New Beginning

New Beginning is an important early record where BAND-MAID begins to define its rock direction. Building on the impact of “Thrill” and the gap between maid imagery and fierce playing, songs such as “REAL EXISTENCE” and “Don’t let me down” push a more direct hard-rock feel. True to its title, it marks a genuine new beginning for the band. The arrangements are not yet as complex as on later albums, but the songs are honest and forceful in outline. The drive of “FREEZER” and “Price of Pride,” the melody of “Arcadia Girl” and “Beauty and the beast,” and the swing of “Shake That!!” pack in plenty of early-era variety. SAIKI’s powerful vocals, Miku Kobato’s character and the playing of KANAMI, MISA and AKANE can be heard starting to align in one direction. A will to move forward as a serious rock band, not just a concept, comes through across the record, making this the point where BAND-MAID proved it was more than an idea.