Lightning (France) - Memories (Single) / BREAK THE CAGE (Album) Review

For all Japanese Rock Music fans worldwide France has done it yet again! Today we’re going to spotlight a relatively new artist on the scene, Lightning. Lightning is a French guitarist/singer/composer. He is arguably the first French artist inspired by Japanese music who has signed with a Japanese record label. Appearing on French news, playing live concerts in Japan, and generally making an impact on the Japanese music scene, Lightning has started his career on the right foot.

In 2015, "Lightning" released his first solo album titled "BREAK THE CAGE". The following year he released a single titled “MEMORIES”. After his "Break up tour 2016", which took him to Europe and North Africa (Paris, Bruxelles, London, and Tunis specifically), he ended with a concert in Tokyo on December 26th, 2016. A great end to what will almost definitely be the first of many such tours.

Today I will be reviewing both his “BREAK THE CAGE” album and the “MEMORIES” single. I would like to give thanks to Lightning and his team for letting us at A-to-J have the privilege to take a closer look at the artist and his work!
 
To start off right off this album has somewhat of an old school feel to it. All the old glam rock fans along with the old Japanese rock fans will sure love this. Listening to this album took me back to the days of early hide and X JAPAN, but with a modern twist.
 
His single “Memories” starts with an explosive guitar riff to catch your attention with the chorus coming soon after. This song does a phenomenal job creating an atmosphere for the listeners and drawing them in.

Memories PV

Moving onto the album “BREAK THE CAGE”. One of my personal favorites from this album has to be “The World Is Yours”. It starts off with a powerful beat and this is followed by one of the best guitar melodies I have heard in a while. Lightning’s mastery really shines throughout this song.
 
Another standout song on this release is “Before I Die”. It has a very soft touch with a soothing melody full of emotion and mood. This song has very well laid out bass riffs and guitar melodies that make it one of the best songs here.
 
The album as a whole mainly consists of slower songs with a deep, slow melody that serves to really capture the moment. It does have faster paced rock numbers with songs like “BREAK THE CAGE”. “BREAK THE CAGE” is surely a song for everyone! The beginning has a kind of psychedelic feel with the instrumentation that is soon followed by a heavy riff that really gets you moving! This song has both heavy and soft elements that truly do resemble J-Music at its finest.

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Losing My Mind PV

This album not only encapsulates a French take on a Japanese music style, but it also brings something unique to the table. The future looks bright for Lightning if his music output remains up to the level seen on these releases!

-Hikaru
 
If you want to find out more about Lightning then please check out the links below!
Official Site: http://lightningfrance.fr/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/light ningofficial/
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/c/Light ningOfficial