MAGISTINA SAGA
Blood Moss Agate
Starwave Records

MAGISTINA SAGA’s fourth album sees the band continue to embrace their fairly unique take on symphonic gothic metal where the Japanese vocal styling of Iori are set against a backdrop of pounding drums, dynamic bass and soaring guitars with a healthy dose of orchestrations to wrap it all up in the impressive bundle that is “Blood Moss Agate”.

Formed in Osaka, Japan in 2010 by Iori and Urugi, MAGISTINA SAGA have released three previous full length albums along with a long list of EPs and singles, so there is plenty of music in their back catalogue to enjoy should you find yourself captured by their unique charm. This is exactly what happened to me after giving the new album a few spins, so they have gained a very happy new fan.

The new album opens with an intro track, which happens to be the title track, and it sets the tone really well for what’s to come with its ominous sounding keys, chanting vocals and Urugi’s ‘djenty’ sounding riffs before we explode into track 2, “chain of causality”, which weaves back and forth from heavy and intense to light and breezy with Iori’s vocals being a real standout as she goes through her full range here. There are parts in the song where the lyrics are delivered at a quite fast pace with galloping drums and keys accompanying them and the effect is fantastic.

Next track, “Blood Riding Psycho”, is a real highlight with its opening repetitive vocal line being chanted along to an intense run of keys. The verse carries this feeling on before a big shift and key change bursts the song into such an uplifting piece. I felt like the hero in an awesome Anime opening sequence, which I must say is only meant as a massive compliment as music is supposed to make you feel things… and this track really made my day when it shifted for that moment before we delved back into the darkness surrounded by an amazing bass line by Mirei. The work the bass does here is so good and just helps elevate the track to one of the best on the album.

“Trinity blaster” is a great mid album song as it has a very Euro power metal feel to it and this amps up the energy, reinvigorating the listener, not for any reason other than the permeating darkness to the album needs a bit of light to shine through every now and then. The galloping drums, courtesy of Mira, keep a relentless pace and even have their moment in the sun when an impromptu solo breaks out a bit over halfway through. Not to be outdone, the guitars follow suite straight away with a solo of their own so we are all full of power to battle on towards the end of the story over the next 4 songs.

I must add that I love it when a band has a bit of fun and whilst I am not sure if it was done on purpose, all of their songs have English titles and the vocals are in Japanese… well, all except one song which has a Japanese title but the chorus is sung in English, so good!

Album closer “Lament” was actually the song they released as a single with a music video and it is a perfect ending to this chapter. The sombre, almost sad opening feels like a moment for reflection as we think about the story we have just been through before it shifts into a more uplifting tone and we are treated to all of the band members showing off their ample music skills in a great crescendo towards the end of the song.

Overall, the album flows like an intense story playing out with the typical Hero vs Villain feel to it but the listener has no idea who will triumph as the songs are dark and brooding, yet they also have exquisite moments where the light bursts through the proverbial clouds and fills us all with hope that everything will be OK… or will it? No spoilers though, go and listen to it, you won’t regret it.

Russell Mulock-Bentley