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 -15th Anniversary-

Schwarz Stein celebrated their 15th anniversary in November 2017 by presenting a two versions greatest hits, three live performances and a pamphlet. The greatest hits was devided into two different cd's; Dunkelheit, focusing on their darker songs, and Licht, with their more lighter reportoire. The first press bonuses which was offered was the Rudolf Steiner demo tapes, Queen of Decadence and Perfect Garden, as cd's when buying the cd's from Hora's or Kaya's webshops (Perfect Garden was given when buying Licht and Queen of Decadence when buying Dunkelheit). This offer is not offerend anymore however. Zeal Link also had a bonus item as in two different photo sets for each cd, and on the back of the images was Kaya's and Hora's thoughts on the featured songs. Zeal Link also offered instore events, at each place they had a live performance (Tokyo guested by Mana, Osaka guested by Közi and Nagoya guested by Maco).

Dunkelheit, as well as Licht, included one new song each, and Közi contributed with a remake/remix of two songs from their mini album Reccurence of Hallucination (2011).

Unfortunately I could not attend since I just got back from Japan at that time, but I was lucky enough to have a friend buy me some chekis from the live's as well as an extra copy to get photos from Zeal Link! I will in later entries post translations of the photos from Zeal Link, as well as (hopefully if I get the time to start) a translation of the interview in the pamphlet! Please wait for it~

Kaya 歌姫回顧展 2017-1997

This year Kaya celebrates 20-years as an active singer (or should I say Diva fufufu), and in honor of this he held a livegig at Takadanobaba AREA with most of the memebrs from his past activities. The aim with this gig was to go through Kaya's career and among the guests was Hora so it was mandatory for me to go. I did however not go in my Hora t-shirt, it felt it would be a bit disrespectful to Kaya, hehe.

 
My plan was to go back to Sweden in mid June so I didn't get a ticket for this event until 3 weeks ahead. So I wasn't expecting a great number, I got 143 so I figuered I wouldn't get close to stage. How wrong was I? I was lucky and a lot of people wanted to stay in the back so I got pretty close, on Hora's side of course!

The gig started off a bit late, projections was used, showing Kaya's timeline, the years and pictures of him. I sort of assumed it would start from the past and work its way to today, but it was the oposit, so Kaya entered to the sounds of Yumeji, followed by Perfana, representing the years 2016-2017. Kaya wore his black dress from Femme Fatale's Freya, and the same wig I assume. In one of his MC's he mentioned he really likes the dress and that it was kind of elegant. And I guess that style sort of suits all his past projects as well.

I'm not a fan of Femme Fatale, so I haven't seen them live before obviously. Kaya said we were gonna turn back time a bit, and an instrumental song began playing while he stood with his back to the audience and Tana, Fumiya and a support bassist joined him on stage. Just for the record, I am not familiar with any of the members joining Kaya this evening, except for Hora (but Tana looked freaking hot, I loved his outfits!). But the music was just as boring live as on the CD to me, so I just hoped for them to be done already and bring on the good stuff! The other guitarist of Femme Fatale had left a message (again, don't know who he is, is it the guy who people blame for the breakup?). During one of the MC's with the band the drummer, Fumiya who was dressed in a black suit, mentioned how hot it was on stage. Kaya being Kaya obviously suggested he'd take his clothes off... (spoiler, he did not!).

On Kaya's setlist, you can see at the bottom, he lists Salome as a solo song, BUT the version they played was the Femme Fatale one so I disagree with Kaya there a bit... Memento Mori was nice live, not one of my favorite songs but it's good! The band left and we got some good old Kaya solo songs! For this gig I was sort of hoping he'd do some "iconic" songs that he might not play that much live, like Kaleidoscope, unfortunately he didn't. We did get Chocolate of course, but other than that it was just songs he plays a lot. Kaya is always so full of energy, I love how happy he looks!

