The title for day two of Tokyo Metropolis couldn’t have been more suitable. Bara no kyouen, which roughly translates to “Rose Feast,” brought together three big names of visual kei with D and Moi dix Mois joining Versailles for a show that won’t be easily forgotten. The fans brought out their best attires with plenty of cosplayers and quite a few foreign faces and the excitement was palpable from the start as Liquid Room got ready for some heavy rock.
D
The lights fell and the crowd stirred in anticipation, red and black washing the stage to welcome D. With impressive instrumentals, fierce vocals and a contagious performance D carried the hall on an adventurous ride through sound, deep into their unique world of vampires and roses. HIROKI, Tsunehito, HIDE-ZOU, Ruiza and ASAGI made their entrance to the band’s latest intro, posing dramatically as they took the podium and the crowd welcomed each member with literally open arms. The classic Yami yori kurai doukoku no acapella to bara yori akai jounetsu no aria kicked off the show and got the crowd moving, the hand routines making the number visually impressive while the guitars blasted fiercely and bass pulsed to puissant drums. The band showed their unflagging energy from the start, moving zealously across the stage and thrashing heads to the beat while interacting continuously with the crowd.
By the second song the whole venue was moving in sync to the contagious beat. Eternally in character ASAGI danced theatrically to the title song of D’s latest single Dying message. With impeccable vocals and a charismatic performance the vocalist even engaged in some warmly welcomed fanservice as he provocatively caressed the blond guitarist to the crowd’s delight. From heavy to catchy the song went in waves, pumping fists giving way to a sweet dance of arms as the audience followed the choreography. The pumping fists continued for Eve no keifu, the transition from funky to heavy cleverly accomplished while the string trio helped with the death voice. As Ruiza jumped and swayed his head to the beat Tsunehito twirled and flashed contagious smiles to the crowd, HIDE-ZOU flirting with the fans while keeping it cool. “It’s a rose event indeed!” ASAGI grinned, congratulating Versailles on their anniversary in a casual and brief MC.
Back to business and more ardent numbers, D brought out the infamous D flags for the visually stunning Night-ship “D”. The hall became one with the string trio moving with the black and red flags while the vocalist exemplified the movements. Tsunehito was unstoppable as he worked the crowd between heavy head banging and growls, fingers flying over the strings for some torrid bass lines while HIROKI seemed to be having a blast as he attacked the cymbals fiercely, sticks flying rapidly as he set the pace for the tune. Arms rose slowly with the dramatic opening of 7th Rose and all hell broke loose with some fierce thrashing of heads. The hot medley 7th Rose ~ Yami no kuni no Alice combined two of D’s most remarkable numbers and testified to the band’s diversity, a mantle of smoke covering the stage and materializing the hot performance. HIDE-ZOU and Tsunehito moved forward and the crowd raised their arms welcomingly, the synchronized dances continuing in a lighter tone for the second song as the vocalist impeccably sang the tale of Alice between torrid guitar riffs that brought Ruiza to the front.
Toki no koe set the hall aflame with its contagious tune and the band’s daring performance. With a fierce howl ASAGI took the lead, rising and lowering his arm while he encouraged the crowd to follow, a dark human wave accompanying his every move, before chaos broke loose and hair went flying once more with the fast drums and fierce growls. The performance was sure to score D some new fans and set the bar high for the following bands.
Set List:
01. Yami yori kurai doukoku no a capella to bara yori akaijounetsu no aria
02. Dying message
03. Eve no keifu
04. Night-ship “D”
05. 7th Rose ~ Yami no kuni no Alice
06. Toki no koe
Moi dix Mois
The curtains moved to reveal Moi dix Mois already on stage, a white mantle of smoke covering the floor while Mana, K, Sugiya, Seth and Hayato posed dramatically, arms up in the metal devil-horn sign. The Seventh Veil kicked off the set with strong instrumentals, the outfits and staging making for a visually strong number that seemed to transport the hall to the depths of hell. The band kept the performance dramatic and dark, K moving like a broken puppet while Mana swayed to the beat before nailing a feisty solo.
Like a black and red minion the vocalist contorted his body as he went from singing to growling, theatrics high for the gloomy unmoved. The band set an example, thrashing heads fiercely to the tune and the crowd followed, Seth’s growls echoing frightfully through the venue. The lights dimmed for Pendulum and the sound of heavy rain enveloped the hall. Thunder roared in the distance and the vocalist took the lead for one of the band’s strongest numbers. With the blue cross on his guitar flashing, Mana let his fingers effortlessly fly over the strings, hair covering his face as he thrashed his head back and forth, lost in the beat. With the lead guitarist in the center the vocalist approached him, kneeling and singing to him in a haunting lament that allowed the hall to fully appreciate his vocal range.
“We are celebrating our 10th anniversary this year. The next song expresses our appreciation to all of you who supported us over these ten years!” the vocalist explained, introducing Je l’aime. The number was carried out in a solemn fashion, audience and band barely moving, while instrumentals raced and eased in waves in a song that surely took the band away from their comfort zone and testified to their diversity. Far from their dramatic opera/gothic numbers the song was catchy and sweet, the contrast between the thundering drums and sweet melody interestingly accomplished.
