Immortal cover

Immortal

D'espairsRay · 2009

73 min · 15 tracks · industrial metal

A relentless fusion of industrial metal and melodic elements, balancing aggression with haunting beauty.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    MaVERiCK — This track exemplifies the band's signature sound with its aggressive instrumentation and catchy chorus, encapsulating the album's thematic exploration of rebellion and identity.
  • →
    Garnet — With its haunting melodies and emotional lyrics, this song showcases the band's ability to intertwine vulnerability with heavy music, making it a standout moment on the album.
  • →
    BORN — The anthemic quality of this track captures the essence of renewal and transformation, illustrating D'espairsRay's lyrical depth alongside their powerful sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album effectively balances aggression and melody, showcasing strong craftsmanship and distinctiveness in its genre.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album features aggressive tracks with driving rhythms and heavy guitar riffs, while the second half introduces more melodic elements and atmospheric interludes.
  • Several tracks incorporate electronic textures that blend seamlessly with traditional metal instrumentation, creating a layered soundscape.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • relentless energy with haunting beauty
  • immersive experience for deep focus
  • cathartic release through aggression
  • dynamic peaks and valleys
  • emotional exploration of inner turmoil

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer lighthearted, upbeat tunes
  • want straightforward, simple structures

Where this album fits

Career context
Upon the release of 'Immortal', D'espairsRay had established themselves as a prominent figure in the visual kei scene, following their 2008 album 'Singularity'. This album marked their major label debut in Japan, reflecting a pivotal moment in their career as they aimed to broaden their international appeal while exploring darker themes and complex soundscapes.
Stylistic neighbors
Dir En Grey· Nine Inch Nails· Korn

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • HORIZON

    In a pivotal verse, the lyrics shift from introspective reflections to a declaration of hope amidst chaos.

    This progression mirrors the album's overarching theme of striving for clarity against a backdrop of turmoil.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 檻の中で見る夢 4:36
  • 2 MaVERiCK 5:31
  • 3 Garnet 4:29
  • 4 BORN 4:48
  • 5 闇に降る奇跡 6:38
  • 6 「浮遊した理想」 4:40
  • 7 "Forbidden" 4:48
  • 8 アベルとカイン 5:25
  • 9 凍える夜に咲いた花 5:05
  • 10 Closer to ideal 6:01
  • 11 Squall 4:56
  • 12 MIRROR 4:10
  • 13 Cocoon 3:58
  • 14 Scissors 4:02
  • 15 HORIZON 4:06

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata