Schwarz Stein -another dimension-

There’s no better feeling than seeing Schwarz Stein. I could give up seeing any other band live for them. Because of an accident I couldn’t attend the Nairobi live or the signing event so I really looked forward to this. I don’t think i can describe how much i enjoy Schwarz Stein to be honest. I’ve followed them for almost 20 years but now and i still love their music just as much as i did when i first heard them. I feel like an empty battery going in to one of their shows and then I’m fully charged by the end. I was talking to a friend yesterday and she also  said all her problems just goes away once she gets to see them. 

This time they brought back the streaming service so I don’t really have to go through any details of the songs. I personally really enjoyed the remixes, Fester Love though I like the original more. That song has a special place in my heart. Since it was a remix live I feel like it was a high energy live from beginning to end and I love that. Kaya pointed out that the section with hard songs were shorter, and usually i would mind that because i love them but this time it was ok because the remixes are harder anyway.

I was very curious about the Corroded Cage remix and I loved it. After the gig they had a photo session and I told Hora that I think remixes are scary because you never know how much the song will change but I loved these remixes.

They haven’t decided on a new date for the next live but they have a fan trip planned and Hora’s bar event for his birthday (i can’t go to either because i have work). For Hora's bar there will be a Hora cocktail (even though he doesn't drink). They joked about Hora spitting in the drinks, Kaya saying some fans might even like that XD 

Other than that there wasn’t anything news worthy. Kaya and Hora just jokes a lot. 

I’m praying the next live will be on a Sunday xD

About the goods though, they sold clear files, a pack of 2. They're now up on Kaya's web store but at the Limehouse they sold them signed. They also added more random badges (I got Kaya from their greatest hits look and Hora's cat).

Schwarz Stein 22nd Anniversary Live 2024-07-31

 I haven’t updated here in such a long time it almost feels like i should’ve kept it abandoned. 

I stopped updating because there were so many things going on, mostly bad, that i just didn’t feel motivated nor did i feel like i had the time. When covid hit a lot of bands started the live streaming too so it didn’t feel necessary for me to write live reports when everyone could see it themselves. 

However, that has changed and part of me also feels like i need to get back into my bangya era instead of just digging myself deeper down this hole I’ve been in. 

So for my comeback I will present to you the Schwarz Stein 22nd Anniversary live!

Recently Schwarz Stein has scheduled some lives on weekdays which makes it impossible for me to go. For those who don’t know me I live in Osaka, currently I also work 6 days a week so unless the live is on a Sunday or a holiday I can’t go. 

Unfortunately this happened with the anniversary too, it happened on a Tuesday but that Tuesday seemed like a very slow day at work so I asked if I could take the day off and I got an ok so of I went to Tokyo on Tuesday morning!

I’ve stopped taking the highway buses, I guess I’m too old but it hurts too much xD so going to Tokyo for a live only will result in at least a 30,000 yen train fee x_x I also hate stressing so to be able to participate in the after party, as they decided to call it this time, I actually stayed the night making it even more expensive x_x

I used to always wear the same outfit for Schwarz Stein, the original Hora t-shirt, but I feel really nostalgic for it so i don’t want to overuse it xD therefore I’ve left it in Sweden and have been dressing up a bit more for their lives. BUT Hora announced a new t-shirt for his birthday live in May which a friend kindly bought for me, so I decided to restart the Hora t-shirt dress fashion once again. Also Japanese summer is like walking around in a sauna so didn’t really feel like getting dressed up just to sweat through layers of clothing.

This time the live was at the 二万電圧, a club I’ve never been to before. It was very small, even though there can’t have been more than 80 guests it was full. 

My ticketnumber was pretty bad, 30, despite reserving my ticket within 5 minutes of the release (I now have the theory you get the number based on when you pay because I waited until around 9p.m that day to pay, if anyone knows how it works please leave a comment).

