ATP were the first overseas act that I had the chance to review and still seem to find them on my regular rotation with their release Deranged Angel and then the soundtrack to the anime film Guilstein right afterwards. Taata has one of those voices that struck me right away, having totally original vocals while still hearkening back to prolific female artists such as Cyndi Lauper and Kate Bush at times. She is also very easy on the eyes to boot.

ATP, abbreviated from the chemical adenosine tri-phosphate, which is pervasive in all life for converting energy, is also the name for a dynamic Japanese band. ATP has met with much success with their previous work as featured on MP3 and on radio stations throughout the world. The band쳌fs latest release is just another benchmark in their growing popularity and ability to capture intense emotions and translate it via the music medium.

Their latest endeavor is from Guilstein, the original soundtrack to a dark anime film slated for release, first in the European markets and then worldwide.

The premise of the film takes place in the year 2088, a time when the major corporations are in control of the people. The Yashiro Corporation is the most dominant and fearful in the Oriental District and are responsible for creating gross experiments against humanity. On the surface, it was a project to make a human body adaptable to the moving to Mars (called Kadkeus Project), but the true purpose of the project was to develop a horrendous living weapon; Guilstein, an ugly-looking monster, deprived of a human soul, who can fight under any circumstance without emotion.

The lead character, Chaos, who is a member of this project at the Yashiro Corporation, uncovered the secret behind this fearful experiment. This information proved deleterious for him as he was caught, punished and transformed into the first Guilstein prototype. He managed to escape the diabolical lab and retained the assistance from the underground resistance who were fighting against the Yashiro Empire. Chaos, as the first prototype, was incomplete as a Guilstein, because he retained some semblance of a human soul not extinguished in the transformation process.

The story is mostly about Chaos' inner conflicts, lonely fights, and additional subplots of discovering conspirators and collaborators who betrayed him. Learning from the failure of Chaos, Yashiro started to make perfect Guilsteins one after another. Soon, Chaos realized that he needed to become a Guilstein to beat those monsters, destroy the Yashiro Empire, and give freedom back to the people. There was only one chance this time, however; once he became a full Guilstein, he could never be human again.

쳌hDreams Within (Main Theme)쳌h is the opening and closing track of the film. It begins with an ethereally haunted somber atmosphere that emphasizes how life is a process of dying. In true ATP fashion, the song then kicks into a dark rock hi energy track that is sure to cross over into many genres before long.

"And He Laughs" is and instrumental track used for the peak battle scenes in the film. It is nightmarish and industrial all rolled into one. Imagine the soundtrack to Mortal Combat at its darkest moment. One can capture the element of smoke rising from the battle scenes. ATP effectively utilizes East and West elements to create a hybrid of energy, intensity and adrenaline.

쳌gIf You Ever쳌h is stylistic song questioning the ability to love. There is a gentle, almost flowing delivery of the song, which veers into a dark punk style hybrid. This track is also featured on their last CD, 쳌gDeranged Angel쳌h which met with much chart success on MP3.

쳌gZen In Motion쳌h is another hi energy industrial hybrid that conveys rapid motion. Beneath the drumbeats are some rather catchy guitar licks interspersed with sound effects.

쳌gKilling Time쳌h delivers an emotional cogitation about being a part of a world where one is out of place in the scheme of reality. It takes us to that moment in time where all that we are and hope to be are no longer valid expectations. It darkly strengthens one쳌fs resolve to accept reality and move forward to do that which we know we must do.

"Deranged Angel" is used for the most brilliant Guilstein battle scenes in the film. It is a rather modern day feminist song, which centers on wanting love but not willing to become a part of the societal expectations and entrapment.   It is very industrial driven and in some ways can be right out of your nightmares. Make no mistake; the song could be the battle hymn for World War III.

쳌gThe Shining Hour쳌h endeavors the need to understand our true nature and question our life between reality and mere dreaming. It is a reflective song that questions our individual future and fate, wrapped up in a rhythm that can be best described as dark pop.

쳌hFalling쳌h is somber as it encapsulates the emotional state. It ponders the reality about losing one쳌fs self to circumstances beyond their control.

쳌gFar End Of Altered World쳌h creates a feeling of flying over the terrain. Within the scope of the instruments are elements of memory, longing, sadness and controlled anger.

