Conqueror (Band-Maid album)
Conqueror | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
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 | ||||
Music videos | ||||
"Glory" on YouTube | ||||
"Endless Story" on YouTube | ||||
"Bubble" on YouTube | ||||
"The Dragon Cries" on YouTube | ||||
"Blooming" on YouTube | ||||
"Reincarnation" on YouTube |
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]
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 – lead vocals
- Miku Kobato – rhythm guitar, vocals
- Kanami Tōno – lead 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 Heatseekers Albums[13] | 19 |
Billboard Hard Rock Album Sales[14] | 25 |
UK Rock & Metal Albums[15] | 11 |
References[]
- ^ BAND-MAID、新AL『CONQUEROR』ジャケット公開. Barks (in Japanese). October 14, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2019-12-23" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
- ^ "Oricon weekly Rock Album ranking". Oricon (in Japanese). December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
- ^ "BAND-MAID to Release New Single 'Bubble' Alongside 'glory' in January". MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON | もしもしにっぽん. December 11, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ "BAND-MAID - CONQUEROR [CD + Translation]". JPU Records. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- ^ "Tony Visconti Produces BAND-MAID's New Song". JPU Records. November 19, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ "BAND-MAID "The Dragon Cries", a collaboration with David Bowie's producer". JRock News. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
- ^ "BAND-MAID Conqueror Album Review". Outright Geekery. December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
- ^ "Review: "CONQUEROR" has BAND-MAID duelling on sound". JRock News. December 14, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
- ^ "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). January 24, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
- ^ "Billboard World Albums: The week of December 14, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
- ^ "Billboard Heatseekers Albums: The week of December 14, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
- ^ "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 Company. January 24, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
External links[]
- Conqueror Listing at JPU Records (in English)
- Band-Maid albums
- 2019 albums
- Nippon Crown albums
- Japanese-language albums