This ninth album from L’ Arc-en-Ciel (French for ‘rainbow’) has just been released on Chinese territory by Sony music. The sound from the J-rock band with an old-fashioned rock-n-roll attitude can be described as “Rock FM” a la Guns N’ Roses. The type of uplifting music you’d listen on the radio while driving at full speed on the Ring Road. But their music carries a typical Japanese flair, indeed, most songs could be movie scores for Japanese animation feature films. In fact, “Lost Heaven” is the theme song for Fullmetal Alchemist, a popular animé in the archipelago. With half Japanese/half English lyrics, sharp guitars, aggressive drums and reverberated, tenor vocals, “Awake” is a sample of the best of what the current Japanese music industry has to offer. By the way, last September L’ Arc-en-Ciel performed a unique Chinese gig at the Shanghai Grand Theater with tickets prices at RMB 5,000.
Sony Music

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
October 2005 issue