Schwarz Stein Blanc Dehors 3-22-2026

 The first Schwarz Stein gig of the year. I was kind of sad I'd miss this as the original date was February 15, I was still in Sweden at the time, but fortunately Kaya got the flu and they rescheduled the gig for March 22nd.

I did my tax (確定申告書) earlier this year and realised I should try and hold back a bit this year so I revisited the old highway buses. I knew I wouldn't be able to pull through both ways so I went to Tokyo by bus (omg I did not miss that, I slept about 2 hours and my neighbour snored and looked like she was masturbating in her sleep). I really admire people who can run on no sleep, I'm not one of those and I made the worst decision to have a rom and coke at the club (by the time of the after talk I felt like passing out).

Anyway!

Since this live is up for streaming there are probably not that many secrets to tell, Hora had a new accessory. Similar to the eye-horn he used to wear in the early days but it was blooming. Very pretty.

The setlist had ups and downs in my opinion, I'm really missing harder songs (why did they cross out FIXER? and where's Syphilis and disorder?) but on the other hand I got Apocalypse which I really like.

At the after event they did play Sleeping Madness and Lilith as a some sort of celebration that they released them for streaming. I couldn't help thinking it was kind of funny how everyone cheered and clapped when Kaya talked about how they released Sleeping Madness and Demigod for streaming. It's always the same fans at the gigs, we all know we already have all their cds XD 

One funny thing that happened which most already saw on the stream, half of the attendees were gonna go to the Moi Dix Mois live after and for some weird reason they actually had pulled out their Moi Dix Mois band towels :/ Hora pointed it out, making a joke out of it, he kept asking "do you have plans after this?" "Where are you going?" and at one point he even took one of the fans towel XD (later I saw on twitter that Kaya also went. I thought it was weird how they seemed to want us out as soon as possible XD)

Hora mentioned at the after event that he has a stock of songs, about 20 if I remember correctly, so he even suggested making one more album! Kaya first thought it was too soon after DEMIGOD but they seemed to hint it might happen next year! Also, if anyone has missed it, Hora has made a new song for Kaya's upcoming release. Another interesting thing mentioned was that Kaya kind of requested if Hora could make Schwarz Stein "versions" for some of his solo songs for his anniversary live in June. Like a SS Chocolate. I won't be able to go to that live so I'll miss it unfortunately. If it happens.

After the event we all lined up for our chekis and it really felt like the staff wanted us out. No time for small talk (I'm also always nervous anyway but I kind of wanted to talk about Final Fantasy 6 with Hora since I saw he cleared it on Saturday XD) well well, I'll save it for the Mayohk event in June.

Schwarz Stein Reincarnation Tokyo

 Earlier this year they made the remix album Reincarnation and a coupling gig. Then it was announced that they would make a mini tour (Tokyo and Osaka) and they also made a survey asking what song fans would like to hear remixed for this tour. 

Yesterday was the first gig of the tour and there were some things that surprised me. First was that they played the DEMIGOD version of Addictive Epicurean (I prefer the new regular version so I was happy though) and second was which song made it to become a new remix; Current. I was hoping people would vote for a more rare song (I voted for the alternation of generations since that’s the only song by now that they haven’t played live since their reunion at least).

Before the DEMIGOD release Current was played quite a lot at lives. Another thing about the remix, there were very subtle changes (a friend said she didn’t even realize it was a remix at first). I was hoping for a bigger change and for a different song.

Since the set list didn’t change much from earlier this year I’m also curious what songs people voted for to hear (I’m gonna ask Kaya and Hora at the next live). 

There were also no new merch despite that being included in the questionnaire and prices had increased (1 cheki with them now cost 3000yen and a random cheki was 1500yen) not sure if that was because they didn’t have any afterevent and that’s comes with a 3shot cheki. 

Kaya mentioned he had a cold last week and that he still has a bit of a cough but he pulled through. I managed to get a front row place this time so he took my hand during Succubus when he leaned in, I wasn’t knocked in the head this time (might not have mentioned that but last year i got kaya’s elbow in my head xD it’s ok, i don’t mind it getting rough). Like always I had so much fun and it’s sad going back home having to deal with every day problems. 

Points from the mc

1. There will be another anniversary live next year . 
2. The event in December is a ”no plan”, meaning they don’t know what they’ll do then yet. 
3. Kaya suggested Hora also make a calendar, he suggested he make a ”fireman” calendar (apparently Kaya is into that xD, doesn’t surprise me)
4. Kaya also suggested Hora stagedive. He said no and during Succubus when Kaya leant down on us I saw Hora pushing him a bit. Some of us waved at him to stage dive during succubus when he got close but he didn’t.
5. Kaya said they’ll probably change the setlist a bit for Osaka. 

