Château de cartes (House of Cards), Emmanuel Sougez, 1928
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Love Begins
PUT YOUR BEARD IN MY MOUTH
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Château de cartes (House of Cards), Emmanuel Sougez, 1928
"Were you too kind to me, I wonder?"
A beautiful intro from Dir En Grey's "Cage." đľđš
Haiiro No Ginka FanartÂ
Kyo (Dir En Grey)
The GazettE symbolism analysis - part 3 - black, red and 13 stairs
DAWN lyrics translation:
I sing, digging up [memories of] my past Iâd loved so completely From within the depths of the void Time stood still while the distorted dark clouds swirled all around I was bound up in innumerable shackles And I want to lose myself in the reality reflected in the chaos around me Iâve already had a lethal dose of misfortune The ruined gallows towers above me Overcast sky, Counting song, the sound of approaching footsteps Wild party with emotions running high A merry-go-round of deepest red unfurled That day was the beginning of it all 13 stairs foretell the metamorphosis
Moving past my momentary confusion, these roiling emotions rise up Hung up high on that 13th stair The beautiful answer redefined becomes the new dogma I was bound up in innumerable shackles And I want to lose myself in the reality reflected in the chaos around me Iâve already had a lethal dose of misfortune The ruined gallows towers above me Overcast sky, Counting song, the sound of approaching footsteps Wild party with emotions running high A merry-go-round of deepest red unfurled Accompanied by the end of  peace I lay my hands on the blackened altar Wild party with emotions running high A merry-go-round of deepest red unfurled That day was the beginning of it all 13 stairs foretell the metamorphosis An evil spell my life
So I was watching DOGMA preview vid and DAWN featured the Scarlet woman from the 13th anniversary teaser. That's why I got interested in the lyrics. The one frame where she is going up the stairs is the most significant and sums up the whole song. (The text is the song lyrics but translated with google lens).
Now this is 13 STAIRS[-]1 performed in Venomous Cell finale (2012). It left a massive impression on me because Ruki used this 7 pointed star (Star of Babalon) background. I couldn't figure out the exact connection from her to the song at the time, but I see it now. 13 stairs have been his symbol for the whole thing all along. Also from Venomous Cell:
The hexagram has been a recurring symbol throughout DOGMA and the Mother of God statue is very reminiscent of the NINTH cover, except NINTH cover is red + green specifically. Scarlet red is the colour of Babalon (I talked more about it in the 1st part of the analysis) and emerald green is associated with Daleth and Venusian sephirah Netzach.
The Reita pick saying CATALYST is very interesting. A catalyst is something that initiates or accelerates an (al)chemical reaction or transformation. His is the only 1 in full NINTH colors. Uruha with white/red, Aoi with black/green - the yin yang guitars + goddess colors.
Seeing these picks made me think the 3 songs composed by Uruha (99.999, The Mortal, Babylon's Taboo) are the 3 Red goddess songs. (Fun fact: I was googling Netzach for the preceding paragraph and came across this sentence "The sephirah of Netzach stands firm forever and never regrets. Netzach is not a mortal who fears death and would feel regret in the face of death" and I was like... That's.. a song title.. The song meaning seems to be about the Red goddess slipping away especially if you look at how it was performed in NINTH final)
(the hand is so reminiscent of Babylon's taboo, except then she actually goes into the heart)
DAWN - 20th anniversary:
Babylon's taboo - 20th anniversary:
13STAIRS[-]1 - Mass Final:
NOX - Mass Final:
Ninth Odd Smell - Mass Final:
NINTH ODD SMELL lyrics translation:
Firstăădisorderăăis an ignorant blade Heresy raising its middle finger in rebellion Reverberation running rampant heading towards the ninth stair of desire Second   ănilă    the future that tore through the darkness Nameless lights The grim precursor soon becomes Stacked up, wriggling Rubbish Draped in crimson despair crawling from the murky depths A tower of fear and doubt looks down upon the world Poison gripping your voice as the days jumble around you Your heart painfully being sliced to shreds Exhilarating in the feeling of destruction Filled with strange distortions You fight your way to the 13th stair So embrace the black black black darkness [Die] We fucking never die This soul can never die We fucking never die Canât never die
The beginning of NINTH ODD SMELL is referencing all the previous albums. And the overall meaning of the song sums up the message of all their music.
This is from Stacked Rubbish finale [RCE] 2008:
The Scorpio which they used as a backdrop is a symbol of death and transformation, in astrology it rules the 8th house. 8 was on the cover of that DVD. Ruki doing the Jesus Christ pose has been a constant for years, and that crucified Jesus was shown on the screen for a really long time.
But let's go back to MASS:
These 2 pages from MASS limited edition are quoting NOX. NOX lyrics translation: Sorrowful enough to kill The unquenchable flame burns up Thoughts that cannot be put into words Hold you the answer A color that cannot be yielded Spit out your choking heartbeat Peel off your bloodshot eyeballs I will not hesitate anymore
And these pages have all the members on the red page while their shadows are on the black one. Except for Aoi, the Yin guitar, but his red page is Red circling back to Black. So from black to red and back to black again. Unlike everyone else's who's just simply black to red. And the lyrics book has the negative image of the cover art. They did a similar thing with Dogmatic final poster being white and then the DVD booklet having the negative version of that.
This is the Yin triangle from To Dazzling Darkness live:
When I 1st saw that Yin triangle I knew that they know the Goddess like I know her. That's what made me start looking deeply at what else they are doing with symbolism.
To Dazzling Darkness lyrics translation:
The colors bleed from the landscape You hope youâll wake from this dream The light Vanishes completely before your eyes Letâs have these hearts Now join together as one
The Sacred Heart represents the long-suffering love and compassion of the heart of Christ towards humanity. (This symbol comes from mystics and not the bible)
13th anniversary poster vs MASS final. Both at Nippon Budokan:
Part 1 of the analysis Part 2
MASS limited edition book + all songs lyrics translations
ROLLIN'
Crumbling with the setting sun To the drowned palm of my hand Anywhere I go, anywhere I turn I'm falling into the darkness With the fear of regurgitating Writhing in my head Screaming until I rot away The now in which I struggle An endless future, into the darkness I'm writhing as I fall Even if the answer is going to fade away Please don't change Even as our love moves
Crumbling with the setting sun To the drowned palm of my hand Falling falling endlessly Deep down into that darkness A petition that a voice threw up Go forward with a cluster of ringing sounds Frenzy approaching, the hour draws near The now in which I struggle An endless future, into the darkness Struggling to cross over Even if the answer means nothing Please don't change Even as our love moves I'm writhing as I fall Even if the answer is going to fade away Please don't change Even through the snarling A petition that a voice threw up Go forward with a cluster of ringing sounds Frenzy approaching, reunion is here.
...
NOX
Chased by silence The drowning answers are always beautiful What is left behind Lamenting over the all too familiar demons I spit up the choking beat in my throat And open my bloodshot eyes wide I won't hesitate anymore, I'll wrench them open Swaying, swaying The answer is flowering Words that can't be shaken right now Let me beautifully drag out an answer The smirk of greed, warped by insatiability Is always shattered somewhere. And those left behind Lamenting over the all too familiar demons And brooding Right now, moving towards a changing light
I spit up the choking beat in my throat And open my bloodshot eyes wide I won't hesitate anymore, I'll wrench them open Swaying, swaying The answer is flowering Words that can't be shaken right now Let me beautifully drag out an answer Now is the time to turn it into conviction The target is impossible to miss, take all of this! Devour everything until sorrow is eliminated. The unquenchable flame rises. Feelings that can't be put into words Embrace the answer within you. The colour of never giving up I spit up the choking beat in my throat And open my bloodshot eyes wide I won't hesitate anymore
...
HOLD
I screamed in agony Our love is seeping out Before it overflowed I slammed it shut Break only what can be broken Even though this love has been sewn together I can't let go of you I don't need anyone to understand this Even when I throw it all away let me hold you like crazy A disturbance that has really horrified you (Try) So sore that you are entangled (Try) Crawling, even when blood is oozing out (Try) I can't shred this love (Try) To the point of disorder and turmoil (Try) So sore that you are entangled (Try) Crawling, even when blood is oozing out (Try) I can't shred this love Even if I have to hang it all on the promise Of swallowing a thousand needles Even when I throw it all away let me hold you like crazy A disturbance that has really horrified you (Try) So sore that you are entangled (Try) Crawling, even when blood is oozing out (Try) I can't shred this love (Try) To the point of disorder and turmoil (Try) So sore that you are entangled (Try) Crawling, even when blood is oozing out (Try) I can't shred this love
...
ćż (Daku)
Overflowing thoughts Put into words that grate and disturb Can't be taken back Even now, intermittently The distorted truth Sinks to the level of junk Stuffed intentions A vision of the ideal Falls down in time A bleeding darkness The sadness can be traced out In the voice I spit out as it crumbles In the slanted sound image, Is the meaning of being broken Remorse gnaws me I started to fly with those dirty wings I saw a nightmare of all my sins The distorted truth Sinks to the level of junk Stuffed intentions A vision of the ideal Falls down in time A bleeding darkness The sadness can be traced out In the voice I spit out as it crumbles I want the broken meaning of the sights and sounds I leant on To hold me The voice I force out at your closed eyes Gets the sorrow to reach it's breaking point Love for the meaning entwined in chaos Is bound to my remorseful conscience.
...
THE PALE
So far away a freshness in the air A painted ideal. Unaddressed. So far away a freshness in the air A painted ideal. Unaddressed. If even this broken body can forgive me It will rot away.
Dim the shadow that creaks with sadness And fades away from my heart. And brings the dawn. So far away a freshness in the air A painted ideal. Unaddressed. If even this broken body can forgive me It will rot away. Dim the shadow that creaks with sadness And fades away from my heart. The spinning night grows pale, As I embrace the meaning Iâve been looking for. Even broken sadness melts out of me, Somewhere it will rot away. Dim the shadow that creaks with sadness And fades away from my heart. How much will the burnt out past Scorch the soul? It even burns out in my heart. At dawn So far So far away. A freshness in the air A painted ideal. Unaddressed.
...
MOMENT
Change the shape of the connected nights Follow the light, together Hope for eternity, so much that you sing I want to stay here Bring a season that passes by with dazzling days The two of us will never fade away Right now, endlessly These undecorated days that pass Just dreams piling up Hopefully one day they will embrace you completely I piled up the moments in my heart The two of us will never fade Right now, endlessly These undecorated days that pass Extending a hand to wish for a tomorrow Showed the strength I had to live Right now, endlessly These undecorated days that pass Just dreams piling up Hopefully one day they will embrace you completely I piled up the moments in my heart Interlinked nights change their shape Once we follow the light, together
...
BARBARIAN
The greed I played with Sloppy and bleeding Scattered entertainment, greedy vindication A superb view of the emotional corruption Get over the madness of the number play Does that fake smile of yours Hide a subservience behind it? When you slay the scornfully smiling melancholy, Will you scratch it away to find it's true nature underneath? Scattered entertainment, greedy vindication A superb view of the emotional corruption Get over the madness of the number play The voices that fly around Scatter with a glare as I knew they would. The hate of shapeless greed Was suspended upside down A fading thin smile fluctuates through the day Making these eyes waver Towards where the howling of darkness echoes The dreams contradicting each other The voices unable to protect Distortion brings the darkness When you slay the scornfully smiling melancholy, Will you scratch it away to find it's true nature underneath? Scattered entertainment, greedy vindication A superb view of the emotional corruption Get over the madness of the number play Dreams that are fading. You are fragile They don't fade away. So much so that they are stacking up The hate of shapeless greed Was suspended upside down And the fading thin smileSeems like madness Where in the darkness will you fall down so lonely?
...
FRENZY
Shake off the feelings Reject the body which has been cut off somewhere An abandoned heart Bursts forth and pushes your resisting voice Don't forget that killing Ah, should we abandon The unnecessary anguish? Silence is a powerful blade Noise that I throw up and throw away It has not reduced in my sloppy mouth It sounds as good as the sky. What a waste Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy corruption With depravity Reject the body which has been cut off somewhere An abandoned heart Bursts forth and pushes your resisting voice Don't forget that killing Oh flapping wings All this unnecessary distress I just don't have any time to be tied up like this The noise I manage to spit out and cast away My impudence slowly tumbles out I don't care if I'm the only one it pierces Neither you nor I are as sweet as we are often perceived I'll lead you there, shall we run together?
...
LAST SONG
The answers that stack up over time Sing the connected nights, As if my heart is screaming I want to reclaim the lost time Come back to the light A future so dazzling, tearing through the noise Unforgettable memories shake my body In the midst of despair I saw a dream That's right, a wandering voice Once more, withered, like that day How far will the future burn Show me a wandering voice, right here Shout, like that day, once more Really wish for the answer The answers that stack up over time Sing the connected nights, As if my heart is screaming I want to reclaim the lost time Come back to the light A future so dazzling, tearing through the noise Unforgettable memories shake my body In the midst of despair I saw a dream That's right, a wandering voice Once more, withered, like that day How far will the future burn Show me a wandering voice, right here Shout, like that day, once more Really wish for the answer For hope And now that you've you taught me All the reasons for me to live That's right, a wandering voice Once more withered, like that day How far will the future burn Show me a wandering voice, right here Let the unchanging vow of this song Resonate endlessly Until the end That wandering voice, right here Shout like that day once more Really wish for the answer Hope ...
Notes: So I made this post with the intention to point out that all those text pages are lyrics translations, so they are prioritized (and in bold font) but I also used some of the translations from MASS normal edition lyrics booklet as well as other alternative translations. A big pain for me was that the booklet and Limited Edition book translations do not match and sometimes even have very different meanings even though they are both supposed to be official translations, also they both occasionally look like they were done with google translate... Blinding Hope is not included because I was at 30/30 images already and it's translations can easily be found everywhere. I am sorry about the formatting, Tumblr kept removing bold from random letters or words (I guess it hates entire paragraphs being bold?), I know it makes the post messy but idk how to fix it. A big thanks to the archive keeper @rad-is-more for all the scans.
The GazettE - DOGMA book + lyrics translations
Ruki:
The current situation the GazettE finds itself in. And the attitude we are trying to uphold there. The title track reflects this most vividly. At the same time, it also contains a kind of antithesis.
Uruha:
Once the concept of the album was decided, this song remained true to the image I imagined while thinking about touring with such a worldview. In other words, it also marks the beginning of the flow of time from now on. Without fearing misunderstanding, I think it's a straightforward song that should be easy to understand, even though it may not seek expansiveness. It is precisely the song that embodies the theme of "dogma," nothing more or less than that.
Aoi:
"DOGMA" is "DOGMA." There's no other way to put it. Since I first heard this original track, I've always thought it's the song most suitable for this title. When the word "dogma" came up and we discussed what it means, this song resonated the most. Without this song, I feel like this album itself would have been completely different; it's that important.
Reita:
"DOGMA" is zero, and at the same time, it is one hundred. The title track that suggests such thoughts. Naturally, it's only when all the songs gathered here come together that "DOGMA" comes into existence. But at the same time, this song itself feels like it encompasses everything.
Kai:
A door that had naturally loomed before us for a long time. It was very solid and not easy to open. The powerful image of the door opening with a sound. Of course, it didn't open naturally; we finally managed to push it open ourselves. We had always been convinced that what we were seeking was there, but we had sometimes stretched our legs in different directions while trying to complement what we lacked. Here, however, we faced that door head-on... As a result, what allowed us to open it was the power of the "experience" we had accumulated until now.
DOGMA: Translation
The facades are beginning to crumble Sins dissolve into faint echoes The teeming masses of society are the carcass of greed
I deny everything I deny all of it I deny everything
The rite I must face is cloaked in darkness and isolation Only there will truth be found
I devour the dogma of the frenzied mob And overshadow them with âunadulterated blacknessâ
Rebelling against the herd mentality, directly opposing set boundaries Iâll be a brain-dead god
A blood-stained future burning in shadow Transforming into an idol, moving towards truth
Iâve witnessed the death of greed Frenzy unleashed in these eyes Flock of puppets Growing hate I pity you Hate your life Flock of puppets Growing hate
Overthrowing God, here we offer death
The sound of countless voices and clapping is heard from that direction We shall become one with the shadows And die the most excellent death
I will blacken out this world Darkness in the world Starts tonight
RAGE
Ruki:
Anger. This song is heavily imbued with anger. "DOGMA" isn't an album rich in emotional ups and downs; here, there's not a trace of "joy" or "pleasure," only "anger" and "sorrow" instead. It strongly reflects what we have felt as ourselves in the current situation, from 2014 to 2015. Our attitude is packed into this tooânamely, the feeling that "the GazettE should be like this." In other words, this song is also a manifestation of "dogma."
Uruha:
Among the prominently intense songs on this album, this song stands out as most fitting for its position more than any other. From its introduction onwards, it felt like deciding the setlist for a live performance. The key lies in its speed and explosive power. In a sense, it's an overt song, but placing it here was necessary for the album itself.
Aoi:
"Anger," as the title suggests. It might seem overly simplistic to sum it up in just that word, but it's a song that exudes tremendous intensity. In recent years, the quality of demo recordings has improved, and the impression of the song itself has often remained unchanged from that initial stage.
Reita:
Truly a song that should be placed as the second track. What I seek in a second track is a sense of energy that feels like something is about to explode. I deeply resonate with Ruki's lyrics full of anger.
Kai:
An intense finishing move that erupts at the entrance after opening a heavy door. I think this song, placed here, has a quality that makes everything afterward fall into place no matter how it unfolds. Similarly, if this song explodes early in a live performance, it naturally sets up anticipation for what comes next.