Then it was time to turn back time yet again! And OMG was I hyped for this time travel. The "Hora session" started off with Another Cell. The lights were turned off and pictures of Kaya from Another Cell, Schwarz Stein and even Rudolf Steiner was shown on the projector while ARCHETYPE.01 played and Hora entered stage. From Another Cell they played Inner Universe-cybernated. It was a first for me, I've only heard Blazing Darkness from Another Cell (and Kuroageha depending on if you count it as Rudolf Steiner or Another Cell :P). Kaya and Hora then talked about how they've been playing at Takadanobaba AREA since Rudolf Steiner times. Mana was also mentioned, how he shoed up at the club wearing black sunglasses and how they later were summoned to Midi Nette headquarters. The funny thing about the setlist is that Kaya listed Transient as Schwarz Stein, but right before the song he mentioned how Transient really is a Rudolf Steiner song, as many might now. Transient was followed by Perfect Garden and then finally as Rudolf Steiner Kuroageha and Queen of Decadence are listed. I really don't quite understand the song selection, they basically played only Rudolf Steiner (except for my favorite Fester Love/Kusatta Kajitsu). Also, during the gig in Nagoya Kaya mentioned them playing Rudolf Steiner at this gig, as if it was something special. Which made me think they might acctually perform the songs like they sound on the demo tapes, but it was just like at any other of their gigs. I love their songs, so it's not like I'm disapointed, I just don't get the hype about Rudolf Steiner songs being performed. At this point Another Cell is more rare. Also, it's a bit weird they performed Rudolf Steiner songs during the Schwarz Stein session, that was a chance to do more recent songs. So, something about the songs. Kuroageha I think is really great live. To be honest I don't listen to it that much on an everyday basis, probably because I feel that it is better live. I think Kaya's vocals adds something special to it, especially at the end when he shouts the lyrics. After Kuroageha Hora waved and left the stage. People were shouting for him inbetween songs and he didn't make a fuss about and finally he just said Thank you. I got the feeling he didn't want to go all in as he usually do at Schwarz Stein gigs since this was a Kaya anniversary.

Then it was time for Isola! Another band I barely heard. Schwarz Stein was the first thing I heard Kaya in, and later his solo, so I don't really think of him as a bandman and I feel like rock music really doesn't suit him. I've heard Isola's album but I didn't get into it. The bassist and guitarist, Fumi and Tsubaki, joined him for this session and Kaya mentioned it felt strange since it was so long ago and he has changed as a person from that time. I can't say that much about the songs, it was fun live but not my cup of tea.

Mind, from Meties began playing and the stage was lit down. None of the original members came to this gig I believe (not sure though because I'm not certain about the line up). I really like Mind, but the rest of the songs sounds a bit the same for me. Like I mentioned, I don't think bands suit Kaya, I prefer him with an electronic sound. But again, it was nice live.


At first, when I bought the ticket, I was sort of wondering what activities he had in 1997... Kaya talked about that at first he was in a copy band called Zephyr Zone, and it is not well known. Since it was a copy band they didn't really have any material, but he did remember one song he wrote lyrics to called White Gate. He barely remembered it but he tried and sang a short piece acapella. Lastly, Kaya and the band played two cover songs, I don't know the original ones but they were kind of old fashioned VK, with a lot of shouting.

At this point I was a bit scared that this was it. But then Rose Jail began playing. It's one of my favorite Kaya songs and a great live song! I got a kiss on my hand this time too, when the evening was over I realised I still had his lipstick on my hand. Overall it was a fun gig, although I'm a bit disapointed with the setlist. I would've loved to hear some other songs from his solo like I mentioned. And I think they should've played some of the "real" Schwarz Stein songs.

They sold old chekis, from previous Kaya gigs (I found two cute ones of Kaya and Hora), but also from this evening, with ALL the support members. It's only 500yen each, but what are the odds of picking a Hora cheki? I stuck around after the gig and noticed some people just kept buying to get the "right" member, and some ended up with Hora over and over again. Since they didn't seem to want him I ended up getting one from them! I've seen people do this at live gigs, trading or selling off the ones they don't want, but I've never dared trying it since I don't really know the "rules" (at VK gigs you easily get the feeling that people in the fandom have rules and guidelines, at least I feel that way). But I really want a cheki, if they're sold, at every gig I go to, as a memory sort of. So I was happy that I found some people who didn't want theirs.
Overall it was a fun evening. I'm a bit sad I won't get to see Kaya play solo again before I leave, and I'm even sadder I won't be able to attend the Schwarz Stein 15th Anniversary live in November (which they announced at this gig, and later was posted on Hora's blog).