There were some new merch, a Hora keychain, compact mirror set and a signed photo included in the new Hora release Anima. I had already ordered Anima from his online store but i wanted to photo so I bought one more. I actually also got the keychain but I resisted the mirrors despite Hora’s cat being very cute. I just don’t have space to buy endless of merch anymore and i don’t use compact mirrors. This time they sold extra cheki tickets for the after party (since a couple of years back one cheki with the band is included in the afterevent/party price and they stopped selling tickets for it but it made a comeback this time). So i got an extra photo >_> because I feel like the risk of me closing my eyes or doing something else stupid is too high….

Being an anniversary I hoped they’d play a lot of the old classics. The setlist started with 黒揚羽 so I was pleased. I was even happier that they continued with Fester Love, Queen of Decadence and Apocalypse.  For Hora’s birthday live they played a new version of Addictive Epicurean, this made me so happy because it’s one of my favorite songs and I’ve mentioned that it would be nice to hear  a couple of times <3 and fortunately they played it this time too! It felt a bit slower than the original but i liked it.

Kaya mentioned in one of the short MCs that they’d keep it short and talk more during the after party. They had already announced there would be news so that came during the last MC. As I had thought, the news were that they will release a full album containing 11 songs in October. The new songs they have performed live will be included and then he said there will be new songs, at least that he grant sung before so i guess that’s a hint that there will be more remakes from Hora solo songs. The album will be followed by one live in Osaka and one in Tokyo. Then in December there will be a live with Közi as guest. Kaya had made a new flyer for this and had accidentally written that it would be Közi’s project E//+Z xD

They did keep the Mcs shorter but what surprised me was that the afterparty literally was them asking if people would be interested in a fan trip again and then discussing where to go, and they also played Perfect Garden. That was it. No question corner so it felt very short. I never ask questions but this time I actually wanted to. 

When it’s time to take a picture with them I never know what to say so it’s usually one thanks and bye xD Kaya complimented me on my shirt when I came in :p

I immediately checked my schedule and
realized I can attend all the planned lives so I’m really looking forward to both the album and the gigs ^^

Buck-Tick karaoke at Round1

Since April Buck-Tick has been collaborating with the Japanese entertainment center Round1, to be more specific, the karaoke part of Round1. This means that they have a Buck-Tick themed room as well as original Buck-Tick cocktails.

When I visited Osaka in May I obviously went there! I was mostly curous about the cocktails and the promise of costers for every cocktail bought. The cocktails we tried out was both non alcohol  BISHU LOVE and BARAIROJUJIDAN - ROSEN KREUZER -, as well as MOON -Sayonara oshiete-.

I have to say the non-alcoholic ones were tastier than Moon -Sayonara oshiete, basically it tasted like a gin and tonic. The other two had layers wit syrap I guess and felt more interesting. After they came with our drinks the staff brought a box from which I got to draw costers from. I could not see which ones I drew so it's fully possible to get more than 1 of the same coster unfortunately. Since I had 3 chances I felt like I should be able to get Atsushi, but unfortunately not. (I ended up drawing Yagami, Yutaka and Hide) The cocktails was a bit expensive (800-650) but I'm a sucker for stuff like this so...

The Buck-Tick room was fully covered in Buck-Tick images on the walls and a trailer for their live DVD was playing on the screen. Even the table had their image.
Unfortunately I could not use the Buck-Tick room as that required a minimum of 4 guests, and we were only 2. On my way out I noticed it was vacant though, so I went inside for some photos. My disapointment of not being able to sit in this gloryfull room made me pass out on the table! (hohoho)

This collaboration lasts until 15th of July, and they also changed the costers on May 28th. So the ones I got are no longer available but a new set. There 1 week left so everyone who can should go! >_<

Schwarz Stein Immortal Verses Tour Encore Final -Daywalker-

Okey, this is odd. Never ever have I written a live report over 6 MONTHS after it acctually took place :P I considered not Writing anything, but as a huge fan of Schwarz Stein (and other smaller Visual kei bands) I know the available material is limited and therefore decided to write this...based on what I remember.

