#also someone i recently met on another site also has good grasp on japanese and even tried to get their own translation stuff | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

octranslations · 6 years

Text

Haiiro no Ginka Volume 43

Haiiro no Ginka Volume 43 June 2009

Translation Credits:

KERRANG! RELENTLESS ENERGY DRINK TOUR 2009 - Cammie Toshiya Aibiki no Mori - Risu Shinya Dr. Nemunemu no daigyakushu - Nao Field Manager Takebayashi (a.k.a Chikurin)’s February~March Domestic Road TOUR Documentary Report - Cammie Mu no Koufuku, Sanretsusha to Kubi - Risu Gansonaki Kaoru-ya - Cammie Meisyo de meisyu - Cammie TOUR09 FEAST OF V SENSES KBS Hall, Kyoto - Risu & Nao The real identity of F.O.V.S. is....? - Risu An Extra News and So On - Nao

KERRANG! RELENTLESS ENERGY DRINK TOUR 2009

One day on January 2009 from Narita Airport. The check-in counter for the airline company has a long line. The members have gained experience through their tours overseas, but every time they feel a hassle for checking-in. Following the instructions from the airline staff, members, roadie Fujieda, and (guitar) tech Mr. Kuroo safely complete their check-in.

The travel to the UK this time has 7 members from Japan, and at England’s Heathrow Airport, they were going to meet up with Miss Nora, translator and tour manager assistant, and the total of 8 people were going to be the main small scale tour crew. At the actual site, they were also going to meet the familiar PA and tour manager Mr. Rick, and Mr. Johnny, the guitar tech that has toured along in the US tour, but basically, they were going to tour as a crew for Mindless Self Indulgence. Since the US headlining tour in November 2008, the crew and equipments have become compact and each individual’s responsibility became more established. At the time, they would not depend on other people and were forced to cover each other, but they seem to have gotten used to this situation.

As the boarding time became closer, before heading to the departure gate, they had one last work to do in Japan. They had to check designs for future release and tour-related materials. In the UK, unlike the tour bus in the US, there is no internet environment prepared, so checking e-mails would be a difficult task. Even if one were to use the LAN on the venue, pictures with big memory content would take few hours to send, so the picture check had to be done before their departure. The check was finished just 20 minutes before boarding time. Manager Inoue and the Production administrator sent off the members heading to the gate and prayed for their safety of the tour that was about to begin.

From Japan to the UK, the flight time was 12 and half hours, and even if you convert it into distance, it was around 10,000km. Both countries have a commonality of being an “island country” and besides that, there are various similarities. For example, in the UK, it is left-hand traffic like Japan. DIR EN GREY first came to the UK in August 2007. Their first 2 headlining shows at the Carling Academy in London sold out instantly, and the unpredictable staging, unique sound, and the passionate fans from all over the UK covering up the venue surprised the local music staff where it became the catalyst for the band to be featured in various areas.

After departing Narita, the first obstacle for DIR EN GREY troupe arriving to Heathrow Airport, the entrance to the UK, was immigration examination. When you do a LIVE in the UK, you must apply for a “Work Permit” and get approval. Recently, there was an alteration to the system where the permit was digitalized, but that turned into a huge problem?.

Like the agent’s instruction, we tried finishing the immigration examination, but everyone was stopped and moved to another room. Actually, in the past, UK’s Heathrow Airport’s immigration examination had incidents of famous soccer players planned to play locally (in UK) and singers that were going to conduct music activities deported, and it was known to be strict. Out of the 7 members from Japan, there were members and staff that had no problem with everyday conversation English, but there wasn’t anyone who could perfectly explain their current situation to the immigration examination staff, and while they were putting their hands on their head, a savior appeared. It was Miss Nora arriving from Malaysia coming in from a different flight. She explained everything about the system changing for the “Work Permit” and how from 1/13, they are scheduled to do a LIVE in North Ireland, and everyone was able to safely enter the country. It seems like the main reason was how the immigration examination staff was not completely aware about the digital system. Without any moment for a sigh of relief, after heading to the airport’s arrival gate, the tour that they were going to travel on for the next 3 weeks from now awaited them. Everyone secured their space (on the bus) and off we go. The place to go was Belfast, North Ireland where the venue for the main tour’s first date was located. Including the ferry move midway, the long drive of 10 hours had begun. And, from this moment, DIR EN GREY’s first UK tour, “KERRANG! RELENTLESS ENERGY DRINK TOUR 2009”raised the curtain.

On TOUR DIARY, FREE-WILL ONLINE’s manager message (*1) is currently open to the public, so this time, we would like to include an interview with Miss Nora who has been doing a great job for overseas tour concerning events that took place during the Kerrang! Tour.

Interview – Nora

—Thank you for your hard work during the Kerrang! Tour. Now, were there any interesting episodes during this tour?

Nora: Yes. This may not be interesting as a topic of conversation (laugh), but out of all the overseas tour, they (DIR EN GREY) may have gotten stuff thrown at them the most.

—What kind of things for example?

Nora: Beer, water, cups, plastic bottles and T-shirts. Sometimes underwear and gloss sticks, just various things.

—Was that a negative assessment towards DIR EN GREY?

Nora: No, no, it wasn’t booing. It’s not really “hate” but a way for the UK to enjoy the LIVE. And it’s probably because there were many males in the audience.

—I see, now I feel relieved (laugh).

Nora: On the article for ALBUM LIMITED CONTENTS (*2), Die mentioned about getting stuff thrown when he got on stage, and his guitar and hands down to his feet were soaked where he couldn’t play.

—What! That must have been tragic... Were there many people that actually knew DIR EN GREY?

Nora: Well, that depended on the venue. For any venue, when the band before DIR EN GREY ended, you would always hear a DIR EN GREY call. It would go “DIR EN GREY!”

—Wow! That must have made the members backstage pumped up.

Nora: And once DIR EN GREY’s stage ended, there would be another DIR EN GREY call (laugh). This time it means an encore.

—I’m guessing there were people that are not just DIR EN GREY fans watching the band for the first time. What were their reactions?

Nora: Depending on the city, the reaction differed. There would be people just going wild or people enjoying the LIVE being together with the rhythm. Within the audience, some were taken in by the band’s sound and they didn’t have their eyes off the stage as if they received a shock.

—In actuality, depending on the songs, it would only be in Japanese and they don’t do any MC like the Western bands that does one to excite the audience, and for the UK fans, weren’t they distinct comparing to the other bands?

Nora: I think they may actually have that. I was talking to the local crew, but someone told me, “DIR EN GREY’s songs are not there to go crazy, but they are here to absorb and understand, so I think there are many people that listen to them seriously.”

—But the members would think the people that watch them calmly do not look excited, right? In the past overseas festivals, when the members watch from the stage, the crowd didn’t look excited.

Nora: Yes, yes, that’s right. From the stage, it could simply look as if they are not moving. But when you go near the audience’s space, you could observe how they’re deeply into the stage.

—Even with heavy songs, are there many people that are deeply into them as they watch?

Nora: During “Gaika, Chinmoku Ga Nemuru Koro” and “Reiketsu Nariseba,” there was a mosh pit. 60% of the audience going wild may have not listened to DIR EN GREY’s music before, but this is proof of how they are listening to them without any discrimination.

—This tour became a good opportunity for them to get to know the other bands’ fans.