쳌gSorrow쳌h takes into account the days of youth that are rapidly passing. It questions if anything we do really has any impact on our lives or the lives around us. It is a harsh reality about standing on the edge of life and not sure which direction to proceed towards. The song is darkly constructed with layers of moodiness and atmosphere. Midway through the track, the piano segues into a mean guitar riff that propels the song towards a goth/industrial hybrid.

"Freaks, They Dance" is utilized for many of the film쳌fs battle scenes. This is a hi-energy track designed to ignite movement. Many musical elements are woven into the fabric, that this track also can crossover into multiple genres.

"Life is a Process of Dying" is featured in the last scene of the film. Other versions of it, such as the voice-only version and instruments-only version are used separately in the main scenes. This version is the most heartbreaking, as lead singer Taata seems to have gone to the depths of her own despair in order to make us feel the fear and agony that our next move may in fact be our last living moment.

쳌gBio-Blood Society쳌h is the track contributed by major Japanese recording star Nicotine. It is a heavy track bordering on heavy metal punk and industrial. The lyrics sum up the story line of the film.

ATP scored a major coup with the soundtrack to what promises to be an amazing and highly popular anime film. Their musical contributions are poetic, thought provoking and timeless. The CD includes graphics from the forthcoming film, which are nothing short of stunning.

Firstly, ATP surely took my attention by its band title which drove me all the way to connect the main ATP term to its wholeness. Well, ATP, or Adenosine Tri Phosphate as we all know, is basic in all life forms - meaning it's always present. It gives fuel for the cell. ATP is also present in photosynthesis as a formation from light energy. Then, ATP - the band, is actually a powerful compound in their own right too. Their music has crowded Japan's club and bar territories, gaining favorable spots on industrial and new wave charts all across the net and in heavy rotation on some radio stations around the globe. Again, like the ATP terminology, it created a pattern to the band as it presents a line-up of an energy-carrying group. Composed of Taata with vocals, Sugar with guitars/bass and Kazz and Kohei - drums and bass, respectively.

Their exclusively released-on-the-net CD, Deranged Angel, is a swirling bright halo on what they had attained so far. Testing the market and simply playing in accordance with their vision of promoting their own style and ideology in music. Their CD cover-sleeve was professionally done, well matched with the band's identity. Photography and printing poses for a non-indie CD style.

ATP's music isn't freaky, dark or eerie but it does threaten. It threatens and poses a gigantic leap of interest while playing its first few tracks. It doesn't even require a single, dedicated time to appreciate their music. Get on to work, get on with the lunch, keep on exercising and turn on your CD player and it will do the rest. Easy to like music. A bit into the Pop Kingdom, though it's not truly poppy, but it is delivered by catchy tunes and simple, less difficult melodies. Particularly ATP isn't a garbage sound or a rock-for-trash music.

Most of the songs are blessed with high ratings from this reviewer. Here We Are is an excellent rendition of the band's musical ability. Very arresting as it started its intro beats. For those who wanted to sit back, relax and cover up themselves into a blanket of soothing sensation - simply follow the beats of Here We Are. It was enhanced to become less mellowing and sorrowful by its LIVE version which is part of the bonus tracks.

The track Nowhere Girl is stabbing everyone with a country feel on its start-up rhythms. It would benefit them more if only the background notes as well as the screeching peeping guitar sounds be unified to present a more ordered pattern for the track. Just a little of retouch then it could "Go West." A blinding luster on the CD is Shining Color In My Palette. Its original, which is in Japanese, reaches a height of bounce and motion from the song - exhibiting a total creativity from this band.

Beyond My White Time carries the torch. Taata's vox here creates images of 80's new-wave vocals. Somehow it reminds me a bit of a Charlotte Church rendition of classics, though Taata's voice is not that high. Anyway, the beats show an invitation to snap your fingers, carry a lighter and wave it up in the air. Darker in its melancholic emotions and dreading in some way, you would feel it's crying. It thus created an appeal because of its difference with the style.

Armed with natural poise, natural style and a sweetened taste in rock music that would surely fuel up your souring senses. The totality of the CD gives applause to the energy, passion and situations that has driven these tracks into full reality. Though it's a bit pop-themed (pertaining to some familiar tunes and approaches), but the wholeness of it gives it a good remark of its promising attitude.