After the streaming release of the album D/D/D back in April, DRUGS are already back in action with a music video for the new single AKUMA (悪魔), released May 26.
Although past releases from DRUGS may have covered dark themes, they always came with a side of color. AKUMA, on the other hand, catches DRUGS at their darkest so far, almost like falling into an endless pit of despair.
The title AKUMA means “devil” or “demon”, and this is exactly what is reflected in the music video. Washed-out colors and the VHS video effect are evocative of old-school horror films and capture band members wrestling with inner demons. Contrary to those old horror films, the happy ending never arrives; instead, band members continue falling deeper, leading to extremely disturbing consequences.
The unnervingly slow tempo and guitarist TAIZO’s clean guitar tone, which sounds like a broken music box, only personify the creepy atmosphere put forth by the music video. Vocalist Tsuzuku’s voice echoes with pain as he struggles to sing with a defiant tone as his voice continues breaking; it feels like the remainder of hope that everything is going to be alright slowly dies. This same slowing down and transcending to death is also heard in the instrumental. Not before long those inner demons win, hope dies, and the music resurrects with inhuman, animalistic screams. The back-and-forth between the slow, painful moments and chaotic, heavy sections almost feels like the switching of personalities. The human aspect that clings to hope and the side of the devil that embodies darkness and chaos.
AKUMA is available digitally, to relive the haunting story again on repeat.
The artist photos released with AKUMA capture DRUGS in the midst of despair. The lifeless corpses of band members in a haunting environment embody the story presented in the new track.
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- Vocalist Tsuzuku (綴)
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- Guitarist TAIZO (タイゾ)
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- Bassist Shindo Wataru (進藤渉)
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- Drummer Yoshiatsu
- AKUMA悪魔