I've been a casual fan of the GazettE since around 2005/2006, and while DIM exceeded my expectations for Ruki and the gang, I've always considered these guys a "middle-of-the-road" kind of band - not bad, but not particularly special. Admittedly, I was on a "DIM high" for a while and shunned nearly every subsequent release that didn't measure up to that album's caliber. With the quality of the band's material on a steep decline, it was safe to say that my hopes for them ever producing anything remotely DIM-like were shattered and then swept into a grave - never to be seen again.
While FADELESS is in no way a return to DIM's stature, I do feel like the band has managed to climb back from six feet under and at least plant their feet on solid ground again. The electro-infused "blah-core" that plagued their 2 previous releases has been replaced with more thoughtful songwriting and more attention to detail. Both Aoi and Uruha are actually playing separate guitar lines more often and mirroring each other less often. Guitar solos have returned - all of which work wonderfully with the pop/modern music song structure that the GazettE has been employing since ever. These songs are also much less reliant on digital wizardry and electronics, as the band's instrumentation is forced to take center stage. Ruki's vocal performance is free of any cringe-worthy moments - which I find to be a rare occurrence in VK.
Overall, I'm quite pleased with FADELESS! It neither treads any new ground for the GazettE nor the world of music in general, but it doesn't have to. The GazettE has returned to that "middle-of-the-road" band that I enjoyed hearing pop up on my playlist every now and then. For me, that's more than enough. There's a plethora of music being released in Japan alone - so I'm glad that the Gazette can once again safely fit back into my own little musical equilibrium - even if they're nowhere near the top of the musical food chain. ;3
It would seem that my opinion on this single falls somewhere within the minority, haha :')