I can't think of anyone whose voice would fit this style of music. I don't think "a good vocalist" would really work, so I just learned to accept this vocally challenged man baby.
Have said this from the beginning and although later DIMLIM is still all good in my opinion, still a much bigger fan of the Issei days. And not going to lie, if Issei was still "in charge" of DIMLIM, (which I'm aware there are/would be problems with, we're just assuming everything would be cool and Issei isn't a nobsack) they'd probably be thriving and kicking plenty of ass still. I mean look at NAZARE, seem very active, doing a lot of shows and putting out a good load of releases, some tracks which in my opinion would've worked pretty well as follow ups to the early DIMLIM stuff (look at Innocence for example) so it's a shame how things have worked out but I still 100% think Retsu needs to just leave DIMLIM alone for now and go back to music with DIMLIM or without DIMLIM when he has his shit together basically. This "second album" if it ever gets released is either going to make or break the band.
I know he's a dickhead, but he is legitimately a great musician and song-writer and as that was my favourite era of DIMLIM I consider that quite a big blow, I mean they have shown they can write good music without him, but they haven't really shown they can manage themselves since Issei left, and since NAZARE seem to be doing pretty well for themselves, so regardless of how much anyone likes/dislikes him, he puts in the work writing good music, gets shit done business wise and overall manages his band(s) much better. So ya know.....
New members confirmed:
vo.>.(??)くたくた(Kutakuta)(??) (蜘蛛ノ糸(Kumo no Ito) (vo.>.芥空朶雷磊))
dr.KARUTO (ex-SIVA-->haunted-->Valls-->MELISSA-->D'sko-->VaniKilL-->蜘蛛ノ糸(Kumo no Ito)(dr.志賀康之介))
Sugar and Mel wil continue as a duo band now, named "Pika" since their schedule is already planned until May next year. Both also hope to find new members before that time to continue with kirawaremono. Both are currently looking for a new bass, guitarist and drummer.
join conditions:
Any age
Gender unquestioned
Any educational background
Any nationality
Those who can respect each individuality
Those who can give priority to band (music desire over libido)
Welcome if you can compose and arrange
Those who can drive are welcome
__
haha finally a band who gives it as a join condition!
DISCLAIMER: I DID NOT TRANSLATE THIS, THIS IS NOT MINE.
Transliteration and translation by: Dem/SubThatSong
Check out more of their translations, here!: subthatsong.blogspot.com
*zecchō(akume) no yoru ni akuma ga odoru
*zecchō(akume) no yoru ni akuma ga warau
jūzaijin no machi ni kōsoku sareta tenshi ga
*kegareta (hi)ana o chijoku sarete
eikyū ni okasareru
****makai no rakuin o kizamiseigu no kōshinkyoku de
->*omocha no māchi de
gomanetsu na hangyakusha o
dantōdai ni sarashiageta
*uso(itsuwari) de yugamu koi no akumu(yume) de
kirei na omoide ga namida ni somaru
*uso(itsuwari) de yugamu koi no akumu(yume) de
*jigoku no teihen(soko) ni suterareru
*anata no ai(jō) ni shihai sarete
jigoku ni ochimasu
*zecchō(akume) no yoru ni tenshi ga odoru
*zecchō(akume) no yoru ni tenshi o korosu
jūzaijin no machi ni tōgoku sareta mōja ga
*tadareta (shi)niku o kui chigiri
tomo kū o kurikaesu
****makai no rakuin o kizamiseigu no kōshinkyoku de
->*omocha no māchi de
gomanetsu na hangyakusha o
dantōdai ni shibariageta
*danzai no honō ga kashitsu(ayamachi) o yakitsukushite
*funnyō(sukatoro) no ame ga shukufuku o tsugeta
*zaigō(tsumi) de yugamu koi no akumu(yume) de
buzama na yokubō ga namida ni somaru
*zaigō(tsumi) de yugamu koi no akumu(yume) de
*jigoku no teihen(soko) ni suterareru
*anata no ai(jō) ni shihai sarete
jigoku ni ochimasu
*anata no akumu(yume) ni shihai sarete
jigoku ni ochimasu
