ROKKYUU Magazine

The latest in visual music, life, and fashion.

[rokkyuumagazine]

Chanty 1st Anniversary Oneman, Chanty no Sekai

To begin the encore, the members took turns at brief emcees, starting with drummer Naruto. “Thank you for coming today. This scenery is more than I could have imagined and I am just out of words. Thank you very much.” The other members spoke similar words until Akuta took the honors to introduce the songs to be played in the encore. “We have no songs of our own left so we are going to do a song about love and courage and a song of happy thoughts, instead. Last ‘Anpanman Taisou!’” The venue lit up once again with “Anpanman Taisou” (an anime theme song) as the stage and floor went crazy with heavy moshing towards the front while pillows flew everywhere. Everyone moved freely to the final number, “Neko no Kyoku” which was cutely outfitted with a chorus of cats meowing—courtesy of the other members while Akuta sang. The whole crowd enjoyed the show to their fullest, the night ending with satisfied smiles on the members’ faces in response to the crowd’s endless cheers.

Check out the full live report and photos at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

Moran’s Chaotic Movement

Wearing their tour t-shirts, the band reappeared after a longer interval for one last encore. “We don’t wear t-shirts usually because the image of our costumes will be destroyed—but we are wearing them now, and you know the meaning of that, right? Are you ready? Let’s open the doors to chaos!” Hitomi shouted. He left the mic to Sizna who screeched out in introduction of “Maybe Lucy in the Sky.” The headbanging and moshing intensified as chaos reigned divine. Soan beat his drums, smiling despite the heavy pounding of “Esther.” The melody in the chorus was drawn out, making the best use of Hitomi’s vocals. A hose on the stage began to spew out smoke and, starting with the vocalist, the members swung about this in turn throughout the bridge. The one who controlled it, controlled the movement of the fans.

Check out the full live report and photos at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

BORN and Lycaon RAMPAGE in Paris

BORN Now in their 6th year, BORN have finally had the chance to expand their BLACK DEAD MUSIC universe to the world. Only a few weeks after THE STALIN’s release, they gave an authoritative performance in continuation of the hot atmosphere Lycaon had instigated. The set began with the mysterious “Extremely waltz.” The crowd clapped along, moving with the music  which began calmly and then rose gradually in intensity. Ryoga broke the calm with, “Are you ready?” to launch “THE STALIN.” The sounds became heavier and, without warning, Ryoga threw himself into the crowd to be carried about by the fans. TOMO’s beats grew faster in “Devilish of the PUNK” while fans jumped and danced around. “SATISFACTION” then created an amazing atmosphere of madness with its crazy and rapid rhythm and, having as much fun as the fans, Ryoga shouted, “Come on, everybody!” This was followed by a strong yell of, ”Oh yeah! We are BORN!” which induced an escalation in the fans’ reactions as they screamed “BORN!” over and over again.

Check out the full live report and photos at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

Elite Survey Troops Take Osaka by Storm

With frontman Nimo (ex-ACE) affectionately known as a god of rain, it seemed predictable that the day of Dai 104-ki Kunren Heidan’s first one-man live Get over the wall would bring wet weather. Hopefully, the typhoon magnitude was unintentional but, nonetheless, many gathered at Osaka JACK LION on October 5 for a promising cover live from the band that included guitarist Toki of BLACK GENE FOR THE NEXT SCENE, guitarist TOMO (formerly of FEST VAINQUEUR), bassist Kenta, and NINJAMAN JAPAN’s Dewey on drums. Local Kansai visual kei band DixdriveR played as the opening act to ramp up the energy with a short set before the mock soldiers took the stage.

Check out the photo report at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

Kouki’s Solo Tour Final in Kobe

The unique performance ended with a favorite in “Hana Saka Beauty.” Insisting that all attendees’ voices be heard had everyone singing along heartily. Kouki turned the extra microphone to the audience as he sang to further their involvement. The guitar was brought out for the last verse, rounding out the night with rounds of energetic strums and claps before the vocalist expressed his heartfelt gratitude once more, departing the stage with a grin after commemorative group photos were taken.

As an additional show of thanks, members of the fan club were invited to stay for a special live section during which they were able to record audio using their phones to take away as additional memorabilia. In the more casual and intimate setting, Kouki performed two specially written songs accompanied only by his acoustic guitar, sharing a few stories in between for good measure. As the session finished, the crowd gave a wholehearted round of applause before filing out with excited grins in anticipation for whatever else Kouki and the rest of D=OUT might have in store for them in the coming months.

Check out the live report and photos at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

MUCC: SIX NINE WARS, THE END

The songs that were included in the final encore were well chosen and staples of MUCC’s live repertoire. The standing section came alive with circle pits for “MAD YACK” and the entire arena sat down on cue for “Ranchuu” before jumping to their feet in unison. The final song, MUCC’s latest release “Yue ni Matenrou,” was a fitting end and saw the National Gymnasium transformed into a snow globe full of confetti so deep that at times it was impossible to see the stage. Hidden amongst the regular confetti were multi-colored butterflies and the staging of the song was meant to represent that after the end of the world, life would begin again.