Nora: After the LIVE, we did a Meet and Greet (*3) at the venue. During that time, we basically know whether we were able to grasp the new audience from the stage (performance). There are many males that got to newly know about DIR EN GREY, and the age range is from a very young teen years to elder guys. They bought the album there and it was honestly a happy moment. Fans of BRING ME THE HORIZON also came to the Meet and Greet. Many of them (note: In Japanese, Nora says “????” [kanojyo tachi] that means majority or all of the fans were girls) were wearing the BMTH t-shirts, so they were easy to recognize (laugh).

—When you notice something good, it may increase one’s motivation.

Nora: We were able to meet a fresh audience we have never met before through this tour.

—15 cities or rather it is better to say 14 cities this time. Out of them, which LIVE left you the most impression?

Nora: I would like to say London...Actually, during RH (rehearsal), the sound felt great, so it was very unfortunate with the actual show. With other cities, there weren’t any dates where we especially thought, “Today was great!” But during the show in Glasgow or Birmingham, while DIR EN GREY played, an enormous moshing occurred where the audience up to the back of the venue went wild. That was the first time I saw such a scene.

—Are you saying that in the latter half (of the tour), there were more people that knew about DIR EN GREY?

Nora: Maybe. Up to the PA table, everyone was really crazy (laugh). People watching from the back running around the floor and trying to get in was a fierce spectacle.

—They were on the cover of KERRANG! during the latter half of the tour too!

Nora: That’s right! I think there was that influence. When we saw it (magazine) shelved in the town’s bookstores and kiosk shops, everyone was excited (laugh).

—How were the other bands?

Nora: This time, in contrast to all the other tours, there was lesser communication. But with DIR EN GREY’s LIVE, everyone came near the stage wing to watch them.

—We talked about the crew and staff, but how were their reaction?

Nora: DIR EN GREY was very popular. The stage’s PA person who loves TOOL told us, “This band will surpass TOOL!”

—Lastly, looking back at this tour how was it?

Nora: I said this before, but it was a happy thing to meet audience that got to know DIR EN GREY for the first time as well as them showing their interest towards the band. Among the bands they played together, there was difference in age and the music they did and there may not have been any commonality, but they were able to enjoy the tour. But more than anything, it was especially sad how the final show in London had to be cancelled.

Note

1. Free Will Online Content where you could read the manager’s message. Here is the OR code.

2. A limited special content celebrating the release of the 7th album “UROBOROS.” The log-in password is on the Deluxe limited edition, first-pressed edition, and the regular (only first press) to access the page.

3. Signing and hand-shakes.

Toshiya Aibiki no Mori

How is everyone? This was also posted in the "UROBOROS" Limited Site. These are scenes from the Kerrang! Tour. I know this is late but here you go!

1.13 Tuesday

Belfast?Queens University Mandela Hall

1.14 Wednesday

Dublin?Academy.

Its neighboring town. And the bar that I dropped in.

1.15 Thursday

Day off. Local beer and pasta.

1.16 Friday

O2 Academy Bristol and its vicinity

I discovered "UROBOROS" at a nearby CD shop.

1.17 Saturday

Cardiff University Great Hall?

After a short excursion, I strolled on a large square and discovered an interesting poster at the nearby station.

1.18 Sunday

Southampton?Guildhall and its vicinity

(page 2)

1.20 Tuesday

Oxford?Academy.

1.21 Wednesday

Norwich?UEA. The concert venue was inside a school and it was really huge property so walked aimlessly around.

1.22 Thursday

Nottingham?Rock City Main Hall and its vicinity.

1.23 Friday

Manchester Academy and its vicinity. I saw a Japanese restaurant with an intriguing name.

1.24 Saturday

O2 Academy Leeds

1.25 Sunday

Since it was my day off, I walked around aimlessly while shopping

As expected from the city that gave birth the BEATLES, everything had the BEATLES color.

1.26 Monday

O2 Academy Liverpool.

1.27 Tuesday

Glasgow?Barrowland.

1.28 Wednesday

O2 Academy Newcastle and its vicinity.

1.29 Thursday

O2 Academy Birmingham.There were autographed posters of artists who previously performed here decorated on the walls until the backstage.

1.30 Friday

O2 Academy Brixton, London.

Well, what do you think? This page was already fixed some time ago so next time I will write content that will give you a better update. Yoroshiku (Thanks)!

Shinya Dr. Nemunemu no daigyakushu

Hello everyone, it's been a long time. As always, Nemunemu has also begun today. This time, I had planned to write a one month diary of the England Tour but there wasn't anything especially interesting. So, on the morning of the last day's performance, I had to find something interesting to write about so I went sightseeing alone.

Nemunemu's Solo Travels -London Edition-

If one is to think of London then the only things that come to my mind are "Professor Layton" and "Robin Mask". Dr.Nemunemu doesn't really know that much about England. Professor Layton is obviously a Nintendo DS Game. It takes place in London and you solve several kinds of riddles in order to continue with the story and this is Dr. Nemunemu's no.1 favorite game. Moreover, at exactly the time that the England Tour started, I also started playing with the 3rd one in the series, "Professor Layton's Final Time Travel". I have been continuously playing this [game] the whole time while moving around(touring). Also, Robin Mask is obviously from the Manga "Kinniku Man", who is an English-born superhuman. That said, Robin Mask has a deadly blow and the technique is called the "Tower Bridge". Therefore, I thought of going to see this "Tower Bridge" so I looked at the subway's railway map. However, I wasn't able to find a station called Tower Bridge. But instead, I discovered a station called the London Bridge. Anyway, while I was thinking that this London Bridge could possibly be the Tower Bridge, I continued to ride the subway all the way there to check. As I came out of the station and proceeded with the information's instructions map, I found it! It's London Bridge!

Compared to my imagination it was pretty bleak. While I was thinking that this wasn't the Tower Bridge I walked along the riverside. And, as the way Dr. Nemunemu pictured it in his head, I saw the bridge.

"Could that also be Tower Bridge!?" I thought and ran closer to it.

This is exactly Tower Bridge.

It's even written on the bridge itself! So, I safely saw the Tower Bridge so I thought I should head back to the venue. But when I saw the railway map, my eyes were stopped by a shocking station name.

...Layton!?...Leyton(in katakana).......... Leyton!!! Lo and behold, there is a station called Leyton. Moreover, all the places around the station are called Leyton-something and several other things.

I felt that I must go there. Anyway it looks pretty far and I didn't have anymore time so I gave up for now and will just go there tomorrow. The next day was just all meetings and as soon as it was over it was already evening. I said that I should go then but according to the information from a person who lives there, places around Leyton seem dangerous at night. So, tomorrow we are going home to Japan so I thought that I should wake up early and go. And it was soon the next day, I didn't sleep that much and didn't wake up so I wasn't able to go to Leyton. With that much sadness on the way home on the airplane, I cleared (finished) "Professor Layton's Final Time Travel" and that is the end of Dr. Nemunemu's travel and game.

So, I think that was concluded pretty well but content-wise it's very short. So, it's been a while that I have introduced my turtles again. From the time of the previous introduction, it was as big as a scrubbing brush.

from newsletter no. 37

Now, they are like this.

Other than being able to notice that they have grown from the previous photo, I have moved. So, the design of the bathroom tiles have changed therefore it's a bit hard to tell if they have grown.

Speaking of moving, I have also introduced from a previous newsletter, the half-eaten(by the dog) sweet potato seedling that I took care of and was left in the most bottom part of the cupboard. When I was about to move, it came out. The one I introduced before was like this.

from newsletter no.25

And now, it became like this.

Lo and behold it transformed into a potato. It is such a mysterious thing.

So, as the page is getting long, it's nearing the end [of this newsletter].

