VAMPS brings together two Japanese hard rock titans—Hyde of L'Arc-en-Ciel and K.A.Z. of Oblivion Dust—to create songs driven by lightning guitar, intricate breakneck drum work and operatic vocals. The pair launched the project in 2008, and fast-paced rockers anchored by Hyde's melodic howls—such as “LOVE ADDICT” and the feedback-drizzled “I GOTTA KICK START NOW”—cemented their place in the rock canon. Mostly VAMPS shreds and thrashes, but they also bring their flair for drama to alt-rock ballads such as “SWEET DREAMS”, which finds Hyde baring his soul over jazz-inspired piano and bass.