I wasn't even sure I'd be able to attend this live due to some issues with my uni in Osaka (one of my courses was going on a fieldtrip that very weekend and I was told it was mandatory). In the end I obviously decided to go anyway...because it's Schwarz Stein :P but it was stressfull because it wasn't very planned out from my part and I ended up leaving Saturday night from Osaka arriving on Sunday morning in Tokyo. With barely any sleep I headed for Shibuya where the live would be and spent a couple of hours at the infamous Starbucks (I tried waiting for as long as I could but I never got to see the crazy amount of people crossing unfortunately), then went to Donki to change into my live clothes and back to Hachiko to meet up with my friend. I've mentioned Before how I didn't really like it in Osaka, so I was so happy to be back in Tokyo, seeing my favorite band and meeting up people that I know (in contrast to my life up the mountains alone in Osaka:P).

This live was during daytime, like the title hints, and I have to say it was a bit disapointing. For me it was rather convenient as I could return to Osaka the same evening but I do prefer going to lives at night.

Kaya had mentioned on Twitter (I think) that there would be announcment during the live so I was hyped thinking there might be a new single or something, I'll get back to the disapointing news later...

Shibuya Rex was not so crowded, I bought my ticket late due to the issue with uni and assumed I'd get a high ticket number, but I ended up on the second third row from stage (and during the heavier songs I even managed to get to second row) so I wasn't too disapointed. I don't remember the exact order of the songs, but I do remember morgue and Apocalypse being in the begining and I really like those songs so it really got me in the Schwarz Stein mood. Kaya told us that people had been a bit jealous of the setlist from Hokkaido so they would basically do that, except for Beautiful the Virgin! The moment he said that I wanted to cry a bit (Beautiful the Virgin is one of my favorite songs and I still haven't been able to hear it live yet). Obviously they played all the songs from Immortal Verses and they were all good live, especially Immortal Light and Lotus. I'm not saying that just because Hora does vocals for them, but I've realised that the songs in which Hora acctually do have vocals Kaya tend to improvice more to be part of the performance if that makes sense. Everyone who hasn't been able to see them live, perhaps you've seen their live dvd from 2011? During Creeper and Syphilis and Disorder for example, Kaya will add stuff (might it be the arm movement during Creeper or the shouts in Syphilis and Disorder) so that he still is a big part of the song, and that I really like. They also played Release Me, one of my all time favorites so I was pleased. 

So what was the announcment? Before the live I noticed a woman to my right holding a paper or something with an image of Kaya and Hora, and my mind went wild imagening what it might be. Ticket for soemthing perhaps? ...oh no. The announcment was that added to the merch was a sticker set... 1000yen for 3 tiny stickers. sorry, but that was not what I expected (didn't stop me from buying it though...) Funny thing was they had a new photoset of Hora which was not announced and I think that was a lot more of value...

Like they seem to do most of the time nowadays, an after event was held as well as a 3person cheki. Unfortunately they're charging 2000yen for a cheki now, used to be 1000yen, so with the after event ticket, sticker and regular cheki I couldn't afford 2 but got 1 cheki with them. I'm not gonna post my cheki, because I fucked that one up bad :P let's just say it turned out to be the most funny cheki I've ever taken but also a really big failure. (I will be so disapointed if that will be my last cheki ever with Schwarz Stein XD)

Truthfully I don't have much memory from the after event, I don't think any special questions were raised and they didn't do any extra performance if I remember correctly. I do remember thinking it was way too short, I seriously think it was shorter than their previous after events I've attended which is a shame considering the price.