This time's present is Master Painter Nemunemu's Robin Mask and Professor Layton's Special Dream Collaboration Drum Head(Skin).

Field Manager Takebayashi (a.k.a Chikurin)’s February~March Domestic Road TOUR Documentary Report

20090209 HEAVEN’S ROCK SAITAMA SHINTOSHIN VJ-3

First day on the tour. There is one dressing room and in the hallway, instrument and equipment cases are placed on this narrow space where one could barely pass through. The dressing room is full of signatures and scribbles by bands and the members seem to be checking a rather different feeling from the scenery and atmosphere, which they cannot usually see.

The stage is smaller than usual so there is limitation on their performance. One of them is how they cannot use an acoustic guitar. “VINUSHKA” and “CONCEIVED SORROW,” their signature pieces for acoustic and core for DIR EN GREY’s stage will be played with electric guitar. For sound-making, members and staff have a hard time. Having a couple of days for RH (rehearsal), they have repeatedly adjusted their guitar and amps. In order to create a satisfying sound, everyone united together and continued countless times without regretting the passing of time. Before the entrance opening, fans fill the surroundings near the venue. I could feel the anticipation and everyone towards this small-scale (venue) tour. The surrounding of the venue was covered by an inexplicable atmosphere.

Having this huge anticipation, the first day of the small-scale tour has begun. The size of the venue has gotten smaller, but the set list and the number of songs are as usual. For DIR EN GREY, location or size does not matter to them to embody the present moment. As time passes by surprisingly quickly, the amount of oxygen in the venue keeps on depleting. As the distance between the members and audience gets closer, the limited space continues to increase its heat.

The show ends. One could feel tiredness from the members’ expressions that never allow half-way measures, but moreover, they seem to be satisfied by something.

“This is going to begin from now.”

20090210 Mito LIGHT HOUSE

A sunny day. If you say Mito’s specialty food, it would be nattou (note: fermented soy beans), so the person in charge of the event brought nattou wrapped in straw as a compliment. For this tour, the accompanying staffs are the total of 7 members, which are guitar tech Mr. Kuroo and Mr. Haruna, PA Mr. Nakajima, toranpo (note: Japanese abbreviated word for transporter) Mr. Matsuoka, bus driver Mr. Matsuda, roadie George, and manager Takebayashi. This time, regarding lighting, we have asked the person in charge of lighting for each venue to do it. We gave sound material, each song’s lighting image and cautions beforehand, but for each live, the different expression of lighting one could experience may become the best part for this small-capacity tour. For today’s venue again the lighting staff conducted scrupulous check during RH (rehearsal). After withdrawing the equipments, the group moved to Utsunomiya in a micro bus. Today’s micro bus is called a coaster where the back seat has small space to put baggage. We put everyone’s luggage and from now on, we will be traveling for approximately one month.

20090211 HEAVEN’S ROCK Utsunomiya V3-2

It has been 3 days since the tour began, but the situation of grabbling still continues. During that time, from Tokyo, Mr. Okada who we owe thanks for every tour and wardrobe (stylist) Mr. Omi visited us. The members welcomed the 2 people and stimulated conversation. They seem to be comparing between Kerrang! Tour held in January and the current tour. “This is definitely better than Kerrang! Tour,” “There’s a hotel,” “We could eat Japanese food”. Japanese tour must be heaven for them. In front of familiar people, the members’ faces also had a relieved expression.

20090212 Utsunomiya~Morioka

Today is a moving date. Snow was extremely apprehended, but it was a beautiful sunny day. The moving distance to Morioka was 430km, 6 long hours of bus travel has begun. Inside the bus, there was a TV monitor where they are able to watch DVD of live footage of that day. For everyone with long travelling hours, this was an important existence.

20090213 Morioka Club Change WAVE

From morning, snow was lightly falling. The temperature was extremely low, and at night, there was going to be heavy rain. In the afternoon, Die and roadie George went to go eat Morioka’s local specialty, reimen (note: ??is a Korean dish that means cold noodles). Today’s venue is on the first level of the basement and all the equipments need to be carried by hand. The breath staffs exhale is white, and continuing this work for more than ten minutes, there was steam rising from the staff.

Show opening. During live, there was a moment where the members’ facial expression looked irritated. The reason was due to the narrow stage and one mic was picking up various sounds that created howling. Because they always wish to make a full effort in order to create the best stage, bitterness remains. But because live is something that constantly evolves and moves continuously, at times, trouble like this one happens.

20090214 Akita Club SWINDLE

Today’s venue was also underground. Actually, there was a hotel above and it was a strange environment. Once we entered, the audience seats were vertically long and the distance between the stage and the front row’s metal fence were only a few cm (centimeters) apart. This was a live environment that would be unimaginable for the usual-sized tour.

Now, the tour goes to places where they usually cannot go, and we wanted fans that usually cannot go to lives even if they want to go to come. The strong wishes by the members actualized this tour.

Tonight, there was a moment that allowed us to feel that. Before encore, Kyo said a word, “People that came to the live for the first time!” As he stirred up the crowd, in the venue, many fists raised up. At that moment, there was an inexplicable sensation running through my body.

20090215 Akita~Nagano

The second longest travelling distance on this tour was this 8 hour drive. Having the Sea of Japan on the right-hand side, we run. We were concerned about the weather again today, but it seemed all right.

20090215 Nagano CLUB JUNK BOX

Kyo and Kaoru’s birthday eve (note: Chikurin is saying one day before their birthdays). Members and staff have planned amongst themselves beforehand and decided to celebrate after RH. After preparation was finished, everyone waited for that time. They seem somewhat restless. Around the time the members entered the venue, snow began to fall. After RH, surrounded by subtle nervousness, Kyo and Kaoru were called to come to the audience seat. With guitar tech Mr. Kuroo’s HAPPY BIRTHDAY~ played, sounds of crackers resounded in the venue.

Opening. Together with the members’ appearance was an overflowing force of cheers arising. Was this a feeling that celebrated Kyo and Kaoru’s birthday? Or was it because this was Toshiya’s local area’s Nagano show? On this day, the overflowing force of the audience exceeded the members’ power.

20090217 Shizuoka Sunash

For this tour, it was the smallest capacity venue with 230 seats. The merchandise booth was set up outside the venue, and the dressing room was like a hallway. This was not a space that would be called a dressing room. Furthermore, since there was no bathroom in the dressing room, after the show began, the members cannot go to the bathroom. However, when the members arrived to the dressing room, they first said the following out loud. “Oh! This is larger than I thought!” There were members that were slowly getting used to the feeling of the small-capacity tour.

20090218 Hamamatsu Madowaku

Sunny day. The dressing room is a cozy parlor (note: the original word was zashiki [??] and the room is floored with tatami mats) area that says “no shoes allowed”. “Speaking of Hamamatsu!” So, the day before, we asked the person in charge of the event to prepare broiled eel lunch box (to be delivered) to today’s dressing room. For members and staff that are beginning to accumulate fatigue, this is the best source for stamina. Around the time RH was over, we found hair/make-up artist Mr. Yamaguchi at the dressing room. The members could not hide their surprise with the unexpected guest. But, there seems to be a sense of relief. After the main part of the show ended, Kaoru who was on top of the monitor stirring up the crowd lost his balance and collapsed back into the bass amp behind him. The bass amp splendidly fell and the beer on top of it splashed onto Kaoru. In the dressing room after the live, the topic of conversation amongst the members and staff was about Kaoru’s tumble. “I was so surprised! You were soaked with beer.” This capacity of space makes it difficult to express their actual force. Even when the members understand this, they still try to exert their all. There were various troubles, but it was fortunate how nothing serious happened to the members or the equipments. Today’s show also finished safely.