RAGE: Translation
[Are you ready?]
Sad old geezer How do you use us? Too late this asshole cannot be saved
âPrideâ âenvyâ ârageâ âslothâ âgreedâ⌠Your mortal sins drive your very existence to madness
Stacked away Skanky waster You should know your shame Such a shithead All saints shall die Shitty loser You should know youâre lame Such a dickhead All saints shall die
Because there will never be a world that I can know We cannot change this fact, it is done Z Generation is our Last one
sad old geezer How do you use us? Too late this asshole cannot be saved
âPrideâ âenvyâ ârageâ âslothâ âgreedâ⌠Your mortal sins drive your very existence to madness
Because there will never be a world that I can know Everything was a lie, such deceit
I can no longer even see the moon I once loved so much
Because there will never be a world that I can know We cannot change this fact, it is done Z Generation is our Last one
Stacked away Skanky waster Hey ! You should know your shame Hey ! Such a shithead All saints die Shitty loser Hey ! You should know youâre lame Hey ! Such a dickhead All saints shall die
DAWN
Ruki:
In 2014, we went through a tour themed "redefinition," where we were made aware of things and reaffirmed what we should do. This song strongly reflects that significance. At our 13th anniversary Budokan performance (March 2015), I think we were able to show that we are evolving, and there's a sensory overlap there.
Uruha:
Another intense song. Right from the start, it relentlessly unfolds with intensity. By the third track, it's a declaration that we're not settling down yet. I don't think we've ever placed a song of this nature in this position before, but in this case, there's meaning in having this song here. Some people actually had the opinion that it might be tiring to listen to nothing but intense songs from the beginning. But personally, I wanted to push through with this momentum.
Aoi:
This song also embodies the image of "dogma." It's so iconic that it could have justified being titled "DOGMA" as well, in my opinion. It's that powerful of a track, akin to the title track.
Reita:
Above all, the chorus's unpredictability is intense. It expands the world of the entire album in one fell swoop. It brings a type of element that hasn't been present in the GazettE before, and there's freshness in whether you can imagine this chorus from the way the song begins.
Kai:
A song that resonates with "DOGMA" in my mind. Despite being relatively up-tempo, it fundamentally differs from what's typically considered an upbeat song, with a heavy weight pressing down. There's a kind of feeling of the former self pursuing darkness.
DAWN: Translation
I sing, digging up [memories of]Â my past Iâd loved so completely From within the depths of the void Time stood still while the distorted dark clouds Swirled all around
I was bound up in innumerable shackles And I want to lose myself in the reality reflected in the chaos around me
Iâve already had a lethal dose of misfortune The ruined gallows towers above me
Overcast sky, Counting song the sound of approaching footsteps
Wild party with emotions running high A merry-go-round of deepest red unfurled That day was the beginning of it all 13 stairs foretell the metamorphosis
Moving past my momentary confusion these roiling emotions rise up [these roiling emotions rise up] [Moving past my momentary confusion these roiling emotions rise up] Hung up high on that 13th stair
The beautiful answer redefined becomes the new dogma
I was bound up in innumerable shackles And I want to lose myself in the reality reflected in the chaos around me
Iâve already had a lethal dose of misfortune The ruined gallows towers above me
Overcast sky, Counting song the sound of approaching footsteps
Wild party with emotions running high A merry-go-round of deepest red unfurled Accompanied by the end of  peace I lay my hands on the blackened altar Wild party with emotions running high A merry-go-round of deepest red unfurled That day was the beginning of it all 13 stairs foretell the metamorphosis
An evil spell my life
DERACINE
Ruki:
Rootless. It's not that the roots aren't growing, but rather, sometimes in real life, there are situations or relationships where you feel like cutting off those roots yourself, even though you've grown as a person, when the other person refuses to change. It's something that has existed since long ago. It's about feeling like wanting to forget even your own roots.
Uruha:
Among the songs on this album, this falls into the slow category. It hits at the first wave of change that arrives. It's difficult to describe this feeling, but it has a characteristic of being somewhat inorganic.
Aoi:
Initially, the word "dogma" gave me an impression of something inorganic and emotionless. Actually, there's a certain religious connotation to it, but it should also carry a sense of inorganic and emotionlessness. In reality, this song is very close to that "dogma" image for me. It's like I should dig deeper into that world from here.
Reita:
Among the tracks on this album, it's the only one with a transparent image. At the same time, I think it's one of the few songs here with a distinct atmospheric feel. There's a satisfying feeling in being able to beautifully bring out the resonance of the low tones.
Kai:
I feel like this song appearing in the first half of the album can provide a different kind of impact. Initially, I imagined it might be a more inward-feeling song, but as soon as the vocals entered, it expanded tremendously. This is a nuance that hasn't been present before, I think.
DERACINE: Translation
In the womb Was the fate decided? Iâm going to be sick The feelings that I hid 4âŚ3âŚ2âŚ1 That canât be counted overpowering grief
In a maze [Cradle and grave] Raw scar Canât get back Lie, Coward, Bullshit
My heart is disturbed by you
In the womb Was the fate decided? Iâm going to be sick
There are no words that can make our future beautiful [again now that] itâs been torn apart So now Iâll fly away from that love
In a maze [Cradle and grave] Raw scar Canât get back Lie, Coward, Bullshit
My heart is disturbed by you
Go away I say good-bye to hateful you once again Go away I say good-bye to hateful you Forget up to now with me
In the womb Was the fate decided? Iâm going to be sick
I know your ugliness [No restraint] My feelings for you never change [No complaint] My life is dirty now [No restraint] Such a life is sad
[In a maze [Cradle and grave] Raw scar Canât get back Lie, Coward, Bullshit]
[Go away I say good-bye to hateful you once again Go away I say good-bye to hateful you Forget up to now with me]
BIZARRE
Ruki:
The lyrical focus revolves around what I personally think about so-called juvenile crime. Without fear of misunderstanding, I have a vague feeling that maybe the way juvenile crimes are judged in today's Japan might be "off." Any punishment is decided according to manuals, but in reality, the severity of a crime cannot be measured in such terms.
Uruha:
It's a very calm song, and it carries a certain inorganic* quality. Within the entire album, this part might give a somewhat flat impression, but it exudes a strange feeling as the title suggests... How to describe this texture in terms of genres aside, I think it's a song filled with elements of madness and trickiness.
Aoi:
A song that exudes an inorganic atmosphere. Because of its inorganic nature, it's difficult to explain in words. But undoubtedly, this is also an indispensable piece of the "DOGMA" puzzle. It was born because of the existence of this concept.
Reita:
A song with an inorganic impression. Even as a player, I deliberately tried to cut out all unnecessary elements and erase human-like qualities. However, despite being a very dry world, there's something strangely compelling about it.
Kai:
At the stage of completion as a recording, this song stands out as one where it's hard to predict how it will come across in a live setting among the tracks on this album. It's a song that could lean towards emphasizing intensity, or swing towards a darker direction... In that sense, it has a fascinating duality of extremes. Therefore, depending on how it's placed in the live setlist and what songs surround it, it could sound completely different.
*"inorganic" in the context of the discussion about the song is "çĄćŠčłŞ" (mukishitsu) in Japanese. It refers to something lacking organic qualities, often used metaphorically to describe something that feels cold, emotionless, or mechanical. In the context of music or art, it can describe a certain detached or sterile quality.
BIZARRE: Translation
In my spinning, spinning field of vision Someone was violated over and over again In my spinning, spinning field of vision They were violated
Scared eyes of the crowd This gate is to hell That famous bad face [She is bizarreâŚ]
Exaggerated, puffed-up delusions And unformed personalities, An unbridled curiosity that is shattered self-control, With no limits to their bizarre lust, Obsessed with pushing boundaries and Their brutal nature shown in their eyes Are their perverted qualities
scared body This gate is to hell Scared body With greedy eyes scared body This gate is to hell Scared body Death valley
They make their living committing atrocities, the source of immature retribution They deserve death for the pain of loss [they cause]
Exaggerated, puffed-up delusions And unformed personalities, An unbridled curiosity that is shattered self-control, Theyâll keep laughing even if you lock them up Their pervasive darkness has creeping roots A generation of impulsive behavior That reality canât break through
scared body This gate is to hell Scared body With greedy eyes scared body This gate is to hell Scared body Death valley
They make their living committing atrocities, the source of immature retribution The deserve death for the pain of loss [they cause]
Their eyes bask in the terrible spectacle, seeking pleasure until they die
WASTELAND
Ruki:
Nowadays, there's a tendency where the internet judges everything, be it politicians or anyone else. People can easily engage in bashing, even towards figures symbolizing the nation or otherwise, and everyone starts to feel afraid in response. It makes you feel like it's the end of the world in such a society.
Uruha:
After a series of intense songs, there's a sense of descending here. It feels like finally, a song with some air has appeared. Up to this point, the songs have had a tendency to be dense both in terms of sound and arrangement, but with this song, amidst its existential darkness, there are gaps, expanses, and a fluctuation in the air.
Aoi:
When I first imagined the concept of "dogma," what came to mind was, for example, ritualistic scenes or someone being absorbed into something ecstatically... It was trying to express such things that led to the creation of this song. It might not be a direct match for the theme of "dogma," but I think this song was born precisely because that word was presented beforehand.
Reita:
Truly something unique to us right now, or rather, within what's considered the visual kei genre of music, there's a dark, Gothic feeling, something that feels like only adults can handle. This song is exactly that. It's a song that suits us better now than ever before.
Kai:
I think we've had songs with a heavy atmosphere like this before, with a similar tempo. However, in the case of this song, there's a sense of exhilaration somewhere within it. It feels like a beam of light shining through the dark world, creating a sensation of expansiveness. While the imagery may evoke a desolate landscape, it's not entirely pitch black; there's something piercing through. The identity of that "something" might be something I'll come to understand in the future.
WASTELAND: Translation
The thousand eyes that can kill even God Transform into heretics that devour the rules When the time comes and right and wrong disappear It will all end with a blood-red moon
Falsehoods becoming profound sins Judging innocence in their transgressions
The thousand eyes that can kill even God Transform into heretics that devour the rules When the time comes and right and wrong disappear It will all end with a blood-red moon
Embracing the taboo
The bare essence of the world's existence Bound in shadow Descending into chaotic darkness Eyes of the apostles elevated to divinity
Blurring imbalance, a chance to seize
The cunning entanglement of duplicity As time falls, it gives birth to the conflict between good and evil The world of ugly filth and despair
The unveiled divine doctrine of exclusivity Bound in shadow Descending into chaotic darkness Dancing with the taboos
The thousand eyes that can kill even God Transform into heretics that devour the rules
INCUBUS
RUKI:
This is like a nightmare from hell. I've had the same unpleasant dream over and over. Or perhaps something unpleasant actually happens, and it repeats like a trauma in dreams. In reality, I've experienced something like this, and during the production of this album, there were times when it was particularly frequent. It's not just about things I find unpleasant; sometimes dreams also bring wishes like "it would be nice if this happened." However, the reason we have such dreams is precisely because reality isn't like that. I think dreams mostly show us the opposite.
éş (Uruha):
Among the many intense songs on this album, this song also heads firmly in its own direction. Amidst its intensity, it also reveals glimpses of a beautiful development that could be interpreted as bewitching and sublime, combining a sense of speed with elegance.
čľ (Aoi):
This too embodies a sense of "dogma." In a way, it might be the song that most strongly evokes that feeling. However, listening to the lyrics, it feels like it's speaking to something. From the title "INCUBUS," you can also feel nuances of yokai* or monsters. Dictionary-wise, it means "nightmare," right? It might just be speaking to that. Even though RUKI's singing style doesn't necessarily convey that feeling of speaking to someone.
REITA:
This song also packs a considerable punch. The contrast between its strength and the beauty of its chorus is exquisite, resulting in a high-quality song that isn't just about momentum.
ć (Kai):
Among the songs on this album, this one falls into the melodic category. The contrast between light and darkness is very clear. It's not like being dazzled by a strobe light but rather an image where light and darkness switch sharply. In that sense, this song also has a duality and is a song that requires a lot of effort.
*Yokai (ĺŚćŞ) are supernatural beings or phenomena from Japanese folklore. The term "yokai" is often translated as "monster," "spirit," "apparition," or "ghost," but these translations don't fully capture the breadth of yokai diversity and characteristics.
INCUBUS: Translation
I cannot get out away now from the maze
Un, deux, trois Reality and nightmares intersect in the night And spread forgotten memories over my parched tongue They keep clinging to my mind that wonât wake up Traces of countless loveless days gone by
The things that âyouâ want I donât even know what they are Even now I feel that feeling of fear spreading down my spine
I arise to broken nights
My dreams are depressing I remember them, and each time, I pray that I can forget But their shadow will never disappear Still my eyelids slip closed
God, is this a sign Tell me my crime Is it my fate to suffer
Uninvited one
Un, deux, trois Greed and courtship psychological trauma Reality and nightmares that can never be escaped They keep clinging to my mind that wonât wake up Traces of countless loveless days gone by
The things that âyouâ want I donât even know what they are Even now I feel that feeling of fear spreading down my spine
I arise to broken nights
All these sad memories flood over me Even if I try to cover my eyes, they wonât go away Because I can still see myself In that never-ending dream
These repeated dreams wonât pass me by Itâs a nightmare and a lie
I canât change fate Even if I die
These repeated dreams wonât pass me by Itâs a nightmare and a lie
So fuck the why And get lost
I cannot get out away now from the maze
LUCY
RUKI:
This song is condensed with a kind of anger. It's about various conflicts, being deceived, and not exactly an accusation, but rather a song connected to human greed, I guess.
éş (Uruha):
It's a song with strong hard rock elements. However, rather than directly exposing that, it reflects our established approach within the album's loud and intense flow. I feel like we've solidified our way of handling such musical tastes. This song also stands out as one of the prominent "colors" of intensity in this album.
čľ (Aoi):
I suppose this would also be considered an angry song, right? There's a strong sense of edge in the sound. However, it's not just a simple angry song; it's different from mere hatred or listing grievances. It feels more like frustration towards things that are hard to accept. It's a song where such feelings are vaguely expressed. It's definitely not a type of song we've had before, and you could say it's a very the GazettE-like song. It's hard to explain more specifically, but I feel it's something we can identify with.
REITA:
If we were to say something idealistic like "cheers from the fans" are the driving force behind this band, deep down, I still think it's anger. I feel like this song expresses that the strongest. Honestly, I feel like once again, this band is made of anger.
ć (Kai):
It gives off an image of just rushing forward. However, it's not simply about being fast; there are moments where you must firmly put the brakes on, and it's not a song where you should just seek the rush. In other words, the way it runs isn't easy. It's a song I'm looking forward to facing in live performances.
LUCY: Translation
Fascinated by the darkness, your hands scrabble in a hive of greed
Conformity steeped in pleasure: Vice Half-crazed and writhing Your crafty antics are reaching heights of sheer stupidity
Lucy Your vice masquerading as godliness is [finally] exposed ăGreedăăLustăăFollyăăLIEăăBluffăăCrimeă Over again Donât look away Eat me
Vital ability your character is lacking That material is ripped away from you just like that If you could be tamed, Iâd keep you
Swallowed up by your greed, you forgot you were being strangled
Conformity steeped in pleasure: Vice Half-crazed and writhing Your crafty antics are reaching heights of sheer stupidity
Lucy Youâre hanging, a slave to love on the Kingâs Highway ăGreedăăLustăăFollyăăLIEăăBluffăăCrimeă Over again Aggression comes next Lucy Your vice masquerading as godliness is [finally] exposed ăGreedăăLustăăFollyăăLIEăăBluffăăCrimeă Over again Donât look away Eat me
Youâre trying to flee, my dear Lucy
GRUDGE
RUKI:
This was inspired by the American movie "Gone Girl". It's about the extreme emotions of a woman, stemming from the desire to control, which is pure yet taken to extremes.
éş (Uruha):
Regarding the guitar, it seems like a relatively calm song, but it reflects Aoi's character as the composer. It has a beautiful flow with subtle fluctuations, combined with a kind of intensity that creeps up gradually. That was my first impression of this song.
čľ (Aoi):
This is also my "dogma". While bringing out quite a muddy aspect, I tried to introduce a heavier feeling as well. When embodying the concept of "dogma" into a song, various emotions were intermingling within me. If I were to say this song straight up embodies my personal "dogma", then "WASTELAND" would be the further exploration from here.
REITA:
It's not coolness in the sense of being detached, nor is it stylish in that manner, but I think it's a song that's refined in our own way. I feel it's beautifully composed in terms of its atmosphere. The fact that this has come together as a whole is because of the experiences we've had thus far. If we had tried to create such a song in the past, it would likely have been more cluttered with various phrases. It seems like a song that is both simple and intricate. Rather than cramming in multiple answers, it's about sticking to one straight answer. That's exactly what this song is.
ć (Kai):
Describing this song in words is extremely difficult. Each scene that makes up the progression of the song is quite clear. For me, I didn't want it to end in a cramped feeling. When you try to grasp it from your own perspective, it tends to become narrow, so I made sure to incorporate the images that other members also hold, and tried to grasp the song itself with as broad a perspective as possible. While other songs presented similar challenges, this song may have been the most difficult in that sense. I remember crossing my arms and deeply contemplating when I first listened to the original track.