After the live, me and my friend went to a Hawaiian restaurant, in Hora's honour. Warning, if ever ordering pancakes, make sure you're REALLY hungry. The restaurant is called Moke's Hawaii and is located in Meguro, highly recomended. Very nice restaurant, the macadamia milk cocktail was really nice :3

Malice Mizer ESP Exhibition

I first began listening to Malice Mizer in high school. I remember they usually came up on lastfm as a similar band to Velvet Eden and I really loved the picture from Gardenia so I decided to check them up. I really disliked Gardenia eventhough they were one of the coolest bands I had ever seen (still don't like Gardenia, so boring). A couple of months later I decided to try them out again and ended up on the PV for Le Ciel and from that moment on I've loved Malice Mizer (10 year anniversary for us this year). 

Out of my top 3 favorite bands I've been able to see 2 (sort of), Malice Mizer was the only one missing. I tried to make things work so that I could go but since I was going to Japan as a student I could not go too early and unfortunately I could not attend the concert, so I had to settle with just going to the exhibition held at ESP museum in Shibuya.

Eventhough I have been to Tokyo many times and stayed for longer periods as well, I still get excited when I get to see my favorite bands. Seeing Malice Mizer shown like this felt so special, Malice Mizer has sort of been something just displayed on my tv or computer, almost as if they don't really exist. By the entrance was a poster signed by various members and a picture of Mana and Kozi from Moi Dix Mois and ZIZ (which I found a bit weird but whatever).

On a tv they played the first live DVD with Gackt as vocalist (unfortunately they did not include the N.P.S.N.G.S), and on the walls hang posters from the first era with Tetsu to the very last with Klaha.

Other than posters were also nostalgic items such as the doll Kozi had on his back during Brise at the Merveilles concert, Mana's teddy backpack and the Merveilles book.

Of course the new costumes were also on display! My pictures are rather poor though and doesn't make them justice considering the amount of details. Közi's especially incorporated much of his previous costumes doll like appearance. The chest part had a ruffle like his Gardenia outfit, and the left leg of the pants had a check pattern.

 Kami's drumset as well as other items, such as a bag he had drawn on was up for display. By the cashier was Kami's hat and gloves from Gekka no Yasoukyoku on display with the two dolls from the PV.

I really liked that they had so many random objects (even the whips Mana and Kozi used), and of course their instruments. They also had a guestbook in which you could write something in (I assume the band will receive it later?), and I saw some fans who spent a lot of time writing their messages. I went back the following day just because I wanted to spend some more time in Malice Mizer heaven, hoho, and noticed they had then changed to the last live DVD. I didn't stay for all of it, but a long while, and picked up both of Közi's and one of Mana's guitar picks! ESP also sold a keychain so you could put the pick in there, I decided not to get that because I sort of want to try and make one of Közi's picks into an earring (let's see how that goes :P).

Seeing the exhibition was awesome, but it also made me so sad I could not make it to the actual concerts. Might not happen but I can't help but to hope they'll make a new one in a couple of years. The last couple of years I haven't really listened to Malice Mizer as much as I used to, but this exhibition really made me remember why I fell so hard in love with this awesome and so unique visual kei band.

Schwarz Stein outstore event

Today was the outstore event for Immortal Verses in Tokyo, and I was lucky enough to attend!

The tickets to attend was handed out to everyone who bought Immortal Verses at the venues or from Hora's webshop.
Last minute it was also announced you could buy the cd there and get to participate, as well as the fact that they'd offer a cheki photo shoot.

Since I participated in the instore for Sleeping Madness I've regretted not bringing one of the Rudolf Steiner tapes so eventhough it was bothersome I decided to bring Perfect Garden with me this time!

The event was held at Saravah in Shibuya, so the capacity was pretty high for an instore. Immortal Verses was playing while we waited for Kaya and Hora, and pretty on time (13.00) the event began.

Since this event was kind of a replacement for an after event I sort of assumed/hoped they'd play a song or two from the release, unfortunatley not. Like at live gigs they sold the regular merch, including the new photosets, and they also had the option of taking a cheki with them for 2000yen.

I had not bought Hora's new solo album RESONANT yet, so I picked up a copy as well as the new photosets (see below).