Schwarz Stein 23rd Anniversary Live (2025-8-30)

It feels like a long time since the last Schwarz Stein live but compared to when I lived in Sweden and I could see them every other year it's really not ^^'

It's been 5 months since the Remix live and they just finished their South American tour (Chile, Brazil and Mexico)so I guess they don't want to exclude their Japanese fans and threw a 23 anniversary live (aren't anniversaries usually done when there's an even number?? I'm not complaining, let's have an anniversary live every year XD)

On my way on the Shinkansen I was speculating about the setlist, being an anniversary live I thought they might try and play songs from all of their career, I imagined Kuroageha maybe, I was hoping for Queen of Decadence, Syphilis and Disorder and Creeper. Creeper is one of those songs that has been a guarantee but since the release of DEMIGOD they haven't played it at all. I saw that they played it in South America so my hopes were high and my prayer was answered. (side note, I realised a couple of years ago that they change the furi for Creeper overseas. Not to offend maybe??)

Creeper is usually part of the last segment of Schwarz Stein lives since it goes into the "hard songs" category and yesterday's they opened with it :O The songs they added from their previous lives were Lilith, Queen Leech and Creeper. Unfortunately they didn't play Corroded Cage :( I really like the new remix of that.

They tried to keep the Mcs short since they had an after event and they will also have a special talking event with the other participants of the South American tour next Monday (Kaya kept saying they shouldn't reveal too much). What did they talk about? These are the point I remember:

They had issues with visas, they had been told they didn't need any but they did after all which made them split up because everyone couldn't board the plane. Kaya ended up going first, alone and he got stuck again as well. 

Hora got locked up in a bathroom in Chile while Közi was rehearsing, he panicked when he realised no one would hear him or come for him since the rehearsal was going on so he kicked on the door trying to get it open. He did manage to get out eventually.

Hora said he has to take medication before flight to not get panic attacks, if he doesn't he can't fly. So he was sleeping the whole flight. He had been feeling unwell and didn't eat much saying he lost weight whereas Kaya said he gained.

During the Chile rehearsal both Kaya and Hora felt that Schwarz Stein is really good and Kaya said they would like to sell more
CD's but both of them think Schwarz Stein is good enough to just keep doing what they're doing even if they sell little. Kaya said he really thinks Hora does great music and Hora said he also thought in Chile that Kaya's lyrics are really good <3

Kaya said it felt different coming from the the South American fans who has a lot of passion (Hora started imitating his way of saying it so it sounded like he sneezed) and in Japan the fans are more silent. 

Hora keeps joking about Kaya being an old lady (baba), don't remember how it ended up on us but he also said the fans too are only older women with a lot of free time  XD (not true, this old lady has to take time off work to go to Tokyo unless they play Sundays).

Included in the after event ticket is a 3shot cheki, they also sold more 3shots for 2000yen, since last year I've started buying 2 extra so I get 1 3 shot and then 2 2shots. 

They has new merch, a shopping bag I really wanted to get (I got lost on my way to the club of course, I got there 15:31 and was told they closed presale at 15:30 XD) the bad was sold out as I was standing in line for it before the live, but I did get the stickers, both Schwarz Stein and Kaya solo (super cute, Kaya's look like Line stamps). They also had cheeks from the South American tour, the ones from Brazil looked almost untouched so I decided to get one and I managed to draw a Hora one :) 

Next they will play in November, they will redo the Remix live in Tokyo and Osaka. Kaya mentioned people requesting Nagoya too so I'm hopeful they'll add that too.

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 DEMIGOD Tokyo

 Because I so seldom go to live shows anymore 1 month in between felt close in time! 

I’m so happy they did it on a Sunday so I could attend. I took the Shinkansen around noon and came to the club at around 4. This time I didn’t have a vip ticket so I didn’t manage to get a very good spot but it was alright. The  setlist was almost the same as in Osaka but they exchanged some of the older songs, so today we got to hear Transient and Lapis Lazuli! Two songs I really like so I was satisfied.

Kaya mentioned that there were a lot of foreigners attending and implied that the audience was a bit wilder than usual (Japanese fans tends to not respond that much unless the band initiates movement). Which was funny because all of a sudden when they started playing Succubus it felt a bit nostalgic; people half threw themselves forward during the chorus. I haven’t seen that since pre-covid. 

The after event was over pretty quickly. Some points that were mentioned:

• Kaya wrote Lapis Lazuli lyrics after an acquaintance had past away so he doesn’t want to perform it that much because it makes him remember.
• They mentioned Corroded cage again and Hora said he’ll try an recreate it for the next live.
• They might do an remix live and a remix cd. Hora said he’d like to remix New Vogue Children and I think it was Current…
• Originally they had planned on doing a fan trip again but they couldn’t decide on the destination so it never happened and during spring is very busy. Kaya said people can come with suggestions.

