Learn about each song in NEiN's first full album, from the members themselves.

This week, the members of NEiN provided their self liner notes for first album, katharsis.

The album was released April 21st, and is the culmination of their activity from 2016, featuring vicious re-recordings with new bassist LINA. It is available on all digital platforms, and includes a bonus track when all tracks are purchased together. A physical version is available from their web shop which includes an additional bonus track.

⚠ 日本語版へこちら。

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FIRST FULL ALBUM

katharsis

Credits: [all music] Shun (舜) / [all lyrics] eisuke

Purchase: official web shop (+ bonus CD) / iTunes (+ bonus track) / Amazon (+ bonus track) / Google Play (+ bonus track) / mora (+ bonus track) / Spotify / YouTube / other

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• M1

  BRAND NEW WORLD

[eisuke] This is the only song by NEiN that has fully English lyrics. It was a first for me in my life as a vocalist. This song has a big scale. It's an amazing song and even changed my view of music. I love the arrangement of the death shout from the chorus!

[Shun] Basically it's an iron rule for NEiN to create their lyrics in Japanese, yet this song is written in English. And as you can see, the world view of this song is unique. I can't imagine not playing this song as the first song at our lives. (laugh) It's a song that opens a new door for NEiN.

[Kenta] NEiN's immovable song; of course it would be the first song! This song represents stillness and movement, with a world view that stands out. The song definitely gives a feeling that something will begin for the first time. Soak it in!

[LINA] Because it's a turbulent opening to the album, I played the bass with an awareness of fading into the second song, 極-goku-... well I tried to (laugh).

[Takuma] katharsis' kick-off! I concentrated all of my energy on hitting the drums to create a massive sense of scale. I hope you'll feel the worldview of NEiN as if it's dragging you in from the first shot!

• M2 極-goku-

[eisuke] For this song I kept thinking “it's coming!” even since the demo stage. The lyrics are very elaborate, and I especially struggled with the A melody. There's high-pitched shouting, which we've been doing since Houteki (標的); it's one of NEiN's weapons! On the other hand, there's also the essence of growl music.

Above all, the melody of the chorus is the best. It's really difficult to sing without taking a breath (laughs). Only the composer, Shun, can understand this feeling (laughs). When I was recording I was like “that chorus is really hardddd lol” (laughs).

As the title says, it's the “ultimate” (極-goku-) song!

[Shun] We wanted to make an album that would be different from the previous works of NEiN, and this song abruptly has that taste. Since LINA has joined us, there are some songs that were written with the idea that we could feature some of his bass characteristics.

[Kenta] This song is only possible with LINA! This song shows the interesting development of the new NEiN as a five member band. It representative of the new NEiN which is packed with many elements.

[LINA] When I officially joined NEiN this was our newest song; Shun had produced the band's deadliest song, and after hearing the demo I immediately had an image in my head of the bass line. The tempo change in this song is really difficult (laughs). Also there's a shouting match between me and eisuke.

[Takuma] This an aggressive song of NEiN! It gives a sense of urgency and pressure, in a good way ^^ My personal highlight is eisuke's power chorus! (I didn't participate in this one though!!)

• M3 バースディ (Birthday)

[eisuke] In my mind, BIRTHDAY, CALLING, and THE END are a trilogy in theme. BIRTHDAY is the first of these. As the title suggests, the theme is the destructive power of being born. In the chorus, I tried to use all of my experience from hardcore and metal!

[Shun] It was completely influenced by my favorite Bring me the horizon song・・・ lol Actually the chorus was supposed to be melodious, but then it felt like just a vkei song (lol) so the shouting was added. I still have the melody line saved in my DAW [Ed.: audio editing software.] though.

[Kenta] The catchy riff in the intro is my personal fav! Once you hear it, you can’t get it out of your head. eisuke’s twin vocal style is also cool.

[LINA] I recorded it with a sense of speed. I don’t think it’s the kind of bass line that hits you in the face, but if you listen closely it’s a very careful bass line. This is one of many songs where I copied my own bass after the initial recording because I’d ad libbed a lot.

[Takuma] I enjoyed the push and pull of the rhythm as I recorded it! The quick repetition really builds tension ^^ And, I love the drum section where the rhythm in the song is halved! I hope you’ll listen!

• M4 コーリング (Calling)

[eisuke] The second in NEiN’s hidden theme trilogy! In the lyrics, “STAY REAL” refers to the theme of “reason for existence” and “live for now.” The tempo change in the chorus is difficult as a vocalist, and I remember practicing with Takuma-san many times in the studio.

[Shun] The tempo slows down in the chorus. We all tripped up here when we played live lol (especially Kenta) . In the album version, the post-interlude guitar at the back of the C melody is the highlight of the song.

[Kenta] The tempo changes are so intense that it’s really difficult! But it’s an impressive song! I think the guitar is pretty interesting, so I hope you’ll listen to it too.