Previously I had only been to the instore for Sleeping Madness so I was pretty excited to attend and to be able to get something signed. While talking with my date for the day I got the idea I'd try and ask if I could get 2 items signed, since I have bought 2 copies of Immortal Verses. I was in the first row so I did not have much time to think and act, so when they gave me a clear on having 2 items signed I ripped open one of the photosets. I love getting stuff signed but at the same time stuff like this makes me so nervous, especially if I have the rest of the fans staring at me while I pose for a photo (I hate being in pictures in general). I felt like I wanted to sink through the earth to be honest and it showed so well in my photo hehe.

For the talk, they discussed the next possible live (maybe in December), and if Hora is good at English since he goes to Hawaii (he said he's like a native. Seriously though, he said you can use Japanese to some extent on Hawaii).

I always enjoy seeing Schwarz Stein but I was a bit disapointed in the arrangement of this event. Would've appreciated if the photo was taken after the signing and not at the same time. Also they only had a black pen (to start with!), I would've liked them to sign the cover but since it's dark it wouldn't have been that visible. After a couple of people had received signaures however, the staff handed them more colors -.-'

(Funny thing, I was so nervous I didn't talk to them other than say hi and thanks, I handed Hora the lyrics sheet and he said it's nostalgic, when I went over to Kaya he didn't say anything but just signed it, then Hora turned to him and pointed out it's an original tape which made Kaya burst out that it's nostalgic. Hehe, Kaya seems to be going on automode)

Mononoke kaizokuban もののけ 海賊盤

The downside with listening to smaller bands is that they're usually featured in a  lot of stuff which isn't related to their own band, and as a collector, gotta catch 'em all. I would say that's also part of what makes it interesting, at least for me, that you really get to hunt down certain items. This was one of those items.

I had no idea this excisted until I saw it up for bidding on the facebook page of Rarezhut. For those who aren't familiar with them, it's a US based webshop for Jrock and Visual kei. Most stuff they have are easy to find items, but sometimes some rare stuff acctually show up, like this video. They're not super expensive, but many of their items can be found for the same price or cheaper if bought from Japan (if you know where to look). However I think for US based fans it might be cheaper in the long run because of the reduced shipping costs! Also, one great thing is that with all VHS or cassette you buy you'll get a rip sent in an e-mail. I no longer have a VHS player so this was highly appreciated.

Anyway, they put this up and to put it short, it's a VHS recording of cali≠gari's guitarist Ao's birthday and one of the guests is Dada from Velvet Eden! So I cashed up around 60$ not knowing how much he'd acctually be featured, but it was worth it.The VHS is 30minutes long, featuring different session bands. It was limited to 100 copies.

Dada had been sharing photos of him particiapting in cali≠gari's gigs, but I had no idea at least one had been recorded. Some might for example remember him sharing a photo in which he had this outfit

For which they perform a cover of Italian Gazebo's 80's song I like Chopin (Rainy Days).
Dada also contributes with a cover of the enka* (演歌) song Mago (孫) by Oizumi Itsuro (大泉逸郎). I have to say Dada's voice fit enka very well.

The VHS came with a n envelope in which a photo was included, and I think the photo differs from tape to tape, so there might be a photo of Dada included in another tape. Since I don't really listen to cali#gari I'm not sure who the person on my photo is (sorry).

Dada is only featured in three songs. The last minutes of the tape seems to be footage from a completely different event.

*Enka is a Japanese music genre, the lyrics often centering around Japan, love, nostalgia or everything at the same time. This song for example is of a grandparent remembering his grandchild while still a child. It has a certain nationalistic vibe, so most often the artist will perform in kimono. The music style can be seen as a sort of mixture of traditional Japanese and Western music. It follows the Western style (intro, chorus etc) and it uses Western instruments mainly, but the singing still has a style between traditional Japanese and Western.

