Awesomeness overload.

Hello. This is still jet lagged Elin. But you know what, it doesn't matter. Because I'm shivering with anticipation of Mejibray and Depain's new releases.. I think they want to kill me. 

Haha Ryuka! 

Ah my heart! My heart can't take it! xD 

「OMNIA VANITAS 」

-What's the Necessary? What's the Unnecessary?-

The name of NEGA's one-man tour FINAL in Shibuya O-WEST 26/7. 

I actually wasn't planning on going to this live at all, but I have Kelly to thank! 8D Thank you Kelly. 

She asked me if I was planning to go, because she wanted the booklet and cd you got if you handed in a red note you got with their cd. I had bought their cd already and I am a big nega fan, so I just thought why not. I didn't think about it much because me and Alex usually never go to one-mans, but I asked her and she was willing to join. ^^ 

So, we bought our tickets and yesterday we headed off to Shibuya around 17.00. The problem was, at the station we just missed a train which made us in a bit of a hurry. I thought the doors would open 18.30, so we still had time. Until I checked the tickets and saw the doors opened at 18, then the live START 18.30. We were in Shinjuku by then, but we didn't have to chance train or anything because the train we took goes past Shibuya. Erm, anyway, when we were in Shinjuku it was already 17.58.. CRAP. Well, it doesn't take that long to go to O-west. I've been there many times before so it should be fine, that's what I thought haha. 

We arrived in Shibuya and that's when I remembered Saikyo line has their platforms so damn far away from everything. Yes. Great. It took us 10 minutes only to walk to the right exit. Saikyo line, I hate you. 

Since we by then were pretty much stressed out we ended up going the wrong way to O-west. Or well, we ended up somehow behind it and I was like "how the fuck did this happen?! D:" It was ridiculous, because I've been there so many times and suddenly we were freaking lost haha. Well we weren't lost at first, I just thought we would go straight into the mess of tiny, jungle like mess of streets that surrounding the concert venues. It's would not be any problems if I had come the usual way, but somehow we ended up on the backside... It took us 10 more minutes of walking up and down tiny streets until I finally recognized where we were and found it. Gargh. XD by then it was 18.25, but I was just so happy we had found it in time at least hahaha xD faaaail. 

Anyway, this is where O-west is. The bigger road that's down to the right, yeah, that's a normal sized road. The one's inside here are small even though I've gotten used to small roads here. It's really cozy and nice and pretty, but not when you are trying to find your way around hah. 

Print screen from google maps, hah.  

So anyway, it all turned out good in the end. We walked up the stairs and I was so exited, because it was the first time on a concert in this venue. O-West is like a holy grail for VK bands, and I couldn't wait to see what it was like.

We got in and walked through a small doorway, and then we were inside. This was my face:

( ﾟ-ﾟ)( ﾟﾛﾟ)(( ﾛﾟ)ﾟ(((　ﾛ)~ﾟ ﾟ

O-west can't be much bigger than Takadanobaba AREA, if it is at all. I was a bit wider, but it also felt shorter. Since we got there only a few minutes before it would start we stood at the back, but the back was what, maybe 7-8 meters from the stage? In my head it was at least two, maybe even three times the size of AREA because AREA it's so small, but nooo. I was really, really surprised. 

After organizing ourselves, putting tickets back in our bags and stuff I went to the merch table to trade the red note I got, traded it for the photobook and cd, and of course I bought a towel. xD 

After I came back to our spot it only took a minute or two before the lights went out and the intro music started. Another awesome thing about O-west: the sound. See, in AREA I always wear earplugs because the sound can get pretty high from time to time. (especially since I usually stand right next to the speaker) I have them kind of... loosely in, otherwise it becomes too muffled, but if I don't have them in I get half deaf for two, three days. I don't want that, it's bad for my poor ears. >: I did bring ear plugs to this live too of course, but I had to take them out pretty quick because I couldn't hear well enough even with them loosely in. The sound was just perfectly loud, and it didn't hurt my ears at any point. It was really awesome. 

So, this is NEGA. 

From left to right: San on guitar, Jin the vomiter (that's what he calls himself, don't blame me), Ray on bass and Yuu on drums. 

