Album Review: LOVEBITES – Judgement Day (JPU Records)

LOVEBITES, one of Japan’s most important names in heavy metal, return from hiatus with a new member and a new album. Called ‘Judgement Day’, it will be released 24th February 2023 via JPU Records.

Time away and a refresh in the line-up appears to have done LOVEBITES a lot of good as this new album finds the heavy head-bangers on energised form. Taking their epic thrashing speed metal to even greater heights across ten tracks. Ten examples of their development and ten examples of why they have made such a name for themselves so far.

The grand power metal introduction of We Are the Resurrection is extremely telling regarding how refreshed LOVEBITES feel here. Giving way to a thrashy speed, dominated by screaming riffs and licks, all while the powerful vocals of Asami soar. The cherry on top of this banging opener is a wild and blood-pumping guitar solo.

Building on the early hint of more power-orientation, Judgement Day lets rip with some frenzied symphonic touches. It’s a notable element of the track but the belligerent speed is another. Before we get a vigorous blast that rises and rises through deeper power metal territories with The Spirit Lives On. A pair of thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Though, there’s no let up when it comes to the pacing as the guitar team of Midori and Miyako continue to deliver punchy riff after riff, and the bass/drum duo of Fami and Haruna add the meaty weight that makes Wicked Witch such a head-banger. The use of synth on this track is particularly delightful too.

Followed by Stand And Deliver (Shoot ’em Down), a screaming and screeching blast of metal. LOVEBITES at their most egregiously anthemic sounding. A track meant for the live environment through and through. Then Victim of Time’s bombastic tone, before LOVEBITES create a tornado of rock and melody with the discombobulating My Orion. A track with more ‘classic’ leanings and taking some of its tropes from the poppier side of music. It’s a different kind of LOVEBITES track but not to the extent that it is off-putting.

It’s back to a medley of frenzied guitars, pounding drums, thick bass hooks, and soaring vocals with Lost in the Garden. The end of the world has never sounded so necessary, especially when a penultimate track as thrashy as Dissonance comes along. LOVEBITES sounding positively possessed here. Before closing their new record out with one last energised and heavy anthem in the form of the defiant call to arms that is Soldier Stands Solitarily.

LOVEBITES are back and better than ever.

LOVEBITES – Judgement Day Track Listing:

1. We Are the Resurrection
2. Judgement Day
3. The Spirit Lives On
4. Wicked Witch
5. Stand And Deliver (Shoot ’em Down)
6. Victim of Time
7. My Orion
8. Lost in the Garden
9. Dissonance
10. Soldier Stands Solitarily

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