Looking forward to my next trip to Tokyo, fufufu.

One of the old chekis of Kaya, and Hora's from this gig.

Setlist taken from Kaya's blog:
2017-2016　Kaya solo
１：夢路
２：Prefana
MC

2015-2014年　Femme Fatele
３：JESTER
MC -Toshiコメント-
４：BURN

2013年-2012年 Kaya solo with BAND
５：SALOME
SE（Pendel-eins）
７：Memento mori
SE（VORWISSEN - null）

2011年-2007年　Kaya solo
８：Transmigration
９：ショコラ
10：火車

2006年-2005年　another cell
11：INNER UNIVERSE- cybernated
MC

2004年-2002年　Schwarz Stein
12：transient
13：Perfect Garden

2002年-2001年　Rudof Steiner
14：Queen of Decadence
15：黒揚羽

2000年　ISOLA
16：Egoiste Betterfly
MC
17：『Cruel』

1999年-1998年　Meties
18：激痛の空
19：ネクロフィリア

encore
1997年　Zephyr Zone
20：White gate（アカペラ）
＋カヴァー2曲

encore 2
23：Rose Jail

Night Low Be 2017 at Club Zion, Nagoya

Where Schwarz Stein goes, I will follow. Sort of. (2 years ago I was about to go to Sapporo to attend their oneman and instore, but decided not to because it would cost too much)

So when they announced they'd do a coupling live with Közi in Nagoya again I couldn't stop myself from going. Being a fan of both Közi and Schwarz Stein I just had to see this, especially since I missed the last live they did together in 2015.

 So, right after a concert in Tokyo on Saturday night I went to Osaki station and got on my bus to Nagoya! Since I went just for the gig (I also did some sightseeing that I will post about in a seperate entry) I only stayed for one night and therefor decided to try a dorm for the first time in my life. When I arrived I passed by the bathroom/powder room, seeing that someone was applying some heavy make up. I didn't pay much attention to it, but then I went back to have a shower and realise that the make up this girl is applying is Hora's! I've always wanted to make his magic circle for a live but I know I wouldn't be able to pull it off (too much details!) and she'd done his make up so perfectly, I was so impressed. We talked a bit and since we were headed the same way we went together! Most of the time (basically always) I go to live gigs alone because I don't know anyone who likes the same bands as me so it was really nice and fun having someone to share the experience with for once. But talk about coincidence, I meet someone from Tokyo who's come to Nagoya just like to see Schwarz Stein and we're staying at the same dorm!

Anyway, I was kind of split about who'd start the evening and who'd end it. I acctually thought Schwarz Stein might be the opening and Közi the ending but it showed to be the opposit. So Közi started, and like the other times I've seen the E//+Z project he had projections being shown of different images, and he had his red suit on. I really like his hairstyling, instead of teasing it up it's combed down. I think with the red suit it makes him look sort of stylish salaryman á la visual kei.
Közi acctually didn't have his guitar for this live, just some sort of machine to change and do effects on his vocals (I'm not into music equipment so I have no idea what it was and how it works...). Like I've said before, Közi is really great live, I feel like he just goes up there and does his thing and it feels very natural and like he's enjoying it. Közi isn't just a very good musician but also very amusing to watch. For example, when the intro for Cacophony began playing he grabbed his bottle of tea to drink, and he just stood there with one arm in his side and the bottle in his other hand and the remix version of the song has a kind quiet opening and then all of a sudden the guitar will just break out sort of. And in that moment he quickly took a sip of his tea. It looked very amusing and everyone began laughing and I even think I could see a smile on Közi's face too. One interesting thing is that he make small changes to the songs live, so it doesn't really feel repetitve to watch E//+Z despite it just being one CD with songs, and you know what he'll be playing (I love the CD so I wouldn't mind just listening to the songs as they are but it's nice to see he puts some effort to change the setlist as much as he can while still using the same songs). He greeted everyone, Közi isn't much of a talker really (unless he's talking to the other members), so he kept quiet but it seemed like one of his members didn't know if he should start the next song or not so they quickly exchanged a look and Közi nodded but it got kind of awkwardly silent for a while so Közi just shouted out Nagoya again and then the song started. I don't have a setlist but I'm pretty sure he played all the songs off the remix album. I do however remember that the last song he played was ISM, and I couldn't help but to wonder if Hora would join him for it, but it didn't happen. Közi thanked everyone and left stage.