[LINA] I played this song with an emphasis on the beat. It’s not my usual style but it turned into my own style. However after I finished recording the bass, I sent the data, and later Shun replied the opening bass wasn’t strong enough, so this is the song that made me say “AHHH!!~!” (laughs)

[Takuma] I had a hard time with the tempo change in the chorus, but it was recorded well! I like that the rhythm is so decisive but doesn’t interrupt the chorus!

• M5 ジ・エンド (The End)

[eisuke] The last song in NEiN’s trilogy! At lives the opening riff flows immediately from the headbanging of the previous song. It's one of the strongest songs that looks cool live. The feeling of the chorus and the destructive verse are so emotional that I accidentally lose myself (laughs).

[Shun] This song you can play violently at lives. Before we released katharsis, a guest (a fan of one of the bands we were playing against) asked “that song was really cool, but on which CD is it?” I was surprised and happy to hear that. I'm really sorry that we hadn't recorded it sooner... So I hope that you bought the album!

[Kenta] The song starts with a very aggressive riff, but it's a very beautiful song. Playing this song personally feels also great! It's our song with the best riff!

[LINA] This is a headbanging song that begins with an aggressive guitar riff. I thought it's an easy song to go wild with the bass at a live. Even though I didn't do anything difficult bass line, the middle was a pain for some reason... I still don't know why (laughs).

[Takuma] The drum uplifts the song with a simple rushing feeling and a light rhythm! I like the way it expresses stillness and movement. For me, the melody and lyrics of the chorus are godly!

• M6 標的 (Hyouteki)

[eisuke] I'm sure those of you who have come to our live shows will understand, but it's a song that's completely become a hit at our live shows. Everyone jumps together at the chorus. I think it's a song that you can really enjoy live. The lyrics of the chorus are my favorite.

[Shun] This song has been around since the beginning of NEiN. Actually, this was going to be NEiN's second song, but due to the sudden creation of 廻-kai- it became the third one. Even now, it's an essential “up number” for live performances. There's some tapping in the album version that I'm not good at, so it's refreshing (laugh)

[Kenta] This song existed since the beginning of NEiN, and it's a song that is lively right from the intro. Jumping at lives is already a routine! It's a song that naturally makes you smile.

[LINA] I played this song live before the first recording for this song. Also at lives all the members jump around while performing the song. So I tried to create a bass line that I also could jump and fly around to while performing. But when the recording was completed, the song wasn't that easy to play while flying around (laughs).

[Takuma] It's a song that we've been doing since the beginning of the band, and everyone jumps around while performing it live ^^ While playing it, I love to beat the drums while watching the backs of the rampaging members in front of me!

• M7 イデア (Idea)

[eisuke] Just as BRAND NEW WORLD, this song is mainly in English. Moreover, this song includes a new attempt: we used an autotune effect on the vocals on the first A melody. For me it feels as the start of the second chapter of NEiN--I think that this song is going to be key at our future gigs. I think this song is even refreshing for those who know NEiN from the past.

[Shun] This is also a song written for the album following 極-goku-. There was so much I wanted to do, and after all it was like merging two completely different songs together (laughs).

The intro is like PANTERA, but then suddenly turns into EDM! (´﹃ `) To be honest, after writing it myself I was like “huh?!”. But everyone liked the song, so we used it how it turned out.

This song made me realize that you cannot always decide yourself whether a song is good or bad on your own subjectivity. However since the song has so many elements, it will be quite difficult to play live...

[Kenta] Since hearing the demo, I was totally thrilled with the song. It has such amazing cool feeling and I'm sure that it will be a hit when we will perform it live! We haven't been able to play this song live yet, but I guess you can see the evolution of NEiN in this song!

[LINA] It's the only new song on this album which we haven't played live yet. When I received the demo of the song... I thought it was a complicated song (laughs). But when I listened to the finished version of the song after we finished the recording, it turned out so cool that it gave me goosebumps. I can't wait to show it off!

[Takuma] It's the newest song from NEiN, and so far we haven't be able to play it live. I think the spread of the chorus that comes after the heavy section is the main part of the song that will pump everyone up at lives! The first live we're able to play again, I want to play this song!

• M8 アザミ (Azami)

[eisuke] A number with the most unique lyrics among the album. I hope that you'll feel a sense of adult color that only the members of NEiN can bring out. It's beautiful, but locked tightly, sometimes painfully so... As in the title [Ed.: “azami” means “thistle.”], the beauty of a flower hides thorns... I hope you can feel that kind of world view.

[Shun] Actually, the song has been around for almost 10 years. Back in the day I submitted this song to a project that I was participating in, but the song didn't make it (laughs). So I recreated the melody arrangement and backing arrangement to give it a NEiN taste, and the song was reborn. Also, much thanks to eisuke's vocalization, which has both purity and impurity. (I'm not just flattering.)

