Gates of Dawn

[Machine Translation] Singer-songwriter and metal vocalist Hiroshi Ogawa is releasing his second EP. This release also features the full collaboration of Harunobu Kato, guitarist for TAIJI with HEAVEN'S! While incorporating modern elements, the EP also includes ballads, giving it a dynamic and varied feel. His high-pitched vocals have become more refined, while his performance has gained power and dynamism. The sound seems to be geared more toward a band than a solo artist, with increased volume and guitar work that is both melancholic and brilliantly executed. Below are the artist s own comments on the tracks. 1. Gates of Dawn: A melodic hard rock track with a satisfyingly soaring high-pitched vocal range. It races forward exhilaratingly from an intro that screams Here we go!" The lyrics and melody complement each other perfectly, making this an accessible track even for hard rock newcomers. The climactic finale is breathtaking and truly befits the title track. 2. We Were Never Born to Lose: This is the fastest song I ve ever written. Since I composed it right after Let Me Go," I felt a need to create something fast as a reaction. It s perhaps closer to melodic speed metal than traditional metal. The Japanese-inspired flavor in the solo adds a nice touch, and I think you can really tell how much I value the melody. 3. Let Me Go: On the other hand, this is the slowest track a Nordic-style piano ballad. The rhythm section gradually kicks in, building the intensity, and the emotional solo at the climax is simply wonderful. The song builds up again at the end with a key change. Since it s a ballad, I ll touch on the lyrics briefly: it s a common love story, but the message is, Something I thought would continue as a matter of course suddenly comes to an end. But that was inevitable." I ll leave the rest to your imagination, but I think the melancholic vocals really bring out the lyrics.

シンガー・ソングライター/メタル・ヴォーカリストHiroshi Ogawaが2nd EPをリリースする。本作もTAIJI with HEAVEN'Sのギタリスト、加藤晴信氏が全面協力! 本作はモダンな要素を含みながらもバラードも収録されていて起伏に富んでいる印象。ヴォーカルのハイトーンも精細になり、パワフルで躍動感が増した。サウンドもソロというよりバンドを意識したようで、音圧が増し、ギターも哀愁ありながら冴え渡るプレイが聴ける。以下、本人による楽曲解説をしてもらった。1.Gates of Dawnハイトーンの伸びが気持ちいいメロディアス・ハード。いかにも始まります的なイントロから爽快に駆けていく。歌詞とメロディがマッチしたハード・ロック初心者にも聴きやすい曲。ラストの畳み掛けは圧巻でタイトル曲に相応しい。2.We Were Never Born to lose今まで作曲した中で一番ファストな曲。「Let Me Go」の後に作曲したので反動で速いのが作りたくなった。正統派メタルというよりは、メロスピに近いかもしれない。ソロの和テイストが良い味を出していて、メロディを大切にしていることがよくわかると思う。3.Let Me Go逆に一番スローな北欧風ピアノ・バラード。徐々にリズム隊が入り盛り上がっていき最高潮を迎えた泣きのソロが素晴らしい。ラストは転調により再度盛り上がる。バラードなので歌詞にも触れておくと、よくある恋愛ものだが何が言いたいのかというと「当たり前のように続くと思っていたことが突如終わりを迎える。でもそれは必然であった。」あとはご想像にお任せするが、哀愁あるヴォーカルが歌詞を際立たせているように思う。