So, what is Jin wearing, you ask? Weeell, at the live it really became apparent to me that he's not wearing much at all. I usually don't pay that much attention to what they are actually wearing, or not wearing, but Jin holy crap xD he was almost naked. He had short pants with ripped stockings underneath, which was like everything else practically non-existing, then he had either high boots or some kind of stockings half way up to his knees, and that's it. I'm not complaining though, hah. He threw away the jacket somewhat halfway through the live and for once I was not worried he was going to pass out from a heat stroke, like I am most of the time with other bands playing with layers and layers of clothes. Jesus. 

They started off with songs from their album and daaim. They are freaking awesome. It took me a while to like Goodbye Human, but the song is so much fun live. The furi is fun! xD they played V-rock is dead, where they got the lights and shit going. It was like a hard rock rave party haha. That song has gotten so much crap from some of the fans, but I don't see why people get upset over a song. Geez, if you don't like it just don't listen to it then. They have hundred other songs you like, stop whining. I like it though. The chorus is still kick ass. Listen to it! They played purgatory, fable in the cold bed which is a pretty old song by now but it's still on the new album. I'm so in love with that song I might puke. It's like an explosion <3

One of the things I love about NEGA is that even their calmest ballads have a really powerful hint to them. To me, NEGA are never boring and I love them for it. 

One of the things I love most about Jin is his screams. His screams, they pierce the deepest part of your soul and stays in there forever, as something like beautiful black magic. As much as it crushes your heart, it's still so amazingly beautiful. Jin, I love you. 

Then they played a few ballads, and I wanted them to play Guilt trip soo bad, but they didn't. :( well. I was really happy with the set list otherwise so it was fine. I think they played all of the songs from their album, mixed together with old ones. 虚しき「生」の寓意≒「死」の真意 (Munashiki「Sei」no Guui「Shi」no Shini) is one of my favorites.  

It's also the song when he disappears during the piano/bass/drum/guitar solo. Between around 5:30 and 07:00 he's down on the floor behind his platform... First time I saw it I got pretty worried, it felt like he was down for ages. But, this time I knew what he was doing. So, when he stood up again I said to myself And here comes the blood lala and sure enough. He stood up and tilted his head back, then spit out what seems to be a whole liter of the fake blood. I still don't understand how the heck he fits all that in his mouth. 

They played two songs after that I think, the last one a repeater song, where the members as usual rooming around in the first few rows (which included pretty much of the whole live house this time). I saw around 5 of the girls on the first row having white or other light colors on their clothes, and I'm pretty sure they collect bloody clothes made by Jin, haha. It's not like they don't know they will get blood all over themselves at a NEGA concert, right? Then what else is the reason to wear white? xD please tell me. 

After the song ended everyone was screaming their lungs out like monsters at Jin, then he left the stage. Then everyone screamed at the others as they left one by one. 

We all called for an encore, and they came out pretty fast. If I remember right this is where Jin had his MC? They had changed into more normal clothes. Jin had a black top and jeans on looking gorgeous. 

In the mc Jin talked about many things in the VK scene had changed, and some of it he doesn't like at all. Yuu sat and stared out in space, while Ray and San stood turned away from the audience. Jin explained sometimes he wonders "What am I even doing here?". As he said all that he was shaking, literary, and I got so scared he would say "We're disbanding~". But he didn't. Thank god for that. He said even though he feel that way sometimes, at the moment right there, on the stage he was very happy and thanked us. He talked about a few things in between I didn't really understand. Gosh that MC freaked the shit out of me anyway.

The fact that they made a song called V-rock is dead is kind of... worrying somehow. But I don't even want to start debating on that subject, so I'll just move forward.

They played for another hour, and they played HEART, which is a song they released as their side project while NEGA was on hiatus in 2010. Now that's another funny story about NEGA. They made an announcement they were going on an activity pause, which is not that unusual or worrying. San wrote in his blog "The band will NOT disband, they are simply needing time to strengthen their skills and need to recharge."

However, when they went on break in September Undercode Production announced a new mystery band. Of course everyone got excited and thought maybe some of the old band members from disbanded bands would be there. A few weeks later it was revealed that the new band was called PERESTROIKA, and it was none other than the members of NEGA, just with different names. Hahahaha. Everyone got so trolled. Good job Kizaki! They only released one single called HEARTS, but they appeared on events and lives and such. 

Then in the end of May 2011 NEGA was baack. Anyway, back to what I was saying in the first place. xD On the live they played HEARTS, the single they released as perestroika. They apparently like it that much, haha. It is really good though. Here they are, as a little milder version of themselves. 