Schwarz Stein The Best Dunkelheit / Licht liner notes

The Zeal Link bonus item which came with the Schwarz Stein cd's The Best -Licht- and -Dunkelheit- was a card of Kaya and Hora, and the back being their self liner notes to the featured songs. Below is a (rough) translation of those notes, I did get some help with some of their replies though. Enjoy~

DUNKELHEIT

Hora
Blazing Darkness- Longing/craving. Please try and listen and pay attention to the rythm track. Is the intro too long? (laugh)

Release me - The liberation of mind/heart.

Addictive epicuean - We've barely played this live, it's a rare song. The hook of the song has a good feeling.

Queen of decadence - A song with a gothic worldview. The chorus differs from the demo version.

Lilith - Depth and mystery put togheter nicely.

The alternation of generations -expire- -I made it with a feeling of resent that I had at the time...

Corroded cage - This is one of my songs which differs from my usual style.

Fester love - Kusutta kajitsu. The image of the song is agony/bitterness.

Cocoon -fallen- I really like the part with the strings. The feeling is "living at the dark bottom".

Creeper - This is also a song I quit like. An impulse which can't be held down is exploading.

Sleeping madness - The pulsation of sleeping madness.

Syphilis and disorder - Hunger

Succubus - Nightmare!!

Apocalypse -Eclipse Ring- * Hora wrote 輪廻 samsara (meaning endless cycle of death and rebirth; Buddhism transmigration of souls), not sure how we should interpret that...

Sirius - Lost pain. Longing for purification/ cleaning. compared to Közi's arrangement it is more transient. this is deeper.

Kaya

Blazing Darkness- A hint towards a reunion. I love the lyrics. The song is not re-recorded, but left as it was. Even the long intro is very Hora:ish and I think it's good. (Laugh)

Release me - At the time Hora told me "I want to you to use these kinds of words", I received some words and made the lyrics. I was challenged in a new way of writing lyrics and that's why it's one of the impressive songs.

Addictive epicurean - This is also lyrics which express Schwarz Stein's world well and therefore I like it. "Addict" and "Epicurean" became importants words even after in my solo.

Queen of decadence - Rudolf Steiner's first demo tape. When we became SS it changed. A song I love. I put in the melody in the verse. These lyrics are also kind of great...(laugh)

Lilith - Out of Schwarz Stein's 15years this is my most favorite song and lyrics. I like it so much that only by making this gave meaning to our reunion.

The alternation of generations -expire- - I don't remember ever playing this live so maybe I should try singing it once? I like it quite a bit. This is also lyrics from a bitter time.

Corroded cage - This I've also only sang once at our last live. The more real lyrics I really like. This was also written with the pain and agony I had at that time, it's really good. (laugh)

Fester love - This is in my top 3 of favorite Schwarz Stein songs. Is it passion or is it hatred? (laugh) This is one of my favorites (to perform). But the lyrics might be too scary! I wrote a lot like this... (laugh)

Cocoon -fallen- - This is originally a song from Hora's solo which was re-arranged and added lyrics to. A song I like from our post reunion. It's awesome. I really like it. I always want to listen to it. I alwats want to sing it.

Creeper - Hora wrote the English part of the lyrics. A song we always play at lives. The lyrics are real to how my emotions was at that time. It has a good feeling.

Sleeping madness - A single from our post reunion. We were gonna name it "Incubus" but Hora suggested this title. It's a song in opposite to "Succubus". I like the lyrics.

Syphilis and disorder - This title is also Hora's. It's a great title. (laugh) A song we always play at lives. It was the b-side of Current. This lyrics was also from my diary.

Succubus -  The remake of the song from our time with Midi:Nette time. B-side on our 2014 single Cocoon. Compare it with the previous version. This lyrics is also, maybe because I was young, pretty attacking, great. (laugh)

Apocalypse -Eclipse Ring- - New song. This song I surely haven't sang before. The eclipse of the day the world ends, I'll give you a ring. It's an oath of eternal love. It's a deep, deep despair.

Sirius - This is Közi's arrangement, it's deeper. It was my idea to put in the choire for the second half. Chase your desire on the dream train towards the star sky.