20090219 Hamamatsu~Kanazawa

We’re getting used to the long moving hours, but today is also a long drive. On the way, we stopped by a SA (service area) at Hamanako and decided to have lunch. However, since it was lunch time, the ordered meals are not arriving quickly. There were many things to see at the SA, but they will have to wait until next time. On the way, we stopped by a SA again. When we got off the bus, fresh snow covered the area. Since it was snow in a long while so excitement grew, and there would actually be a people enjoying the touch (of snow) with their hands. Among them, we could see some throwing snowballs at each other. This was a moment that could not easily be experienced in Tokyo.

20090220 Kanazawa AZ

Around lunch, Die, PA Mr. Nakajima, and George went to a famous Soba restaurant near the hotel. The recommended food was Oroshi Soba”. There was oroshi daikon (note: grated radish) heaped on the plate and this was extremely hot. It made us wake up. Today is Mr. Kuroo’s birthday eve and he has been always helping us including the overseas tour. After RH, in the dressing room, everyone from members to staff celebrated the occasion. Live. The stage had many lighting features including moving strobe lights that were fully used.

Today was actually the turning point of the tour. After the show, when they were about to head out to eat dinner, but by the time they got out from the restaurant, there was heavy snowing outside. Meanwhile, Kaoru and Mr. Nakajima headed to an Ochazuke (note: bowl of rice and tea) restaurant, which is open late at night. The horizontal plate carried to them had more than 10 types of condiments arranged, and the bowl had a small amount of rice inside. You can personally think up of different variations of condiments and eat it whatever way you like. This broke the notion of ochazuke. Strangely, you can eat so many of them.

20090221 Kanazawa~Gifu

Today is a moving date. Due to everyone’s strong requests, we stopped by a family restaurant. This tour has bentou (note: lunch box) as their main food and being able to get warm food for the first time in a while was a relaxing moment.

20090222 Gifu Club ROOTS

Today’s venue was far from the train station and it seems to be inconvenient for transportation. Entering the venue, we do the overall check. The audience seat area on the stage left side has a strange wide path, which will be the merchandise space. The members entered the venue and Die prepared to record a comment for the local radio, but due to the stage’s echo sound, he had to stop. On very short notice, the bus pulled up alongside the outside area of the venue, and the recording took place inside the bus. Actually, today is toranpo Mr. Matsuoka’s birthday. The same time rehearsal ended, everyone celebrated his birthday. Since the tour began, this would be the 4th Happy Birthday. As the venue opened, looking around, one would notice how there are more guys than usual. During live, when Kyo would say, “Guys-!!” and stirred up the crowd, deep screams returned from the audience seat.

20090223 Shiga U-STONE

Today’s venue has the largest capacity for this tour. Occupancy is 450 people. Today was Shinya’s birthday eve. After RH, Die was on guitar and I did vocals to celebrate his birthday. This was the 5th “Happy Birthday!” on this tour. Before opening, as I looked down from the 3rd floor of the venue, it was packed with fans waiting eagerly for the show to begin. In the dressing room, I wonder if fatigue is accumulating for them. There wasn’t too much talking going on amongst the members.

A little after opening, there was some worry about the audience seats swaying side to side a lot, but it was able to withstand. Because the ventilation in the venue was too good, the smoke that heightened the lighting effect would blow away quickly, which was a shame. However, the lighting and rendition were able to surpass that and it was very good. This was a very good live. Tomorrow is the first OFF date for this tour. I would like both the members and staff to take a good rest.

20090223 Kyoto OFF

Today is an OFF date where there will be no live or travelling. Actually, since Shiga, Nara and Kyoto are close location-wise, and these 4 days will have the hotel in Kyoto as base and travel to venues. For the group that is constantly busy with hotel moving, staying for a few days in a row rests the body and mind. I wander around the city of Kyoto alone. I’m enjoying my time alone for the first time in a long while. In this tour, there is a lot of time together in the venue and inside the bus. Each person must be spending their time doing what they like to do. I wonder how they are spending their time off.

20090225 Nara Neverland

I found a crowd of people surrounding the equipment truck. It seems that just when the truck was about to park, the truck’s tire got stuck on the road’s side ditch. The side ditch had an iron sheet covered over it, but its intensity could not withstand the heaviness of a 2 ton truck. We tried various things but the tire would not get out so easily, and we decided to call for rescue. Problem solved. Speaking of the venue, the low ceiling stands out since the drum set’s cymbals would hit the ceiling if they were on their usual height. We could not place Kyo’s stand either, so we had to immediately have a substitute prepared. The venue barely had any space between the stage and audience seat, and during performance, the audience were at a distance where they could touch the members with their hands. But in actuality, when the members went up front, there were some people that touched them, but there weren’t any audience who disrupted the performance or touch the members’ instruments. I was glad how everyone understood that aspect very well. Feeling something of this sort was likely in this tour.

After the live, Mr. Yasufuku, the event’s sound creator whom we are grateful for, was called to the dressing room by the members. Actually, today was his birthday and the members secretly prepared a present for him. Even Mr. Yasufuku who was usually calm could not hide his joy due to such a surprise.

20090226 KYOTO MUSE

Today, there was going to be footage recording and the entire venue was busy. There was meticulous planning, and in the venue, cameras were being set up here and there. There were unimaginable numbers of camera and staff for this venue capacity. Even with stage, there were 10 cameras set up. Camera adjustments were also being done carefully during RH. After RH, within the audience seat area, Toshiya’s comment for “Best Hit LIVE” was getting recorded. Live begins. The audience’s momentum this day was incredibly intense once again. Kyo constantly shouts, “Kyoto~!” To that, the audience shouts back. I wonder if the audience’s power doubled because this was Kyo’s hometown... The audience’s momentum did not stop until the end. From moment to moment, numerous cameras constantly chased around to capture the viewpoint from the audience’s side and liveliness... I wonder what kind of shape this heated live footage will be delivered to everyone... Thinking about that, I look forward from now.

20090227 Kobe VARIT

Unfortunately, it’s cloudy. At times, cold rain is drizzling. Comparing to all the venues from before, today’s venue is more of a “modern snazzy space” rather than a “live house”. The venue with a wide feeling was constructed by having a split of first and second floor. Today, after the show was over, the members got onto the car without any time to relax. Depending on the venue’s features, such moves were not rare. And 3 consecutive shows have ended. Members and staff have fatigue accumulating.

20090301 Tokushima Jitterbug

The venue is on the 3rd floor but there weren’t any carry-in elevator and only had elevator where if people got on, it would be packed. Even just carrying in the equipments into the venue, we had to go back and forth into the elevator. On stage left in Die’s position, there was an ill-defined iron pillar. Once Die went into the venue, his first words were: “What the hell! This pillar!” and he grinned wryly.

Apart from the pillar, the low ceiling also had edges sticking out in various places. Even when you are exchanging bass and guitar, you needed to be extra careful or else the instruments would hit the ceiling. After the show was over, the group finished with clearance, traveled from Tokushima to Yonago. The distance was 300km. On the way, it began to snow in the mountain area. The entire road was white and we could not see the white line or anything, and driver Mr. Matsuda carefully took the wheel. Late evening, we finally arrived to the hotel safely. No matter what kind of bad circumstances arising, Mr. Matsuda manages to bring everyone safely. He is a very heartening member.