*zecchō(akume) no yoru ni akuma ga odoru
*zecchō(akume) no yoru ni akuma ga warau
*zecchō(akume) no yoru ni tenshi ga odoru
*zecchō(akume) no yoru ni tenshi o korosu
Kanji
*絶頂(アクメ)の夜に悪魔が踊る
*絶頂(アクメ)の夜に悪魔が嗤う
重罪人の街に拘束された天使が
*穢れた(秘)孔を恥辱されて
永久に犯される
****魔界の烙印を刻み性具の行進曲で
->*玩具のマーチで
御満悦な反逆者を
断頭台に晒し上げた
*嘘(偽)で歪む恋の悪夢(夢)で
綺麗な想出が涙に染まる
*嘘(偽)で歪む恋の悪夢(夢)で
*地獄の底辺(底)に捨てられる
*貴方の愛(情)に支配されて
地獄に堕ちます
*絶頂(アクメ)の夜に天使が踊る
*絶頂(アクメ)夜に天使を殺す
重罪人の街に投獄された亡者が
*爛れた(屍)肉を喰い千切り
共喰を繰り返す
****魔界の烙印を刻み性具の行進曲で
->玩具のマーチで
御満悦な反逆者を
断頭台に縛り上げた
*断罪の炎が過失(過ち)を焼き尽くして
*糞尿(スカトロ)の雨が祝福を告げた
*罪業(罪)で歪む恋の悪夢(夢)で
無様な欲望が涙に染まる
*罪業(罪)で歪む恋の悪夢(夢)で
*地獄の底辺(底)に捨てられる
*貴方の愛(情)に支配されて
地獄に堕ちます
*貴方の悪夢(夢)に支配されて
地獄に堕ちます
*絶頂(アクメ)の夜に悪魔が踊る
*絶頂(アクメ)の夜に悪魔が嗤う
*絶頂(アクメ)の夜に天使が踊る
*絶頂(アクメ)夜に天使を殺す
English translation
*the devil dances in the night of orgasms
*the devil sneers in the night of orgasms
the angel that was constrained in the city of felons
*had her filthy hole made into a disgrace,
violated for an eternity
*with a march of playthings
the ecstatic traitor
is publicly humiliated at the guillotine
*in a romantic dream that’s distorted by lies
the beautiful memories are stained with tears
*in a romantic dream that’s distorted by lies
*she’s cast aside at the bottom of hell
*being controlled by your love
she falls into hell
*the angel dances in the night of orgasms
*the angel is killed in the night of orgasms
the soul that was imprisoned in the city of felons
*took a bite of the sore flesh
as they devoured her together repeatedly
*with a march of playthings
the ecstatic traitor
was tied up at the guillotine
*the flames of condemnation are thoroughly burning through the mistakes
*as the rain of feces proclaimed a blessing
*in a romantic dream that’s distorted by sin
the ugly desires are tainted with tears
*in a romantic dream that’s distorted by sin
*she’s cast aside at the bottom of hell
*being controlled by your love
she falls into hell
*being controlled by your dream
she falls into hell
*the devil dances in the night of orgasms
*the devil sneers in the night of orgasms
*the angel dances in the night of orgasms
*the angel is killed in the night of orgasms
Afterthoughts:
Changes made á la typical Galloesque style based solely on my personal hearing:
•••
*絶頂/zecchō/peak/height, the peak of happiness, top of a mountain, reaching the climax of something changed out for アクメ/akume/orgasm
*秘孔/hi+ana (not a real combination)/secret+hole/opening/orifice/slit/cavity changed out to just 孔/ana, omitting 秘/hi
This entire part is messed up to hell, so let’s break it down:
****魔界の烙印を刻み性具の行進曲で/makai no rakuin o kizamiseigu no kōshinkyoku de
Which is about something like “carved with the brand of hell by the march of sex toys”
To begin with, 魔界/makai/world of spirits/hell changed out for 玩具/omocha/toy/plaything.
And *烙印を刻み性具の行進曲/rakuin o kizamiseigu no kōshinkyoku/carving the brand (of hell/changed to plaything)+march of sex toys has been changed out for マーチ/māchi/march
Thus, this line has become
*玩具のマーチで/omocha no māchi de/at the march of the playthings
Damn that’s a change. Big enough for me to put a * in the video
*嘘偽/usoitsuwari which is an emphasis in lying/a “big”/“great” falsehood has been changed out to just 嘘/uso omitting 偽/itsuwari (both stand for lying/falsehood)
*悪夢/akumu/nightmare changed out to just 夢/yume/dream
*底辺/teihen/bottom/basis/foundation, or lower part of society/bottom of a organization holding it up changed out for using only 底/soko/bottom/sole omitting 辺
Classic *愛情/aijō/love/affection changed out for 愛/ai/love
*屍肉/shiniku/dead flesh changed out to just 肉/niku/flesh
*過失/kashitsu/error/blunder/mistake/accident has been changed out for 過ち/ayamachi/mistake/error/fault
*糞尿/funnyō/feces&urine has been changed out for スカトロ/sukatoro/scatology. I’ll be using feces for the song for clarity.