GRUDGE: Translation
If I could, I would hold you in my arms As we descend together into the icy sea
Weâll sink so deep that we wonât be able to rise again, and in those dark depths Your confession â broken, shattered, scattered â Wonât reach my deaf ears My sea of resentment
I leave behind only words and broken memories as death creeps closer I am no longer the âmeâ you once recognized
I am completely unable to stop myself From hating that look of concern in your eyes
I canât say when all the threads that bound us together came undone Iâll never hold your hand in mine Or feel anything [for you] ever again The raw wound that is âmeâ Has left behind nothing but a shadow
I leave behind only words and broken memories swimming in your clear eyes I am no longer the âmeâ you once recognized
A moment of hesitation hangs over your head And the look you give me is one like youâve seen something disgusting I wonder what kind of person you think I am [When] you canât even comprehend suffering
I canât say when all the threads that bound us together came undone Iâll never hold your hand in mine Or feel anything [for you] ever again The raw wound that is âmeâ Has left behind nothing but a shadow
The memory of blood welling from brimming eyes will stay with me Iâll save you with my cold serenity
In the sea of resentment Weâll embrace our sins We will never escape [As we sink] into the fathomless depths
PARALYSIS
RUKI:
The weak self. This also stems from a story based on a certain incident. Amidst relentless brutal incidents, there are cases where both the perpetrators and the victims fall into such depths due to their own weaknesses. This is about the helplessness in such situations. Ultimately, people can be driven to death by it.
éş (Uruha):
There are aspects of this song that go beyond the religious imagery of the entire "DOGMA" album, aiming for something more exposed and aggressive. Personally, I have a feeling like, "I could die playing this..." It's not about fast playing, but rather a relentless pounding of the right hand. In that sense too, it's a song pushing towards its limits.
čľ (Aoi):
This is truly about pushing limits. It's a challenge to the limit, or rather, it goes beyond that. But inversely, I was drawn to it out of simple curiosity. In that sense, it might deviate from the artistic image of "DOGMA," but in terms of playing, it might be the most impactful song with a character that breaks free from conventions.
REITA:
In terms of playing, this was the most challenging. As a bassist, this song had the highest difficulty level. The vocal shouts are also packed intensely. In the latter half of the album, this song strongly expresses the desire to deliver a final blow. And that blow is overwhelming. I feel its position in our live performances will naturally become apparent.
ć (Kai):
A song that expands its scope while being intense. Initially, when listening to the original track while predicting its development, it was a series of "Oh, it's different" and "Oh, is it going this way?" moments. Intensity is an important weapon for us, and this song made us realize it could be increased anew.
PARALYSIS: Translation
Die and restart
These feelings that became entangled out of instinct Hurt more than I can even comprehend I canât know it
Hide out Lies are stacking up Thereâs no blank space left Itâs all been bedecked with tricks
I close off my heart because of my own weakness
My life is buried in loneliness [Even if] I try to throw it all up the loneliness always keeps coming back again
Distress I bought into that powerful, dubious love, and nearly drowned in it Everything dissolved into that illusion but nevertheless, for some reason, my heart was at ease I didnât even realize that my emotions had become paralyzed, or that this reality is insubstantial I canât know it My fate
Creepy the past inside me I want to bury it The facts inside me Once more so it wonât ever come back PastâŚBuriedâŚForever [Before I die] Am I so clever? [Until I die] PastâŚBuriedâŚForever Can you still see it?
My built-up desires have reached their limit as if just begging to be loved But I canât see how that will ever happen
Creepy the past inside me I want to bury it PastâŚBuriedâŚForever [Before I die] Am I so clever? [Until I die]
[Distress] I bought into that powerful, dubious love, and nearly drowned in it Everything dissolved into that illusion but nevertheless, for some reason, my heart was at easeâŚ
Die and restart
DEUX
RUKI:
About the two personalities within myself. Within myself, there exist such aspects. For example, there's a part of me that wants to dash across the road, and there's another part that puts the brakes on that impulse. Even when I understand the danger of jumping from a high place, sometimes curiosity about what would happen if I did jump can arise. This inner struggle between reason and curiosity might also be a form of dual personality.
éş (Uruha):
This song was actually intended to be a single. It's structured in a way that should be enjoyable even if released as a single. It has proper vocal elements, intense parts, and overall, it offers a variety within a single song. Of course, it's also an essential piece for this album, but I think it stands well on its own as a single.
čľ (Aoi):
This is the kind of song that could have been released as a standalone single given the opportunity. In fact, we performed it during the March Budokan concert, and for an album like "DOGMA," it plays a role at the entrance, making it accessible to the audience. It could be likened to the "candy" in "carrot and stick" approach. Especially within this intense album.
REITA:
This is a song we've performed live before, so many people might recognize it. Not that it's the only one, but within this album, I think it holds a position as a "precious vocal piece." When you touch upon it as an individual piece of music, the feeling might be slightly different.
ć (Kai):
Beautiful grotesqueness. That's the impression I get. For instance, if blood were dripping down from the top of a wall, it would normally be considered a grotesque sight. However, the contrast of bright red blood against a pure white wall is aesthetic, I believe. Similarly, this song possesses not just a grotesque aspect but also a beautiful one.
DEUX (TWO): Translation
This inescapable answer is gripped by despair; I hope itâs all just a dream[Because] this is an Inferno
Youâre my enemy You make that clear when you sabotage my dreams that wonât come true Scary night Split mind bringing only Pain Iâm praying for a Nightmare
Weakness draws near to my closed-off heart as it floats in the darkness of unconsciousness Itâs scary to sleep in lonely silence, but whose fault is that?
This inescapable reality is gripped by despair; I hope itâs all just a dream [Because] this is an Inferno
Youâre my enemy You make that clear when you sabotage my dreams that wonât come true Scary night Split mind bringing only Pain Iâm praying for a Nightmare
Cut off from my destination, bewildered, the barrier around my mind is torn apart and my heart wound up breaking Innocent eyes full of yearning slip closed when the emotional storm has passed; without so much as a sound [tears] overflow
Our weakness superimposed atop one another, you and I will rot in the bottomless darkness Sleeping in lonely silence, weakness blossomed into isolation; but now all I have to do is take a step forward I wonât be of two minds anymore
You will become my dream
I sleep in lonely silence, broken as I am So mesmerized by âthe endâ that awaited me, I jumped Terror bared its fangs again but Iâll abandon my hesitation Wouldnât even death be sweeter than slowly growing comfortable with being toyed with?
[FATE]
-We will die-
BLEMISH
RUKI:
About the parts of myself that I think are no good, or something I lack within myself. People try to fix such flaws or try to put an end to their past, but there are times when you can't change yourself easily. I feel like my shadow is distorted because of my past. Humans live in the present while trying to repair it, but the past cannot be changed. Even if you think you've changed it, you end up realizing that you're still the same.
éş (Uruha):
To tell you the truth, during the song selection meeting, this spot was the only vacant one. Among several candidate songs vying for this position, I really wanted the chorus of this song here, no matter what. It wasn't just about the song but specifically about having that chorus here to create a moment of openness. As a result, by rearranging the flow leading up to that chorus, this song was reborn. I think within the entire album, this chorus itself becomes a crucial moment.
čľ (Aoi):
When you think of "dogma," it gives a sense of something absolute, like a doctrine. This song feels like confronting such an absolute. It has a somewhat authoritative stance or coercive force to it. When dealing with "dogma," I had the impression that it inherently carries such elements.
REITA:
In developing the live performances accompanying the album "DOGMA," this song is absolutely necessary, indispensable. Of course, it's not limited to just this song, but it should be a very clear song. I also feel it's a song that equals our current selves.
ć (Kai):
The immediate image when listening is a vivid red. Not like blood-red, but more like a clear, vibrant red like a red strobe light. When RUKI initially brought the original version to the early song selection meeting, it had a stronger digital tone. However, if left as it was, it would have stood out from the album's world. It was later redesigned. Still, because it existed in the initial stages, it was easy to expand upon its imagery.
BLEMISH: Translation
Killing my past
[Fuck this]Â
I set out, my pulse racing, but something was missing In some respects, I had always been in denial about my own existence
I seem to lose all dazzling light Canât understand this broken sight
Redo the pain, pain, start all over I want to kill the past I feel the shame, shame, itâs never over (SHAME, SHAME) These days Iâm better dead
I want to be reborn
leave me alone I had to stifle my cries when I caught sight of my own twisted shadow
Shite Fuck Whatâs happened to me Why is it always just like this? Go to hell
God damn it fuck Whatâs happened to me Why is it always just like this? Go to hell
Redo the pain, pain, start all over I want to kill the past I feel the shame, shame, itâs never over Why do these days last?
Redo the pain, pain, start all over I want to kill the past I feel the shame, shame, itâs never over These days Iâm better dead
In darker dreams A goddess speaks to me And it seems I cannot see the light Out of sight And reborn somewhere else Donât just abandon me Please Please Please Please
FUCK YOU
OMINOUS
RUKI:
In a world that symbolizes ourselves lately, it feels like we've been standing there for a while. Moreover, I wanted to create a feeling that there's something more to come...
éş (Uruha):
At the demo stage, it had a relatively cleaner song image. As the original composer reworked it and it became titled like this, the flow leading up to the chorus became more murky. Initially, there was surprise in how the chorus is so beautiful while the first half is murky, but I think it became a magnificent song with convincing grandeur suitable for the flow of the album "DOGMA." It was born beautifully but grew murky. Truly ominous.
čľ (Aoi):
This could have also been named "DOGMA," I feel. Actually, it naturally seems somewhat similar to the title track, using the same sound as in "DOGMA" in this song as well. I think even RUKI himself might have seen these two songs as a continuation or a pair. Because there's "DOGMA," there's also "OMINOUS," or rather, it's apparent that he wanted it to be that way. I believe this album wouldn't have been complete without this song. Just like how a book cannot be complete without its back cover.
REITA:
I didn't initially expect this to be the closing song. However, once the idea of placing it last came up, I couldn't imagine it anywhere else. Now, I can't think of any other place for it but here. It's a song that leads the world of "DOGMA." Without this song, the album might have ended up shallower. It was necessary to conclude it as something deeper.
ć (Kai):
An image of everything turning pure white. However, it's not just about ending simply; rather, it's about opening another door... That might be the exit. Like "DOGMA" served as the entrance, this is quite a heavy door as well. There's an image that links with "DOGMA." These two songs have a relationship of front and back, yet they are also integral to each other.
OMINOUS: Translation
Sleep⌠Count me down⌠Again
So Iâll close my eyes As I turn to face you
My prayer shattered into ruins Is reflected in your eyes as you spread your wings to fly
I see you whirling with nightmares Through a sky thick with darkness
Donât forget That the heart canât die Donât forget Really, dreams donât always mean what they seem
True⌠Dread
Sleep⌠Count me down⌠Again
This cycle of constant change is ominous I fall into the recurring darkness
It steals away my formless future and whenever I step forward The sky darkens until I can no longer see Iâm killing myself with loneliness and even my screams Wonât bring any rescue
Sleep⌠Count me down⌠Again
...
UGLY: Translation
Play in the circle Come pay for your filthiness The bloody scaffold and bitch
Please die⌠Before I die Lies and boastful eyes
Evil fame Inside SHARP 2 Itâs completely distorted and Insane
Death to Traitors Scaffold and bitch Hatred ringing out, violated, nothing but a number Death to Traitors Scaffold and bitch Forgetting to beg [is a]Â Crime
This pain doesnât reach you You, living with lies You canât sleep beside me Are you still alive?
Play in the circle Come pay for your filthiness The bloody scaffold and bitch
Please die⌠Before I die Lies and boastful eyes
Evil fame Inside SHARP 2 Itâs completely distorted and Insane
FUCK Traitors Scaffold and bitch Hatred ringing out, violated, nothing but a number Death to Traitors Scaffold and bitch Forgetting to beg [is a]Â Crime
Lies will always come tumbling down You are ugly and falling apart Even now you stand at the edge of the deathâs abyss
Are you still alive?
Death to Traitors Scaffold and bitch Hatred ringing out, violated, nothing but a number Death to Traitors Scaffold and bitch Forgetting to beg [is a]Â Crime
DEPRAVITY: Translation
What isnât written on that paper Are the absurd pretexts and hushed-up truths
Can you praise a God who doesnât call it a sin To heap violence upon his devout believers? [You should die] Thatâs how it always is with the hidden side of the truth In bitter tears [Somebody has drowned]
Linked hearts And the hopes that traveled between them: What will be lost when the undesired end comes?
Looking back to the past, was it really as depraved as it seemed? My mind is filled with Despair
What isnât written on that paper Are the absurd pretexts and hushed-up truths
Can you praise a God who doesnât call it a sin To heap violence upon his devout believers? [You should die] Thatâs how it always is with the hidden side of the truth In tears of blood [Somebody has drowned]
The darkness that completely engulfs me wonât let me go
Crushed by my helplessness I lived through sleepless nights Destroyed by my weakness I couldnât even cry anymore
Linked hearts And the hopes that traveled between them: What will be lost when the undesired end comes?
GODDESS: Translation
Suffering day after day My reason for living Is to embrace the answer that scratches the surface
Trapped inside, drowning in what I canât see, Iâm unable to believe in âsomedayâ These bleak thoughts are my sacrifice that will one day begin to thaw into a selfless, smiling heart Drain
I want to become the stars that fill the silence Giving voice to my multitude of sins, growing louder until itâs distorted Floating in a haze within this shallow sleep Your hand gently caresses my crippling despair as I face this moment
Suffering day after day For all eternity I simply wish that I might live [But] itâs the end of meâŚ
Trapped inside drowning in what I canât see, Iâm unable to believe in âsomedayâ These bleak thoughts are my sacrifice that will one day begin to thaw into a selfless, smiling heart
I canât become the stars that fill the silence Giving voice to my multitude of sins, it kills me as I struggle [If only] I could share my  grief that canât be put into words [If only] I could face reality and live accepting my crippling despairâŚ
UNDYING: Translation
Sleep⌠Count me down⌠Again I wonât arise from this
Black philosophy: the only thing left behind is a future engulfed in misery When your unclear reality becomes a hindrance, what can you believe in? what can you hope for?
Ominous shadows completely obscure this sky Spreading my wings, I will circle them for all eternity
7 ăâDisjointed thoughtsâ 6 ăâRetribution and separationâ 5 ăâThe gallowsâ 4 ăâWishes and the futureâ 3 ăâForbidden words and crushing heavinessâ 2ă âBroken dreamsâ 1 ăâBetrayalâ
I deny all of it Smothered in blackness [SleepâŚCount me down] Dancing with death [Count me downâŚAgain] Come, letâs end this
I screamed to drown out everything else Have I changed at all? What did you see in the ever-darkening sky? My heart has been broken
Too late the truth that gushes forth was smothered by the darkness
7ăFoolish courage Crawling, smeared with destructive desires 6ăEyes feigning apathy will bring the ruin of evil 5ă[Foolish courage] [Crawling, smeared with destructive desires] 4ăI mock even the God Iâve fooled 3ă[Foolish courage] [Crawling, smeared with destructive desires] 2ă[Eyes feigning apathy will bring the ruin of evil] 1ă[Foolish courage] [Crawling, smeared with destructive desires] 0
The sky that represents eternity is nothing but sad
Life, donât change my fate God, entomb my hate
Their depth of meaning begins to vanish along with the power of these words And even if I can see the end The dream I had was full of unforgivable hopes I can still see it even now
[Even now]
Iâm drowning in the depths of the endless tide of sin
MALUM: Translation
I saw the abyss Like a nightmare
Morally bankrupt and completely drenched in red like a demon In the indiscriminate inhuman depths of extreme greed even my fantasies are half-hearted The shards of this life are scattered
âHer body heat canât be felt anymoreâ
Why did you KILL? Though I lament She canât return
In a garbage heap, I degenerate into a beast dripping with malice I will never forget The meaning of it
Until you die / I will live Until it KILLS you It will never end I know Until you die / I will live Until I KILL you Pray as your eyes gaze down into the âabyss of deathâ
Why did you KILL? Though I lament She canât return
In a garbage heap, I degenerate into a beast dripping with malice I will never forget The meaning of it
Iâm already like this
Until you die / I will live Until it KILLS you It will never end I know Until you die / I will live Until I KILL you Pray as your eyes gaze down into the âabyss of deathâ
What do you think of the death I dealt you in retaliation? The nothingness will continue to spread until everything [is covered] And in it, even your reason for living brings you nothing but ruin.
VACANT: Translation
[Even] as weâre tangled around each other I understand That it can never go back [to how it was]
What do you think? The answer is discolored by my self-condemnation Iâve lost sight of [our] perfect world That trick of my unconscious mind Prevents me from even dreaming
The setting sun brings to mind the âpartingâ that will happen one day The cherry blossoms simply flutter amidst the sound of my never-ending tears Their fleeting life will fade as the days pass by, and my grief continues to grow Even now it wonât leave me
Just donât forget That the end will certainly be just like that day
[Even] as weâre tangled around each other I understand That it can never go back [to how it was]
On that wall of indifference [between us] that seems as if it could one day crumble away [I pin] the end and all my broken dreams
In the misery of being unable to reconnect our threads now untied, Time begins to pile up on itself, stopped dead in its tracks
The cherry blossoms merely flutter I canât escape that day Itâs as if youâre vacant, and youâre withering
I count the wishes you left me with
I grieve that I canât change the way things are now And remember What I lost on that day
... MASS lyrics book All lyrics translations are from Defective Tragedy blog, I did some changes to Dogma and Wasteland because I felt the need to (I study DOGMA lyrics like a religious text, because it is one). The Dogma book members comments are translated by ChatGPT. All scans are from The Archive. Tumblr has once again messed up the formatting, sorry about that.
