Is Toxic a good place to start with the GazettE?

Yes, Toxic is recommended as a starting point for new the GazettE listeners. A chaotic blend of heavy riffs, dark melodies, and haunting vocals that encapsulates the emotional turmoil of its themes. Released in 2011, Toxic marked the GazettE's sixth studio album, following their successful release of DIM in 2008. At this point, the band was solidifying their presence in the alternative metal scene and experimenting with darker themes and sounds. This album reflects their artistic evolution and willingness to push boundaries within their genre.

Toxic works well if you're into dynamic flow with emotional peaks, dark themes for intense moods and short bursts of aggressive energy.

How many songs are on Toxic?

Toxic has 14 tracks, running approximately 50 minutes.

Released 15 years ago this October

Toxic

the GazettE · 2011

50 min · 14 tracks · punk rock

A chaotic blend of heavy riffs, dark melodies, and haunting vocals that encapsulates the emotional turmoil of its themes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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VENOMOUS SPIDER'S WEB Start here — This track stands out with its driving rhythm and intense lyrical imagery that explores themes of entrapment and manipulation. Its dynamic structure showcases the band's ability to combine aggressive instrumentation with melodic hooks.
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SHIVER — Featuring a haunting melody paired with introspective lyrics, this song captures the emotional core of the album. Its mix of soft and heavy elements highlights the GazettE's range while maintaining a consistent thematic depth.
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THE SUICIDE CIRCUS — This track encapsulates the overarching themes of despair and chaos within the album. Its theatrical composition mirrors the lyrical content, creating a captivating listening experience that reflects the darker aspects of human emotion.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting with varied vocal styles and instrumentation, though its cohesion dips in places.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features aggressive tempos and heavy guitar riffs, while the second half shifts to more melodic and atmospheric elements.
Vocals alternate between harsh screams and clean singing, often within the same track, creating a dynamic contrast.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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

dynamic flow with emotional peaks
dark themes for intense moods
short bursts of aggressive energy
haunting melodies that linger
immersive experience through in-order listening

Maybe skip if you

prefer light-hearted, upbeat sounds
seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Ambitious sound and commercial success mark a high point in the band's evolution.
Career context: Released in 2011, Toxic marked the GazettE's sixth studio album, following their successful release of DIM in 2008. At this point, the band was solidifying their presence in the alternative metal scene and experimenting with darker themes and sounds. This album reflects their artistic evolution and willingness to push boundaries within their genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Dir En Grey· Mucc· Alice Nine