*罪業/zaigō/sin/crime has been changed out for just 罪/tsumi as sin/crime/indiscretion also penalty/sentence/punishment/fault/responsibility (of something done)
Notable on hearing/unsure:
*at 1:00 (and the next time) I can’t make out what Jojo is singing, but the lyrics say 断頭台/dantōdai/guillotine so we’re going with that. It’s not what he’s singing however, that I’m completely sure of, unfortunately.
I was thinking it would be 木馬責め/mokubazeme (spanish wooden horse torture device) because that’s what the girl is seen sitting on in the video - also notable this was used during the Edo period to make Christians denounce their faith, which is even more God damn fitting… argh. Ah well. More info on the device here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wooden_horse_(device)
This device is in present day used for SM-play as a tool for sexually humiliating a person (according the Japanese wiki on the matter, not the English one tho). I’m extremely disappointed this wasn’t the word Jojo is singing.
You win this round, Jojo
*共喰/tomo kū/this combination isn’t real, but he’s put together together+eating, I can hear that Jojo clearly sings tomo but the k in kū seems to disappear which is a bit puzzling to me.
•••
*嗤う/warau
With this kanji, rather than 笑, this laughing becomes sneering/ridiculing laughing
*御満悦な反逆者/gomanetsu na hangyakusha
This is “the ecstatic traitor”, but I want to put a bit more note into this - I would initially go for “delighted traitor” but it doesn’t really convey it properly. 満悦/manetsu is like… great delight, but especially in this case it just doesn’t really “cut it” with delightful. So I chose to put it as ecstasy; the angel is fully enjoying the sinful pleasure of being rammed with the sex toys (naughty, Jojo).
The angel is a rebel/traitor, going against what’s supposed to be “good”, abandoning her pure faith, if you will, completely throwing herself into the pleasure while being violated.
*晒し上げた/sarashiageta
Sarashi, in this case, is as I assume the public humiliation (as performed as a punishment during the Edo period 1603-1868). This could otherwise be bleached, or in more common day language doxxing. The ageru in this case at the end stands that the action is completed, she’s successfully humiliated
*想出/omoide
This is 思い出/omoide/memories/recollections. However. This has an alternative form of 想い出 - also 思出. But not 想出. So, basically, weird. Not the first time Jojo has used this.
*恋/koi
Jojo uses this kanji for love, rather than ai. This love is generally a more romantic kind of love. Thus, I put this as a “romantic dream”
*支配されて/shihai sarete
I just want to point out this “controlled by your love”; it’s a pure domination of her emotions, she’s completely ruled/controlled by him influencing and determining her fate
*亡者/mōja
A dead person, a ghost, but rather than “ghost” I put this as soul. This does refer to a soul that wanders the earth without being able to move on (yet). This word can also be used to describe someone who’s obsessed with something, for example the most classic would be 金の亡者/kin no mōja, someone who’s money-hungry. I can see this as possibly meaning she’s lusting for the pleasure/lust, but since there’s no direct indication for it I’m going with a soul. I do have a strong feeling Jojo might mean she’s lusty for flesh, however. It’s definitely notable.
*爛れた/tadareta+共喰/tomo kū
This word, it’s generally to be sore/inflamed skin/bleary/festered - or to indulge in something. I feel it’s a double meaning here. She’s taking a bite of sore flesh; I’m thinking here they’ve had so much sex that they’re sore af. Bringing me to the next line, which has 共喰/tomo kū which I noted earlier; I’m interpreting this as them devouring her together over and over ( in a sexual manner, which brings in the soreness/too much sex again).
Let’s copy paste here again:
“*告げる/tsugeru
This is one of those words that always makes me stare at the wall, and wonder how to put it. This is to tell/inform/announce, indicate, signal, mark - I see this often used as tsugeru the end or the time. It’s hard to explain. It’s like something has been decided upon, and it’s conveyed, “I’ll tell you when it’s over” is one sentence this word would be used in. But when it’s not an indication for the future I find it hard to decide how to put it. This time we have “proclaimed a blessing”. This rain, supposedly, saying the flames of condemnation are a blessing.