Notes to self: Ruki calls dogma the antithesis - in hegelian philosophy it is the negation. antithesis was also written on 15th anni merch, specifically the black shirt aoi wore. Inorganic feel - deracine - in the womb, Ninth mother/ Matrix, Uruha said The Mortal is about AI, so the Matrix, while babylons taboo is the ninth cover art track. 99.999 is the most inorganic of them all but its also the sum of all their previous works. Ruki directly confirms that dawn and 13th anni is about the scarlet woman and the redefinition tour was part of the intro to dogma. 13th anni - 13 dogma songs - 13 the number of the high priestess card, she is on the cover of dogma. Also dawn lyrics literally say answer redefined becomes the new dogma. Deux - the 2 triangles of a hexagram. Blemish - redness, like a red strobe light. was supposed to have a stronger digital tone?? Inorganic??? ninth goddess. Strobe light at the beggining of the mortal live. Bizarre 3x inorganic, she is bizarre. red visualiser, composed by uruha- gate to hell - bab - the mortal - in hell. Ominous - whiteness ( it reads more like redness to me with the heart being torn open and bleeding in the dogmatic final performance. Blood is smeared on ninth cds but also ugly vid and also spookybox lucy cd. Did ruki mean ninth with more to come or ugly? probably both. But Kai said exit door and Door is Daleth so ninth. Maybe it's the whiteness turning into redness. ) lucy + barbarian.
Black B- PASS- Special Issue - The GazettE - NINTH Reference book - (part 2 - song comments & lyrics translations)
1. 99.999
Uruha: "This time, since it's our ninth album, we wanted to make it a culmination of everything we've done so far. We wanted the SE (sound effects) to convey that as well, so we incorporated sounds from the SEs used in the past eight albums in a way that's noticeable. It was quite a challenge to collect all the past SEs, cut out recognizable parts from each, like 'DISORDER' from the album 'DISORDER', and blend them in without breaking the harmony. Overall, we aimed for an industrial sound that might be harsh to the ears when listening casually but would really elevate the mood during live performances."
2. Falling
Ruki: "We had already decided to make a music video for this song, so I had a specific tempo in mind from the start. The song was created with the visuals in mind. I told the video production team that I wanted to show a car crashing and being destroyed, and we developed the story from there. Initially, the plan was for a burning car to fall, but that was deemed difficult. We only make a music video once every three years, so I thought it would be fine to go all out this time (laughs). So I expressed my hope for the highest possible budget from the start. In reality, the costs were more about the three days spent filming rather than the car itself. Watching the car burn, I wondered, 'What are we even filming here?' (laughs)."
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Falling: lyrics translation
Since how long Do you know how long itâs been? Together, letâs leap into the depths of chaos now so we can become intertwined Falling down Deep in to the dark
Distorted screams unraveling the past; Iâm losing my Mind I covered my weary eyes Stuck in my head the ghosts of my past haunt me and drive me mad Where did I come from?
In those swirling depths, my thoughts may be an escalating contradiction but In those swirling depths, my thoughts are the cherished shadow of my former self
Scream if you canât handle the crushing weight of rejection Suffer now that youâve seen what you were like back when youâd lost yourself
We just believe in ourselves to die I know you were the same Together, embracing the same pain weâll break Itâs all right if we smash to pieces and scatter To be reborn again Iâm gonna fall
Distorted screams unraveling the past; Iâm losing my Mind I covered my weary eyes Stuck in my head this shrill, noisy racket
Inside me Somethingâs changing I see an ending Take it all in Iâm gonna fall
I watch the sadness slowly disappear
We just believe in ourselves to die I know you were the same Together, embracing the same pain: itâs only temporary Donât forget that this is not the end So come on, letâs open our eyes and fall
We just believe in ourselves to die
Sometimes itâs okay to be broken
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3. NINTH ODD SMELL
Ruki: "This song was created around the same time as 'Falling', so they feel like two parts of a whole. This song went through four transformations before it was completed, and the fourth version felt just right. I wanted a really good guitar riff. It combines elements that evoke Nickelback, the generation of Skid Row, and our own generation's nu-metal influences. Next, we added visual kei elements. I think it will work well live, and it feels like a song that truly represents the recent sound of the GazettE."
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NINTH ODD SMELL: lyrics translation
This soul can never die
First ădisorderă is an ignorant blade Heresy raising its middle finger in rebellion
Reverberation running rampant heading towards the ninth stair of desire Second ănilă the future that tore through the darkness Nameless lights
The grim precursor soon becomes Stacked up, wriggling Rubbish
Draped in crimson despair crawling from the murky depths A tower of fear and doubt looks down upon the world
Poison gripping your voice as the days jumble around you Your heart painfully being sliced to shreds Exhilarating in the feeling of destruction Filled with strange distortions You fight your way to the 13th stair So embrace the black black black darkness
[Die] We fucking never die This soul can never die We fucking never die Canât never die
Both hands spread wide take one finger away Moving towards the end But, still partially entangled, youâre held back from flying
And now here, joined together It's figure has taken shape Ninth: âThe proof that we livedâ
Until it melts and scatters Melting my rusted heart Our clamoring voices may reach their breaking point But we wonât stop as long as we can impact you So take it, take it, take it, take it
[Die] We fucking never die This soul can never die We fucking never die Canât ever LIE [Die] We fucking never die This soul can never die We fucking never die I wonât ever lie
Worship the idol Inside me
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4. GUSH
Reita: "The song has a rough feel and isn't the type to exert pressure. I think it's necessary to have a song like this on an albumâneither too intense nor too quiet, but something that gets your body moving. It's similar to 'INSIDE BEAST' in that it's not particularly difficult and serves as a good warm-up at the start of a live show. The chorus also warms up the vocal cords. I imagine it being more suited for the early part of a live performance rather than later."
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GUSH: lyrics translation
The thing thatâs reflected in my eyes is A widescreen puppet But I wonder if youâre actually something more Youâve adapted to feeling out of place By wearing the worldâs view of Normal Spouting out whatever you think they want to hear
Gush over you made good use of your eyes Gush over since youâre being judged by their rules Gush over  when you turn to face them, theyâre dazzled Gush over [they offer you] mindless wild applause
This high-end [life] is lively Compared to the one you had before But the impressive illusion is crumbling The uninspired solution of most of the world is just to Buzz Swarming to gather the sweet nectar [you provide]
Gush over you turned and lavished them with your Vogue performance Gush over theyâd devour it even if it wasnât allowed Gush over with an adoring look in their eyes Gush over  [offering] mindless wild applause
Today youâre adrift, alone, in a swamp that canât be completely disguised Your celebrity is only the illusion of breaking free and escaping to beauty
Your crumbling illusion is Dope
Gush over you turned and lavished them with your Vogue performance Gush over theyâd devour it even if it wasnât allowed Gush over with an adoring look in their eyes Gush over [offering] mindless wild applause Gush over you made good use of your eyes Gush over since youâre judged by their rules Gush over  when you turn to face them, theyâre dazzled Gush over [they offer you] mindless wild applause
Today youâre still alone in the swamp that canât be completely disguised Despite that, you still seem like a decent person No matter what popular opinion may say
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5. THE MORTAL
Uruha: "When I created this song, I was inspired by the theme of AI and a mechanical worldview, giving it a bit of a sci-fi feel. Choosing the sounds was smooth. We included inorganic voice-like sounds throughout, adding a subliminal sense of lifelessness to complete the track."
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THE MORTAL: lyrics translation
Sheâs gone Cross a red line A quiet night That moment is pushed away What did you live for?
Lie on the color of sin Indistinct impurities sink to the bottom
Sheâs gone Cross a red line The remnants left in those hands
Laughing with innocent dead bodies and circling lies The hollowed personality, sculpted in superficiality Ugliness, ferocity, insanity, farce All around, the sound of bells Fills the air with contradiction and fades away
In hell Endless sorrow Unceasing pain that cannot be shed [One final] breath as I die, sinking down There is no answer
[Sheâs gone]
The day even laughter was stolen
In hell Endless sorrow Unceasing pain that cannot be shed [One final] breath as I die, sinking down There is no answer
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6. Utsusemi (ččŠ; "Emptiness")
Aoi: "Utsusemi comes before Sonokoe wa moroku, serving as a bridge. It's not a transitional track, but it carries meaning in that context. This album must have been challenging for Ruki to create. Considering that, he placed Utsusemi in the best spot. Initially, I felt this song left a faint impression. We couldn't listen to the album in its final order until the very end. I kept wondering about Utsusemi, but when I finally listened to the album in sequence, it made sense."
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Utsusemi: lyrics translation
I can't go back anymore No matter how many times the sun sets Even if I am burned by the dawn There is nothing left but this vow
If my wishes overflow, it hurts Can you make me forget somehow? Will I always remember nights like these?
Embracing sadness, in a dream-like state Scattered by the wind Even my reason to live I look for the pieces that I canât pick up Thereâre only traces of you
Even if by enduring these wounds I knew I could see âthe futureâ I still wouldnât be able to smile Iâm wasting away remembering My heart is unable to escape Iâm simply blank Wordlessly they begin to fall These tears of guilt that flow I say farewell to you At the depths of the revolving lantern Every time I remember, I want to disappear
Alone, when the evening cicadas cease their cries And so I watch the reddening sky Trapped in a cage my love canât reach [you]
Embracing sorrow, dissipating Even the endured days Barely resonate With the distant voice that encircles pain
Don't cry, it's over now The cicada shell that fell upon the sand was profoundly sad So very much like me
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7. Sonokoe wa moroku (ăăŽĺٰăŻčă; "That Voice Is Brittle")
Aoi: "This song feels like it captures the delicate aspects of the GazettE. While the GazettE is often associated with intensity and rawness, there's also a delicate side to us. Creating a ballad best-of album reminded us of the beauty of these kinds of songs. Everyone carefully crafted their instrument approaches and the atmosphere of the sounds. It's a song that aims to captivate without being overly forceful, maintaining the unique feel of the GazettE."
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Sonokoe wa moroku: lyrics translation
Iâve lost sight of âsomedayâ Alone to the bitter end Weakness and sadness fill my heart Always more fragile than anyone elseâs
Hey is there an end When will the grief disappear? If it hadnât been for the promise we made that I couldnât keep Maybe I could smile
Whatâs the use I canât find it Who am [I trying] for Iâm broken Iâm just drowning in my dreams I canât even see myself now
Pain piles on Iâm pretending when I say that Iâm not lonely I canât hide the feeling of desolation and close my eyes Your words justâŚ
Hey Is there an end When will the grief disappear If it hadnât been for the promise we made that I couldnât keep Maybe I could smile
âI want to be strongâ My hope is that tomorrow will bloom with you
Hey Is there an end Sorrow isnât eternal May the fragility I canât hide Be just like this song
Pain piles on Worn out Too many years to count When I remember I want to be able to smile again
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8. BABYLON'S TABOO
Uruha: "I want people to experience the world we created. I used various methods to bring my envisioned image to life. In the album, this song holds a similar position to '13STAIRS[-]1' from the past. It's a song that gradually builds up but retains a dark atmosphere. I'm satisfied that I could express my own unique 'darkness' rather than typical gothic or horror vibes."
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BABYLONâSÂ TABOO: lyrics translation
Spill it all Laughing at the forsaken in the vicinity What those eyes saw Was a feast discarding the weak
Sinister persecution Babylonâs Taboo Oppressed and uncertain, they remain bystanders. ăADE DUE DAMBALLAă* Are you testing me?
ăADE DUE DAMBALLAă Sinister persecution Babylonâs Taboo Oppressed and uncertain, they remain bystanders. ăADE DUE DAMBALLAă Are you testing me? ăADE DUE DAMBALLAă
The glaring fiction and lies, Flickering in pitch black beauty. Reflecting murkiness, even the depths of the depths Fate I accept
This is Babylonâs taboo
Observing black eyes I canât forget this humiliation Black eyes looking down [on you] I fucking canât forget this day
In vain Even sanity has become uncertain This is a curse In vain Even releasing hatred feels uncertain. My curse
The glaring fiction and lies, Flickering in pitch black beauty. Reflecting murkiness, even the depths of the depths Fate I accept This is Babylonâs taboo
Observing black eyes I canât forget this humiliation Black eyes looking down [on you] I fucking canât forget this day
Sinister persecution Babylonâs Taboo Oppressed and uncertain, they remain bystanders. ăADE DUE DAMBALLAă Are you testing me?
ăADE DUE DAMBALLAă Sinister persecution Babylonâs Taboo Oppressed and uncertain, they remain bystanders. ăADE DUE DAMBALLAă Are you testing me? ăADE DUE DAMBALLAă Â My curse
*In the "Child's Play" series, the phrase "Ade Du Damballa" is a voodoo chant meaning "Give me the power, I beg of you!" It is used for the supernatural transfer of a soul into a doll, transforming an innocent doll into the malevolent Chucky. This chant is central to the series' theme of combining human evil with the guise of a child's toy, driving its horror narrative. Damballa is a loa in Haitian Vodou, although "Ade Du Damballa" chant is fictional.
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9. Uragiru bero (čŁĺăč; "Traitorous Tongue")
Kai: "I think people of our generation will feel a sense of nostalgia when they listen to this song. It touches on a nostalgic feel that we've experienced. I'm curious how the younger generation, who might not be familiar with this nostalgia, will perceive it. Will they find it new? As for 'reverse diving' (a concert move), 'headbanging' has been mainstream, but I wonder how many young people understand 'reverse diving' these days."
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Traitorous Tongue: lyrics translation
DaftâBack stabberâ
I was drowning [in a sea of] viciousness stretching as far as the eye can see The last trick was the smile you saw that day
That face contorting into a twisted, grotesque expression is justâŚ
[DaftâBack stabberâ]
Am I still smiling? Tangled in a web of spite I fall into the trap of writing and rewriting, over and over again
[DaftâBack stabberâ]
Are they all [just] an imitation of God? I donât even have a tongue to bite off
Even when I wish for death, my dream doesnât die my immense dream
I canât hide the fact that [my dream] is just one big naĂŻve joke
So we fall because of our mistakes, [but] ăWe wonât dieă
I canât envision perfection based on my inexperience Even now, [nothing but] dull superficialities fall from Your tongue that just keeps on wagging Cultivated by your offenses
[DaftâBack stabberâ]
Am I still smiling? Tangled in a web of spite I fall into the trap of writing and rewriting, over and over again
[DaftâBack stabberâ]
Are they all [just] an imitation of God? I donât even have a tongue to bite off
Even when I wish for death, my dream doesnât die my immense dream Before long the remnants of time will reduce you to a crazy mess of loneliness, choking on your own tears
So we fall because of our mistakes, [but] ăWe wonât dieă
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10. TWO OF A KIND
Kai: "To me, this is the most GazettE-like song on the album. It embodies the essence of the GazettE after absorbing various influences. The way the key changes and the overall structure is surprising and has a quirky feel. The part where the A-melody features a four-on-the-floor rhythm is a playful touch that feels very GazettE. Other bands might take a different direction, but this playfulness is our style."
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TWO OF A KIND: lyrics translation
The scenes replay through my mind Blending into you, who is so much like me Negative feelings that I canât wipe out Emerge clearly, as if resurrected The scenes replay through my mind Blending into you, who is so much like me Negative feelings that I canât wipe out Keep repeating as if resurrected
Filthy, ugly me is still falling so violently This filthy, ugly voice is still falling so violently
Will these wounds from youth, forgotten yet remembered, Heal when we open our hearts to each other?
I already understand that âwhatâs rightâ is meaningless Two of a kind souls, knowing the same pain Seemingly destined, they intertwined
Within our hands, wherever we go A clear tomorrow awaits, unclouded Each time we share our scars, the future we saw Seems to sway and dance
This pain is given by fate
The scenes replay through my mind Blending into you, who is so much like me Negative feelings that I canât wipe out Emerge clearly, as if resurrected The scenes replay through my mind Blending into you, who is so much like me Negative feelings that I canât wipe out Keep repeating as if resurrected
Filthy, ugly me is still falling so violently This filthy, ugly voice is still falling so violently
You exist for the cycle of rebirth, a unique light Two of a kind souls, knowing the same pain Seemingly destined, they intertwined
I keep stubborn hold of The unclear, tenuous future as it trembles in my grasp Each time we share our scars, the future we saw Seemed to sway almost as if dancing
We may be naĂŻve But our hearts are joined as one Never to be corrupted
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11. ABHOR GOD
Reita: "This is a notable song (refer to the band interview for more details). I think it will be the easiest song to get into during live performances, reaching the peak of excitement at the end. Whether we can share this feeling with fans will only be known after performing live, but I hope we can somehow make it happen (laughs). There were many keywordsâfun, easy to get into, a bit intense, not too dark, and not too exhausting for the ears. It was a challenge, but we finished the song the night before recording the drums."
