; they stand out well from each other.

So far, my favourite is probably Witchcraft but all the (full length) tracks are still pretty awesome.

There's no super heavy tracks like I wanted but he has given the tracks some more energy with faster drumming and the return of the female soprano is a really nice surprise. He puts more of an emphasis on her vocals in Divine Place which makes it such an awesome track.

So whilst I still think the album cover is slightly crap the music totally makes up for it! This is probably one of my favourite MdM releases.

 

[Draconian Doll]

Overall I like it way more than Dixanadu. I heard some guitar chords, and I am so happy with the guitar solos as well as how the guitars aren't so dominant (they were really hurting my ears in every single song on Dixanadu). I also love that there's more variations in instruments along with the chanting choir (?). I would like the guitars to have separate melodies, but it has gotten better.

The english is much better, too, especially in Dead Scape. It's almost entirely grammatically correct and Seth enunciates it well. But in some songs it's hard to hear him under all that instrumental. I know a few people have stated they don't like his voice and I can kinda understand it in this album. He has a very interesting voice, I like it and can recognize it's him, but I don't think it's being using correctly with this style of music. I like how he holds a note and does monologues and whispering, but when he sings fast it just sounds rushed, and not in a good way. :/

I got so bored with Ange I had to force myself to listen to the whole thing the first time around. I don't think I'll be revisiting that one. And In Paradisum was too short, it needs to be longer

My favorites were Pendulum (but it had this weird section right in the middle that kept it from being my absolute favorite), Pact of Silence, and Dead Scape.

Now I just hope he'll release a poster it may not make a good cd cover but I think it would make a really good poster.

 

[Amatsu]

While I can actually say he's doing things a bit differently here, I still don't like it. But more power to him.

 

[Einherjer]

On my second listen-through. I've come to the conclusion that I don't like Seth.

me 2

 

[rammoth]

Let me be the one to bring the negative side then.

The album is nothing more than 'okay'. Everything in there has been done before by Mana himself. I could hear his old songs playing through the new ones and I kept checking back in his old songs, just to find the exact sound, melody etc. in his older songs.

The guitar parts are more present, which is something I like. There are even some minor guitar solo's here and there.

Highlights for me are Divine Place and Agnus Dei.

Overall it's just your typical Moi Dix Mois album. Don't expect any changes in the overall sound, chord progressions, melodies etc etc. except for more focus on the guitar. It's all 'been there done that', but I like being there and doing that..

Mind you! I've only had one playthrough, cause I was busy working. Maybe I'll come to like (or dislike) other songs more at the 2nd playthrough.

 

[a-amanitin]

Three songs into D+Sect and I'm already detecting the same old familiar pattern: Dramatic Intro RAAAAH RAAAAH RAAAH la la la~ RAAAH RAAAH RAAAH la la la~ etc. It's still obvious to me after 1.5-ish years of not listening to any Moi dix Mois. "Redundant" is the understatement of the century. Still, I miss the sound of the harpsichord and the album is shaping up to be more interesting (on the whole) than DIXANADU so I'll pick it up in a few days.

The Seventh Veil could totally have done without the crazy aggressive drum segments.

Ange ~D Side Holy Wings~ gets two thumbs up.
Dead Scape, too. There's some nice panning going on here during the guitar solo.

I detect "real" female vocals in tracks 1, 4 and 5.
As for Seth: The boredom is high in this one. Broken record, etc., but he sounds just as tired and uninterested as he did in DIXANADU. :/

Unfortunately, nothing sticks out as truly memorable except for Mana's solo in the middle of Dead Scape.

(edit: Sorry Amatsu, I stole your line without meaning to.)

 

[Lempicka]

my favorite is definitely Wtchcraft.
When Dead Scape started I thought there was something wrong with my mp3 player and that it wasn't playong Moi dix Mois anymore xDD but it's a pleasant and fresh surprise
I love the fresh, simultaneously light and dark feeling there is in this album...
anyway, witchcraft <33333
edit : I also really like Baptisma and the seventh veil, A LOT

 

[Mikal]

I'm already detecting the same old familiar pattern

This.

 

[Iskanderia]

Alright guys, I'm home from work now, so I'm going to drink like 4 beers and listen to this. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[Draconian Doll]

Yeah, I think it's time for a change in vocals. Seth started out good in my opinion but I want something new now. As long as it isn't the screamo-I-can't-understand-the-lyrics-even-in-perfect-english kind.

 

[sergeantkitty]

I'm really loving this album so far on my first listen-through! Pendulum and Dead Scape stand out to me as two of my favorites. It's clear that Mana's gained a lot more maturity in the composition of his music, with everything sounding much more well produced and arranged than in previous albums. I noticed there was more use of the harpsichord and organ, which had been lacking in Dixanadu -- a definite plus. The only complaint I have is that some of the choruses sound a little samey, but it's not much of an issue. I also love the prominence and increasing complexity of the guitar parts. After a while I'll write a more in depth review.

 

[Iskanderia]

I'm only up to Witchcraft, but come the fuck on, how does this not sound like a million other MdM songs? (It's not bad, but come on. Really.)

 

[Lempicka]

Yeah well... maybe you were expecting too much after reading our enthusiastic comments ?

 

[Iskanderia]

Yeah, exactly.

 

[Claire]

On my second listen-through. I've come to the conclusion that I don't like Seth.

me 2

third -.-

Seth's voice is fine, but not on this, he sounds so booooorreed
Missing Juka more T_T

 

[Einherjer]

I'm only up to Witchcraft, but come the fuck on, how does this not sound like a million other MdM songs? (It's not bad, but come on. Really.)

maybe all those beers are affecting your perception

 

[Astral Romance]

On my second listen-through. I've come to the conclusion that I don't like Seth.

me 2

third -.-

Seth's voice is fine, but not on this, he sounds so booooorreed
Missing Juka more T_T

Forth -.-

i think MdM songs would sound better if they change vocalist...


And that is so true that the new songs sound kind of boring (i have heard maybe 5 of the new songs and i didn't like them.) I didn't expect much from this album and i think i was right... Maybe i like the rest of the songs but i highly doubt it.

 

[Lempicka]

I'm only up to Witchcraft, but come the fuck on, how does this not sound like a million other MdM songs? (It's not bad, but come on. Really.)

maybe all those beers are affecting your perception