It’s really another great song (and Jojo, as per usual, looks gorgeous). I really really do love Jojo’s complex lyrics, but damn does it take a lot of time. But it’s genuinely fun to figure out his stuff and to put together pieces with the changes and how the sentences change completely. I really dig his style, so much. And I love the references and clever choice of words.
Retsu is a great songwriter, but clearly a shitty businessman. I’m willing to bet that the band’s troubles rest squarely on him making poor decisions. Anyone that will bitch at fans on Instagram for finding alternate means of hearing music that was sold at one show in Japan – and NOWHERE ELSE – obviously doesn’t have their head on straight.
Also, for a band that records such densely layered music to continue on playing live without a second guitarist and bass player is asinine. Retsu is clearly in too deep, and Sho and Hiroshi are probably ready to GTFO. The live shows matter; that’s what brings people in. Record sales don’t mean shit anymore, so even if DIMLIM manages to squeak out a new album, it won’t matter if they promote it with pathetic live performances.
I wonder if Retsu is the type that doesn’t want any outsiders handling the music, and he just wants to do it all himself to keep his integrity or whatever. If that’s the case he needs to get over himself and find some management.
the other guys probably saw this coming and that’s why they bounced.
Wow - it's been a long time since this happened, but I remembered mentioning I'd write up a report and life has finally slowed down enough for me to try and do just that!
This was a show I felt really lucky to be able to attend while I was there - it was the night before I was scheduled to leave Tokyo and had multiple acts I had hoped to see while I was in Japan. I'll get right to it (though this might be a bit "stream of consciousness" so bear with my antics and anecdotes)
On this afternoon my wife and I were wandering Ikebukuro before we were going to go to 高田馬場AREA for this live. She doesn't have much interest in VK and we were nearing the end of our trip, so she planned on watching a band or two and heading back to our accommodations in Shinjuku.
When we arrived, she saw the line (on an incline going down a hill) and basically said "yeah, no" so I took her back to the train station (where there was a ginormous R指定 banner hanging over the staircase) while we had time to spare. Funnily enough, I went to the restroom before returning to the venue and in that time she realized she left our wifi box in my bag, so she walked back to the venue to track me down. Somehow everyone was already inside and she assumed I had gone in, too -- but I also had her ticket (I wasn't thinking much this day...)
She then attempted to track down "blonde gaijin" in broken Japanese with the gentleman running the door who reluctantly (yet surprisingly???) let her run into the live hall and find me. At this point I am walking back to the venue and see her on the sidewalk. I am very confused so she explains the whole silly scenario and basically says "fuck it, I'm here, buy me a drink and I'll hang out for a little."
As we enter and declare our "favorites" to the doorman (DIMLIM and gulu gulu) we enter and hear music playing while we buy beers. I see video on the screen but I am a newbie and thought it was a recording. Turns out the opening band (billed as Aster) was actually finishing their set already. (the listed showtime hadn't even hit yet - I thought we were early, but oh well!)
We wandered into the live hall to see them play about half a song before stepping off stage. There were still quite a few people watching them, though, especially for an early opener I had never heard of (and can't find any info on???) I discussed this with someone before going to the live and speculated this might actually be the band GLEN, who was set to release a maxi-single called "Aster" later that month and after hearing GLEN/seeing their visuals, I am now convinced this was in fact the case. They sounded very similar from what I experienced and the visuals strike me as the same or similar to the look in their video. Anyway...
After curtains closed and reopened, we were greeted by some fairly heavy visuals -- a vocalist wearing a cloak covered in creepy white masks and a guitarist with the classic medical eye-patch. From what I knew, this appeared to be MonstlloW; I had watched a few of their videos to prepare myself as I wasn't too familiar. I was immediately taken by how...cool they looked. Very heavy visuals, just really professional from visuals to sound. Their instrumentals were extremely tight and the audience was really engaged, headbanging and dancing and shimmying from one side of the room to the other (probably my favorite thing to experience at a VK live in terms of audience interaction as I had never seen anything like it before.) I'll admit that I didn't find the videos I had watched to be too memorable so I wasn't sure what to expect, but they definitely won me over by the end. Definitely the kind of band that is worth seeing live to really appreciate. (My wife was quite taken with them, commenting on how strong the singer's vocals were and how impressed she was by their overall performance. She has some familiarity with VK from DIR EN GREY and my general interest, but she seemed much more drawn in than I anticipated.)