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ABHORÂ GOD: lyrics translation
It seems this Light is being stolen away from me The Glow reveals the secrets written here Good bye Before regret begins to spread even more Letâs raise a toast [to the] Goat
Maze, God, Devil, My life As Iâm crawling up from the bottom My song of victory rings out
Kill off My lust my pride My anxiety over and over again [My lust my pride My anxiety yeah]
[Come on]
I strung up my quivering, trembling nightmares TOO FAST TO LIVE, TOO YOUNG TO DIE I swear by the beat bursting my eardrums that I can still do it TOO FAST TO DIE
[Malformed] Malformed imperfect world
Kill off My lust my pride My anxiety over and over again [My lust my pride My anxiety yeah]
[Come on]
I strung up my quivering, trembling nightmares TOO FAST TO LIVE, TOO YOUNG TO DIE I swear by the beat bursting my eardrums that I can still do it It wonât end I even strung up my quivering, trembling God TOO FAST TO LIVE, TOO YOUNG TO DIE I swear by the beat now [fading] to embers that I can still do it TOO FAST TO DIE
My song of victory rings out:Â My life Itâs my life
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12. UNFINISHED
Ruki: "I love melodic songs, so this came naturally. However, it was only possible after 'DOGMA'. If we had been asked to release this after 'SHIVER', it would have been impossible. I restrained myself from making the structure too complex. The members advised against key changes and abrupt drops, which I tend to do. It was initially bright but gradually turned minor (laughs). It's a straightforward song, making it a bit challenging, repeating the chorus, and avoiding the impression of laziness. But this approach was due to the influence of 'DOGMA'."
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UNFINISHED: lyrics translation
These shaky words Iâve crossed out so many times Will never be enough to fill my broken days So I engraved into my heart The value of your confidence and Your complete faith in me
You always put up with my tears And at the same time walked alongside me
I will take your precious hand And show you something more than dreams Together, weâll take my silent wish into the future You have my word
I gather together [and treasure] these passing days And pour out all the love I have So keep believing in me completely Iâll stitch into my heart The reason for your faith in me
During that time when I ran away You were the light that shined on the path I took I canât even tell you in words How many times youâve saved this heart
I will take your precious hand And show you something more than dreams Together, weâll take my silent wish into the future You have my word
Countless times I held tight to my hopes I want to show you the future
I take that hand and now we begin to walk
Until we finally reach eternity My fervent wish is to keep heading towards the future with you That will never change Since you are the reason Iâm alive
All scans are from The Archive (rad-is-more) Interview translation is ChatGPT. Lyrics translations are Defective Tragedy Blog but I changed The Mortal, Utsusemi and Two of a Kind lyrics translations quite a bit. Babylon's taboo was a nightmare because I know the lyrics are wrong on the DT blog but idk how to actually translate it properly, but I used these blogs translations also ( 1 , 2 ), basicly I was looking at 6 different translations picking the best lines .... but the only thing I'm certain of is the dorodoro line... However after hours of breaking my brain trying to solve this I got an epiphany that these lyrics are about the black eyes that reflect both the black murky depths of his soul as well as observing the society at large... something like that
George Barbier (French: [ĘÉĘĘ baĘbje]), nĂŠ Georges Augustin Barbier, (1882â1932) was one of the great French illustrators of the early 20th century. Born in Nantes, France on 16 October 1882, Barbier was 29 years old when he mounted his first exhibition in 1911 and was subsequently swept to the forefront of his profession with commissions to design theatre and ballet costumes, to illustrate books, and to produce haute couture fashion illustrations. For the next 20 years Barbier led a group from the Ecole des Beaux Arts who were nicknamed by Vogue âThe Knights of the Bracelet"âa tribute to their fashionable and flamboyant mannerisms and style of dress. Included in this ĂŠlite circle were Bernard Boutet de Monvel and Pierre Brissaud (both of whom were Barbierâs first cousins), Paul Iribe, Georges Lepape, and Charles Martin. During his career Barbier also turned his hand to jewellery, glass and wallpaper design, wrote essays and many articles for the prestigious Gazette du bon ton. In the mid-1920s he worked with ErtĂŠ to design sets and costumes for the Folies Bergère and in 1929 he wrote the introduction for ErtĂŠâs acclaimed exhibition and achieved mainstream popularity through his regular appearances in L'Illustration magazine. Barbier died in 1932 at the very pinnacle of his success. He is buried in Cemetery MisĂŠricorde, Nantes.
Soundtrack
Mana sama.
In memory of our favourite bassist.
"We, all the members, will accept all of your emotions, carry them, and lead you with all our might. That's the resolve with which I sing...!" (RUKI)
Toshiya and Kaoru of Dir En Grey
35 min kaoru drawing..
their asses are NOT listening âď¸
DOGMA book: member interview translations
Interviewer: The keywords associated with "PROJECT: DARK AGE" and "THE OMINOUS YEAR," leading up to the release of "DOGMA," have all been gloomy, exuding a sense of despair rather than hope. Does this mean that the GazettE has been dwelling in darkness for a while?
Ruki: Rather than darkness...how should I put it? By the time the flow of time associated with our previous work "BEAUTIFUL DEFORMITY" had ended, we became aware of our standing and began thinking about what to do next. We weren't in the mood to create happy music (laughs), but we also weren't feeling gloomy. It was more like a sense of angerâa bundle of frustration. We are genuinely rebellious at heart, yet there were circumstances where we couldn't rebel, living as cogs in society.
Interviewer: You mean the absurdity of knowing that something is wrong but still having to comply with it?
Ruki: Exactly. As we continued our band activities, we encountered various people's thoughtsâthose of other bands and people from record companies. This made us reflect on how we should live. For instance, to achieve various successes, I had countless responsibilities and no time for leisure. My focus shifted more towards cramming in various tasks rather than having fun. But then, I'd wonder, "How does everyone else manage?" and consider if others might be neglecting such details. This made me realize that our meticulousness might actually be one of our strengths.
Interviewer: Even at the cost of sacrificing your own time?
Ruki: Instead of living a wealthy life with lots of money, it's more important for us to see how much we can dedicate to the band. Of course, this applies to when we are performing live as well, but it's crucial to show that we are betting everything on this lifestyle. I hate doing things half-heartedly. Even if we were a popular band performing in large stadiums, I'd still want to maintain an aggressive stance. Although I can't speak for the feelings of bands in that situation.
Interviewer: The opposite of aggressive is defensive. Do you have a sense of crisis about becoming complacent in your activities as your career progresses?
Ruki: There's a part of me that thinks we might eventually become more relaxed about these aspects. In that sense, I try not to think of myself as absolute. However, I do everything to feel that "we're the best!" and I don't want to spare any effort to achieve that. I don't know how others perceive it, but the image of the GazettE has grown significantly in my mind, and I have been thinking a lot about how to shape it in the future. Having time to think about it was very significant.
Interviewer: Indeed. In 2014, you were busy with a tour themed "redefinition," without releasing any new material.
Ruki: Having a whole year without a release was unusual. We were always moving forward and didn't have much time to look back. But during that tour, we could think about many things. There was a sense that when we released our next work, we had to come back changed. Therefore, we needed to think carefully about what we wanted to do and how we should be. Eventually, I realized that our core lies in live performances. The essence of our live shows is built upon something unique to us. While searching for that answer, I felt like we were seeking something akin to religiosityânot resembling any specific religion but perhaps related to the fervor of our fan unity.
Interviewer: Do you mean the degree of empathy and collective feeling beyond normal bounds?
Ruki: There might be some of that, but I also want to delve deeper into it. I wanted to redefine and present it anew. Even the sight of the audience during "Kantou Dogeza Kumiai" was extraordinary and special. So, instead of expanding into a gray zone or appealing to a broader general audience, we wanted to be unbeatable within our niche. But we don't intend to remain confined within the existing visual kei boundaries; we aim to elevate everything beyond that. That's one of our conclusions. We don't want to be lax about anything and strive to do everything thoroughly.
Interviewer: In other words, you want to be absolute and definitive.
Ruki: Yes. Rather than creating a religious-like world, we want an absolute feeling that also resonates with religious undertones. We have an absolute worldview that we believe in, and it involves attitudes and ideologies rather than just songs. We then present and share everything with our fans. That overlaps significantly with the word "dogma."
Interviewer: In the dictionary, it means doctrine or creed.
Ruki: I don't particularly love the word "dogma" itself. It's been used in many places before. But instead of being the first band to use the term, we wanted to be the band that expressed "dogma" most profoundly.
Interviewer: Using words like religion and doctrine requires a certain determination, doesn't it? If it were a real religion, the proponents would need to be gods or prophets, presenting something absolute for followers to believe in.
Ruki: We actually tried to create that. So, we're very confident in ourselves. Of course, we've always been confident, but this is more about a comprehensive confidence. The title "DOGMA" is very symbolic. And the pursuit of what we think "DOGMA" should be is not limited to just one CD. We planned to take our time to carry out various things associated with this album. At the same time, regarding the album's composition, we used to aim for a balanced inclusion of various elements, like "let's include this type of song" or "we need a song like this," but we decided to stop that. Previously, each album had at least one "good song," but for an album named "DOGMA," we decided not to include anything that didn't fit. Of course, it's not that there are no melodic or catchy elements at all...
Ruki: We have included songs with depth, but it's more like we deliberately set a 'rigidness' to it.
Interviewer: So, instead of maintaining balance within the work, you focused on thoroughly expressing the core element?
Ruki: Yes. There's always a balance in our live performances, like having a song come in at a certain point, or placing a specific type of song before another. We started by breaking away from that.
Interviewer: And when it came to embodying "this is what the GazettE is," anger and darkness were indeed essential elements?
Ruki: In reality, part of the reason we started doing this was because we were drawn to emotions like anger. Somehow, I don't have the option in myself to turn happy things or enjoyable things into songs. Of course, if something makes me happy, my heart moves, but it's not a deep emotional movement, you know? You don't stay joyful for days over one thing. Instead, anger, fear of the current world, and anxiety tend to root themselves deeply and linger. As these emotions amplify, they naturally emerge in the music, not because I consciously decided to push them to the forefront, but because it just naturally turned out that way.
Interviewer: There are tragic incidents and accidents occurring daily. Some of your lyrics seem inspired by such realities.
Ruki: Yes. For example, juvenile crime. Apparently, juvenile crime itself is relatively declining. However, regardless of that, there's a part of me that can't help but be concerned about things like the relationship between victims and perpetrators, or the incidents where family members are affected afterwards... Even though such aspects aren't often highlighted on TV, they catch my attention. Even in cases where there should absolutely be severe punishment, there are perpetrators who manage to evade responsibility, or there are systems in society that allow such things to happen... Such contradictions and hidden aspects move me emotionally because there are likely feelings involved that I can't even imagine.
Interviewer: Because you can't imagine them, you want to understand them?
Ruki: Yes. I want to express that depth of emotion through sound and words. It's not about the incident or the emotion itself, but the depth of it. Therefore, I'm not singing about specific incidents directly. While I can't understand the sadness faced by those affected, imagining it happening to me makes me want to express that depth of emotion and translate it into music.
Interviewer: And the fact that such incidents don't stop means it could happen to anyone, including yourself.
Ruki: Exactly. It can happen to anyone. Everyone must think, "It would be great if these things didn't happen, but they don't stop."
Interviewer: Indeed, those lingering feelings are easier to use as a starting point for expression compared to joy or pleasure.
Ruki: We rarely feel joy so intense it's hard to imagine in our lives. Such feelings are often momentarily released and don't go beyond that. On the opposite, anger and sadness that can't be directed anywhere are feelings everyone tries to hide. You can't burst into tears on the spot, and crying doesn't necessarily make you feel better.
Interviewer: Similarly, even if you harbor feelings of intense anger, you can't go around breaking things or shouting loudly.
Ruki: That's right. The anger towards the perpetrator or the criminal is not something trivial. For example, if my son were killed by a juvenile, I can't even imagine what kind of feelings I'd have.
I think there would be a feeling of needing to kill the perpetrator myself to feel satisfied. Even if that meant breaking the law, the feeling of needing to take matters into my own hands. However, while I might desperately want to kill the criminal in my heart, that's not something allowed for a human. Therefore, these dark feelings have to be hidden and can't be shared with anyone. Unless they're expressed through a song.
In short, that's what it is. For example, I don't think it's appropriate to write about such feelings on Twitter. I'm not trying to share those feelings with others; instead, from my position, I wanted to express those dark feelings through lyrics and sound. And by doing so, I can also expel the murkiness within myself. It's similar to how someone who writes novels might feel. For instance, I have my own thoughts on politics, but I'm not deeply knowledgeable about it, so I don't think it would be right to write about it half-heartedly on Twitter or a blog. Rather, I have a lot of things I want to say that wouldn't fit in such places.
Interviewer: RUKI-san's lyrics aren't explicitly advocating any particular ideology; sometimes it's about the world of imagery. However, that's where those emotions are being expelled, right?
Ruki: That's right. However, it depends on the theme as well. For example, if the theme of a song's lyrics is love. But love isn't tangible. When you try to write about it, it inevitably becomes abstract. If it's limited to the feeling of liking someone, it might become a bit more concrete, but I feel like there's nothing for me to write about such intangible things. As for anger, it's better not to have such feelings. I don't want to evoke a chain of negative events, and I don't wish for such things to happen around me. But anger doesn't go away, and I find myself feeling it more and more each year.
Interviewer: As a result, fans who listen to your music might find some form of healing through those expressions.
Ruki: I wonder about that. Many of our fans are quite enthusiastic. At our live shows, some don't even look at the stage and just headbang (laughs). That's fine. I'm not the type to shout, "Look at us!" during live performances. Rather, I prefer for the atmosphere to be filled with our worldview. For example, if someone releases their stress by going wild at our concerts, that's fine with me. Of course, I have things I want to convey too. But each fan has their own story. We don't know what emotions they bring with them to our concerts. But I think there's something in my emotions that resonates with each of them. I've only recently started thinking this way. Until a while ago, I thought it was enough to just keep the anger and such feelings within myself. As long as I felt my thinking wasn't wrong, that was enough.
Interviewer: It's not about being right by societal standards, but understanding that they are not wrong as your own feelings, right?
Ruki: Exactly. It might not be correct if you take a majority vote, but these are my feelings. So putting those feelings into lyrics is actually quite a forceful imposition.
Interviewer: It's not a question of "Isn't it like this?" It's more of a definitive statement, like words in a sacred text.
Ruki: That's right. It's because it's absolute. So it's not about "There are various ways of thinking." For me, this is the definitive answer. I'm not saying, "You should feel the same," but rather, "This is how it is for me."
Interviewer: So it's a one-way expression. But if it gathers enough empathy, it could even form a kind of religion.
Ruki: Yes, that's right.
Interviewer: So I'd like to ask again, in the end, what is the most important thing for the GazettE to be the GazettE?
Ruki: That's... it's really difficult to answer clearly... For example, right now, I don't find many bands that I think are cool. I don't mean that in a bad way. Of course, there are many people I respect. But the ideal band I envision, which includes not just the music but also things like the quality of the visuals and the way they dress, those elements combined, that's what I wanted to pursue, which led to the "PROJECT: DARK AGE" approach.
Interviewer: You don't want to idealize someone from the past, you have to create your own ideal form.
Ruki: That's right. I don't want to seek ideals in the past, and I want to focus on what visual kei really means. Visual kei isn't just about looks; it's about the mindset. When I first discovered LUNA SEA, I was drawn to those aspects and felt the "now" of that era in their band style. Moreover, they definitely expressed darkness. That impression was vivid for me, and that's what visual kei means to me. But I don't think we should cling to those past ideals in 2015. Honestly, until recently, I was probably trapped by that. I was trying to preserve the old-school visual kei within myself.
Interviewer: To inherit, deepen, and pass it on to the next generation?
Ruki: Yes. But I felt that I had to devour the visual kei of the past in order to be satisfied within myself. Therefore, I had a strong feeling of embodying the world view and pursuing quality that I hadn't been able to fully realize before. As a result, if you ask whether what we created falls within the bounds of visual kei, it might not. But by embodying those ideals and becoming such a presence ourselves, I felt we might find a unique position. Thinking about why so many people come to see us, I felt the answer was there. There's a traditional idea of what visual kei is supposed to be. For me, that's also the standard. When you think of visual kei, there's an image. But we can't remain kids chasing that image forever. This realization hit me while we were on the "Redefinition" tour.
Interviewer: So the pursuit of ideals so far was based on the classic model of the past. But now, you have to create your own ideal path and present yourselves to the generations who don't know your past. You can't stay in an old, balanced, or vague state.
Ruki: That's right. And it's not about wanting to be popular with younger audiences. We want to emphasize "now" in our own way and proceed with everything based on that. I think that's what we should be doing. We don't want to stop evolving. We're not trying to revitalize the visual kei industry. It's not about that; we want to be individuals. We want to maintain a stance of not blending in. We want to continue evolving without forgetting the respect we have for those who influenced us. Only by being like that can we be a truly current band. The goal is not to uplift this genre of music for the world. Instead, we want to become an indispensable and absolute presence for those who need us.
Interviewer: The GazettE might still be visual kei, but the motivation for being visual kei has changed.
Ruki: For me, it has. My feelings have changed. We're not focusing on continuing as visual kei. Ultimately, it started from wanting to be cool. Looking around, I don't see any bands that I think are cool, so it would be strange to try to blend in. So, we decided to seek our ideals as individuals. Also, when our fans show someone our music and say they like visual kei, I don't want the reaction to be "Wow." Are they still doing this in this era?" For example, and it's an extreme example, but if you compare us to Taylor Swift, I don't want there to be an obvious gap.
Our English lyrics are done by someone in London, and they say that over there, bands need to be unique to be recognized. If the quality and message of a band aren't apparent, there's no place for them. If it's clearly felt that our level is lower, everything will be dismissed as inferior. So we decided to go all out with "PROJECT: DARK AGE," creating something we could be confident in.
Interviewer: So you wanted to present a team that could compete with the world?
Ruki: Yes. Over there, each individual stands out. In Japan, mastering engineers are seen as behind-the-scenes, but in America, names like Ted Jensen are well-known. We work surrounded by people who are on par with them, and we want to show that. Whether we're the best intermediary for that is uncertain, but that's what we wanted to convey.