Check out the full live report at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

Chanty 1st Anniversary Oneman, Chanty no Sekai

The lights dimmed and Chitose took the mic. “We are able to stand on this stage which has been our goal for this year thanks to all of you here today. Thank you,” he said. Applause arose as Akuta took the mic to say, “Thank you for coming today. We’ve been doing—not something that is different but—something that we think is good and I am happy to see that so many people have followed us all this way. It is more than we expected and I feel thankful. Looking back at our first year, we were able to experience many things. Though there is always an end to every band, until then, I hope we can continue to bring all of you to a better place… Last song! Are you ready?”

Check out the full live report and photos at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

Moran’s Chaotic Movement

“All of these things have deep meaning. They have weight that I cannot hold. What good is it if we cannot feel our own identities the while time we are on the stage? If we are about to lose ourselves and become lighter, we will get back the weight of our identities by taking an anchor. We will do so without exception, so it will be okay. Just believe us.” As Hitomi spoke of his feelings, “Fuyuubyou,” the last song of the main set, began. Countless stars were created by blue lights shining on a mirrorball. It had the effect of turning the dark hall into a planetarium. The crowd listened closely to the music that expressed both gentleness and heaviness; a show of all that is Moran. Soan’s drumming gradually increased in intensity, giving power to the song until the last cry from Hitomi in the outro; “I cannot accept that there is a thing as losing something, even if it is only one thing. This can’t happen. Of course, this means each of you, as well. It is here, but only here, that we can feel each other here. I can tell you through our music—and only that is our identity. We will be okay because there is wonderful music here! At this moment, I can think that I don’t want it to end, ever! Thank you very much!” It was with those words that the band departed.

Check out the full live report and photos at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

DaizyStripper’s TRAGUS TOUR final at Akasaka BLITZ

The well-known “decade” became the final song of the night and it made for a perfect ending. The crowd was once again dancing and holding hands as they moshed back and forth in the cutest manner. Yugiri was dancing again while both Nao and Rei went to the back to play with Kazami who sang along with the brightest smile on his face. The feeling of happiness that spilled from the stage and into the audience as the band finally collapsed in a heap of limbs on the floor stayed with everyone, even after the members all said their goodbyes and left the stage together.

Check out the full live report and photos at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

Elite Survey Troops Take Osaka by Storm

With frontman Nimo (ex-ACE) affectionately known as a god of rain, it seemed predictable that the day of Dai 104-ki Kunren Heidan’s first one-man live Get over the wall would bring wet weather. Hopefully, the typhoon magnitude was unintentional but, nonetheless, many gathered at Osaka JACK LION on October 5 for a promising cover live from the band that included guitarist Toki of BLACK GENE FOR THE NEXT SCENE, guitarist TOMO (formerly of FEST VAINQUEUR), bassist Kenta, and NINJAMAN JAPAN’s Dewey on drums. Local Kansai visual kei band DixdriveR played as the opening act to ramp up the energy with a short set before the mock soldiers took the stage.

Check out the photo report at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

BORN and Lycaon RAMPAGE in Paris

LYCAON

The live house was almost full and the atmosphere fizzed as Lycaon came on for a sizzling performance. Lycaon, in the old Greek mythology, is a god who was transformed into a fierce wolf due to bad behavior. In Paris, this Japanese band embodied the fierce spirit of the legend and devoured the whole audience with a passionate show in dedication to the Greek god Eros. They applied to the performance not only their talent and showmanship but also a few props from their last album Masochist Red Circus including a sofa to perch on.The room was plunged into darkness while fans screamed the band’s name. Yuuki (vo.) was the last one to enter the stage and no sooner had the first notes of “Red Masochist Circus” been played than the fans were jumping with their arms in the air. Yuuki did not wait one minute more to approach his fans and the energetic band seemed in good shape despite the hectic tour schedule. Check out the full live report and photos at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

Rayflower LIVE 2014 SUMMER

“This is the time to shout out your favorite member’s name!” suggested Tazawa with an ear-to-ear grin on his face. The audience gave all they had, shouting each member’s name as they were introduced one by one with some stories to give them character. The venue laughed their eyes out at the description of IKUO’s unique sneeze, reportedly witnessed by his fellow bandmates. Though no sneeze was heard that day, IKUO agreed to catch the sneeze on camera some time for their official YouTube channel. YUKI, meanwhile, had just returned to Japan from overseas and confessed having been mistaken for a cross dresser as he was choosing girls clothes as a gift for his niece. Next, the venue erupted into even greater peals of laughter in response to a surprise from drummer Sakura who took off his hat and wig to reveal his newly shaven head while lecturing about the game Yakyuken (strip rock-scissors-paper). Keyboardist and leader Miyako then talked about how he was always excited to rehearse with the members and expressed his gratitude toward the fans. With some announcements of new goods sold on the day, the attention was focused on vocalist Tazawa once again. Briefly introducing himself with a roar of applause from the audience, he said, “It has been approximately three and a half years since Rayflower became active but only recently have we become a live band doing tours and all. Okay, shall we go to the next song? From here begins the towel zone. The red zone. Give it all you’ve got! Here we go!” Check out the full live report at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

MUCC: SIX NINE WARS, THE END

A week before the concert, MUCC decided to add a second, smaller stage at the back of the arena seating and to add standing pits next to it. The fans in that area had been far from the action for most of the show but they made the most of having the band up close as this stage was put to good use for the first of the encores, MUCC tearing through a five song set list that had been suggested by the fans. The encore was closed by “Daikirai,” an eternal favorite of the fans—who became part of the show when the wristband lights came back into play. This time, the colors changed from red to blue in waves, starting from the stage and moving back through the crowd, row by row, until reaching the highest row of the stands.

