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Super Robot Taisen Alpha: Steel Messiah - JAM Project :: Review by Chris
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Album Title: | Super Robot Taisen Alpha: Steel Messiah - JAM Project |
| Record Label: | Lantis | |
| Catalog No.: | LACA-4010 | |
| Release Date: | April 25, 2001 | |
| Purchase: | Buy at CDJapan |
Overview
JAM Project are a J-Rock group that principally make theme songs for animations. In addition, they have been a regular force on Banpresto's Super Robot Taisen games, given their extensive use of mecha anime crossovers. After debuting on the PlayStation's Super Robot Taisen Alpha, they have appeared on nearly every main game on the series, each time releasing singles featuring their opening and ending theme songs. Let's take a look at their debut single on Super Robot Taisen Alpha.
Body
The opener, "Steel Messiah", is one of their most melodramatic entries to date and perfectly suits the opening animation. Expect powerful male vocals crying semi-operatically above rhythm guitar riffs and a particularly loud drum line. In the full version exclusive to the single and a theme song compilation, JAM Project greatly elaborate on the thematic content and also introduce various contrasting sections, most notably a guitar solo at 2:32 followed by an awesome 'orchestra meets rock' unifying section.
The ending theme "Power", on the other hand, follows the tradition of a rock ballad. The introduction offers a pleasant combination of electric guitar leads and supporting orchestration, before a succession of vocalists emphasise the reflective, bittersweet quality of the ending. Spanning some five and a half minutes, the full length version here is really given a chance to breathe and gradually grow more motivating, culminating in a powerful recapitulation in the last minute.
The main exclusives on the single are the full-length versions of the theme songs that only featured in shortened versions in the game and its soundtrack release. However, there are also instrumental versions of the theme songs at the end of the single, lacking any vocals. These are good for karaoke purposes, but a little pointless and hollow otherwise.
Summary
Overall, both "Steel Messiah" and "Power" are among JAM Project's greatest hits. It started a tradition that has become a very popular aspect of the Super Robot Taisen series. That said, while the single is enjoyable, dedicated fans of JAM Project should consider the Super Robot Taisen JAM Project Theme Song Collection instead, since it features these full-length songs and 12 others from the series.