Hora released a new t-shirt last month (I think it was). I planned on buying it at the live but it was sold out pretty quickly. During the cheki photoshoot I asked him to make some more >_< 

They announced that there will be an outstore event in January. I’m happy about it but I really wanted to get my Queen of Decadence demo tape signed and I don’t have it with me…. Maybe I’ll settle with something of the new merch or I’ll ask my sister to ship it to me xD

Schwarz Stein DEMIGOD Osaka

Yesterday was the big day. I got to get leave my house XD

I’m so hungry for a gig these days it’s depressing. When I studied in Tokyo I went to different clubs basically every week and now I’m glad if I get 4 gigs in a year xD 

Yesterday was not just any live, it was the first live for Schwarz Stein’s new release Demigod. They announced it at their last solo gig in July and I think we all got hyped. The one thing that made me feel :/ was that half of the songs are previous releases. Kaya said at the announcement that the last singles will be included but I was very surprised to see two songs from Immortal Verses as well. A fellow SS fan sent me the songs so I could listen before the gig today and they are the same versions as previously released so honestly I don’t understand why they chose to include them. One more thing I noticed was that they have changed Blanc dehors, it does not sound the same as last year when they first played it live (correct me if I’m wrong). 

Last week on Thursday Schwarz Stein had a coupling live with Moi Dix Mois and Közi, I had a bad feeling about that (meaning I was scared stuff would sell out) so I asked a friend yet again to buy me a copy of the CD and Hora’s DIABLO. And they actually did sell out 😳 which resulted in them setting a limit to one copy per person in Osaka (which was later during the night lifted though). The sad part was that some people seemed to have bought several copies just to put them up on mercari for double the price...

Anyway, I went early to make sure I’d be able to get the merch that I wanted. The badges sold out quickly, the rest was available throughout the night.

They played all the songs from the album plus Perfect garden, Current, Succubus, Sleeping madness and New Vogue Children. During the live Kaya hinted that they might play a song during the after event but they never did. We didn’t get to ask any questions either, it was just the two of them talking about the new album. So here are some things I remember:

Kaya said he really likes fixer, but that he actually likes the remix a bit better.

Hora said he also likes the remixes a lot. Apparently he usually likes the remixes better. He said he doesn’t like when there are remixes that are so different from the original that you can’t hear what song it is so he makes the remix side by side with the original (as I understood it).

Kaya mentioned that they haven’t really played Addictive Epicurean in the past at lives (meaning back in the early 2000). He said he, at the time, didn’t like to do songs that had long intros because he never knew what to do during that time on stage. 

They also talked about live streams. Many fans have requested them, especially from overseas, so they’re thinking about doing that again. But Kaya mentioned that he’d like everyone to listen to Demigod on cd while looking in the booklet (if I remember correctly he meant it as he think hearing the CD first is ideal and not on livestream).

About fixer, according to Hora, it’s been one of those songs he’s had for a long time (he said about 5 years). 

Last week Hora also released a new single/mini album; Diablo. It includes 3 songs: DIABLO, INVINCIBLE and STARFALL.

DIABLO is an original, I could not hear any sampling or what you might call it (fans of Hora are probably familiar with him incorporating melodies from his previous songs in new ones). STARFALL is a remake of Astral Nebula from DESOLATION BEAUTY and INVINCIBLE includes part of Pray to God -heir- from COCYTUS.

I'm really happy that Hora has started releasing some stuff recently. No song has matched Synthetic God yet though (OMG it's so good :O)

So, what did I think of DEMIGOD?

First, I'm so happy they remade Addictive Epicurean because I LOVE that song and I've been dying to hear it live. I love the remake, both the remix and the regular. My other new Schwarz Stein favourite is fixer... They played it last year once in Tokyo and once in Osaka and I loved it then too but now it's literally on repeat. (I went to Kyoto today and it was basically fixer with a bit of Lover remix and Addictive Epicurean for 4 hours).

Lover, first time when I heard it I felt like it was familiar. At first I thought it sounded a bit like Current (the chorus) but then I realised it sounds a bit like Haven from their greatest hits Licht. I always enjoy Hora's remixes but I rarely say I prefer the remixes, but in the case of Lover I actually. It has a darker sound XD if that makes sense...it probably doesn't because both are pretty upbeat. OK, it's heavier. I always turn the volume up really high when I listen to music and the remix makes me feel like I have a small rave inside my head XD

I acctually enjoyed the remix of Anima more than the original. It got this kind of 80s sound that I like. Anima is interesting, the moment I heard it I felt like this will become a Schwarz Stein song XD (I even wrote it on my instagram when I shared a picture of the cd). I think you can hear when Hora is planning to add vocals or not. Sometimes at least.

What surprised me was that there was no doom! They played a song called doom on Hora's birthday live 2023, which was a remake of his solo song Ignition. I was sure that would turn up on this release but nope. 

Looking forward to hearing the songs live again next month in Tokyo! 

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 ^^

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

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)

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.