The second part they started with fast songs, then went into ballad mood again, and then for the blow-ultra-kill blow in the end trying to kill as much as possible. Ray came up to Jin at some point, who held the microphone in front of his... let's say lower stomach. Ray leaned in and licked all over it hah. Good one. They were all over each other pretty much the whole live, San included. The poor guy got fake blood all over his arms at one point, hah. Welcome to the club xD


The last song was a repeater song, where they repeat a part of the songs over and over again and you jump onto the saizen and blabla, I've explained it so many times already. I decided to join the party anyway, because it was only the 70% of the two rows at the back who didn't join in I ran right in there when Jin was on our side. At least he had no fake blood to smear all over us this time around.

When the song was over the monsters in all of us came back and we screamed for him over and over again, and he only wanted more and more. Let's just say I completely lost my voice haha. Now, two days later, I'm sick... is it your fault Jin? Haha, I think it's because of the air conditions though, it's mostly my throat hurting and coughing bleh.

I think they were all pleased with the live. I'm still kind of worried about Jin... a little bit. I don't understand enough about his worries to not be worried.. but I'm sure it will be okay.


The live ended around 21.15, and there was people calling for another encore, even after the woman in the speakers telling everyone to get their stuff and leave. I was doubting they would come out again, since it was a Thursday and all I guess they wanted people to go home in time. I hope to the gods they didn't because after maybe 10 minutes me and Alex left xD

Pretty flowers! <3

「The Pink Parade Picture ShowⅢ」

Of course my first entry in my new blog will be a live report.. I'm sorry family, you'll have to hang in there! xD

So, me and Alex went to AREA, bought water blablabla. All the usual stuff, haha.

We stood in line for just a few minutes, since we were kinda late. We were about half-way in the line, so it felt really good after the last-minute-bought tickets the last few concerts where we ended up almost all the way to the back. Weeeelll.

When there's under x number of fans in AREA they put the merchandise tables on the third floor inside the stage area instead of outside in the "hallway". Usually it's no problem but today it was too freaking much people for having them there. I get so annoyed when I see a whole floor taken up by three tables and then we have to be all crowded up on the two other floors. >:

Anyway. So. The fans today..... Oh gawd I don't even know. I wasn't familiar with either Amber Gris or Emmuree so I was worried it was going to be one of those crappy shows where everyone turn up for rainbow puking stuff. It certainly looked like it when I scanned around the fans 70% of them looked like they came to see such bands. When we were inside the live house I started to worry about Mejibray, because I only recognized a few meji-fans. I didn't want to see them go through yet another miserable live.

Well. Since LIPLICH were the hosts the background music was so random haha. It was like... old music from the 40-50's or something. Like, old movie's music. Between all the bands it was the same style, and it amused me and Alex alot. xD

Anyway, on our tickets and on AREA's website it says "LIPHLICH/MEJIBRAY/amber gris/ emmuree/表記未定バンド" which means other than the four of them it's still undecided which was going to play. Sometimes there really are bands playing, but all lives I've been to before with that "other's"-info there's never been anyone else. Well, today there were two more bands playing. Black Line and Hi:Brid.

Sooo. Me and Alex was in second row on our usual places. It wasn't crowded at all, so it was really nice. I still wanted a escape route if wouldn't like the band playing.

The light's turned off and the scared guy drew away the curtain. On stage came no other than Black Line.
I had no idea they would play, and I haven't seen them before either, so it took me a while to realize it was them. Until Mikaru came on stage. I went into chock. Like, my face was like this for the first two minutes: O________________O

Umm, okay. So my history with Mikaru. xD does anyone care? I found his and Denka's (now called Syu) last band Dio -distraught overloard- because Mikaru started give me Peta's on ameblo when I created it over four years ago. I liked Dio alot, but then they disbanded. Mikaru and Syu are now in Black Line, and he's still giving me petas now and then even though he turned off the option so I can't peta him back. >: anyway, I'm pretty sure he recognized me, after over four years of petaing XD

Even for being the first band playing the audience were pretty dead, but the two first rows were okay. Lucky me, otherwise I would have looked crazy rocking out all on my own. Mikaru's voice is so beautiful. They played great songs. Yet the girls were so lame. grrr. Mikaru came up to our side once and crouched down on the edge, and looked straight at me until he left again. I was like spell bound x3

I can't find any songs by Black Line on youtube, it looks like they were all removed when they changed label or something. o.O Here's one of my favorite's from the Dio era ^^ 

  

Oh and I found a Black Line song. He sounds so much like Hyde now hah. 