We in the crowd were left to listen to some Sopor Aeternus. I felt like the paus was kind of long, and then all of a sudden Testament began playing. I was so happy they opened with that, I love it and they didn't use that for their oneman in Tokyo. Everytime I hear Testament I just get this adrenalin rush, probably because I get so hyped knowing I'm at a Schwarz Stein live! Hora entered first as always, followed by Kaya. I don't take notes on the setlist because I just want to enjoy the gig, I do remember the songs though (in the wrong order), but as soon as a setlist is announced I'll put it on here!
Both Kaya and Hora wore their Sleeping Madness costumes, and of course they played their most recent release Fleeting Beauty, the live started off a bit slow, but then they did the classics and eventhough people always are a bit stiff to begin with they began loosen up during Perfect Garden and Release me. I was really hoping to hear Release me because it's awesome on CD and even more awesome live. During their onwman in Tokyo the sound was a but off, the bass was too loud but this time around you could acctually hear the melody as well. Hora and Kaya both gestured to people to raise their hands and dance to the music but people seem to stop when they stop their instructions which I find kind of funny...
I found it kind of funny that both Közi and Schwarz Stein mentioned that it was fun being back in Nagoya, because I recognized most of the people there. This means that either the people all came from Tokyo to see this gig, or these people come from other cities to Tokyo everytime to see them. I bet most came from Tokyo though, and if that's really the case....did they have to make a live in Nagoya making us travel across the country? :P During the MC Kaya and Hora talked quite a bit, and people shouted kawaii and Kaya said "I know", quoting Hora from the previous live, hehe. Kaya seemed to have some trouble pronouncing the title of the event, and then he mentioned, like always, that Schwarz Stein is a "my pace" project and for now they don't have any plans. Hora will however be a guest at Kaya's anniversary live later this month. The plan is for them to do some Rudolf Steiner and some Schwarz Stein songs (making me wonder what the difference will be concidering the Rudolf Steiner songs has all been released as Schwarz Stein, or Another Cell. Or will they acctually perform them as they sound on the demos?). 
Then came the biggest suprise. Kaya mentioned that in Tokyo they do the after events, and then they will say goodbye to everyone, but they've never had that in Nagoya so for this evening they decided to offer a 3shot cheki for 1000yen after the gig. I barely couldn't believe my ears, I've been so jealous of the people who attended their gig in the US who got to take a picture with them, and I was hoping they'd do some instore for Fleeting Beauty offering a 3shot cheki. I was so happy I did go to Nagoya for this gig after all. 
Like always they ended with all their heavier songs, Creeper, Syphilis and Disorder, Sleeping Beauty and Succubus. One thing I've noticed is that over the years the crowd has gotten more violent. The first gig I attended in 2012 everyone was sort of leaning towards the stage for these songs, this time one girl acctually fell to the ground (and I was about to fall too once). I noticed that the girls standing closest to the stage was basically lying with their upper body on the stage by now, and at one point Hora even gesticulated to everyone to back a bit. The club was also extremly hot. There must've been something wrong with the airconditioner because it was so warm I could see how Hora was dripping of sweat after just one song (and I felt it running down my back after just a short while). Kaya mentioned during their first MC that it was very warm, asking if everyone was ok. I was very happy we'd get to take pictures with them, but did it have to be the day I was sweating like there was no tomorrow? Like always, despite it being a bit aggressive, I really like the end bit of Schwarz Stein's lives because those songs are just awesome live and Hora and Kaya really gives it their all. Kaya as always went to kiss and lick people's hands (hehe).
They left stage but of course came out for an encore. I was kind of excited since I remember they did Succubus with Közi last time, I really wanted to hear that. Kaya mentioned that he thinks Közi is really cool at one point, hehe. Közi entered stage with his fellow support members (all with a drink in their hands of course) and then they talked a bit. Közi said he liked the hand movement Kaya does in Creeper, so they wanted to do that together. He also asked Hora what it is he says during Creeper, and then they decided it would be changed to "nairobi" (ナイロビ), a shorter version of Night Low Be (probably easier for Kaya to pronounce as well, hehe). So they started Creeper, just like it always sounds but when it was time for the chorus Hora changed "crave your wings" to "nairobi" and then Közi would get in with a "nairobi" right after like an echo. Both Kaya and Hora had a hard time keeping a straight face, Kaya began laughing and couldn't do the arm gesture and Hora had problems keeping up his death vocals. Közi however kept going without problems, and his support members did the arm gesture with us in the crowd. I felt a bit like Közi and his "gang" was a bit too amused (perhaps had one too many), and when they then did Succubus (changing "nightmare" to nairobi" of course) Közi went accross the stage to do something with one of the speakers (adjust volume maybe?) he acctually fell on his behind! No harm done though, he just got up again, I've just never seen him fall, I thought that was a Mana thing (fufufu). For those who follow Közi on Twitter might have noticed that Közi wrote that he lost his phone in Nagoya...(just saying...).