20090202 Yonago BELIER

Rain was over but it is pretty cold outside. The dressing room had a large potbelly stove. The carry-in condition was very good where the carry-in entrance was behind the stage. This is to be expected on the 16th show for the small-capacity tour. The staff’s operation went smoothly and the set was built up very quickly. On the same floor, there was a rehearsal studio and numerous bands were practicing. After RH, we found a large Styrofoam box in the dressing room. Mr. Takahashi, the promoter who we owe obligations just grins, approaches and tells us, “Just open it!” Once we opened it, we were surprised! Inside, there were 2 live crabs lying flat on their backs. As we listened, the live house’s owner was good friends with the owner of the bar restaurant on the 2nd floor, and he decided to get this compliment for today. After the show, the boiled crabs were prepared in the dressing room. Everyone ate the crabs silently. I wonder why we become silent during these moments. After finishing clearance, we head straight to Kumamoto. In this tour, this would be the longest traveling distance of around 630km. It’s an 8 hour long drive. Instead of travelling during night time, tomorrow is a complete off-date. We arrive to the hotel around 6 in the morning. No one can hide their fatigued expression.

20090303 Kumamoto OFF

A day to rest our body.

20090304 Kumamoto BATTLE-STAGE

Only 2 more shows on this tour. Today’s venue was inside a large shopping area and the location was at a busy area. Live space was on the 5th floor of the building and the dressing room was on the floor below and we were going to use the big meeting room, but the dressing room’s space boasted the largest size for this tour. After clearance, the group was going to move to Ooita, but, “Since we came to Kumamoto...” Due to a strong request, we went to a Kumamoto ramen restaurant called “Tenpou”. Since I heard of this being Kumamoto ramen, I was imagining a pork bone broth, but when I actually ate it, I could taste a slight seafood-like salt. The appearance (of the soup) was somewhat clear and the noodles had body and it had a sticky texture. It was very delicious. After filling up our stomach, the group travelled 3 hours to Ooita.

20090305 Oita T.O.P.S

Today is the last tour for the small-capacity tour. The 2nd floor on the venue was constructed to have a blow-by and the ceiling was just high. Something more surprising was the number of lightings attached on the back wall. Including the lights on the ceiling, would there probably be 200 of them? There were enormous numbers of them. And on this tour, the final Happy Birthday was PA Mr. Nakajima. The birthday celebration after RH has become an annual event. Furthermore, since it was the final date, on stage, the small-capacity tour members and staffs of 12 people took a commemorative photo. It’s already ending... We were filled with indescribable loneliness.

Even after the show was over, unending applause stirred up even more loneliness, and the entire tour had ended.

20090306 Oita~ Oita Airport

On the way to Oita Airport, due to heavy fog, it seems highways are shut down constantly. At morning, we had a phone call from promoter BEA Mr. Nakamura, and there was shocking news of the highway being closed down. Were we going to make it to the airplane?! I immediately contacted the members and staffs, and hastened our leave so that we would make it on time without using the highway. Luckily, just before our leave, the closure was removed and we were able to use the highway and headed straight to the airport. “There aren’t any fogs at all!” We were traveling on the bus triumphantly... but suddenly, fog covered us. We were unable to see the car right in front of us. Fog regulation justified. Arriving to the airport, here, we had to part with Mr. Matsuda who has driven the bus for us for the past one month. Lastly, Mr. Matsuda told us the total traveling distance from HEAVEN’S ROCK Saitama Shintoshin to Oita Airport. The total traveling distance was 4,804km. This was indeed a domestic tour that shook the chain of islands (note: Japan).

Guitar Tech •Mr. Kuroo

February, the one month tour felt long. Actually, in Japan, this tour was the first time where I did not go home after departing for the same band’s tour. The tour itself wasn’t too exhausting and it didn’t have 7 consecutive shows like overseas. Thinking in terms of the stage and actual work on the day, what I was doing was the same as usual, so there weren’t anything different. If I were to say one thing, the bus was small so the travel felt longer. In terms of lives differing in capacity, conversely, I was interested in any difference of way the audience saw and felt to the usual ones.

PA •Mr. Nakajima

February was just the worst for the heat (inside the venue). The venue would be so packed and this continued every time, and it felt like we were doing lives and got sweaty in every venue. The entire venue was oxygen-deprived, and after the live, exhaustion was bigger than the usual tour. The venue’s PA space was of course narrow, and sometimes if I sat down, there were some places where moving was difficult. Speaking of memory, the last show on this tour in Ooita was my birthday, and the members and staff took a commemorative photo. I actually proposed this idea but I think this became a good opportunity for everyone.

Guitar Tech •Mr. Haruna

The tour itself was as usual, but since the stage was small, I was also in charge of bass for switching and instrument changes. This was the same like the overseas tour. One impressionable happening was at one venue, when we were about to carry in the equipments, the iron plate on the rut broke and the truck ran off. Otherwise, as a person who likes to walk, I enjoyed being able to have time to wander around new places I have never gone before. Oh, but the conditions for carry-in was bad, there were only a few part-time workers, and now that I think back, it was busy all day. The amount of sweat during live was just enormous (laugh). Even after the tour, I liked both large and small venues. But for the audience, I think smaller ones are more fun for them since the distance between the members would be closer.

Toranpo• Mr. Matsuoka

In February, I guess what I was doing was the same as the usual tour. But, that tour was really tough for a person with pollen allergy.

Bus Driver • Mr. Matsuda

The long hour travel overnight was really tough. Especially when we were about to travel for Tokushima~Yonago, it began to snow heavily all of the sudden, and at that time, the highway had downhill slopes continuing so I was nervous. My best memory was when my birthday was on 3/7th, and during the after-show party, they got me a surprise cake for celebration. During the last travel to Ooita Airport, inside the bus, in the bus name that has the organization name listed, I got it signed by the (band) members and staffs. I would like to treasure this and cherish it. This was the first time to be involved with music-related job, so I was able to have a rare experience.

Roadie • George

This was definitely fun. Personally, I like smaller live houses. I may be lacking a few words, but when a band that tours around venue sizes like Zepp Tokyo, being able to do lives at smaller venues really have a meaning. On the Internet or any medium, they are accepted as a high-level band right? Those people doing lives at places where people are at distance to be able to touch them is like, I thought they had humility. Because they were like that, they were able to do this type of tour, and I think there was a lot of meaning in doing this.

Mu no Koufuku, Sanretsusha to Kubi HAPPINESS OF NOTHING, THE ASSEMBLED AND [THE] NECK

Tomorrow is the Tour's final day Gradually my voice is becoming easily destroyed Today I wasn't completely able to sing to my satisfaction but with all of my power, I vented everything Moreover I felt that at least I was able to get something through (express it) I was able to feel something from you guys again today. I am somewhat content

I haven't changed from the past but, I am happy because the feelings, that you vented upon me, that were all mixed together have become united, and it feels a bit more alive compared to before, by just only a bit (laughs)

Personally there were too many things during the Tour this time...

It was the most difficult [tour] up until now, and it was the most number of times I went to a hospital (laughs)

But there's still tomorrow, and there's still Europe so I have to weather this out with my spirit

This may be completely not connected to what I was talking about but, I absolutely don't tell lies in the newsletter and during Lives

Because its nonsense to lie in a place where I feel certain/absolute

Anyway, also on the Tour's final day tomorrow....I will...

You know, right?

Good night

Gansonaki Kaoru-ya

The long domestic tour has ended, but is everyone doing well?

We had a tour schedule packed for 3 months so everyone’s body is worn-out, but if everyone who came to see us felt something and went back home, I think it was worth doing it.