LICHT

Kaya

Testament - A song I love. The opening SE at our live gigs. Just by hearing it tension gets high. (laugh)

Rise to Heaven - I wrote this with the morning sun coming in from my curtains. This is calm.* Even so it's strong and facing forward. This is the first Kaya song to be positive.

Profane gene - This song shows the world of Schwarz Stein the best. We acctually made this during our time as Rudolf Steiner. A song I love.

Current - This is about a mermaid princess. A song from a tough period of time. The transience is expressed well. Sorrow, as well as suffering is all wraped up together. I sang it lightly and gentle. I really love this song.

lapis lazuli - I wonder why we didn't meet at that time. The regret is never ending. I continue to sing. I am still dreaming. Not waking up from the dream.

GENUINE -Recurrence- - A song in which our tastes crash. Love it! (laugh) This song shows Schwarz Stein's style well.

transient - This is the great song which made Mana discover us. The lyrics is from my diary when I was 17. Even now I haven't written a lyrics this complete. My best work.

Emergence of Silence - Until the beginning of my solo, this was my favorite out of all the lyrics I had written. Including singing it. This insecure beauty. I can't express that now. I also really like the piano melody.

Fleeting Beauty - This song is about the water nymph Undine. I took the concept from lovely Shiraishi Kayoko's** performance. The dynamics from GENUINE continues. (laugh)

HYPNOS - Songs we wanted to re-record was finally re-recorded. Very SS-like the lyrics is looking at the past. Közi's arrangement is so cool! I want everyone to listen to this.

PREDICT -Rosen Clarion- - This is also a song we re-recorded. A song hinting towards a reunion.

Perfect Garden - A song from our Rudolf Steiner times. It shows SS's catchy side. The lyrics is typical SS. Since it's our debute I still have a lot of emotional attachment to it. Comparing it with the　forward facing Rise to Heaven, it's pretty strong. (laugh)

New Vogue Children - This is also a typical SS. However, when I look at the lyrics now it's pretty awesome... (laugh)

Last Hallucination - A song from our disbanding. The image of snow falling like flower petals at our last live is, even now, a vivid memory. It's an important song.

Haven - This is a new song. A continuation of Perfect Garden. If I were to perform this as solo I would perform it on a higher note, but for SS I sing it gracefully.

*Suspected typo, originally it says 虚勢, but it doesn't make sense so it probaby is 虚静 meaning calm/carefree.

**She's a Japanese actress.

Hora

Testament - A song I really like.When I thought of this song I remember that the tenshon increased a lot. I think the balance between the main synth phrase, and the ringing metallic sound behind it is awesome.

Rise to Heaven - A song made by imagening the light inside me... maybe.

Profane gene - It has relatively few sounds/syllables, but the balance came out good I think. I like the bass line.

Current - I still like the sound of the synth, and it matches the world of the lyrics.

lapis lazuli - As the first single of our reunion I made this with catchy:ness in mind. It has a sound of koto* but not really an overall feel of "japanese:ness".

GENUINE -Recurrence- - Bound self.

transient - I made this when I was 17. I want to praise myself. (laugh)

Emergence of Silence - Pay attention to the contrast between the noise sound and the piano.

Fleeting Beauty - The atmosphere of my own favorite music from the latter half of the 1980s, presented in my own taste.

HYPNOS - Evolved with Közi's arrangement. The synth in the llast hook is even better.

PREDICT -Rosen Clarion- - This time it's re-recorded and I've brought forward the difference in sound balance, I want you to hear it.

Perfect Garden - Lightely. It really is a perfect garden. (laugh)

New Vogue Children - Sorry.

Last Hallucination - This song is made knowing we were gonna break up, this is one of my all time favorite from all of my songs. Eventhough it's me saying it, I think it's a wonderful song.

Haven - Wrapped up pain. That kind of feeling. It has a bit different approach, I didn't use to express positive emotions.

*Koto is a traditional Japanese string instrument.