They played a total of 5 songs and handed out setlist cards from their merch table after they finished.
Monstllow setlist
1. 嘘泣キ少女
2. KERBEROS
3. ビッグマウス・マーチ
4. WE ARE LIAR
5. 劇薬U.S.O
After this we grabbed a few more drinks and took a seat while we waited for the next act. We were very close to the back, right in front of MonstlloW and DIMLIM's merch tables. I was surprised to see that MonslloW's guitarist and bassist had actually come out and were hanging out behind their merch table. They appeared...very tall? Probably a combination of costume, hair, and the fact that they were on a platform above us, but it felt a bit imposing! (Haha.) After their merch sales concluded for the moment, I took a second to inventory enough of my Japanese language knowledge to basically say "I really like your band" and they seemed amused and appreciative. They handed us the setlist cards and actually hung around back there for the majority of the night. (I don't know why this shook me so much, I guess VK has been at such a distance my entire life that I never really expected them to be so casually...there??)
The curtains opened again revealed the next band -- another four person act, guitarist in a white dress (iirc) and bassist with a long, spotted fur coat. It was their vocalist that clued me into who they were, though -- very slim, shirtless under an open jacket, strutting directly to the center of the stage. This was definitely Hueye. (Upon seeing them, my wife immediately exclaimed "oh, they're girls!!" I had to apologetically advise otherwise...) At this point, I had no real familiarity with their songs other than "優しく殺して," as I really hadn't listened to anything else at that point (and I don't think they had much else to listen to?) Nonetheless, I was very impressed once again. The first thing I noticed was their vocalist's harsh vocals compared to what I had heard on recordings -- they seemed much, much stronger live. Like, noticeably so, even to someone who had only heard one song. As their set continued on, I noticed exactly how proficient their guitarist was, too. I mean really, he can shred. My wife was laughing at the fact that my jaw kept dropping just watching his fingers, but she agreed with me either way. Again, I only really realized "優しく殺して," and I believe they closed with that track, but after going back and listening to more of their releases I'm pretty confident they played the other tracks from that single alongside a few others. Not sure what their other songs were, but I think they also played five like MonstlloW. (My wife commented she didn't like them as much as MonstlloW, but partially because she "had to keep looking at that man's body the whole time." 🤣)
At this point, we once again grabbed some more beers and she asked me about the other bands that were playing (since she told the doorman she supported a particular one and realized she had no clue who they were). I explained that DIMLIM was my favorite, gulu gulu was a new band with familiar members. I wasn't sure the order of the performances at this time, but I was cut off at that point as the curtains opened again.
As the electronics of "GROTESQUE" began twinkling, I stood to immediate attention and noticed the crowd filing in very quickly. I excitedly stated that this was DIMLIM and as the band appeared, I took note of their visuals compared to their most recent photos at the time. Sho was not in his "clown" look from "離人" and instead was wearing something much more similar to the suited look from their more current appearance, glasses on his face in a look that reminded me very much of DIR EN GREY's Kyo circa "ain't afraid to die." Retsu wore face makeup similar to that of the photos, but rather than the pleather bodysuit he was wearing a very long trenchcoat. Taishi and Hiroshi appeared to match their photoshoot looks, while Ryuya wore the same outfit but with his hair tied up in a messy bun. Halfway through the first song, my wife turns to me and just says "ok, yeah, these guys are fucking good."
One of the most immediate things I noticed about DIMLIM in this setting compared to the other bands that had played, is that their performance felt quite a bit...rawer than what we had seen so far. From someone who grew up going to punk/metal shows in the states in a scene that heavily frowned upon any type of backing tracks or sounds outside of "just the instruments in front of you," one of the things I found immediately standout was how many bands used obvious backtracks to fill in their sound at this live. It doesn't bother me, I can see the purpose and the value in it as it does add a certain "fullness" to these bands' sounds, but it definitely stood out. This is not to say that DIMLIM did not also use these things, as their sound does incorporate a number of electronics and multiple tracks, but I will say that it felt much less prevalent during their set.