Check out the full live report at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

Kouki’s Solo Tour Final in Kobe

Before introducing the next song, Kouki took the time to reassure fans that even though he had been on a solo tour, there were things that he still wished to do with D=OUT. Additionally, the other members had the determination to continue their activities and grow, so there need not be any worry for D=OUT. “There are some things only one person can do, as well as things that one cannot do by themselves. Please remember this.” A drummed backing introduced the yet-unreleased “Watashi no iru wa,” the melody and lyrics spinning a tale of a continuing journey signified by the lights becoming brighter as the song continued. At its conclusion, Kouki gave a whispered, “Thank you,” cueing a round of encouraging applause before he moved back to take up his acoustic guitar. Without the aid of a microphone, “Sei ni shigamitsuku” was especially moving as Kouki’s raw voice in combination with the acoustic guitar created a moving performance. Kouki even displayed his talent in a capella for a verse before polishing it off with an expressive guitar outro.

Check out the live report and photos at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

Chanty 1st Anniversary Oneman, Chanty no Sekai

Chanty held their 1st anniversary oneman at TSUTAYA O-WEST on September 16. The all-white costumes they had donned throughout their first year of activity were still fresh in the mind on that transformative day and what awaited the crowd was a night of fun and surprises; a glimpse of their 2nd year to come.

A white curtain hung in front of the stage and as the show started with “Kanadeiro,” the stage lights traced the silhouettes of the members upon it. Up above, the mirror ball rotated as the uplifting song gradually brought out a lively atmosphere, the fans waving their hands to the music. The curtain dropped to reveal the members in their vividly colorful new costumes during the melodious “flight,“ with vocalist Akuta warming up the audience and pumping his fist as fans followed suit. The band continued with heavy tunes, steaming up the house with an intro courtesy of Nonaka Taku’s hefty bass kicking off “ALIVE.” Calls of “Oui! Oui! Oui!” devoured the venue as fists shot up into the air. Red lights flashed alarmingly as “Kimi to Batsu” took over the venue with a heavy yet melancholy fusion, rattling with drummer Naruto’s pacey beats and guitarist Chitose’s intoxicating riffs. Vocalist Akuta’s dramatic staging was well presented in this song.

Check out the full live report and photos at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

DaizyStripper’s TRAGUS TOUR final at Akasaka BLITZ

Colorful lights spilled from the stage and into a sea of dancing hands during “Uso to kagerou,” when the crowd finally got a break from the intense headbanging and instead picked up on the characteristic choreography familiar to all live-attending visual kei fans. Rei set the mood with a jazzy bass line while Nao dropped to his knees to play from the floor, and Yugiri got to show off the range of his voice a bit more. For the next song, he picked up his own guitar and stayed only partially on vocals while Kazami sang parts of “Shooting Star.” Even so, Kazami’s amazing talent was only truly put on display during “MOONLIGHT of JAIL” where he proved that he is not only a very accomplished drummer but also a skilled pianist. The crowd got to watch in awed silence as he bent over the piano, completely lost in music as his fingers danced over the blank, polished keys, until Yugiri joined him for the piano accompaniment arrangement of the beautiful “SMILE WORLD” and they sang the song together. In the end, though, it was Yugiri’s sweet whispers and soulful cries to the heavens above that sent shivers down the spine.

Check out the full live report and photos at ROKKYUU Magazine!

[rokkyuumagazine]

Moran’s Chaotic Movement

The title of Moran’s show on September 21, 2014 was The Chaotic Movement; the band’s next challenge which had been announced at their first Akasaka BLITZ oneman back in January. Just as the title suggested, they created a chaotic show with the help of their Holics (Moran’s fans).

The moment the venue grew dark, colorful flashing rings shone from the fans’ hands as grand music began to play. Drummer Soan, bassist Ivy, and guitarists vivi and Sizna appeared onstage to a clamor of cheers. Always focused on inciting intrigue through their appearance, Moran are notorious for having new costumes at each big show and The Chatoic Movement was true to form. The band gave a graceful impression dressed all in white. Vocalist Hitomi was last onstage, holding a black umbrella which he opened slowly. The sound of water could be heard and the venue was lit in blue as “The Hermit” began. The high-pitched guitars contrasted with dark bass from Ivy as Hitomi sang gently and played hide and seek behind his umbrella.

Check out the full live report and photos at ROKKYUU Magazine!