Just over seven years ago, ‘The Lovebites EP’ was released. Despite the history that some of the band members had in a couple of underground bands that gigged fairly frequently – Destrose most notably – it was the first introduction for many people to the music of the band that in my opinion would eventually take over Galneryus’ baton as the best European-styled power metal band in Japan. Fast forward seven years and Lovebites has hit the L in their alphabetical-order release titles. A second ‘Lovebites EP’ was apparently the way to go, and it fortunately surpasses my expectations.

One reason why my enthusiasm for ‘Lovebites EP II’ was somewhat dimmed is because of its two singles. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the exuberant chorus of opening track ‘Unchained’, and ‘Soul Defender’ is a simple case of Lovebites doing what they’re known for really well, but ultimately, these two uptempo power metal tracks are fairly standard Lovebites fare. Where ‘Lovebites EP II’ truly shines is in the songs that weren’t released as singles. That is where the band truly gets to show that their strength is in the variation they can offer when they put their minds to it.

‘Where’s Identity’ is a ripping thrasher that may not quite reach the lofty heights of ‘Break the Wall’, which it appears to imitate, but it’s fast and intense all the way through. Not unlike ‘My Orion’ on the ‘Judgement Day‘ album, ‘The Bell in the Jail’ has to make me take back my opinion that producer and studio keyboardist Mao should not be allowed to write the music for Lovebites songs on his own. It’s a classy, semi-epic eighties-style hardrocker that allows singer Asami to shine through excellent vocal melodies. The latter can also be said for the Southern European-styled power metal-light of closing track ‘Someone’s Dream’.

Purely based on a killer-to-filler ratio, ‘Lovebites EP II’ is hands-down the best Lovebites release since 2018’s ‘Battle Against Damnation’ EP. That is ignoring the somewhat pointless re-recording of the original ‘The Lovebites EP’, since that doesn’t come with all editions. Here’s to hoping that the last three tracks on this EP don’t fall by the wayside quite as much as the non-title tracks of 2021’s ‘Glory, Glory to the World’ EP when it comes to Lovebites’ live sets, because like ‘No Time to Hesitate’ from that release, these songs are simply too good to be glossed over.

Recommended tracks: ‘The Bell in the Jail’, ‘Where’s Identity’, ‘Unchained’

Order ‘Lovebites EP II’ from nearly anywhere in the world at CD Japan below

Order the simultaneously released live 2-CD/Blu-ray/DVD ‘Memorial for the Warrior Souls’ online from nearly anywhere in the world at CD Japan below