They continued straight out of "GROTESQUE" into "Malformation," which is probably my favorite song on CHEDOARA, so I was very happy. Every member seemed confident and "dialed in," but it was very difficult to divert my attention from Sho. (My wife made a comment about Sho, stating "I believe this blonde boy was on the train with us???" - I didn't notice, but I suppose it's possible? Haha.) His vocals were rougher than they sound on recording, but not in a way that felt bad or like he was incapable, just much more emotive. He stood on a riser for the majority of the set and really gave it his all from beginning to end. I know many have stated that he inhales his screams, which is troubling from a health perspective, but I really feel like he was exhaling a lot of them during their set as some stood out as very loud and impassioned.
If I had one criticism, it would be that Ryuya's guitar felt too quiet for most of their set (something I had also noticed in live videos?) and I think they would have sounded even better if he was a bit louder, but they still played a very strong set. I did notice that the room was quite full for them in comparison to the previous bands, with a noteworthy number of males in the audience specifically for them and girls literally throwing themselves over the barriers while headbanging. (Another thing that I had never seen before -- they were straight up pulling all the way back and like...launching their bodies. That's dedication and western audiences could learn a thing or two!!)
Their set was intense and entrancing and everything I could have wanted -- I feel really lucky to have seen them with their full lineup, though I wish their set was longer! It felt shorter than MonstlloW and Hueye, though maybe because there was no MC, just song after song with no interruption.
DIMLIM setlist (to the best of my memory)
1. GROTESQUE
2. Malformation
3. ...物狂ひ...なりて
4. vanitas
5. 「人」と「形」 (it was this or D.Hymnus, but I believe it was this if I recall correctly)
At this point, we're technically four bands in (and coincidentally four drinks in, so we continued that trend -- the drinks were really light!!) I kind of tried to explain who the remaining bands were, but GRIMOIRE started shortly after DIMLIM was done so I stood back up to watch them.
I like GRIMOIRE a fair bit and have listened to most of their releases. I think their heavy songs are really well composed with cool guitar work and I was excited to see them for this reason. Oddly enough, they emerged with a very toned down visual look -- essentially a suit look for most of the members. RyNK wasn't even wearing his signature blindfold which I was kind of shocked by. The audience seemed to have quite a few very dedicated fans at the front, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit worn out at this point after DIMLIM's set, which was a very different atmosphere. GRIMOIRE played a fun set that had a few of their "heavy bangers" with mostly lighter songs. That was a bit disappointing to me, but I still found them enjoyable overall, just a bit low energy compared to the other acts that evening. Unfortunately I don't remember their setlist!
Things are starting to get blurry to me at this point, but I'm pretty sure MAMIRETA played next. I had told my wife that they were a pretty wild band and that she might like them (though in truth, I was kinda surprised she stuck around this long! She seemed to be pretty into every band that played save for GRIMOIRE who she didn't really watch.) I planned to buy some DIMLIM merch, but then realized I was almost out of cash after drinks so...I just bought more drinks instead.
I will cut straight to the point before getting into detail, but MAMIRETA is hands down one of the best live bands I have ever seen. They tripled the energy of the previous acts (somehow) and played one of the most fun sets I've ever seen. I've argued this point a few times, but I really don't think MAMIRETA would be out of place in a western hardcore festival (except for the whole makeup thing, lol) Their music reminds me a lot of some of the nu-metal tinged western hardcore that has been a thing these past few years (Vein, Knocked Loose, etc.)
Their look was pretty "low-visual" or "boy mode" as my wife started calling it through the evening. Just hoodies, jeans, and big hair. (basically the same as they wore in their "もしもし" PV)
I have heard some less than savory things about Batsu, their vocalist, but all of that aside I'd be glad to call him one of the best frontmen I've seen perform. An absolutely unstoppable force of pure energy from the first notes played -- he stole the show and just went absolutely hog-wild the entire time. By the end he was breakdancing, jumping out into the crowd and running around, then he borrowed someone's purse and hairbow and pranced across the stage before their set ended. (Which looking back may have been part of the reason people have issue with him -- the audience member seemed fine with it, but I could see that going less than okay in other scenarios...)
I've listened to a fair bit of their music, but don't really know their song titles other than "お邪魔します." This song was a ton of fun live, the entire crowd chanting the "お邪魔します" line on command. I started raising my beer for this point in the song and Batsu immediately singled my out and pointed, yelling "hey!!" I'd be lying if it didn't make me feel a bit special...(but I am a fairly tall blonde dude, so I maybe stood out a bit...)