Közi said it was nice to do the Night Low Be, and that they'll do a Night Low Be 2018 (something for everyone in Japan to look forward to). Then they left stage and I sort of rushed out to get some air (it really was like a sauna in there) and to buy that 3shot cheki! I noticed the tickets didn't sell out, and also that most people only bought one, I got two (I don't want closed eyes again like with Hizaki...). I was waiting by the end of the stairs, outside of the actual stage area to be able to breath, when all of a sudden I see Kaya, followed by Hora coming down the stairs! I always feel so weird because I don't know what to say, so I said good evening, haha. I also hate taking these kinds of photos having all the people watching me so I waited until last. I also wanted to see how others did it who bought several tickets (like if you could request a pose etc). One thing I noticed which I haven't seen before was that one girl requested a cheki of Hora and Kaya together, without her. Then it was my turn and I got one regular and one pose, hehe (not posting my photos, I look to awkward). Then before Kaya and Hora left Hora said thanks and take care. I went out of the club feeling like I was on drugs or something. 
Schwarz Stein's gigs are always so intense it's crazy. And getting the chance to take a cheki with them was just overwhelming for my fangirl heart. The day after I had to look at the photos again, assuring myself it really happened, haha. It was totally worth traveling to see this. Schwarz Stein is always worth it.

2017.6.8 Set List

SE(testament)

１：Lilith
２：Release me
３：Perfect Garden
MC
４：Fleeting Beauty
５：方舟
６：Current
MC
７：Sleeping Madness
８：CREEPER
９：Syphilis and Disorder
10：Succubus

encore

11：CREEPER(“Night Low Be”ver)
12：Succubus“Night Low Be”ver)

COCYTUS

After long days clinging to my kitchen window looking for the postman to deliver Hora's new CD COCYTUS it finally arrived last night!

I got home late but made sure to listen to it before going to bed, eventhough it was 2am, so I figuered I should post something about it here too (since I'm not in Japan anymore to post about fun stuff like gigs...)

My happiness over receiving the new CD was soon to turn into disapointment when I noticed mine was cracked, again. So far I've got 3 cracked cases from Hora and to be honest i'm starting to wonder if he sometimes get cracked cases because usually sending 1 cd in a padded envelope works just fine, without damages on the case.

