"Golden Destination" is the first single by Japanese power metal band Lovebites. Taken from their third studio album, Electric Pentagram, it was released in Japan by Victor Entertainment on February 19, 2020 and internationally by JPU Records on April 10. The song reached number 20 on the Oricon Singles Chart and number 22 on Billboard Japan's Top Singles chart.
| "Golden Destination" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Lovebites | |
| from the album Electric Pentagram | |
| Released | February 19, 2020 |
| Studio |
|
| Genre | Power metal |
| Length | 6:03 |
| Label | Victor |
| Composer(s) | Miho, Mao |
| Lyricist(s) | Miho |
| Producer(s) | Steve Jacobs |
| Music video | |
| "Golden Destination" on YouTube | |
Overview
editDecibel magazine reported that bassist Miho wrote "Golden Destination" to honor British metal.[1] The musician herself compared it to "Don't Bite the Dust", from the band's debut EP and first album, stating that this is how the older song would probably sound if she had written it today.[2] The single includes three other songs, including an orchestral version of "Thunder Vengeance" from Electric Pentagram.
Like all of the band's releases, it was mixed by Mikko Karmila and mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland. Also returning for the cover art was The EasyRabbit CreArtions, a duo of Spanish artists David López Gómez and Carlos Vincente León.
The music video for "Golden Destination" follows Lovebites touring the United Kingdom in November 2019 as a support act for DragonForce.[1]
Release
edit"Golden Destination" was only released on physical formats. First released on CD by Victor Entertainment on February 19, 2020, a limited edition was created that includes a pendant necklace featuring a pentagram.[3] Victor then released a limited edition 12" vinyl record version of the single, titled Ōgon o Motomete (黄金を求めて, "Golden Desire") in Japanese, on December 25, 2020 with new liner notes by Masanori Ito.[4]
Internationally, JPU Records released the single on April 10, 2020 on CD and 12" vinyl.[5]
Reception
editBlabbermouth.net's Dom Lawson described "Golden Destination" as Helloween on steroids, "with some of the most blistering lead work you'll hear in 2020 and a delicious AOR sheen."[6]
James Weaver of Distorted Sound called the song an "absolute romp" thanks to its twin guitar harmonies, "breathtaking leadwork" and NWOBHM-inspired structure.[7] Kerrang!'s Olly Thomas described the guitar riffs as Iron Maiden-esque.[8]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Golden Destination" | Miho | Miho, Mao | Lovebites, Mao | 6:03 |
| 2. | "Spellbound" | Asami | Mao | Lovebites, Mao | 4:59 |
| 3. | "Puppet on Strings" | Asami | Miyako | Lovebites, Miyako | 4:37 |
| 4. | "Thunder Vengeance (Orchestral Version)" | Miho | Miho, Mao | Lovebites, Mao | 6:52 |
| Total length: | 22:37 | ||||
Personnel
editLovebites
- Haruna – drums
- Miho – bass
- Midori – guitars
- Miyako – guitars and keyboards
- Asami – vocals
Other
- Mao – keyboards and programming
- Steve Jacobs – production
- Mikko Karmila – mixing
- Mika Jussila – mastering
Charts
edit| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japan Top Singles Chart (Billboard)[9] | 22 |
| Japan Singles Chart (Oricon)[10] | 20 |
References
edit- ^ a b "Video Premiere: Lovebites – "Golden Destination"". Decibel. 2020-04-17. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ^ "LOVEBITES 激ロック インタビュー". Geki-Rock (in Japanese). 2020-01-23. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ^ "LOVEBITES、初のシングルCD2月発売". Barks (in Japanese). 2019-12-25. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ^ "黄金を求めて（原題：GOLDEN DESTINATION） アナログ盤（完全限定生産）". Victor Entertainment (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ^ "LOVEBITES Golden Destination Listing". JPU Records. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
- ^ "CD Reviews - Electric Pentagram Lovebites". Blabbermouth.net. 2020-01-27. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Electric Pentagram – Lovebites". Distorted Sound. 2020-01-27. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ^ "Album Review: Lovebites - Electric Pentagram". Kerrang!. 2020-01-28. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales│Charts│Billboard JAPAN". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ^ "ゴールデン・デスティネイション(完全生産限定盤) LOVEBITES". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-01-06.