Interviewer: On the other hand, even if you have a reliable team, if the work itself is mediocre or vague, it means nothing. So, creating something absolute and pushing yourselves to the limit was crucial.
Ruki: Yes. As a result, it became our strength. When a band tries to move forward, obstacles sometimes come from unrelated places. But each time that happened, our rebellious spirit grew, making us want to speed up even more. We need to reach a place where those obstacles are no longer a concern.
Interviewer: The title of your work "DOGMA" is quite striking. How did you feel when you first heard it?
Uruha: I simply thought it was cool. First of all, the sound of the word is good. Simple and impactful words have mostly already been used, right? Although the word "dogma" itself has already been used in many places, we hadn't used it before. The sound of this word links well with musical expression. If we use this title, the work inevitably has a darker tone. That aligns with our strengths. So, from the start, I thought it was a great idea.
Interviewer: It's a word that means creed, doctrine, or principle. Having it as a title implies that the work embodies your essence or what you've always had, rather than exploring unknown music.
Uruha: Yes. The darkness typical of visual kei that we've always pursued is part of it, but expressing the creation of a new religion is something we hadn't tackled before. So, it seemed interesting. Combining religious elements with visual kei. For example, there are quite a few visual kei bands that use Christian imagery as a motif. Instead of an existing religion, creating a brand-new one ourselves has a certain freedom. There are no constraints. If we were to be conscious of an existing religion, there would be limitations and difficulties, but if we create it ourselves, nothing gets in the way.
Interviewer: Indeed. When you describe a work as having a "religious feel," people might think of pipe organ sounds or hymn-like elements. But that's not the case here. Rather, it's an album that redefines what the GazettE is all about.
Uruha: Yes. It's like looking at ourselves from a bird's eye view. It's like, "Yeah, this is who we are." Even at our live shows, there are elements that seem religious. All the fans moving in unison with the music. Sometimes we feel, "You don't have to move like that," or "You could be more free." We feel a bit conflicted about it, but ultimately, we have to accept that this is our way. We think, "Let's present it in a cool way." So, choosing a "religious" presentation was one of the options to make it really cool.
Interviewer: Do you personally follow any religion?
Uruha: No, I don't.
Interviewer: For people who are overly devoted to religion, it can sometimes seem dangerous. We all remember incidents related to new religious movements. For the followers, it's sacred and worship-worthy, but for others, it can appear strange or dirty. Didn't you feel any danger in presenting things in a religious manner?
Uruha: Rather than those real aspects, itâs more about my own perspective since I don't really know much about religion. For example, "Why do so many people gather for this?" It's the pulling power of the sect or the leader. That power to attract people is something we want to have and show during our live performances. Without it, any band would be hopeless.
Interviewer: So, the idea was to create your own religion to strengthen that attraction?
Uruha: Yes. No matter how seriously you pursue music, it's essentially the same thing. It's establishing a religious group and seeing how many people follow it. Even starting a fan club is similar. Recruiting members is like a religion. The only difference is whether music is at the core.
Interviewer: So, there's no need to overreact to the word "religion"?
Uruha: Exactly. We're not trying to present any doctrines or teachings (laughs). If there's anything close to that, it would be something like, "You should vent your daily life stress at our live performances!" (laughs). That's really all there is to it. So, the interpretation of the album is up to the listeners. How they perceive each song is up to them. What's more important is the tour. Weâll be touring with this concept, and the key is how many people we can attract and how much we can entertain them. That's everything.
Interviewer: It also means drawing people in more deeply, right?
Uruha: Yes. Just like followers of a religion go through what they call training, producing adrenaline in the process. In a different form, but fundamentally similar. So, when people are going wild at our shows, it might look like training from an outsider's perspective.
Interviewer: I see. It feels like this work and concept will be crucial for the band to aim higher and continue for a long time. What do you think is the most important thing the band must not lose?
Uruha: The things we mustn't lose... there are many. Too many to count. The most important would be the parts that drive us. If we lose our passion, it would be like having our engine taken out of a car. Trust and relationships with those around us are also crucial. If our connection with the fans breaks, that would be really bad. So, there are many things we must not lose.
Interviewer: What do you think is necessary for the GazettE to continue being the GazettE?
Uruha: What could it be? Probably freedom. The freedom to come up with ideas and pursue different concepts is because of the environment we have. Without that environment, we wouldnât be able to do anything. So, the most important thing might be freedom.
Interviewer: It's interesting that having an environment where you can think freely allowed you to create something very focused.
Uruha: Yes. Because we have that freedom, we could create this. Trying to do everything at once wouldn't work. Freedom allowed us to create a tightly focused world.
Uruha: But this way of thinking has only recently come about. During the previous album, the freedom we had was more in the ordinary sense. Our use of freedom was different. Realizing that change is part of the flow from the last work to this one.
Interviewer: "DOGMA" isn't a balanced album in the usual sense. It's not a collection of diverse songs with a good balance. Instead, you could say that every song is intense and dark from start to finish. Why were you able to create something like this without hesitation?
Uruha: That's probably because our ideals have changed. When we made the previous album, our ideal was to create a well-balanced work with various elements. But after doing that, we realized that it left an empty space. Noticing that gap led to the next ideal. Ideals aren't singular. If you only have one ideal, you'll end up doing the same thing repeatedly.
Interviewer: Continuously refining the same thing can be beautiful...
Uruha: Yes, if that's truly their ideal. But for the GazettE, I don't think that's the case. We're always looking for gaps, something missing. So, after finishing one thing, we always come up with the next thing we want to do. This momentum and constant change is what drives the band.
Interviewer: So, if people were to say, "How was the new album?" and the answer is, "It's the same as before," that would be a crisis.
Uruha: That would be quite bad. However, it's fine for other bands to stay the same. I don't demand change from bands I like. I want them to stay the same. But we donât want to keep doing the same thing ourselves (laughs).
Interviewer: Thatâs quite contrary (laughs). As a listener, you listen to what you want to hear. But as a creator, itâs different.
Uruha: Yes. There's definitely a difference between my creator self and listener self. It may seem contradictory, but both coexist within me. Just creating what my listener self wants to hear doesnât satisfy my creator self.
Interviewer: You mentioned changing ideals. It makes sense that reactions and reflections on the previous work lead to changes. So, after "DOGMA," will you find another gap?
Uruha: Probably. With "PROJECT: DARK AGE," weâve put in an unprecedented amount of effort, so the reaction might be significant (laughs). I'm sure there will be moments when we think, "I don't want to do intense songs anymore." I can already see that reaction coming. And since we will continue with this concept for a while, weâll likely feel fed up with it and be thorough to the point of exhaustion (laughs).
Interviewer: I donât completely understand your future plans yet, but it seems like it wonât just be one album and a tour. Youâre planning to take more time and be thorough.
Interviewer: What led you to this idea?
Uruha: As I said earlier, weâre seeking an attraction. We felt that we needed to have the momentum to turn everyone into believers. Looking back, we thought our previous works had a weak pull. We realized that if the work itself didnât draw people in, it was pointless. We needed to attract our core audience more deeply. And even though we call them the core audience, we wondered if they all truly felt as passionately as we thought. Thatâs why we felt the need to draw them in thoroughly, at least once. To do that, we needed a concept that could captivate even ourselves. The word âdogmaâ had the power to do that. It had something that stirred the heart, which was crucial.
Interviewer: So, the word "dogma" didn't just pop up suddenly, but it came about naturally because you wanted to increase your attraction and become a definitive presence?
Uruha: Exactly. Itâs a word with a sound we like and we thought the fans would like it too. We were searching for a word that could reach those sensitive spots, and we came across this word. It wasnât just a word we liked; it also pointed to something we needed at the time. Everyone who likes visual kei gathered because of that. The band members, the fans, thereâs a commonality among us. With âDOGMA,â we want to pull those who gather around the GazettE even deeper. We want to draw them in even more intensely than just within the circle of the GazettE. We want them to get to the core.
Interviewer: Does that mean that music alone isnât enough to achieve this?
Uruha: Of course, music is the foundation. It must be compelling enough to draw people in on its own. Even before the artwork and accompanying elements were decided, the idea of releasing an album called "DOGMA," which seemed intense, already excited me. At that point, I had already cleared my own hurdle. So, I had high expectations. If itâs something I can look forward to, Iâm sure the fans will follow. We have to believe in that. If itâs not accepted, then our tastes must be different...
Interviewer: Yes. it would be disappointing, wouldn't it?
Uruha: Yes. But I think itâs good to clarify any ambiguity. By reaffirming what our music is about, the fans will understand the band better. I believe that will be the result.
Interviewer: You want to deepen the relationship with the fans to the point where it could almost be called religious.
Uruha: Yes. To put it simply, I want to make them unable to escape. Not just strengthening the bond.
Interviewer: And as you mentioned earlier, this is definitely at the core of the GazettE in 2015, however, this doesn't mean it will continue like this musically forever.
Uruha: I think so. It depends on the reaction we get after this album is released and after the tour. It will depend on the reaction within ourselves during that time too. It will determine where we go next. Right now, it's still too early to say.
Uruha: I don't really want to think about it. Right now, Iâm focusing completely on this, and when Iâm entirely focused, the next reaction should naturally emerge. In the past, I thought I had to see several years into the future. But that can make the present feel insubstantial. While the future is important, I want to focus on the amazing concept in front of us now. We can't go back to who we were at that time. For example, a work is like a child; if I had a child, their early years would never come again. Thatâs why I want to be fully present at that moment. I think itâs the same thing.
Interviewer: Thinking about the future doesnât necessarily open the path ahead.
Uruha: I think there's a way to move forward like that, of course. However, I've come to think that focusing on the present will connect to the future better.
Interviewer: Even if you try to think about the future...
Uruha: It doesnât go as planned (laughs).
Interviewer: Even if you make a plan, it doesnât go accordingly. But the reason you tried to plan was because of anxiety, right?
Uruha: That might be part of it. I was thinking about how to keep going. Like, since we came this far, whatâs next, or considering the state of the world. But looking back, those events donât end up being that meaningful. Taking that stance can make time pass by unremarkably. I think itâs more important to create something big and focus on it. To tackle each moment as it comes.
Interviewer: And by focusing on the present, some kind of reaction is always born, revealing the next step. It seems that now you can focus on the present because you've gained a solid sense of identity and the anxiety has disappeared.
Uruha: Yes. Simply put, itâs because âIâm interested in this now.â The flow of time up to this point has been important. The âredefinitionâ tour had a huge impact. That year was significant. From the outside, people might have wondered about it.
Interviewer: Like, âAre you on hiatus?â
Uruha: That was one reaction. People also probably said, âRelease a CD!â But having a year without releases was important. At that time, we were convinced that we needed a break.
Interviewer: If youâre stuck in the routine of releasing an album and touring every year, the band might burn out. Taking time off can reveal things you hadnât seen before. Through the âredefinitionâ process, you re-experienced your past chronologically and confirmed that your history was a series of reactions.
Uruha: Yes. We needed to review what the GazettE is and take time to think. Everyone has times when they need a break. Continuing in the same cycle indefinitely isn't normal. It was important for people to understand that weâre human.
Interviewer: This ties into whether music alone is enough. Will the band continue to be visual kei in the future?
Uruha: I think so (laughs). Not because weâre bound by it, but because we like it. We donât see ourselves as fitting into a category; we just like visual kei and itâs ingrained in us. We use visual kei methods and nuances to realize our ideals. After being in visual kei for so long, we donât even think of ourselves as playing visual kei music anymore. It doesnât matter. We do things that donât seem visual kei naturally. We initially sought that when we started the band, but over time, weâve experimented with different genres. How people categorize us doesnât matter anymore.
Interviewer: The ideal stance is that categories donât matter and arenât necessary. The band isnât trying to be visual kei; rather, when the GazettE does what it does best, visual elements and methods are indispensable, right?
Uruha: Yes. So, when people say, âYou have visual kei elements,â I donât deny it. âOh, really? That shows?â (laughs). But weâre not doing visual kei. Thereâs no resistance to it, but thatâs not the point. I want people to understand that weâre not trying to compete within that framework.
Interviewer: That sentiment must be reflected in this work, too.
Uruha: Yes. What we should create and wanted to create is exactly this. But it doesnât mean weâll stay the same forever. While we may not have infinite time, weâll decide together on the next direction and run towards it. And it feels really freeing.
Interviewer: Itâs because of that freedom that you can go deeper. Itâs not that this was the only thing you could create, but you chose this among infinite possibilities. Thatâs important.
Uruha: Thatâs crucial. No doubt.
Interviewer: The birth of the title âDOGMAâ was inevitable, and without it, this work wouldnât exist.
Uruha: Yes. In reality, itâs about fitting the word and concept to what we wanted to do. Itâs not that we had a theme first and created around it, but rather what we wanted to do came first. Then we thought, âWhat word expresses this?â and thatâs how we arrived at the title.
Interviewer: Even if you had thought of the word âdogmaâ between the previous albums, you were in a period of wanting to create new music and try unknown methods. So, it wouldnât have been the title then.
Uruha: Yes. If we had finished the previous album and come up with this word, we might have chosen it. But if it had come up before making the previous album, it wouldâve been rejected. It really appeared at the right time. I think everything had that kind of inevitability.
Interviewer: Itâs often said that a name represents its essence, and I think the same can be said about the album "DOGMA." What kind of image did you have of this title, Aoi-san?
Aoi: You mean as a word, right? At first, I wondered, âWhat is 'dogma'?â The word itself didnât feel very real to me. It wasnât completely disconnected from the bandâs image, but it also wasnât straightforward. It didnât quite fit comfortably anywhere. Also, while the word was new to us, it had been used in many contexts before.
Interviewer: It's been quite commonly used in the visual kei scene, hasn't it?
Aoi: Yes, exactly. So, initially, I didnât have a great impression of it. I wondered, âWhy use this word now?â There was that feeling. In our past works, we've often embraced somewhat impersonal or coined terms, and this word "dogma" appeared suddenly, with a worldview that seemed too fixed. At first, it was difficult to grasp how to approach it.
Interviewer: The previous two albums had a clear concept in terms of how the music was made, right? But with the word âdogma,â itâs hard to see a specific method or theme.
Aoi: Itâs paradoxical. Itâs both too clear and too elusive at the same time.
Interviewer: The word has a grandiose feel. Did it feel strange to use such a religious-sounding word now?
Aoi: Yes, but in our discussions, it became clear that it represented an absolute thing for us, something fundamental to the GazettE. Once we understood that, it started to feel doable. Simply creating songs that respond to the word âdogmaâ wouldnât have worked. But if itâs about our absolute essence, then we could work with that.
Interviewer: Your own absolute essence. That wouldnât mean creating completely different music, but rather, focusing on what youâre best at, right?
Aoi: Yes. When we thought of it that way, we started to see the final form of the album. It felt more intense, like there werenât many sweet elements. Weâre not sure how it will affect listeners, but if we believe in it absolutely, then that result is fine. In the past, we might have thought we needed a ballad or a more familiar song. But for this, we didnât worry about that.
Interviewer: Usually, when striving for an ideal album, you tend to think about the balance of the songs.
Aoi: If we had focused on that balance, it wouldnât have turned out this way. In that sense, itâs not a balanced album. But making it as âDOGMAâ naturally led to this. We couldnât imagine it any other way. We created many songs and carefully selected from them, which led to this result. This is what we wanted to showcase, with absolute confidence.
Interviewer: Thatâs an interesting point. Normally, when selecting from many songs, you avoid ones that overlap in impression. But in this case, all the songs feel dark, like theyâre all black in color. Itâs hard to describe each track individually because many are expressed in similar terms.
Aoi: Exactly. There were times when it felt a bit scary. But if you donât believe in yourselves, it canât become something absolute. Making an album without worrying about balance is inherently scary. We want to be liked rather than disliked, naturally. There was a fear that it wouldnât be accepted, but as a work, itâs better not to have regrets. If we had added pop songs or ballads for balance, we might have regretted it.
Interviewer: So, if you had aimed to write universally good or heart-touching songs, it wouldnât have turned out this way. But perhaps thatâs why itâs good.
Aoi: Yes, the starting point wasnât to write universally acclaimed songs. It was simply about what we wanted people to hear. Even if itâs not accepted, we have no regrets. Otherwise, we couldnât have titled it âDOGMA.â Itâs a risky title because it asserts our doctrine. If something isnât included here, itâs not part of the GazettEâs core path.
Interviewer: Itâs true. This title indicates that whatâs included here is essential to the band. If itâs not included, it suggests itâs not part of the GazettEâs core.
Aoi: Exactly. But right now, this is what we wanted to release. We donât have more to show for âDOGMAâ at this moment. Thereâs more to come in the future, but for the first release in this series, this form is the only one we could think of.
Interviewer: What led you to the decision to focus on your core essence so thoroughly here?
Aoi: Itâs hard to say. Itâs a flow from the previous two works. Thereâs a part of us testing ourselves within that flow. It felt like a challenge to see how far we could go with the GazettE. If we were going to go that far, it made sense to establish our absolutes. Thatâs my interpretation. Others in the band might have different thoughts, maybe they just thought âdogmaâ sounded cool (laughs). But thatâs how I took it.
Interviewer: In the past, youâve deliberately tried different approaches, even in the last two albums. Youâll probably continue exploring new areas in the future. But it seems you needed to reaffirm and shape your core essence now.
Aoi: I think so too. The band has been around for over ten years, and to continue working together in the future, this was a necessary step.