The 100 first to  preorder COCYTUS received a photo, and I'm pretty sure the photo is from Schwarz Stein's oneman in November! I really liked the picture because it was a close up, but would've been nice if Hora would've faced the camera.

COCYTUS consists of 10 new songs (see setlist at the bottom), and overall I think Hora's gone back to his old sound a bit. Since TYRANT, or even as early as on WISDOM, Hora's given us a more brutal and darker sound, but COCYTUS has more similarities with his older CD's.

I haven't had the time to listen to the full album more than 2 times, mostly because I usually want to repet my favorite tracks for a couple of hours until I feel satisfied enough to go through the rest again, but the 2 tracks to catch my ears are FROST and BABEL.

Hora announced earlier that this cd would contain deathvocals so I was hoping for several songs, unfortunately not. BABEL is the only song but also one with a darker sound. The intro sounds a lot to me like IGNITION, which also is an all time Hora favorite for me, so no complains. There's parts before the lyrics which made me think of MODULATE GOD ~DEFORMED~ aswell. Both IGNITION and MODULATE GOD in the same song, recipe for success.

The song FROST is just awesome, the song keeps developing as you listen which I think is really cool since a lot of Hora's songs, or this kind of music in general, can seem a bit repetative. Sometimes I feel like the repetative ones must've been made when Hora's been in a Schwarz Stein mode because they seem like they're made to fit lyrics.

Like I said though, I can clearly hear as if Hora used parts from older songs and developed those ideas and made them into new pieces on COCYTUS. The titletrack as an example reminds me a lot of Magnificent from domiNATE.

I miss the darker sound a bit, but I just love FROST and BABEL so much that I can't really care so much about that. I'm pretty sure the rest of the songs will grow on me when I have the time to give them a chance (FROST and BABEL is so awesome I can't stop listening to them).

Make sure to buy this cd, if you like Hora you need to support his work! (and he do ship everywhere)
I'm really happy Hora hasn't forgotten about his solowork just because they revived Schwarz Stein, and I hope for more cd's in the future (soon).

Let there be light~ 

CHAMBER OF FEAR

FROST

BABEL

COCYTUS

PRAY TO GOD -DOOM-

MY VENDETTA

UNDERWATER

WITHOUT WORDS

WINTER BLOOD

PRAY TO GOD -HEIR-

Schwarz Stein Incubus Garden

Tonight I went to Shibuya Rex for Schwarz Stein's oneman live Incubus Garden!

I've not only seen Schwarz Stein at Kamijo's Halloween event 2 weeks ago, I acctually went to Japan JUST to see them in 2012 (back in the days when we thought it would be the second and final reunion live). So I knew what I could look forward to tonight...

I've never been to Shibuya Rex, so I'm happy that I'm a time pessimist because I got lost...

Anyway, I thought I had a great ticket because my number was 7, BUT, then they said that the people who preordered was A1-A90 :P so after a 100 people was let in, it was my turn :P
Of course I went for the right side of the stage as usual, since I want to stand infront of Hora.

My outfit for tonight, was dedicated to Hora <3

As far as I saw, there was only me and another girl in the Hora t-shirt!

While waiting they played songs from Hora's solo, happy suprise! Then the curtain raised and for a change they didn't start with Testament, but with The Alternation of Generations -Conception-. I really like Testament and think it's a better opening...BUT since the second song was COCOON this was probably better. When the curtain was raised you could see that they had really thin, black fabric hanging across the roof and Hora was on the left side of the stage this time (so sad, I noticed he posted that on his blog just before I left home... T-T) and Kaya stood in the middle of the stage.

It really felt like they went for a darker theme tonight, Kaya didn't run out smiling, he was deadly serious most of the time, and the setlist felt a bit "heavier".

Again they had a bit of a problem with the sound, during Profane Gene it just stoped for a short while. Kaya smiled and then just continued when the sound went back on.

Kaya kept a serious face through the MC as well...until people screamed that Hora was cute and his reply was "I know", that made Kaya laugh. And when he agreed that Kaya was pretty, Kaya said there was something wrong with Hora tonight, hehe. Kaya also mentioned that Hora and Közi became friends after their coupling tour with ZIZ (Közi went over to Hora's place, Kaya mentioned that, but Hora also wrote about that on his blog).