They played for half an hour, then the other to me unannounced band was up, Hi:Brid. 

I don't even know where to start with these guys. When the electronic intro started I kind of wanted to flee the space but I gave them a chance at least. There was no use. As soon as the vocalist opened his mouth I wanted to run away. I'm sorry if you're a Hi:BRID fan, you can skip the next part. 

First of all the vocalist couldn't sing. At all. What so ever. This is how he sounded 70% of the time: 

I didn't even.... I don't even. It's comical somehow. The other members weren't that much better of playing their instruments either. The audience at least looked as confused and disgusted as I did, ha. They should go play live with some other oshare bands instead. 

The vocalist had a MC, where he talked fluent English. Wait what? Or, he had like an perfect american accent, he wasn't really fluent. He was mumbling and speaking so unclear just like he does when he sing, on top of that he was completely out of breath, so barely I understood. He said something in the lines "We will release new single, have our next live then, please buy our single" blabla. The whole audience had a collective ". . . . . . .huh?"-moment. They didn't get any applause or anything, because if barely I understand what he say, the Japanese fans will defenitely not. So after a confused while they started playing again. 

Grwa. Frustrated. Shit. 

Next band: 

Emmurée

This band completely made me fall in love with them. They are so. Weird. In a good way. 

It felt like going back in time to the 90's or something while watching them. Here's a clip. 

This is a clip from 2008, but it really looks old so I guess they are deliberately trying to get the old-style vibe. It was really cool watching them. His voice was awesome, they played good and the performance was amazing.

The vocalist looked like he was possessed from time to time, like he was mentally ill at some points and overall made it look weirdly beautiful. I had the small mejibray-fan in front of me all along and when the vocalist came over and leaned on the wall of the stage all possessed she jumped backwards almost into me hah. I was like "you're a meji-fan, you should be used to it."

They played basically only ballads. Which was weird. But I kind of liked it. It felt strange to go through a whole band doing basically nothing, no furi, no jumping, no head baning. Just listening. It was weird, but in a good way. Haha. Time went by twice as fast compared to the band before, and soon enough it was over. 

Random funny weird fact, the first three bands only had four members, which is kind of rare.

Next band up, Amber Gris

They were. Weird. In a good way. XD From left to right we have the guitarist, bassist, vocal, drummer, guitarist. 

The first guitarist stood turned to the wall through the whole thing, looking really emotional. I have no idea what was going on with him. The bassist looks kind o like an american transvestite. He's a good bassist though! The vocalist had kind of the same aura as Emmuree's vocalist, only much milder. The I didn't see much of the drummer, but he was blonde I think. Then we have the guitarist on my side that looks like a model or something. It's such a random mix of people to have in a band, and I looked between them all and... it was just weird. Everything was weird. xD in a good way. 

They played for a little bit more than half an hour, just like Emmuree they played mostly powerful ballads. I really enjoyed them too. 

PV!

Next band up... Next band up! MEJIIIBRAAYYYY. 

I was worried that the fans would be dead... but, oh I was so wrong. Just like last week everyone became monsters when they came on stage and I was like bursting out of joy. Finally. Finally they have gotten over the bump in the road, I'm sure of it. 

I'm sorry, I can't really say anything about the preformance since I was headbanging the shit out of myself 90% of the time. Tsuzuku had his usual rage fists, that's all I saw. x) It felt like they repeated the repeater song for like 10 minutes. In the end and he threw himself all over the stage, at one point he ran over to the stairs leading down to the backstage area, then ran with all his power to our side and it looked like he would bang his head right into the wall but he somehow managed to stop and go the other way again. It was quite noticeable that we didn't have the chance to warm up our bodies yet, my body hurts all over today. 

Oh and Meto totally slaughtered his teddy bear. A big part of it's face is ripped off with stuffing hanging out. 

Oh, and they played And Then There Were None. I just looooooove Tsuzuku's voice in this. The recorded version does him no justice, like most of their songs. His voice is flawless, I don't get why they take away all the power in it in the studio versions. Tsuzuku, you don't need autotuning. >:

It's a super-fun song live anyway. On Sunday it's time for

Alsdead, Screw, Hi:Brid (noooo shoot me!), ハルシオン, Velbet, Mejibray and Lost Ash. I really look forward to Lost Ash... first time seeing them. 

BAI!