This was probably a tour that I would remember the most and I think I will never forget it since this tour was concentrated with everything.

People that came to see us, thank you! We’ll go there again!

There were many requests for the BMG for the opening that began from February, but there were some that switched around, so I’m going to post up the last one.

Basically, I have it played on shuffle so I don’t know what song is playing where.

By now, I think we’ll be touring Europe, but since the domestic tour was very fulfilling, I hope I could continue on with this feeling.

And I’m also thinking to begin making songs, so if there’s something good, I’ll let you know!

This was short, but (I’ll talk to you) soon!

“LOSER” AA-

“...And their Eulogies Sang Me To Sleep.” The Agonist

“Forkboy (Lard)” Black Light Burns

“Flush” Brian “Head” Welsch

“Carnivorous Swarm” Cannibal Corpse

“LA LA MIE” COLOR

“CRIME & PUNISHMENT” D’ERLANGER

“Embryo Burning” DEAD END

“Crowd of Creation” Deadlock

“Beyond the Scorpion Gate” Destroy Destroy Destroy

“Dimension Zero” Dimension Zero

“I Scream” Down

“Collision” Faith No More

“Deeds of Days Long Gone” Ignominious Incarceration

“Hurt” Johnny Cash

“Never Say Never” KMFDM

“Spellbound” Lacuna Coil

“Fake Messiah” Lamb of God

“Thieves” Ministry

“Glistening” Orange 9mm

“Selling Jesus” Skunk Anansie

“Electric Head Pt. 1 (Satan In High Heels Mix)” White Zombie

Meisyo de meisyu

Q. On stage, looking at your effectors, guitar, Mesa Boogie’s guitar cabinet, everything is in “red” and “snake print,” but doesn’t your eyes hurt (from looking at them)?

Die: My eyes doesn’t hurt but when I play the guitar with the red fret board during live, because of the stage lighting, when it’s red, the color assimilates with the guitar and for a moment the guitar disappears from my sight (laugh). I also don’t have any position mark on the fret too. During that time, I have to play by my instinct!!

Q. I would want to ask you this, but how many centimeters is your guitar strap that you use during LIVE from the upper part of the lock pin to the lower part? And I also want to know if the red strap you actually use is an original? By the way, I (note: in Japanese it’s ?[boku], so this questioner is a guy) have Die-san’s model (by Edward) guitar with ESP’s red snake print strap, and I have it extended to the max while I play.

Die: 157cm. This is the borderline length to be able to play the current songs. The main strap I’m using right now is an original one prepared by ESP’s Asakura-san, and there hasn’t been any talk about putting it into the market. Actually, the length of the strap greatly affects your play and around the middle period of the tour, I had frequent “mis”-pickings and I was thinking how the sound during picking harmonics was bad, but the strap was stretched and there was a subtle misalignment when the angle of the string where the pick hit. So I moved up the belt’s hole and tried minimizing (approximately 1cm) it, but my body which was accustomed to all the lives I’ve done so far didn’t handle this well, so it was troublesome. To be more specific, the T-shirt and jacket that you wear at the time, will subtly change things, so it’s really a world on an mm(millimeter) measurement.

Q. Since last year’s BAJRA shows, there seems to be a fast playing (?) between you and Kaoru-san during 2:05~ in “REPETITION OF HATRED.” Do you think that during rehearsal instead of playing it on the spot? Ever since I saw it, I’ve been copying it that way. Is the chorus part for “?-saku-,” “MR. NEWSMAN” and other songs an adlib (improvisation)? This may sound too maniacal...

Die: You’re catching on to a good point! We’ve never spoken to each other about them, and we don’t come up with it during rehearsal either.

This was born as we continued our lives and this may evolve again.

Concerning other songs, I don’t have anything prepared beforehand for the arrangements I play live, and I also never had anything begin intentionally. This is definitely a natural flow from continuing to do lives. If I formulate a phrase before the live and play it perfectly during the actual show, there wouldn’t be any heart-racing feel. There is a thrill when I play during the tense moment live, and through the atmosphere and my feeling’s elation, I enjoy myself about what kind of phrase will be born from there.

Q. The intro’s clean part on “RED SOIL” is awesome! Personally, I have an image of someone being all bloody coming to a church to make a confession, but I would like you to tell us how you play this part. And what kind of image do you have while you play this?

Die: Being all bloody and going to a church to make a confession huh~I must say I didn’t have this image (laugh). I think the clean part is where I played a 12-string acoustic guitar on the CD, but this phrase didn’t exist even after we’ve gone into the recording phase for “UROBOROS,” and there was this phrase I played nonchalantly during a free time from recording, and I thought, “what would happen if I put this onto this part for this song?” And as I tried playing this, it fit wonderfully and I decided to use it (laugh).

From all the phrases that were there before this one, I felt like I would hear a voice like “You came in after us, but for someone like that, you’re being treated like the main thing.”

For this occasion, I guess I will explain the beginning intro phrase.

RED SOIL

All strings half-step down +Drop D tuning

(D#, A#, F#, C#, G#, C#)

CD TIME: 0:00~

M should have the hand’s pinkie finger’s side lightly touching the string near the bridge, and pick while you mute.

1. Your index finger should be on the 4th string 9th fret, your ring finger should hold the 3rd string 11th fret.

2. Here, the release sound of the 1st string will come out so make sure your pinkie finger doesn’t touch the 1st string.

3. From here, with this holding, you just need to slide your position in a parallel manner, but the 1st string and 3rd string will constantly have a release sound, so you need to try to have your index finger and pinkie finger from touching each of their strings.

4. Here, the fret will suddenly have 4 moves, so you need to prevent the sound from cutting off, and be careful not to rush or slow down the rhythm. Regarding the -Arp-. Arpeggio playing, it’s on the FC (fan-club) only website as an online video, so please check it out.

Notice: “Meisyo de Meisyu” is seeking questions about guitar for Die. For the people’s questions that are used, we would like to give an original item. Please have the questions sent to “aknot.”

TOUR09 FEAST OF V SENSES

April 5, 2009 (Sun) KBS Hall, Kyoto

When I first came into contact with DIR EN GREY’s wildest album “UROBOROS” on December 29, 2008 at the Osaka-Jo Hall, I was also deeply moved at the same time by its extremeness and deepness, and I thought that I would never understand that one night. Exactly 4 months from that day. They’ve successfully completed performances in England and the domestic live house circuit up until now. I wonder about, how will their interpretation of “UROBOROS”. How will it be personified tonight? How will the audience respond? Since they, like “a knot” have been eagerly waiting for this day. When you imagine that spontaneously your sense of anxiety would heighten.

Today’s venue, “KBS Hall” is near the Kyoto KBS TV Station and is near the Kyoto-gyoen which is famous for its expansive gardens and also spans 1200 meters from North to South and 800 meters from East to West. Since it is a multi-purpose venue and is used for various events, the staff entered the venue from 8 in the morning and went about setting up the LIVE venue. Starting from the stage, lights, sounds and video, setting up these things was a battle with physical strength. When I visited the venue at 3 in the afternoon, the staff had already finished the preparations and final adjustments for the sound check and was about to go on a break. I greeted them, and talked about tonight’s preparations, exchanged information about things to pay attention to while on stage while also exchanging pleasantries with them. Probably because of the foothold that was firmly established by the team of professionals, the members can earnestly go into battle onstage.

At the same time the members entered the venue. The four people other than Kyo went towards the stage as scheduled and did the sound check. When I tried visiting the dressing room where Kyo was in, from his expression I felt that he didn’t feel too great compared to his normal self. I greeted him and this became more pronounced as we chatted. Kyo who never spoke much seemed as if he were carrying an unseen burden on his shoulders. Since the appearance of “UROBOROS”, DIR EN GREY has successfully completed lives both overseas and locally. During that time Kyo experienced issues with this throat but on stage he would continue to scream, “it has no connection to that” and continued on singing. I wonder about what drives him to push himself that far…

Around 1 hour and 30 minutes before the start of the show, there was a relaxed air in the dressing room. While each of the members themselves were killing the time, Kyo himself tried resting his painful throat even for a bit, and gave his full attention to it. During that time, I heard Die’s deep sigh coming from another dressing room. He should be used to the continuous tour lifestyle that he’s continue for almost 10 years but since he can’t retain his peace of mind at the hotel, which was supposed to be a place to rest your body. Even though his body was tired, his active brain would still pick up even the tiniest sound. That’s why there are a lot of nights where getting sound sleep was difficult.

“20 minutes before the start of the show!”

Along with the voices that echoed in the dressing room, the members also increased their concentration. At that time Kyo who finally stood up kept on vocalizing in the room. It’s hard to say that he’s in an excellent condition but his defiant demeanor was no from his usual self. They formed a circle on the stage wings, their 5 voices echoing into the backstage hallway also renewing the staff’s morale.

Inside the venue, a cheer resounded from the audience when the BGM stopped, the hall went dark, and “SA BIR” echoed towards the audience area. As the members entered onstage, that voice became even louder and the hall shook.

The moment when the 5 people stood on stage and the intro started, exclamations came from the hall. It was no wonder because they began with “INCONVENIENT IDEAL”, a song that was placed in the album to finish it. Always surprising us onstage, destroying people’s preconceived notions. This was also an exquisite taste of the live that DIR EN GREY has prepared. As the beautiful guitar melodies’ sounds kept on piling on top of one another, the hall was covered in the band sound and in an instant you naturally enter DIR EN GREY’s world-view that was formed in the hall.

When DIR EN GREY’s song is played at a live its shape changes like a living thing. Created music that was interpreted from different angles reaches ears that have grown accustomed to the final sound. The 5 people on stage and the audience who filled the hall by “living” they also breathe in life to the song. On the center of the stage, with overflowing energy coming from fingertips holding his whole body in thrall, only fear of that unrestrained expression hung on Kyo’s form. A once-in-a-lifetime moment, a song you can never hear again, one after another was created.

“VINUSHKA” the longest epic in “UROBOROS”, their world-view took more shape and was more visualized through the projected image behind these 5. And this moment’s “music”, the sound by these 5 individuals that you can only experience once in the world, is born.

“Koko ga shinjitsu da” / This is the truth

The audience raised their fists back in response to Kyo’s words. The audience became one.

There are a lot of times that you feel that the 5 people on stage are not only the leading characters at a DIR EN GREY live. When the audience’s passion, voices, movement and everything that is radiated from these 5 people bring about a chemical reaction, a sense of unity is born in the venue, and a work of art, that can only be obtained by the people who were there at the “LIVE” is complete.

When “RED SOIL” was played, the voltage in the venue became higher and it progressed to “STUCK MAN”. When this song, which has the most unique sound and tempo in the album, was resounded, it became an important spice to DIR EN GREY’s element, and the band’s diversity was steadily embodied. “LIE BURIED WITH A VENGEANCE”. While the heavy tune continued, the sound that Kaoru, Die, Toshiya, Shinya created even became heavier than before, it was like being stabbed in the gut.

The intro of “Doukoku to sarinu” started and as it approached the chant, something unusual occurred on the center of the stage. Kyo stood on his stand ramrod straight, unmoving. “He’s finally reached his limit….” The moment I felt that, and as if the thoughts that came from within Kyo’s body became sound, his voice resounded through the microphone. It may be not accurate to say that it seemed like he was trying to drive away something as he continuously exhaled. Whatever came out from Kyo, it wasn’t a voice that a human would normally use. It was a collective sound that was squeezed out from all of his body. Uncertainty or rather pointlessly, Kyo stood on stage as DIR EN GREY’s vocalist and confronted the members, audience and also myself. There was something unseen that continuously pushed Kyo.

Most humans when they’ve reached their own limit they would most probably stop doing their best. But DIR EN GREY is the complete opposite. Battling with themselves, challenging themselves, not compromising on stage…those were the feelings that suddenly came to mind.

The song wave like a surge came to a complete stop, and the darkness and strange air changed. Deep red illumination bewitchingly lighted up Kyo who was standing ramrod straight on his stand.

“Ore wa dare kara mo nigerarenai” / I can’t run away from anyone

“Ore wa nani kara mo nigerarenai” / I can’t run away from anything

The audience returned to silence, while only the sounds of the oriental bell told of the flow of time, a spotlight hit Kaoru and with the guitar melody of “Toguro” we were transported into another new dimension. When we plunged the climax of this song, a miracle happened. All of a sudden, his throat opened, and the complete Kyo’s voice resounded in the hall. At that time already 47 minutes have passed since the start of the LIVE. ---But, God isn’t all that merciful.

When next came “GLASS SKIN”, known for the beauty of its melody, the scene changed and the through the simplicity of the performance, each and every member’s stance and expression stood out. These 4 people who silently play maybe creating different sounds or movements but there exists an unseen connection, DIR EN GREY gives birth to sound and each one of them is needed in order to give it shape, even without words this was perfectly shown.

The stage went dark and the venue was again shrouded in darkness, and a silence that made us even hesitate to breath descended upon us. On the center of the stage in the midst of the lights was a figure that isn’t what it should be making metallic sounds that echoed through the microphone. After a few seconds, Kyo, who appeared again in front of us, started to talk in order to break that silence.

"Konna koe wo aishite kure” / Love this voice

“Konna koe demo aishite kure” / Love even this voice

While the stage was bathe in green and blue lights, “HYDRA 666” created another new space. With vocals that continuously echoed roars, guitars that started to guide dueling melodies, bass whose sound that further added to the deepness, and drums that was established as the central axis of the whole sound, the stage performance was depicted as a mysterious world. While that vigor upset the hall, “AGITATED SCREAMS OF MAGGOTS” started and the audience changed. In front of the agitated audience’s line of vision were 5 individuals, serious even amidst the violence. It was the kind of vigor that would expand in front of your eyes every time you blinked. At that moment, Kyo, who was standing on his stand with his legs wide open, spontaneously reached his hand into his mouth and greatly tore out the inside of his mouth three, four times. In a moment his face was stained red. It didn’t matter that it was a quick incident; my eyes were caught as if time went in slow motion. Even if you were in the back of the hall, you can obviously see with you eyes that it felt like a moment when Kyo overcame something.

The whole air in the venue changed.

It may be difficult to say it in words but, the audience’s thoughts became clearer towards the stage, all of the people who existed here felt “alive” with their skin. Even when it plunged into “BUGABOO”, there was no stopping that vigor. During “Reiketsu ni Nariseba”, lights that were placed on the right and left side of the stage, transformed the whole hall with white light. Toward the middle of the song, Kyo, with both hands raised upward while on his stand, was lit from behind, and as his silhouette emerged, as if it were sucked towards the stage, the consciousness of all of the people in the hall came forward. As both the 5 people on stage and the audience both wanted, it climbed towards higher place.

“Yakitsukete Koi!” / Burn this [in your memory]!