People yelled A LOT for Hora tonight, and in the beginning he just raised his hands like he wanted more to shout, then he began to smile and finally he raised his hands as in a "I don't know"-expression XD I'm guessing Hora's not that comfortable with a lot of attention.

 Tonight they played both Lilith and Sleeping Madness, and Lilith grew on me, I wasn't that impressed by the preview but live, it was good. Sleeping Madness on the other hand, OMG I love this! It's by far the best track they've released since their comeback! Like I said about Kamijo's event, it's really great live, it's a perfect livesong, so I'm really happy that I was here for this release and got to hear it 3 times! (I assume now that they'll play it on friday aswell)

Just like before, most people stand kind of calm at their own space....until it's time for the heavy stuff. I'm happy about that because thanks to Creeper, Syphilis and Disorder and Succubus I squeezed almost till the first row. Kaya got all crazy too, I don't even remember which song it was because I just died a bit on the inside; he got to the left edge of the stage, holding on to the pillar and bent down. All of us in the crowd held out our hands, but he didn't reach out for us, then I saw how people aimed for his face XD So I stroke the back of my hand against his cheek, and when I did that he turned his face a bit to my hand and kissed it slightly (draged his lips towards it). I was so suprised XD I felt his lipstick on the back of my hand (asdfghjkl), unfortunatley I didn't get any on my hand...

The same hand got to touch Hora's hand aswell *fangirling*... I'm almost thinking about skinning my hand to save Kaya's and Hora's DNA.... *obviously joking*

For their first encore Hora entered stage alone, when Kaya joined him he joked and asked if he was going to do Bio Genesis (since that's the only song Hora sings completly by himself). Instead they did Kuroageha, and Kaya said that was the first song they did togheter. Hora posted some time ago on his blog saying they'd do old songs so people should help them with the lyrics....but I didn't think he meant songs they've already played! (Hora come on, you've done Kuroageha at least twice...)

I don't really remember the full order of songs, but I do remember they did SIRIUS at the end and Kaya looked sad, like he was crying to be honest. He stood with his back when the song ended, Hora picked up his portabe keyboard and Kaya went over to him and whispered something and then they both went off... I got the feeling they didn't mean to have a paus there...no idea what happened to Kaya.

Everyone began to shout for another encore of course and Hora came out again with his phone, not taking pictures this time, but filming, and then he joked about putting it on youtube :P

Then they ended the evening with Last Hallucination.

On the merchtable, the only new items were Sleeping Madness (yes, they began a presale today) and a photoset! Kaya tweeted just now though, that there will be new items for the gig on friday (something about a poster). I was suprised there were no chekis for sale this evening...

And just as Hora said on his blog, we all recieved a demo cd. I haven't heard it yet, hopefully I'll have it ripped tomorrow.

I didn't have the last Hora photoset, but now the Hora photos are complete, muahaha

After I saw Schwarz Stein in 2012 I used to think it was the best live gig I've ever been to, but tonight, after seeing them for the 3rd time I can honestly say they are the best band I've ever seen. There's so much energy on stage and in the audience, and I love to see how happy Kaya and Hora seems on stage. Eventhough Hora's a bit shy and sometimes just stands there^^

I'm really looking forward to the gig on friday with the band called aki, but I'm also sad because it might be the last one I'll see before I leave Japan.

Setlist:

The Alternation of Generations -Conception-
COCOON -Fallen-
Fester Love
Queen of Decadence
MC
Profane gene
Emergence of Silence
Lilith
Transient
MC
Current
Perfect Garden
Rise to Heaven -2014-
Sleeping Madness
Creeper

Syphilis and Disorder

Succubus -2014-

New Vogue Children

The Alternation of Generations -Increase-

Encore

Kuroageha

SIRIUS-Hallucination-

Encore

Last Hallucination

Next livegig will be Velvet Eden on wednesday! Look forward to a livereport~