Image from Barks Magazine Twitter
If you read my previous post, this is the second part about the September 9th, 2018 Deep Sanctuary VI concert. It celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the band MALICE MIZER. Even though they stopped being active as a band in December, 2001, they still have many loyal fans even to this day. Along with new fans who discovered the band in the subsequent years. Many of them were in the Toyosu Pit venue that night. Some, like me, were able to purchase tickets provided by Mana through Moi-même-Moitié, the fashion company that Mana built. Some, like me, traveled a long way to be there. And this was the moment we all were waiting for. It was time for the onstage reunion of three founding members of MALICE MIZER.
We did not have long to wait. The curtains pulled back to reveal Yu~ki, Mana and Közi standing at the front of the stage. In their hands, a single red rose, while the music of "Saikai no Chi to Bara" (再会の血と薔薇; The Blood and Rose of Reunion) played. Recreating the opening of the legendary Bara ni Irodorareta Akui to Higeki no Makuake (薔薇に彩られた悪意と悲劇の幕開け) concert, the image was astonishing. If I could pick one concert out of all of them that I could have been at, it was that concert. And now it was happening right before my eyes. I noticed each members' hands with the rose. Yu~ki's were still, Közi's were shaking a little and Mana's hands, were shaking a lot. This concert was his creation that he had been working on since Deep Sanctuary V, over two years ago. There was nothing to worry about, the moment was perfect.
Photo from Mana's Twitter
It wasn't just the image of the three of them standing together at the front of the stage. This was the first Deep Sanctuary event that they had new costumes created by long time MALICE MIZER designer Yukari Ohba. I will do a post later about the details of the costumes and a little bit about how they were created, but for now I just want to mention my impressions at the show. First was guitarist Mana's gorgeous crystal bead strewn regal outfit. I remember thinking how it combined both Mana's MALICE MIZER look with the current Moi dix Mois look. Watching Mana move in it was a joy to see. On Twitter Mana wrote that it was heavy, but I didn't see any problems. It was beautiful.
photo from Yu~ki's Twitter
Bassist Yu~ki's costume seemed to combine his favorite vampire looks with steam punk. Splashed with bright yellow paint on his coat and hat, it was like his yellow character exploded all over it. It too had the feeling of royalty and of an age long ago.
Photo from Közi's Twitter
Guitarist Közi's costume recalled his days wearing various harlequin outfits. Decorated with stiff ruffles which serpentined down the left side of his body, it had the appearance of half of the costume going crazy. All three costumes had a dark appearance and the use of black vinyl was reminiscent of some of the edgier MALICE MIZER costumes.
With the music of "Saikai no Chi to Bara" concluding, the three threw their roses into the audience and moved to their places on stage. Közi stage left, Yu~ki near the back and Mana stage right. Which is why I was so happy as to where my seat was. I realized that both Mana and Közi had their synth drums set up and I recognized the piano intro that began playing. The feelings I had overwhelmed me as I realized they were going to perform "Kyomu no Naka de no Yuugi" (虚無の中での遊戯; Amusement in Nihilism). Last year when Mana asked people on Twitter what songs they would like to be performed at Deep Sanctuary, most replied with popular songs like "Beast of Blood" and "Baroque". I had to be the odd ball and suggest "Kyomu no Naka de no Yuugi" but I also wrote that I knew it was impossible. Well, I am very happy to say that I was wrong. As much as I love MALICE MIZER's songs, this is the song I've admired since the first time I heard it years ago. I can not put into words how it makes me feel. So yes, I cried a bit when it began to play.
Mana and Közi hit their drums with riding crops while Yu~ki played bass. They moved about the stage recreating their moves from the Bara ni Irodorareta Akui to Higeki no Makuake concert, including the posing and shining flashing spot lights on the audience. The high point for me was when Mana placed his arm on top of the microphone and repeated that line of the song, just as was done at that concert.
Photo from Sakura's Instagram.
The song ended and the special drummer for the night came on stage. Sakura was a mentor for Kami, MALICE MIZER's long time drummer. Kami passed away in 1999 and the band never replaced him. But for this show, they asked Sakura to play. Not only did that happen, but Sakura actively repaired and recreated Kami's drum kit. It sat up on a riser, in the manner that Kami was placed in the original MALICE MIZER concerts. Sakura came on stage and, if I remember correctly, said a few words with the band members. From what I could find online, he mentioned how he was just lending a physical body to Kami. He had also dyed his hair red to match Kami's long flowing locks. I noticed that during this moment, as at other points, background music from past MALICE MIZER shows played. This time I think it was music by Madredeus.
Photo from Shuji's Twitter
The first of the guest vocalists was introduced as "De Memoire" played. Since the original vocalists were either too busy or not available to be contacted, three active singers were called on for the job. All three worked as MALICE MIZER roadies at one time. The first was Shuji, singer of cali≠gari and GOATBED. With a hairstyle reminiscent of first MALICE MIZER lead singer Tetsu, the much loved song "Kioku to Sora" (記憶と空, Memory and Sky) was performed. Shuji's vocals were spot on.
Photo from Mana's Twitter
Following this was the song "Illuminati". Mana has mentioned on Twitter that a classic guitar would make an appearance. Sure enough, the Jeune fille II, that was used back when "Illuminati" was performed on stage, made an appearance. Mana brought it out and played it during the song. It has a unique appearance, almost fragile. Besides this, the dance poses performed at past concerts were also recreated. I could see from my angle that while Shuji appeared to be holding Mana, his hands were some distance from Mana. Same with the standing/kneeling poses. It still was a very effective rendition of the song and the crowd loved it.
Photo from Közi's Twitter
After the two songs Shuji was introduced by Közi and Yu~ki asked him to say something about his impressions of each member. He said that Yu~ki was so kind from the time they met. This made Yu~ki happy, he said thank you. Közi said that Shuji's impressions of Yuki and Kami were gentle, but what about him and Mana-chan? Shuji asked if he could talk with Mana, said he was getting nervous. That he heard the music Mana suggested and he liked it, that he made Mylene Farmer famous in Gunma. