Album Review: 回顧録 第一章 by KISAKI PROJECT
Alright, let me just say this—回顧録 第一章 (Retrospective Chapter One) is one of those albums that hits you like a punch to the gut and then lingers in your chest for days. Released back in 2003 under kapparecords (Third Stage), it’s raw, unfiltered rock with a distinctly Japanese edge. The kind of record you put on when you’re feeling too much or not enough—it doesn’t matter which because somehow it fits both moods.
Let’s talk tracks real quick. First off, there’s “White Period.” Oh man, this song. It starts off all brooding and quiet, like someone tiptoeing around their own thoughts. Then BAM—it explodes into this chaotic burst of guitar riffs and drums that feels like your heart skipping beats. You know those moments where everything inside you feels tangled up? Like you can’t decide if you wanna scream or cry? That’s what “White Period” does to me every time I listen to it. And yeah, maybe it’s overdramatic as hell, but isn’t that what good rock music should do? Make you feel too much?
Then there’s “中絶” (“Abortion”). Yeah, I said it. Heavy title, heavy vibes. This track sticks with me not just because of its name but how brutally honest it sounds. There’s no sugarcoating here—it’s dark, almost suffocating, but in the best way possible. The vocals sound like they’re being ripped straight outta KISAKI’s soul, and the instrumentation has this eerie undertone that makes you wanna sit in silence afterward. Honestly, after hearing it, I had to take a minute. Not many songs make me stop whatever I’m doing and just… think. But this one did.
And look, I gotta mention the production too. For an album from 2003, it still holds up insanely well. Sure, some parts might sound a little rough around the edges compared to today’s polished stuff, but honestly? That’s part of its charm. It’s messy, human, and imperfect—and sometimes that’s exactly what we need.
So yeah, 回顧録 第一章 isn’t perfect, but damn if it doesn’t leave a mark. Listening to it feels like flipping through old photos—you remember why certain things hurt so bad, but at the same time, you’re grateful for the memories. Weirdly enough, while writing this review, I realized something kinda funny. As intense as this album is, it’s also comforting. Like, life’s messy and painful, sure, but hey—we’ve got rock music to help us sort through the chaos.
Go ahead, give it a spin. Just don’t blame me if you end up staring out the window thinking about your entire existence.
