This is the third album by the Japanese visual kei metal band Versailles – also known as Versailles -Philharmonic Quintet. Pretty strange combination of classic heavy and power metal with sometimes theatrical, opera-like vocals, other times pretty typical Japanese, pop taste vocals. “Visual kei”, literally “visual style” or “visual system”, is a movement among Japanese musicians,that is characterized by the use of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes, and Versailles key characteristics are their rococo-esque costumes, correlated musically with dueling guitar sounds – Iron Maiden’s trademark – and heavy but melodic arrangements.
The band was formed in 2007 by Kamijo (ex-Lareine), Hizaki (ex-Sulfuric Acid), and Jasmine You (ex-Jakura). Later, Teru (ex-Aikaryu) and Yuki (ex-Sugar Trip).
Jasmine You died in August 2009, however the band considers Jasmine You an “eternal member”, while the new bass player is Masashi – as with many other Japanese bands, the members of Versailles are credited by their stage names.
“Holy Grail” sounds like an opera or a (metal) musical, it’s interesting, heavy parts and very melodic passages are merged together, power riffings and symphonic arrangements follow or over-lap each other, sometimes it’s strange, but it’s definitively interesting to listening it.
