Eternal Melody II [Import]

1. Unnamed Song

2. Seize The Light

3. Without You

4. Longing

5. World Expo " I'll Be Your Love"

6. Kimi Dake Dakara

7. Red Christmas

8. Imawo Dakishimete

9. Forever Love

10. "Anniversary" Piano Concerto In C Minor

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Yoshiki's 2nd solo classical album contains the songs ' I'll Be Your Love' , 'Seize the Light' ', 'Without You,' 'Anniversary' & 'Christmas Red'. 2005.

Tracks:

Unnamed Song
Seize The Light
Without You
Longing
World Expo " I'll Be Your Love"
Kimi Dake Dakara
Red Christmas
Imawo Dakishimete
Forever Love
"Anniversary" Piano Concerto In C Minor

Album Description

Yoshiki's 2nd solo classical album contains the songs ' I'll Be Your Love' , 'Seize the Light' ', 'Without You,' 'Anniversary' & 'Christmas Red'. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Eternal Melody II.......2006-11-11

I have never been moved emotionally by music before I purchased and listened to Yoshiki's Eternal Melody II. The music is so soothing and relaxing.Once I started playing the first disc, I was taken away with every note that was played on the piano. If you really appreciate great classical music, you will not regret your purchase on this product. Eternal Melody II is truly a modern masterpiece with each song that takes you on a journey to musical bliss.

Yoshiki's Awesome Legacy Continues with "EM II".......2005-05-12

When Yoshiki Hayashi's first "Eternal Melody" album was released in the early nineties, he was still the spiritual leader and frontman of the legendary Japanese speed-metal band X JAPAN. Having adopted a personal aesthetic of intense visual glamour that was likewise mirrored by his bandmates, drummer Yoshiki often looked anything but the classical pianist he was originally groomed to be. Yet even amidst the passionate anger of the frenetic rock music he so painstakingly crafted, oftentimes Yoshiki would slip into X JAPAN's albums strangely perfect moments of unparalleled tranquility, pieces performed on piano that were the symbolic eye of the tempestous storm. It would seem a natural thing, therefore, for him to incorporate his obsessive talent into a project of much grander proportions, and the first "Eternal Melody" was the final result: a decadent album of X JAPAN songs rearranged and reworked for classical performance, brought to life by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. George Martin, famous in part for his production of The Beatles' works, was a collaborator on this project and the end result was a modern classical album equal to any of the greats that preceded it.

Many years passed, during which "Eternal Melody" soared to be one of Japan's highest-selling classical endeavors. However, upon the disbanding of X JAPAN in 1997 and the death of former bandmate hide the year after, Yoshiki took a public hiatus from his music, classical or otherwise. After a few personal projects, Yoshiki finally returned to the spotlight with a new vision, and the promised conception of a new band. However, fans of his classical projects were also rewarded: enter upon the stage Yoshiki's "Eternal Melody II".

"EM II" is a two-disc set of Yoshiki's latest genius written and arranged for a new generation of fans. While the original "Eternal Melody" could be compared to sea surf crashing waves relentlessly upon the shore, "EM II" is a bit less passionate, merely a river undulating over stones in some tranquil forest. This may be in part to "Eternal Melody" having singularly been reworked X JAPAN music, the intense energy, angst, and anger of which translated beautifully from electric threnody to orchaestrated legend. "Eternal Melody II", on the other hand, appears primarily composed of music created simply for the sake of music composed--no band to represent, merely Yoshiki Hayashi. The first track, "Unnamed Song" features vocalist "Daughter" from Yoshiki's newest project, Violet UK, and the only track on Disc 2 is "Anniversary", composed for a recent, prominent political event in Japan. Most of the other songs seem simply to be just that: songs. They are intricate compositions, complex and pure, some backed by a full orchaestra, one showcasing Yoshiki on harpsichord, all gorgeous. Fans from Yoshiki's days with X JAPAN will be pleased to find a rearrangement of "Forever Love" on this disc; it is rather similar at parts to the so-called acoustic version of said song on the "Dahlia" album. Also, there is a hidden track at the end of the first disc which seems a whimsical addition on Yoshiki's behalf.

In conclusion, although "EM II" as an album is much sleeker in appearance, much more simple and spartan than the visual glamour peppering its predecessor, the content is basically very much the same: excellent classical compositions of unparalleled, obsessive craftmanship. Yoshiki may be mellowing more with age, but his talent is unfailing. Anyone who has an ear for exceptional music will immediately recognize this album for the brilliance it is.

Gorgeous........2005-04-22

This record should be titled 'Beautiful - the Album'. The sheer poetry of every piece is excruciating. I'm a regular fan of classical composers, and I love what Yoshiki does in melding the pop/rock and classical worlds. Beethoven fans? Buy this. Fans of cinematic soundtracks? You'll drool. Tchaikovsky lovers? Yoshiki is your new favourite composer. He speaks to everyone. Highlights include the purity of 'Unnamed Song', the baroque-ish harpsichord sound of 'Kimi dake dakara', and the original piano concerto 'Anniversary', which belongs right beside a composition by any 19th century music mogul. Yoshiki may be a perfectionist, but he definitely knows what he's doing.