D'Erlanger tourfinal at Nakano Sun Plaza Hall
D'Erlanger have been one of the bands that brought this intriguing type of rock music on its way which today makes a splash as visual kei not only in Japan but all over the world. Although one can not deny their importance in the history of Japanese rock music, it does not do them justice to describe them just as legends.
The time D'Erlanger has been disbanded exceeds their active years in the music industry. Seeing Kyo, Cipher, Seela and Tetsu performing live at their a Fabulous Thing in Rose tourfinal in Sun Plaza Hall Nakano in Tokyo gives a hint that the 17 years of being disbanded may have been important for them in a way. On the one handside it can be only described as a phenomenon that their fans have not forgotten about them and have come in masses for their reunion gig in 2007.
But comparing their music of the 90ies live as well as recorded with their recent live appearances and CDs will blow the listener away: Their music as well as singer Kyo's voice have gained so much depth that it was only consequent that their current album a Fabulous Thing in Rose contains several self-cover versions of their first studio albums along with new material.
At the final stage of the tour which promoted this album at Nakano Sun Plaza Hall their passion about their music and performing becomes evident. Every member of the band has worked on other projects during the 17 years of being disbanded and it seems that no one of them could exist without music. Their joy of playing together as D'Erlanger is present in every note. In other words: This is not a legendary rock band taking their instruments again to play songs for the fans, it seems like their passion forces them. Their sound is so fresh and full of energy like they were a teenage band just being discovered by a label in a shabby rehearsal room. Although their tight playing proves that this must be wrong.
Singer Kyo seems to burst of energy when they finally take the stage at Nakano Sun Plaza Hall and start with the new song Adameve which has kind of an industrial feeling at the beginning. Soon the vocalist starts flirting with the audience during SADISTIC EMOTION looking at them in his very own way catching their eyes. His grace oscillates between the one of an experienced seducer and the one of a naughty little boy – considering the screams of the ladies this is obviously an irresistible mixture and the second song's title surely has its very own meaning to many of them - INCARNATION OF EROTICISM.
But between the songs it's obvious that the blonde singer is not the only member with lots of fans: There are many screams for Cipher as well as for Seela and Tetsu. The guitarist who has been idol for many younger J-Rockers like Dir en grey's Daisuke starts showing up a lot more on the front of the stage during LAZY SLEAZY and DEAR SECRET LOVER. Later during the concert he will delight the fans by doing a little dance with Kyo which ends in a small kiss.
SAD SONG gives the audience a little bit of rest with its slow ballad-y mood. But right after the slow piece D'Erlanger wake everybody up with the cracking rock song Masquerade. Seela works his bass like there is no tomorrow, Cipher does the backing vocals passionately, Tetsu is like in the whole set the personified enthusiasm and Kyo is running and flirting onstage as his life would depend on it.
Only the last piece of their set, the infamous LA VIE EN ROSE which appeared on the current album with English lyrics can top Masquerade in terms of energy and enthusiasm although it seems hard to believe. This seems to be the favorite song of the audience and when the members left the stage they can be sure that this is not the end of work now.
So, soon after, they return with a new outfit: Seela changed his white shirt to a black one as well as Cipher has which gives them a mysterious look. Kyo is wearing a bright red shirt which could not be worn by everybody but he definitely rocks that color and he rocks the audience with Angelic Poetry from their 2009 album D'erlanger .
The second encore brings the band yet in another outfit, Tetsu is wearing a bright orange shirt while Kyo and Cipher have returned to white. MOON AND THE MEMORIES is a very long varied masterpiece which sums up the whole concert. There are faster parts as well as slower, more moody parts. During one of these, Kyo sits on the edge of the stage after having gotten in touch with the fans in the first rows under the strict views of the security. Later he and Cipher engage in a kiss which brings the mood to a boil and makes the ladies scream. The emotions reach their climax when Kyo and the audience sing along – not only the fans seem to shiver in this moment.
When the song is over, Seela and Cipher throw their plecs and Tetsu throws nearly a whole drumset for the fans to catch. Everybody wishes to catch one of his signed drumheads and he has obviously fun by making gifts for the fans.
setlist
(SE) Adameve
01. SADISTIC EMOTION
02. INCARNATION OF EROTICISM
03. JyuusandanmennoTousui
04. LAZY SLEAZY
05. DEAR SECRET LOVER
06. EVERYTHING IS NOTHING
07. AFTER IMAGE
08. SAD SONG
09. Masquerade
10. dummy blue
11. an ahrodisiac
12. LA VIE EN ROSE
encore 1
Angelic Poetry
encore 2
MOON AND THE MEMORIES
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