Aoi: If itâs not intense, I canât feel a reason to do it. But, I think that after we create something like âDOGMA,â then when we think about creating something in the future, our vision will become clearer.
Interviewer: So to put it bluntly, itâs like creating a noun again, it becomes a work that says "this is the kind of band we are," right?
Aoi: Yeah. Ultimately, over these 13 years, there were times when I didnât quite understand RUKI's symbolic part of the band, but reaching this point now feels significant. For example, in past interviews, Iâve said things like, âI donât really understand this music.â During that time, I tried to understand the songs more deeply. Thatâs probably why we were able to create this album.
Interviewer: Even if a song didnât align with your own tastes, you believed it would add value to the whole, or it was necessary for where you were heading in the future, right?
Aoi: Yes, that's right. So... RUKI doesn't really explain everything, so we have to find answers ourselves... Whether those answers are correct or not is uncertain, but we need to show a proactive stance. If we donât, we might not really be a band anymore. We do get asked, âWhat do you want to do?â and we have to maintain a sense of being a band.
Interviewer: What it means to be a band can differ. Itâs not necessarily about everyone always having intense communication and unified intentions. In the case of this band, there are a lot of elements like the bandâs worldview and aesthetics that RUKI transmits, right? And the chemistry that happens around that defines your bandâs essence.
Aoi: I want to believe that too. Honestly, there were times when I felt like it was just about his opinions. That was just my perspective. At such times, the members donât talk more than necessary to each other, but if you try to understand, the other person responds. It's that kind of feeling. Such a flow comes around, and thatâs how we got here.
Interviewer: I also feel that "DOGMA" will become a standard to measure various things against in the future.
Aoi: Indeed. Saying that might be interpreted as a return to roots, but itâs completely different. Itâs not about going back to our roots. Itâs still about the present and, probably the future too. RUKI remains the core of the GazettE. But no one really understands whatâs in RUKI's head (laughs), and I honestly donât know how weâll progress from here. However, if we can branch out from that core, thatâs the essence of the GazettE. Our way of creating works might change. But no matter what happens, it will still be the GazettE. Thatâs what I believe now. In a good sense, of course.
Interviewer: When you say âit will still be the GazettE,â it could be taken as meaning that you canât become anything else, but thatâs not the case. It means that no matter how things turn, it will still be the GazettE, right?
Aoi: Yes. Thatâs how I feel about it.
Interviewer: So, what do you think are the essential elements for the GazettE to continue being the GazettE? Iâm sure itâs not just one or two things.
Aoi: Hmm. There was a time when I was quite self-deprecating (laughs), but that period is essential to my current self. Ultimately, itâs about these five members, no matter what. Even if one person seems outstanding and I feel envious of that, or if there used to be such feelings. Even though there were times when I saw someone standing out who wasnât very visible from the outside, there must have been a part that was always sought after, and yet at that time, I didn't try to see that reality. So, after all, itâs important to keep in mind that "this person doesn't really want to do it solo, do they?" and that it's really the GazettE with these five people, and itâs important for mutual trust to exist, or it just wonât work. Otherwise, I donât think we can make anything decent. Even now, in this situation, when we were making "DOGMA," we talked a lot. Yes, it's no good if thereâs someone who's a bit self-deprecating (laughs). But I think if there hadnât been such a time, I wouldnât have been able to think the way I do now.
Interviewer: Everyone experiences different degrees of self-deprecation, and whether itâs visible or not, itâs something thatâs always there. After more than 10 years as a band, itâs natural to have such phases. Those âvalleysâ allow you to climb the next âmountains,â so to speak.
Aoi: Youâre absolutely right (laughs). Thatâs something we shouldnât lose. Itâs about not giving up. Even if it doesnât feel right for you personally, you push through until the final moment of fixing it. Without that mindset, itâs disrespectful to the other members. Thatâs what weâre working on now. Itâs important not to give up.
Interviewer: Not giving up. Essentially believing in yourselves but being wary of overconfidence?
Aoi: Yes, exactly.
Interviewer: Moreover, while believing in yourselves, your band is not completely closed off to outside influences. The existence of âPROJECT: DARK AGEâ symbolizes that.
Aoi: Exactly. While we take the initiative in creating our works, especially regarding sound, itâs not something we do alone. It becomes a project for everyone involved. We need people who can resonate with that. Thatâs what makes a work complete. Only with people who can elevate each other can we create something meaningful. However, with âPROJECT: DARK AGE,â I did feel like we gathered a bunch of strong personalities (laughs).
Interviewer: Another essential element for the bandâs existence and continuity is the fans. What do you want from them? Just your current thoughts.
Aoi: What is it? I donât want them to take everything we present as absolute. Even though weâre putting out something we consider absolute, I donât want them to have a one-track interpretation.
Aoi: Even if they donât take everything we put out as absolute, that might actually be a good thing. I think itâs fine if our fans also check out other bands, and view us with a flexible mindset. For example, even if they think, âWhat are these guys doing now?â I just want them to enjoy it. Itâs not like weâre saying, âWeâre presenting this, so you must accept it in a certain way.â
Interviewer: "DOGMA" is a sacred text, an absolute thing. It has a somewhat religious aspect. In that sense, it could be seen as the band being the leaders and the fans being followers. However, you want to leave the interpretation of that sacred text up to the fans, right?
Aoi: Exactly. Personally, I see it as a set of principles for me to continue being part of the GazettE. Thatâs how I interpret it, and it feels right to me. I think itâs great if everyone listens, watches, and engages with it in their own way and develops their own interpretation of the GazettE. So, itâs not like weâre saying, âThis is the answer from the five of us to you.â
Interviewer: Itâs more like a set of conditions, rather than an answer.
Aoi: Yes, and itâs not like if you donât meet these conditions, you canât be a fan of the GazettE. At least, thatâs not my perspective.
Interviewer: But, like a devoted follower memorizing a sacred text, it would be ideal if fans get deeply engrossed in this album and try to fully understand it.
Aoi: Of course. Personally, I consider it my absolute truth. Itâs very gratifying if there are people who feel the same way. In that sense, it is somewhat religious. Even though I am not religious at all.
Interviewer: What is your image of religion?
Aoi: There are those who show something, and there are those who accept it... It's that kind of thing, isn't it? Certainly, I think there are similarities to the relationship between this band and its fans. However, what one believes in is up to the individual. I donât see anything wrong with people finding solace in something religious. What weâre doing isnât much different. There are people who pay to take in what we put out. However, we probably canât really save anyone.
Interviewer: You donât think so? I believe you do.
Aoi: Well, I'm not sure. There might be people out there who feel like they've been saved in some way (laughs). But, weâre not doing this with the grand purpose of saving someone. There are creators who send out something, and there are people who receive it or resonate with it. The more people resonate with it, the bigger it becomes. That feels very natural for a band.
Interviewer: Yes. Each personâs interpretation doesnât need to be exactly the same, but it is like asking, âHow will you receive the absolute aspect of the GazettE?â
Aoi: Yes, I think thatâs a good place to leave it. I donât want to go as far as limiting interpretations.
Interviewer: I also wanted to ask a bit about the visual kei approach. Previously, you all mentioned not wanting to go down the predictable path of becoming more natural as you gain experience. Has that mindset changed?
Aoi: Not really. I think, âIf weâre not like this, who would want it?â Itâs not something I can just stop or continue on my own will. The GazettE needs to be this way to be necessary. Honestly, continuing this way is a hassle, time-consuming, and tough. But if itâs whatâs desired⌠I canât just say, âI donât want to do makeup anymore, Iâll go natural.â Aoi from the GazettE is undeniably me, but itâs not just about me anymore. The same goes for RUKI and the other members. Itâs not something I can change based on my own feelings, stopping it forcefully would just be selfish and unnecessary ego.
Interviewer: I see. Indeed, music alone doesnât define a band or a work. There are many surrounding elements like artwork, videos, and costumes. Some may say, âWe are purely about the music, everything else doesnât matter,â and that might seem like the correct stance for musicians. However, for your band, while music is fundamental, all visual elements are essential too. Without them, it wouldnât be complete.
Aoi: Exactly. It's hard to put into words, but while music is absolutely central, itâs also just the starting point. What we create isnât just simple music; itâs a comprehensive form. Our genre and the way we make music are about completing this holistic form. Sound is crucial, but itâs not just about sound. We want everything the audience interacts with to be perfect. That includes the visuals and makeup, if itâs necessary for whatâs desired. Weâre not just about one aspect.
Interviewer: Of course, hearing someone say, âI like the photos but not the musicâ would be disappointing. But you believe all these elements are essential for the work to be complete, right? Ideally, the aesthetic and sensibility behind the music should resonate as well.
Aoi: Absolutely. Weâre definitely not ordinary, from our looks to everything else. But if you see us as a whole, youâll realize how all the elements match perfectly. Thatâs enough for me. Sure, itâs tricky for summer outdoor festivals and itâs hard to maintain (laughs).
Interviewer: Your costumes have become more elaborate too.
Aoi: It does make it harder to move like a typical rock band, heavier in a way. But we still go to festivals like this (laughs). Even if itâs physically demanding, I want to keep moving lightly in spirit. This kind of intense worldview is something you canât achieve otherwise. As long as it feels justified, itâs meaningful for us. For us, itâs all natural. Everything naturally accompanies the music.
Interviewer: Yes, I understand. For people who initially pick up your work because of the music, noticing these elements is valuable.
Aoi: Indeed. If it leads to new discoveries for them, thatâs wonderful and exactly what we hope for.
Interviewer: When you put out a title like "DOGMA", itâs inevitable that people will wonder, "What is the GazettE?" It makes you imagine that this work delves deeply into that question. Is that the correct way to perceive it?
Reita: Yes, I think that's right.
Interviewer: What led you to the idea of creating such an album?
Reita: Up until now, we've made albums that embody a certain worldview, but it's never been this clear. We've tried to shape things based on themes like the colors of the five of us or the essence of the GazettE. However, this time, with the theme of "DOGMA," the very sound of the word stimulates imagination and suggests a specific concept. We've never created an album with such a defined theme before. As we delved into it, it became more interesting and we didnât want to do anything halfway. Thatâs how it progressed.
Interviewer: Even without knowing the meaning of the word, I think everyone will get a sense of a creepy, heavy atmosphere. And in reality, it means doctrine or scripture. So, if this band were a religion, would this album be its scripture?
Reita: The relationship between this band and its fans is quite similar to that, isnât it? We wanted to clearly present that quasi-religious atmosphere. At the same time, we also feel like, "Are we the only ones left in visual kei?" If thatâs the case, then itâs only natural for us to create our own religion.
Interviewer: Are you saying, "We are the only gods"?
Reita: I wouldnât go that far, but yes, something like that (laughs).
Interviewer: There are various bands within the visual kei scene with different musical directions. Instead of asserting that "we're different from others," youâre saying itâs more like, "It's okay with just us"?
Reita: Yes, we feel that if we do this, we won't lose to anyone, and other bands arenât necessary. That's how we feel.
Interviewer: Now, you've turned everyone into your enemies (laughs).
Reita: Hahaha! Given the diversity in visual kei today, there aren't many others we resonate with... To be honest, death metal seems more visual kei to me these days. It made me reconsider what visual kei really is.
Interviewer: That interpretation can differ by generation. Nowadays, the mainstream in that category might be characterized by a cute, sparkling look with an anything-goes musical approach.
Reita: Yeah. But for us, this is what visual kei is, and it's kind of our origin. It's how we felt when we first learned about visual kei... That might be close to what's packed into "DOGMA."
Interviewer: Death metal often accompanies an aesthetic sense, religious sublimity, and strictness.
Reita: Exactly. The clarity of that worldview, the fact that it's not just anything goes, is close to our idea of visual kei. Nowadays, there are many who do anything goes, but to me, that feels a bit off.
Interviewer: So, you were fed up with the mainstream trend of doing anything goes?
Reita: Yeah. Well, we started the band with a close-to-no-concept approach, but as we continued, the feeling of "this is who we are" emerged. That answer is what we have now. We are different from others, and weâre doing things that others canât or wouldnât want to do in this era. Moreover, it's not something that has a hint of the underground but rather something that has gained a certain level of acceptance. The scale and scope are important. By presenting such a worldview, I honestly believe we canât be beaten.
Interviewer: When people aim to expand and grow, they mostly try to throw something that anyone can easily like, right? But youâre doing the exact opposite. By throwing something extremely pinpointed and extreme, youâre trying to highlight your own existence.
Reita: Exactly. So, people who like it will love it, and itâs meant to keep those who like us from ever leaving. This album isnât something that everyone will like. I myself understand that.
Interviewer: You say that so definitively.
Reita: Yes. (laughs)
Interviewer: You want to ensure that those who like you will never leave. So, itâs not enough if someone listens to this album and thinks, "the GazettE is my third favorite band"?
Reita: "What's that?" That's the feeling (laughs). We donât need such words. I know not everyone will like it, and if they hate it, thatâs fine, as long as they come to their own conclusion. If someone dislikes it, thatâs unavoidable. Whatâs most frightening is "not being known." Seeing but not liking, listening but hating, is not a problem for me.
Interviewer: Although, if too many people felt that way, it would be a problem.
Reita: True (laughs). But it helps to have people come to their own conclusions. They often say the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. Thatâs exactly what I think. We started this band and have been doing our best... if people are indifferent, thatâs unfulfilling. It means our existence doesnât matter to them.
Interviewer: So even if the response is negative, being recognized is more important than being unknown?
Reita: Yes, I have no problem with it. Thatâs why I want to perform at festivals. Because there, a diverse crowd will judge if they like us or not. Of course, itâs risky. The scariest thing is people going to eat during our set. (laughs) If they listen to one song and then leave because they felt nothing, there's nothing you can do.
Interviewer: Didn't you consider the risk that pursuing this path might result in losing something?
Reita: No. If what we think is cool makes people think "that's.. different" then the GazettE doesnât need to be in their world. Thatâs the answer. I donât think we lose anything there.
Interviewer: But what if the majority ends up thinking "that's different"?
Reita: Yes, that might happen. But it wonât lead to despair. Because we believe what weâre doing is cool. To those who say they hate it, Iâd just think, "If you hate it, thatâs fine, but you donât get it."
Reita: There aren't many bands like us, right? That's what I think. It might sound conceited (laughs), but that's how I feel.
Interviewer: And at the same time, you're confident that those who have liked the GazettE up until now will like you even more with this release, right?
Reita: Yes. Because I myself like bands like this. So, in the end, it's just my assumption. But it's hard to do something based on the idea, "I don't like it, but maybe everyone else will?" That just feels a bit forced. In the end, you have to run with the belief that what you like, everyone else will like too.
Interviewer: In other words, you're aiming at people out there who share the same sensibilities and values as you do.
Reita: Yes. I believe there are definitely people who will resonate with us. Through our 13 years of activity, I've come to understand that there are quite a few of those people out there.
Interviewer: Do you think that this confidence, backed by your past achievements, has pushed you to take bold actions, like making this album?
Reita: Yes. Above all, the fans who have supported us all along have given us the confidence. So even if that leads to us going a bit overboard, itâs the fans' fault for encouraging us. (laughs)
Interviewer: "It's your fault for getting us all fired up," right?
Reita: Exactly. (laughs) But, whether you call it overboard or not, we have a sense of "this is what youâre expecting from us, right?" So even if people think, "No, this isnât it," we can say, "Too bad, but this is what the GazettE is now." We're not going to change just because of that.
Interviewer: You mentioned "the current GazettE." While it's clear that "DOGMA" represents the core of the band, youâre not saying you'll always do the same thing.
Reita: Of course. You never know whatâs ahead. After we release this album, tour with it, and finish the final show, then maybe we'll understand what this album means to us. So, I can only say it's the current GazettE.
Interviewer: This time, it seems like the period you'll spend on this theme will be longer than usual.
Reita: We wanted to delay finding the answer a bit longer. Usually, after releasing an album, we start touring about a week later, finish it in two months, and reach the tour final. In such a typical flow, you end up having to find the answer within about three months from the album release. But making an album takes way longer than three months. If we have to find the answer in that short time, we have to move quickly. I feel that this is one reason why bands don't last long. We need to enjoy one album for a longer time. Otherwise, I feel like we might come to a stop.
Interviewer: For instance, the previous two albums were made in a relatively short span and were battles against time. Trying to keep up such a cycle might wear you down, right?
Reita: Definitely. You get worn out, and the bandâs lifespan gets shorter. That's not desirable for us at all. We want to keep doing the band, that's why we work hard. So, we need to think more about the way we spend time on each album. Japan is small, so even a national tour ends quickly. But in other countries, the tours for one album last much longer. They keep searching for answers during that time. Compared to that, I feel like weâre rushing too much.
Interviewer: Your evolution and growth might be fast, but aging might progress quickly too.
Reita: Exactly. Thatâs scary, and not what we want at all.
Interviewer: Do you feel like you want to do a tour for "DOGMA" for 2-3 years, like bands in the West do?
Reita: Yes. I want to spend more time and enjoy it more. I want to do it until I feel like I can't do it anymore. I want to get to the point where I can play the songs in my sleep. (laughs) Until it sticks with me that much.
Interviewer: Maybe you won't see what you want to do next until you go all out like that.
Reita: I think so too.
Interviewer: When thinking about keeping the band going for a long time, what do you think is important aside from how you use your time?
Reita: When I say I want to keep the band going for a long time, I donât just mean continuing the band's activities. The position weâre in is very important. I want to continue for a long time while being at the top.
Interviewer: You donât just want to be a long-lived band?
