Conqueror (Band-Maid album)

Conqueror is the sixth studio album by the Japanese all-female rock band Band-Maid. It was released digitally on December 4, 2019, with physical formats released one week later.[1] It debuted at number nine on the Oricon Albums Chart[2] but debuted at number one on the Oricon weekly Rock Album ranking.[3] The album was preceded by the singles "Glory" and "Bubble", both released in January 2019.[4] The international version from JPU Records includes English lyric translations and Romaji lyric transliterations.[5]

Conqueror
"Normal" cover featuring guitarist/singer Miku Kobato
Studio album by
Band-Maid
ReleasedDecember 4, 2019 (2019-12-04)
Recorded2018–2019
Length55:27
LanguageJapanese, English
LabelRevolver (Japan), JPU Records (International)
Band-Maid chronology
Band-Maiko
(2019)		 Conqueror
(2019)
Alternative cover
"Type B" cover featuring singer Saiki Atsumi
Music videos
"Glory" on YouTube
"Endless Story" on YouTube
"Bubble" on YouTube
"The Dragon Cries" on YouTube
"Blooming" on YouTube
"Reincarnation" on YouTube

During the recording of the album, Band-Maid was contacted by producer Tony Visconti, who had learned about the band from songwriter Tom Kenney.[6] Visconti invited band members Saiki Atsumi and Miku Kobato to travel to a studio in New York City, where he produced the vocal tracks for the song "The Dragon Cries".[7]

Critical reception

Outright Geekery gave the album five out five stars, stating that it is Band-Maid's best album to date, and concluding that "This is an album with versatility, passion, and killer hit after killer hit."[8] JRock News also praised the album, noting growth in the band's lyrics, variety in the songwriting, and a duality between the harder and softer aspects of the band's sound.[9]

Track listing

All lyrics written by Miku Kobato, except track 11 by Tom Kenney; all music written and arranged by Band-Maid; all music produced by Band-Maid, except track 11 by Tony Visconti.

No.TitleLength
1."Page"4:17
2."Glory"3:39
3."Liberal"3:14
4."Endless Story"3:44
5."Mirage"3:57
6."At the Drop of a Hat"4:19
7."Wonderland"3:55
8."Azure"2:49
9."Dilemma"3:36
10."Bubble"3:46
11."The Dragon Cries"3:55
12."Flying High"3:42
13."Catharsis" (カタルシス)3:18
14."Blooming"3:49
15."Reincarnation" (Rinne, 輪廻)3:27
Total length:55:27

Personnel
  • Saiki Atsumi – vocals
  • Miku Kobato – guitar, vocals
  • Kanami Tōno – guitar
  • Misa – bass
  • Akane Hirose – drums

Charts
Chart (2019) Peak
position
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[10] 9
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[2] 9
Rock Albums in Japan (Oricon)[11] 1
Billboard World Albums[12] 11
Billboard Hard Rock Album Sales[13] 25
UK Rock & Metal Albums[14] 11
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References
  1. BAND-MAID、新AL『CONQUEROR』ジャケット公開. Barks (in Japanese). 2019-10-14. Retrieved 2019-10-14.
  2. "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2019-12-23" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  3. "Oricon weekly Rock Album ranking". Oricon (in Japanese). 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  4. "BAND-MAID to Release New Single 'Bubble' Alongside 'glory' in January". MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON | もしもしにっぽん. 2018-12-11. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
  5. CONQUEROR Listing at JPU Records
  6. "Tony Visconti Produces BAND-MAID's New Song". JPU Records. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
  7. "BAND-MAID "The Dragon Cries", a collaboration with David Bowie's producer". JRock News. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
  8. "BAND-MAID Conqueror Album Review". Outright Geekery. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
  9. "Review: "CONQUEROR" has BAND-MAID duelling on sound". JRock News. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
  10. "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2019/12/23 付け". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  11. "全米チャートを席捲　ガールズバンド「BAND-MAID」の新アルバムの破壊力". Aera (in Japanese). Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  12. "Billboard World Albums: The week of December 14, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  13. "Billboard Hard Rock Album Sales: The week of December 14, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  14. "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts. 2020-01-24. Retrieved 2020-02-09.
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