Kyo stirred up the hall. And “Gaika, chinmoku ni nemuru koro” assaulted the inflamed audience, and further drove them towards the climax. The excitement increased like blood that was being regurgitated. As we approached towards the last part, through the temperature in the venue continuously rising, not only were your eyes and ears but also all 5 senses of a human being were stimulated and controlled.

Again, the 5 people have finished a great performance, when the stage upfront cleared everything inside the venue returned to reality. "Unsurprisingly, what in the world did just happen...", to capture that[feeling] seemed ordinary and a mysterious atmosphere loomed over.

After a big roar for encore, the 5 people's figures visibly returned. At the end, Kyo went to the center and slowly took the mic.

“Kyou kita omaera wa rakki ya. / "You people are lucky you came.

Kyou wa, ore ni totte saikou ya. / Today, for me, was the best.

Shikkari me ni yakitsukete kaette kure!” / Go home with your eyes completely burnt!"

The venue that was once filled with scream was once again on fire.

“Kyoto,kakatte koi!” / Kyoto, come on!

"OBSCURE","GRIEF","REPETITION OF HATRED". As one would say that these numbers were hard and heavy, they were played and inside[the venue] became one. Also, the one that was again added in the line up for a year now, "Rasetsukoku", the ocean began to swell. All in all, the spectacle unfolded that is impossible for the camera to cover. Once again, DIR EN GREY has given life to a masterpiece, it is art. The last was "CLEVER SLEAZOID", the audience singing in chorus pushed the members to their limits and welcomed a very moving end[of the live].

At that moment no one moved, arms and instruments were held high. Right before the sound stopped, the Kyo who normally went away from the stage, took the mic to his mouth, this day again proved that it is one of DIR EN GREY's masterpiece that made its mark in history.

“Arigatou” / Thank You

Kyo who came off the stage went over the limits of his throat. It was to a point that he was unable to speak to anyone, Kyo retreated into himself, it looked like that he was facing something alone. A pace ahead of the other members, he returned to Tokyo and immediately went to a specialist in a hospital. The result of the test was "edema of the larynx" and "chorditis". The doctor who gave him the results of the test said that it required 5-7 days of rest. And the result derived after thinking it through thinking was that Sendai and Sapporo are to be postponed.

Thinking so much of the eagerly awaiting fans, it was a very hard decision.

2009.04.05 KBS Hall

SE SA BIR M01. INCONVENIENT IDEAL M02. VINUSHKA M03. RED SOIL M04. STUCK MAN M05. LIE BURIED WITH A VENGEANCE M06. Doukoku to sarinu M07. DOZING GREEN M08. Ware, yami tote... M09. Toguro M10. GLASS SKIN M11. HYDRA -666- M12. AGITATED SCREAMS OF MAGGOTS M13. BUGABOO M14. Reiketsu ni nariseba M15. Gaika, chinmoku nemuru koro EN01. OBSCURE EN02. GRIEF EN03. REPETITION OF HATRED EN04. Rasetsukoku EN05. CLEVER SLEAZOID

TOUR09 FEAST OF V SENSES To be continued

March 9, 2009 Rokumeikan LIVE

The real identity of F.O.V.S. is....?

On March 9, 2009, there was a band who did a live in a long established livehouse in Meguro, Tokyo called "Rokumeikan". That band was called, "F.O.V.S". What were they trying to hide, their real form is a fictional band to cover up DIR EN GREY's SECRET LIVE. A lot of people may have already noticed this but the band's name were the initials of "FEAST OF V SENSES".

On the day itself even though there was no formal announcement, the venue was overflowing with people who were sensitive or lucky to have gotten that information from somewhere. For the members who experienced LIVES where they felt the closeness of both the members and fans during the Circuit Tour last February and March, at the Rokumeikan which you can say is a scale that they've mastered, the audience maintained an extreme level of heat and excitement as they rushed towards the end. What finished the LIVE was that rare song. When the intro started, jubilant voices like screams filled the venue, at the same time as Kyo's shouts, in front of your eyes was a storm of headbanging! It didn't matter if the venue was packed there were times when "a knot" who were in the last row could see the the full stage and the members for the first time.

For the record, the T-shirts that the members wore during encore were commemorative shirts from the stage director, Fujiki-san's company, BOATMAN.

2009.03.09 Rokumeikan (F.O.V.S) SE. SA BIR M01. VINUSHKA M02. RED SOIL M03. AGITATED SCREAMS OF MAGGOTS M04. STUCK MAN M05. GRIEF M06. ?????? (doukoku to sarinu) M07. THE FINAL M08. ?? (toguro) M09. GLASS SKIN M10. CONCEIVED SORROW M11. HYDRA -666- M12. OBSCURE M13. BUGABOO M14. ??????? (reiketsu ni nariseba) M15. DOZING GREEN EN01. ????????? (gaika, chinmoku ga nemuru koro) EN02. REPETITION OF HATRED EN03. C EN04. ?-saku- EN05. ?-ZAN-

An Extra News and So On

[aknot] Limited Web Shopping Site, Finally Opens!

The most important privilege of [a knot] membership is the Original Item Shopping ...Finally! The Web Shopping Site "[aknot]only online shop" is born. Until now there are 4 released DVDs that are limited to members. As you all know, it was especially made for those members in "aknot". What started with those 4 pieces, there will be more limited items that are in store. What kind of items??...Until the details are announced all we can do is wait. The online shop can be easily accessed through the PC and Mobile [a knot] only site. You can choose the method of payment from Credit Card, by convenience store or by bank transfer. From now on, the [a knot] only on-line shop will now be convenient and remarkably change. Please look at it and confirm.

Die's Powerful Enemy Emerges!?

Upon visiting the dressing rooms during the tour, a very blank looking Die can be found. When he was asked if he was feeling unwell, "I wasn't able to sleep very well" said Die whose shoulders drooped. In overseas tours, transportation was solely on the tour bus but other than the stage and dressing rooms, they would spend most of their day in there[bus]. Not only during the trips, even in their own bunks(the beds with individual spaces)was included as one of the places which held silent battles for the members. Nightfall, when all the band members and crew were silently asleep, Die's enemy came like a ninja---the "Nightmare".

Actually, it had attacked several times during the Northern America Tour, the story that time was frankly told by die himself in the "ALBUM LIMITED CONTENTS"'s DOCUMENT. People who are interested check immediately! Recently, during February in the beginning of the "FEAST OF V SENSES" tour, there are sleepless days. In addition, will there be more new nightmare stories by Die!?

The Untold DJ-Killer's Radio Guest Appearance

April 9th Late night 1:00am. Entering a certain Chiba-based radio studio, you can find Toshiya and Writer Mr. Yuuichi Masuda! Actually, it was because Toshiya is a guest for his long-term "Older Brother" J-san who works as bay fm's [MOZAIKU NIGHT ~NO.1 MUSIC FACTORY~J's EDITION~Rock Line~] DJ. There may be people who wondered, "Why Mr. Yuiichi Masuda too?!" but actually, Mr. Masuda alone is a regular guest in J's radio.

I think there are people who have already heard the actual broadcast and watch the video in BARKS but, the program was about the time J-san and Toshiya met, the recent year's overseas lives, the February 4th release of DVD [A KNOT OF] . From beginning to end it continued with a peaceful mood. Occasionally, there was a lot of "I will explain" and Mr. Masuda will comment about watching Dir en grey locally and overseas. In the last half, the upcoming Dir en grey schedule was read and Toshiya was following J-san himself [physically too](Laugh) It is definitely fascinating for anyone to hear J-san deliver it[the show] to the Dir en grey fans (listeners).

#haiiro no ginka

3 notes · View notes