Reita: Right. Like I said before, "thereâs no one else in visual kei but us," and I donât want those words to become embarrassing. If we say something like that and then disappear quickly, it would be like, "Oh? There's no one left." So, to continue for a long time means we want to stay at the forefront.
Interviewer: To always be at the forefront and continue until you really can't anymore. What do you think is necessary for that?
Reita: This might sound contradictory, but I think itâs living in the present. If you only want to continue for a long time, you could take it easy. Musically too. If we keep doing only intense songs, it's like, "What is there left to do in the future?" (laughs). But I think by living in the present, we can continue for a long time. Thatâs what keeps us at the forefront. If we start thinking about making songs that we can play even as old men, itâs like weâre already preparing to step back. So, always being cool in the present is important. That accumulation is the answer, I think. It might sound contradictory though.
Interviewer: If you don't give it your all each time, you can't keep going, right? Considering your age, physical strength, and preferences five years from now while facing the present is impossible. If you think like that, you might just become the person you imagine. Assuming youâll decline and then changing things because of that. Itâs important not to decline.
Reita: Exactly. The GazettE has been around for over 13 years now, and there are many bands that have been around for more than 10 years. But...
Reita: Honestly, I think there are some bands out there that are just continuing because they had no other choice..
Celebrating anniversaries and such can sometimes feel like an insider thing. Sure, there are those who have been supporting us since the beginning and might find it deeply moving, but there are also fans who just started liking us a month ago. For them, it might not matter if we say itâs our anniversary. For instance, having an anniversary concert is fine. But whatâs important is to make people think, âWow, they are at their best right now!â If we just play a lot of nostalgic songs, it might feel like an anniversary concert, but I wonder if it really shows who we are now. As a service, it might not be bad, but if thatâs all there is, it might be better to just watch a DVD. An anniversary concert should be about showing who we are now, not just celebrating the past.
Interviewer: I see. Indeed, if you think youâre going to decline in the future, you might subconsciously start preparing for it, and thinking that way means youâre aware youâve passed your peak. If you thought the last album was the peak, you might try to repeat the same thing. But for the GazettE, you always want now to be the peak, and you want to keep updating it, right?
Reita: Exactly. I think itâs about momentum. When you start liking a band, itâs not a settled band, but a band with a lot of momentum. If you only go for that, youâll always be interested in the younger ones. But I think itâs possible to keep that momentum even after many years. Itâs about how you present yourselves and your mindset. Instead of thinking, âWeâve been doing this for 13 years, maybe itâs time toâŚâ we should have the same or even more energy than in the first year.
Interviewer: Continuing as a visual kei band is particularly difficult. Thereâs the risk of getting stuck trying to maintain the fansâ image of you, which could result in becoming a deteriorated copy of your past selves. You want to keep your momentum and not fall into that trap, right?
Reita: Of course. I think bands like us should transcend borders, religions, and even age. From the fact that weâve been together for 13 years, people can guess our ages, but if we donât mention it, they wouldnât know. We shouldnât be bound by the idea of acting our age.
Interviewer: So the concept of acting your age doesnât apply to this band?
Reita: Exactly. I donât even know what acting our age means. We donât want to just get younger, but we want more momentum. More than before. We always want to be seen as having the most momentum right now.
Interviewer: To some people, seasoned bands trying to seek momentum might look like older folks desperately flailing.
Reita: I understand, but itâs different. Itâs like our eyes arenât dead. We want people to think, âThese guys are still going to do amazing things.â I personally like bands that give you that feeling. I want the GazettE to be that kind of band. In the past, our momentum might have just been reckless, but being reckless alone reveals a lack of depth. Even now, we might still be a bit reckless, but weâve gained a lot of experience that serves as a stronger base now. Before, we just jumped with leg strength, but now we use that base to jump even higher. We want to be the ones who always jump higher than anyone else, using both our heads and our experience.
Interviewer: When the band strives to be like that, how do you want the fans to be?
Reita: I think fans will often feel like theyâre being dragged along by us, but I believe thatâs natural. Fans donât create the band. We want to keep swinging them around, and we want to cherish those who hold on. On the other hand, if the band gets swung around by the fans, itâs no good. We create something first, and people empathize with that and enjoy it fully.
Interviewer: In that sense, âDOGMAâ is like a set of rules for the GazettE, but itâs the band that presents them, not the audience.
Reita: Itâs like religion. Believers donât change the rules. We should present them clearly, and if we do, it will be clear who likes and dislikes it, and those who like it will like it even more. Itâs okay if people start liking us halfway through. Even if they donât like it now, they might listen to âDOGMAâ again next year and really like it. I want them to clearly decide if itâs a hit or miss for them.
Interviewer: Thatâs like religion too. You either believe everything or nothing. No one deeply believes in multiple religions equally.
Reita: Right. Religion has general laws and then additional laws for a limited group. It means you lose more freedom, but the people in it feel happy. Itâs fascinating. I often wonder what religion really is. Itâs about enjoying a restricted world in your own way. The GazettE also has things we shouldnât do or canât do as the GazettE. That might limit our freedom, but it also keeps us sharp. So if fans like this band, they should understand what the GazettE is and come to our concerts with that understanding.
Interviewer: âDOGMAâ is a guide for the fans to understand what this band is all about.
Reita: I think so. Iâve been saying some pretty bold things, but we need strong words like this to match the album.
Interviewer: Looking back at the recording process, how does it compare to the completion of previous albums?
Kai: The sense of accomplishment is entirely different. It's not that this time is particularly significant, but rather that it feels like it's not quite finished yet. Honestly, it doesn't feel like a definitive "Ah, it's done!" moment at all. It feels like only a part of the process has been completed. To use a human body as a metaphor, it's like we've only just completed the torso. So, it's like we're finished, yet not finished. I was aware that I would feel this way from the start, and thatâs how weâve been progressing.
Interviewer: What do you mean by that? This time, there are many additional elements like the book, photo album, and DVD. The artwork is also very elaborate. Does this mean it won't feel complete until everything is released?
Kai: That's part of it, but even when everything is ready, I donât think it will feel like a complete closure. The album "DOGMA" itself will be complete, but the "PROJECT: DARK AGE," is still just starting. The flow of time is different this time. It's not like before, where we released an album, toured, and then it was done.
Interviewer: The tour seems far from over, as itâs not just confined to Japan. It looks like the "OMINOUS YEAR" will continue.
Kai: Yes, and we still donât know what our mindset will be after the album and tour. I feel like we won't have fully processed everything by then. Sometimes, right after finishing an album, you want to start creating the next one. But I can't see what weâll create after digesting this one. I predict that we'll be running for a long time from now. This feeling will probably grow stronger as we move forward, which is a wonderful thing.
Interviewer: Did you aim to create this album as a starting point for a slow and thorough process leading to the next phase?
Kai: Yes, we intended to create something like that. This work was being done while we pondered deeply about what "the GazettE" means. This reflection has been especially strong this time. The process of questioning myself about the band's essence will continue as long as the GazettE exists. This time, weâve delved into our true essence. Regardless of what we do in the future, I think this core part will remain unshaken.
Interviewer: Fans, used to interpreting your words deeply, might have expected this album to define the GazettE's doctrine, given its title "DOGMA."
Kai: That might be true. One of the reasons we reached this point is due to our history. Timing also plays a part.
Interviewer: Was there a sense of resetting involved?
Kai: Maybe. We toured under the theme of "redefinition" in 2014, performing mostly live shows and not releasing much. Live shows are where we feel the most like ourselves and gain various insights. I felt that it was a necessary time to thoroughly reflect on our journey, something we hadnât done before.
Interviewer: The tour followed the release order of your albums, allowing you to relive your history in chronological order.
Kai: Exactly. It was a year of constantly facing our past. We were able to look at the GazettE and ourselves more closely than ever before. This is why weâve reached the point we are in now.
Interviewer: This might sound rude, but didnât you discover anything youâd rather not admit, like thinking you hadnât progressed as much as youâd hoped or that your earlier work was better?
Kai: (Laughs) Fortunately, not at all.
Interviewer: Thatâs good to hear (laughs).
Kai: As we performed more tours following the order of our albums, we realized we had consistently improved and climbed our own ladder. Now, we're here, and naturally, we start thinking about what ladder to climb next. But to move forward, we need a solid foundation. This led us to question, "What is the GazettE?" and create an album around that concept.
Interviewer: I see. Did you discuss this among the five of you?
Kai: Yes, we frequently discussed it. Initially, everyone was cautious, but we talked things over each time. The word "dogma" had already come up, so we naturally envisioned an album that reaffirms the essence of the GazettE. Through discussions, we gradually identified the elements we wanted to highlight. One of the most significant keywords for me was "dogma." It resonated with me and seemed to define the album's character.
Interviewer: That makes sense. However, when it comes to embodying that in music, wasn't it challenging to figure out what to do?
Kai: Not really. Ultimately, it's about fully expressing ourselves and presenting the GazettE as we are. Weâve always done that, so it felt natural to us.
Interviewer: True, but the word âdogmaâ also has a somewhat religious connotation, doesnât it?
Kai: Maybe, but I donât feel that much. Perhaps because I didnât know the word well. (laughs) Sure, the relationship between a band and its fans can seem a bit like a religion. But for me, it wasnât about doing something religious; it was more about âdogma of the GazettE.â That strong link in interpretation led me naturally to this project.
Interviewer: I see. What does âthe GazettEâ mean to you?
Kai: Well... It might not be a direct answer, but I feel that we are not suited to âthrowing things out there.â We need to âsmash it downâ instead. Thatâs who we are.
Interviewer: Indeed, thatâs how it should be.
Kai: Right? (laughs). Instead of asking, âHow do you feel?â itâs about showing it blatantly. Thatâs the spirit, the stance that defines the GazettE. It links strongly with the concept of âdogma.â Itâs not about asking fans to follow us; itâs about demanding they come along. Thatâs the type the GazettE is. So, we must lead with that strength. Sure, it might link with the religious aspect, but every band has its way. Thatâs ours.
Interviewer: Rather than âthrowing it out,â you âsmash down.â And what you smash down must be overwhelming or absolute, right?
Kai: Yes, it must be something we have absolute confidence and conviction in.
Interviewer: In todayâs world, there seem to be more bands and artists that âthrow things out there.â Donât you think that makes you want to perfect the âsmashing downâ approach even more?
Kai: Yes, thereâs that contrarian streak in our band. We donât try to follow the trends or do the same as others. If itâs our truth, it doesnât matter if itâs mainstream or not. Even if criticized, itâs like, âSo what?â
Interviewer: I suppose the GazettEâs âdoctrineâ includes the phrase, âRock is not about throwing out; itâs about smashing down.â Whatâs the one thing you most want to smash down to your listeners?
Kai: That Itâs not just us. Itâs about the feeling that âYou, the fans, are also part of the band!â Itâs about smashing down the sense that âItâs not just us.â The band must be absolute, but...
Interviewer: You mean itâs up to the fans to take it in, right?
Kai: Yes, everything depends on you. What spreads and deepens also relies on you. Speaking practically, if we throw down something confident, but no one follows, we canât do anything. Our activities will falter, and the band might cease to exist. But if we have supporters, what we can do grows and deepens, making the band unique.
Interviewer: So the bandâs value is decided by the fans too.
Kai: Yes, in part. Itâs not just âthanks to you all.â
Interviewer: Like, âThat band is amazing, and so are their fans,â right? Ultimately, you want fans to evolve with the band, which makes you want to smash down this âdoctrine.â
Kai: Exactly. I want core fans to become even more core. So dedicated that they don't even have room in their profile to mention other bands (laughs). Just the GazettE. Saying they canât live without us. We need to be that kind of band. Thatâs the ultimate relationship with fans.
Interviewer: Right. Having fans that deeply dedicated depends on the bandâs charm, right?
Kai: Yes, we need to be a band so compelling that fans have no interest in others. Only then can we be truly unique. Itâs not about doing something different from others but being compelling in our way.
Interviewer: Otherwise, itâs just a narrow niche.
Kai: Haha! Exactly. Instead of a narrow niche, we should aim to blow everything away. Itâs very rock n roll to not follow others, but if we can do it, why hesitate?
Interviewer: The ones who do it best get recognized, not necessarily the first one to do it.
Kai: Right. In the big picture, we are niche, but weâre making our mark there.
Interviewer: Fans are surely attracted to that aspect. But itâs not just about prioritizing the demands of what you could call the "core of the core" fans. You must also aim to make an impact on those outside that core.
Kai: Yeah. But itâs not about trying to make those on the outside listen to us; itâs preferable if it resonates with them naturally. Thatâs the ideal, and I believe we need to achieve that. We strike hard at our core fans, but just throwing it out to everyone else would be strange (laughs). We don't want our stance to have a gradient based on the audience. We always want to be either black or white.
Interviewer: In the song commentary included in this book, you mentioned that the title track "DOGMA" felt like "opening a heavy and large door." When I heard that, I thought you must have felt that at some point, you had to reach out to that door. In other words, you thought you had to make an album like this eventually, right?
Kai: I think we were waiting for the right timing ourselves. Now that weâve made it, I feel that way. Itâs a kind of return to our roots. Weâre not going back to the starting point, but we approached something we always wanted to create with full readiness. As a result, a heavy door that we couldnât open no matter how hard we pushed before has now opened. Maybe itâs because weâve gained strength, or maybe it was just the right time to make this.
Interviewer: It was probably a bit of both. And after opening that door, the current the GazettE isnât necessarily trying to head to a completely different place than before.
Kai: Not at all. Itâs more about making the dark parts even darker, so to speak. Itâs about eliminating ambiguous parts and striving for something more definitive as the GazettE, while still being the GazettE.
Interviewer: Of course, thatâs what you aimed for this time as well. But I think there must have been a lot of pressure to create a truly definitive piece that surpasses your previous ideals.
Kai: Yes... there was. Honestly, it was quite a long period of struggle. We worked on it while thinking about various things since the time of the "redefinition" tour. This was the first time for our band to continuously work toward something over such a long period. Well, Iâm confident that the result is something good. Weâve definitely made a piece that we can proudly say, "This is the GazettE!" I believe this will be a great strength for us moving forward. Even in the stage of selecting songs, we had quite a bit of inner conflict. For instance, thinking, "In this flow, it would be nice to have at least one melodic song here." According to our previous standards or way of thinking, we would tend to include something like that, but we deliberately didnât, deciding instead to push more on the aggressive side. This approach was something we originally had within us, but we had never gone this far in that direction before, so in that sense, it was also a challenge. Weâve never made something with this kind of balance. This is both a challenge and a way to firmly showcase our strengths.
Interviewer: The term "perfect balance" is often used in everyday life, but in the end, itâs just a balance that suits the preferences of the receiver. The way balance is sought depends on the nature of the work itself.
Kai: Thatâs right. So, to put it bluntly, this might not be a well-balanced album. If you consider it from the ideal of a certain period of ourselves. But the album "DOGMA" couldnât have been balanced in any other way... it had to be like this.
Interviewer: In other words, it wouldnât have been "DOGMA" if it wasnât for this kind of balance?
Kai: Exactly. Also, we donât create albums by comparing them to our past works. We donât think, "We made this kind of album before, so letâs try making this kind now." As I mentioned earlier, there were times when we felt the need to add a melodic song after a series of intense tracks, thinking it might be necessary. Thatâs due to past habits or ingrained sense of balance. But this time, we completely ignored that. We focused most on making "DOGMA" as "DOGMA" as possible.
Interviewer: And as a result, youâve completed an album that truly fits its title.
Kai: Yes. Even I feel that we really pushed the limits. But weâve truly created something that lives up to the title, and Iâm glad we had the word âdogmaâ from the beginning.
Interviewer: Of course, there may be parts within this work that you might want to revise in the future. But a âcanonâ isnât something that can be repeatedly revised, and itâs meant to last forever in its current form.
Kai: Yes, I think so too. Thatâs why Iâm really satisfied right now. For fans, this album is "an album theyâve been waiting for for two years." Weâre confident that itâs something that wonât betray their high expectations, something that even surpasses them. Moreover, as I mentioned at the beginning, itâs an album with plenty of room for further exploration on our part. Thatâs why releasing a work doesnât mean itâs complete.
Interviewer: Ofcourse. This flow of time will continue for quite a while.
Kai: The full scope will become clear moving forward, but this "ominous year" will involve various developments with "DOGMA" at its core. So, just like everyone will be breaking down "DOGMA," weâll also spend a long time digesting this album and communicating about it. "DOGMA" is an album that reflects our essence more than anything, and I believe that part will remain unshaken. Of course, our music will continue to evolve, but no matter how much its form changes, the essence wonât change, and we wonât lose this part. If at some point, we decide that we need to change fundamentally, then weâll have to present a new "doctrine" again.
Interviewer: But surely, if that ever happens, it will be far in the future.
Kai: Yes. Right now, the most important thing is to keep this mindset we have, continue creating works with the same passion and energy, and give our all. Otherwise, there is no future for the GazettE. We donât want to release anything half-baked.
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Part 1 of the Dogma Book translations (members comments about each song)
Once again, all the scans are from the archive (rad-is-more) All translations are ChatGPT, edited by me. I added the book text pages themselves because I often read interviews and want to look more deeply into a certain passage but people never provide the source of the translation so it's impossible to do. This might not be the most aesthetic way to do an interview post but it's the most convenient for me personally. Also, I've noticed all the pieces like photos, art and interviews are very scattered on this site. Fragmentation only leads to misunderstanding and I am trying to piece everything together as much as possible, even though it leads to very long posts.