My wife and I were both very taken with their performance and if we were to go back to Japan I'm confident we'd go out of our way to catch them again. I really can't speak highly enough of their live show!!
Before the next band we tried to scope out the merch booths a bit in between bathroom breaks (and more drinks...?) I noticed that DIMLIM's merch attendant was already packing up their goods while all of the other bands were out with their items at this point. (Guitarist and bassist of MonstlloW were still behind their booth, pretty much all of Hueye were behind their booth or watching the other bands near the back exit, and MAMIRETA's guitarist was back there now, too.)
As the curtains opened, the audience was greeted by a giant "ぐるぐる" banner and the members of gulu gulu entered the stage to great fanfare from a packed crowd (maybe the biggest crowd of the night?) Their opening SE came to a close as Ai entered the stage and they blasted into "変なメリーゴーランド," which I immediately recognized from the PV teaser they had launched a few days prior. They wore their exact outfits that had been used to promote the single up to this point and this was one of their first shows as gulu gulu (they were actually billed as 烏名 鳴と不愉快な仲間達 only to be updated a few weeks prior coinciding with their announcement to begin activities as gulu gulu).
They were also extremely high energy, with Ai slinging around a megaphone and shoving the entire microphone in his mouth. Lanju swayed his hair back and forth and drew a lot of my attention as my most immediate favorite from their lineup. ("This bassist fuckin' slaps," according to my wife and I absolutely agree.) Their set felt very much like a "headlining" set in every sense of the word -- whether that was intentional or not (and I don't really think it was). They felt very professional, but still fun and goofy. The audience for them was probably the most intense of the evening -- they all seemed really devoted and it was clear they had been waiting for them most of the night. They followed Ai's commands religiously.
Musically I was glad to hear just how heavy they were, as this was the first time I had heard anything other than the sample of "変なメリーゴーランド." Their overall guitar/bass tone was really thick and despite the "fun" nature of their set, they still had a dark atmosphere that made them really stand out. They played "嗅覚障害" fourth for maybe...twice as long as the actual song? They held out a number of the sections, particularly the "la la la la la" parts what felt like an extra long time, Ai prancing back and forth on the stage as the band played the bouncy riff on repeat.
Overall, their set cemented them as "the band to watch" and it's clear that they've maintained that reputation for very good reason. Of all the bands I saw this night (and in VK right now as a whole) they are probably the band I'm most interested in watching grow.
After their set they were giving out "red paper" (which I believe later turned out to be a link to their first PV) to those who followed them on Twitter, but my wifi box was dead and I didn't even realize what was happening until it was too late. They posted the setlist that evening and now I recognize all of the songs except for the second, which I believe is still unreleased?
The last band on for the evening was The Guzmania. I'll admit that I was pretty exhausted at this point and had pretty much no vested interest in them (plus my dead wifi box was beginning to make me a bit nervous so I started to shuffle around the venue to see if I couldn't find an outlet to charge it for a few minutes...). My wife was pretty insistent on staying, to my surprise, and said she'd feel bad leaving these "nice boys who were trying hard" to play to such a small crowd. I agreed and we watched the rest of their set from the side of the hall. They had very few fans in the audience so it did make me feel a bit bad, but they are a very new band (I believe had just played their first live a few weeks prior). Their sound wasn't terribly memorable in my opinion, kind of jumped back and forth from pop-rock tunes to a few slightly heavier numbers. Their bassist did almost all of the MC and the rest of the band felt a bit shy. They took a bit of a long MC pause after two or three songs and almost made it seem like they were done for the night before they played three or four more, which surprised me as it made their set pretty long in comparison to some of the other bands. (Or maybe it just felt that way because it was the end of a long live?)
After this we hit the road, hailed a cab back to Shinjuku to save some energy, ate some late night KFC, and passed out for the evening.
Sorry for the super long post!! Like I said, it was kind of stream of consciousness and probably included a bunch of unnecessary details, but it was fun to "relive" the event in my head. I'm hoping I can swing more than two lives next time I make my way to Japan!
Regardless - the guy is huge for Japanese standards. I don't think this fact influenced the band well considering that many fans choose a band for the looks.
So for sure visual kei is not for him. The industry is not gonna change over one snowflake.
As for the bullying part and such video even existing - well, the president of Bloom (the blond guy in the video) is a legendary kusoman who was supposedly involved in many shady things. What else could be expected from him?
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