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 | ||||
Released | December 4, 2019 | |||
Recorded | 2018–2019 | |||
Length | 55:27 | |||
Language | Japanese, English | |||
Label | Revolver (Japan), JPU Records (International) | |||
Band-Maid chronology | ||||
| ||||
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. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
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 |
References
- BAND-MAID、新AL『CONQUEROR』ジャケット公開. Barks (in Japanese). 2019-10-14. Retrieved 2019-10-14.
- "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2019-12-23" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
- "Oricon weekly Rock Album ranking". Oricon (in Japanese). 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
- "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.
- CONQUEROR Listing at JPU Records
- "Tony Visconti Produces BAND-MAID's New Song". JPU Records. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
- "BAND-MAID "The Dragon Cries", a collaboration with David Bowie's producer". JRock News. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
- "BAND-MAID Conqueror Album Review". Outright Geekery. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
- "Review: "CONQUEROR" has BAND-MAID duelling on sound". JRock News. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
- "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2019/12/23 付け". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- "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.
- "Billboard World Albums: The week of December 14, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
- "Billboard Hard Rock Album Sales: The week of December 14, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
- "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts. 2020-01-24. Retrieved 2020-02-09.
External links
- Conqueror Listing at JPU Records (in English)