Glory, Glory, to the World

Glory, Glory, to the World was written and recorded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lovebites' tour in support of their third album, Electric Pentagram, was halted half-way through and the members could not decide what to do. They received the opportunity to write a theme song for the anime series Vlad Love, and set to work on it in spring 2020. Guitarist Midori believes that working remotely allowed them to spend more time on arrangements, giving them greater freedom with time to experiment. The bassist and two guitarists recorded their parts from home, but the drums and vocals were recorded in a studio with as few people present as necessary. Midori came up with the album title from the line "Glory, glory, hallelujah" in the song "Battle Hymn of the Republic". It became Glory, Glory, to the World in reference to the global pandemic. Like all of their releases, it was mixed by Mikko Karmila and mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland. Also returning, The EasyRabbit CreArtions, a duo of Spanish artists David López Gómez and Carlos Vincente León, provided the cover art of a wolf. Midori described the art, "The chained sphere is a metaphor for the unstable and weakened Earth, representing the current state of the world. The three angels in the top right are shining down light onto the chaotic world, and then there's the wolf, a symbol of the band, welcoming the light. One of the angels is carrying a staff with a symbol of peace, and the cliff itself symbolises Gaia." ==Themes==

(right) composed "Glory to the World" under the influence of gospel music. Opening track "Glory to the World" was composed by Midori. She was inspired by attending Sunday services at black churches whenever she visits the United States or the United Kingdom. Asami revealed that Miyako composed it based on the classical composer's "Piano Sonata No. 8". Asami, who co-composed it with the band's frequent collaborator Mao, heard that the staff particularly liked thrash metal, and after various meetings with them, it was decided to use a speed metal song instead of a melodic one. ==Release==

Glory, Glory, to the World was released in Japan on March 10, 2021, by Victor Entertainment. Limited Edition A includes a DVD of three music videos; the video for "Glory to the World" and two versions of the video for "Winds of Transylvania". Limited Edition B includes a second CD with "Winds of Transylvania" and its instrumental version. The music video for "Glory to the World" features the band playing in a church and an actor portraying Jesus Christ resurrected in the current era. The music video for "Winds of Transylvania" features Asami dressed in a black outfit based on that of the main character in Vlad Love, while one version of it also features scenes from the anime. but was rescheduled to between March 12 and April 6 following the Japanese government's declaration of a second state of emergency due to the pandemic and its extension. They were also conducted at half capacity and with other preventive measures in place, such as the audience not being allowed to cheer. Victor released a limited edition 12" vinyl record version of the EP, that includes "Winds of Transylvania", on September 28, 2022 under the Japanese title . Glory, Glory, to the World was released on CD in the UK on May 28, 2021 by JPU Records, followed by a vinyl release in the summer of 2021. Their version includes "Winds of Transylvania" as a bonus track. ==Reception==

Glory, Glory, to the World debuted at number 10 on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart. It reached number 11 on the Oricon Albums Chart and charted for four weeks. It also peaked at number 11 on Billboard Japans Top Albums Sales chart, which is based only on physical sales. Peter Dennis of AVO Magazine wrote that Glory, Glory, to the World finds Lovebites further developing their sound and reaching new levels of technicality. He described opening track "Glory to the World" as creating an "ethereal, almost quasi-religious feel that makes the coming storm even more volatile" and called "No Time to Hesitate" a "punchy, hard-hitting" "metal masterclass" that highlights Haruna's drumming. In an 8/10 review for Distorted Sound, Sam Khaneka wrote that Lovebites took a less-is-more approach with the EP by creating a handful of songs that "all exude their own distinct character." He cited the "angelic splendour" of "Glory to the World" and the "neoclassical nightmare" of "Dystopia Symphony" as representing two of the band's best songs to date, "while also showcasing the breadth of their sound; from the overwhelmingly upbeat to the downright menacing." Reviewing the UK version, Khaneka felt that finishing with "Winds of Transylvania" was a "little bit anticlimactic" following "Dystopia Symphony". Dan Beard of Invicta also gave Glory, Glory, to the World an 8/10 and called it "a celebration of fun, utilising top class musicianship, theatrics and respect for the elements that please fans of the genre." He described Midori and Miyako's memorable guitar work on "Paranoia" as full of individual character and top notch technique, "proving that guitar heroes aren't dead, they're heroine's now." Although criticizing the lyrics of "No Time to Hesitate" as "merely do[ing] their job during the verses," he praised its chorus vocal melody for sticking in the listener's head for days. Despite praising Haruna's drumming "punctuated with exciting guitar textures and Asami's soaring vocals over the top which contains the chaos and brings everything together cohesively," Beard felt that "Dystopia Symphony" was "just not as memorable" and a slight misstep. Metal Talk wrote that "Glory to the World" has an uplifting symphonic chorus and a twin guitar section that would make Iron Maiden and Judas Priest envious. Sam Law of Kerrang! gave Glory, Glory, to the World a 3/5 rating and claimed that while it will not change the minds of the band's critics, "even doubtful newcomers will struggle not to be swept along." ==Track listing==

Lovebites • Haruna – drums • Miho – bass guitar • Midori – guitars • Miyako – guitars and keyboards • Asami – vocals Other • Mao – keyboards and programming • Steve Jacobs – production • Mikko Karmila – mixing • Mika Jussila – mastering ==Charts==