An MC followed with Seth shedding some light on the rose-relation between the bands present. “So the descendants of the rose, Versailles, gathered the children of the rose, D and the blue rose from hell … our own Mana-sama, to celebrate their fifth anniversary and we are very glad to be here!” At the mention of “blue rose” Mana blew a kiss on the blue rose he was holding and threw it to the crowd who cheered. The “Message from Mana-sama” MC corner got the hall laughing as Seth read said message, trying not to laugh while Mana gesticulated exaggeratedly for emphasis. “KAMIJO-kun and -sama have known each other for quite a few years!” Seth explained before clearing his voice and continuing in a dramatic narrative style, “It was the live of Malice Mizer at Meguro Rokumeikan. The new roadie KAMIJO came in wearing … jeans and a white shirt.” “Now, a message for KAMIJO from Mana-sama: Bonjour, KAMIJO,” Seth continued in a cute voice before continuing as Mana flashed the devil-horn sign once more. “Let’s rock!”
Rock the five did with the heated Immortal madness. “Since it’s a rose event let’s yell “Rose love” for the chorus!” Seth suggested and the hall complied as they followed the hand routines. Growls intertwined with feisty guitar solos that got K flashing his guitar to the sky while Mana moved forward, interacting with the audience. The heavy numbers continued with Dead Scape 2012 and Ange~D side holy wings between pumping fists and head banging that got the hall moving, Mana’s blue hair flying dangerously while he squatted, knees almost kissing the floor in a passionate performance to hot bass lines and steady drums.
Set List:
01. The Seventh Veil
02. unmoved
03. Pendulum
04. Je l’aime
05. Immortal madness
06. Dead Scape 2012
07. Ange~D side holy wings
Versailles
Light roses sprouted from the crowd, welcoming the members one by one for the “We are Versailles!” call. All hands rose to welcome KAMIJO, HIZAKI, TERU, MASASHI and YUKI, the five clad in dark outfits that gave them a harsher tone that contrasted with the previous night’s light one.
With the colorful roses up in the air, red took the stage and the guitars raced for ASCENDEAD MASTER. KAMIJO’s voice was clear and strong, embracing the hall in a song where fast and strong drums combined cleverly with the sweet melody. The vocalist exemplified the hand routines and the audience followed, arms crossing and swaying with the beat. The song ended with a powerful piano and vocal duet, KAMIJO welcoming the crowd and asking in English “Give me your voice!” before diving into Shout & Bites. The crowd moved back and forth like a giant human wave, the vocalist punching the air and swaying from one foot to the other as he stayed in character. The synchronized twirls and dances made for a strong performance to feisty instrumentals that set the hall on fire.
“So, what kind of roses do you like?” KAMIJO asked with a teasing grin. “My favorite roses are the ones showered by the rain … like my chest” he added revealing some sweaty flesh. DRY ICE SCREAM was followed by the dramatic Thanatos, sweet and determined vocals combined with hot bass riffs that got MASASHI tapping at the chords with zeal while YUKI attacked the cymbals with powerful and precise blows.
“This feels great, thank you!” the vocalist confessed with a pleased smile. “Are you having fun? The set is very hot today! Let me tell you about the bands accompanying us today. D has been with us forever yet we played together for the first time this year at their event Mad Tea Party. It was an honor and we are happy that they agreed to play with us today. Moi dix Mois … well Mana-sama already explained it … and since he revealed a secret now it’s my turn!” the blond grinned. “When I was a roadie for Malice Mizer, everyone used to call Mana, Mana-chan when we were backstage. One day I did so too, by accident. I was so embarrassed afterwards that I never forgot that awful incident. Today, I decided to ask Mana if he remembered and I was shocked to know he didn’t,” he confessed, laughing.
Since roses are not the only thing that the three bands share, Versailles made sure to bring out their own Vampire with the next song. Freely KAMIJO danced and thrashed his head to the feisty beat as the hall embraced the gothic tune, the outfits matching the darker tone perfectly and giving the vocalist a devilish appearance as he defiantly pronounced each word. The band’s latest single ROSE followed in the same fashion, the bass haunting while MASASHI attacked the strings, knees almost touching the floor. Like a battle call the rhythm built up to fast guitars and roaring drums that made the transition to the classic The Red Carpet Day very smooth.
After a heated encore demand the band returned for one of their earliest songs, the sweet Sympathia. The light roses returned, Versailles encouraging the crowd to bring out the D flags and Moi dix Mois devil-horn signs as well. It was a visually stunning number with the hall waving their colorful roses and flags in unison to the melancholic tune. The Revenant Choir closed the set in a party mood with the hall thrashing heads fiercely. One by one KAMIJO introduced the members, the “We are Versailles” echoing like a mantra for the grand finale. Between cheers and waves the band bade farewells, congratulating all the bands that took part in the event. With the hall singing as one Tokyo Metropolis ended, the two nights not easily forgotten by the lucky ones present.
Set List:
01. ASCENDEAD MASTER
02. Shout & Bites
03. DRY ICE SCREAM
04. Thanatos
05. Vampire
06. ROSE
07. The Red Carpet Day
Encore 1
01. Sympathia
02. The Revenant Choir
Sc: JaME World U.K.
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