[Kenta] I think it is a song that has a unique position among all NEiN songs. Pay attention to the beauty of the melody! The rhythm and melody match comfortably, and the song has a really nice feeling while playing.

[LINA] There was a part of the bass line in the demo version that I liked, so I played that part of the phrase with more notes. You can imagine which part it is which after listening to it. Even if you guess right, there's no gift for you (laughs).

[Takuma] This is one of the few middle tempo songs of NEiN! A candle burns quietly, without wavering: that's the image I have while drumming.

• M9 【警告】 (【Keikoku】)

[eisuke] Actually, it's a song I love so much--it's a totally addicting song!! (laughs) This song has become a must-play song on live performances. When we play this song live, everyone shouts the song out loud with us, which makes this song even more powerful!

[Shun] This song is essential for live performances. It includes hard riffs and a strong chorus that unites everyone. So there's no reason to not playing this song at lives. For the album version, I reviewed the rhythm of the synth voice at the start of the guitar and drums, I made it easier to get in beat with... I'm not sure if anyone has noticed it. (laugh)

[Kenta] It's already become a standard live song! From the intro, the destructive power is incredible! We hope you'll listen to it and join us at our lives! Let's shout out, “woahh woahh ohh ohh!”

[LINA] This song was played live before recording, so the bass line was already completed. The recording is almost the same as how it's played live. I would be happy if you could see me going crazy to play the bass in the highlight of the song. \ It would be great if everyone would sing along to the chorus.
It would be great if everyone would sing along to the chorus.
It would be great if everyo--(laughs)

[Takuma] My favorite song to play at live! There is a part where it is easy for everyone to raise their voices and fists, so please listen to it and join our LIVES ^ ^ With this song I wish to create with everyone the most amazing scenery.

• M10 奈落 (Naraka)

[eisuke] What else can you do to this song other than headbang? (laugh) Please go wild! Please join us at the venue and drive everything out of your body. It's the most crazy song. It might seem that all our songs are crazy, but this song's recording was completely transformed after LINA joined. This song won't ever lose against any other loud song! (laughs)

[Shun] Needless to say, this song completely smells of Sli◯kno◯. LINA's bass was doing something outrageous, and while I was listening to the song while mixing it, I couldn't help but laugh. (I don't mean that in a bad way, do I?) This song makes me realize again that he is a truly outrageous member.
Of course this song also lets you go totally crazy at lives. Well, it's no secret that this song has an alias of Nara (奈良). (During this song, I'll do shadow play of a deer, pretending it's a metal sign.)

[Kenta] This song was also around before. After this recording the song has been reborn completely! Especially because of LINA's bass and chorus. The song has gotten richer and deeper! The bass is so badass!

[LINA] It's a super-aggressive song that follows up 極-goku-. Personally, this is the song where I feel like “I'm growing in skills” (laughs). I tried to keep balance while playing the bass, mostly playing the riffs firmly, and playing the bass more explicit in other parts. This is another song where the bass line was decided live before recording the song.

[Takuma] A song full of power!! When I listen to it, I imagine that all the members are standing in front of my drums going wild on stage, brother LINA going especially crazy!! Naraka (奈落) devours the sound! It's greedy! If you listen to the song, you'll want to see it live!! Don't you agree?! ^^

• M11 廻-kai-

[eisuke] With this song, all of NEiN started. We released this song as a single once, but I also decided to include it in this album, so I dared to put it as the last track. This also means the beginning is the ending of our first album.

When I met Shun and we started NEiN, when I heard the riff of the intro for the first time, I had such a tremendous shiver, it convinced me that nothing would stand in the way of our beginning. Please let me know if there is a song that surpasses this intro riff. I'm confident that there will never be such a song.

[Shun] As eisuke mentioned, this was NEiN's first song. This song has so so so much power and persuasion that it doesn't need any more explanation. If this song doesn't make you groan, then listen to it again from track one. (Oh, I'm sorry to be so pompous.) This song has such super power, it really does.

[Kenta] I've got so many feelings for this song inside of me, because this is the song that NEiN started with. The eldest son. The song still has a fresh feeling when I listen to it and it's still fun to perform it live. It's a very important song because everything started with this song! It is a song that all members have much passion for, isn't it?!

[LINA] This is the first song which introduced me to the band called NEiN. After hearing the song I thought “they're really a cool, amazing band!!!”

When I joined NEiN as a support member, from all the songs I learned to play from memory, this one was the first! I wanted to learn this one fast because I wanted to know what would happen if I mixed my bass playing with NEiN's music. And as a result I got hooked to it! (laughs)

[Takuma] This song was the start of NEiN. The first time I heard the demo, I shuddered! I remember how much fun this song was to practice over and over--I feel sorry for the songs I don't drum as well! This is important as the last song on our album, katharsis! I would feel really happy if you would listen to this song a lot ^^

➡ Purchase: web shop / iTunes / mora / Spotify / YouTube / other

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Thanks to @Ryu for English translation and coordination.

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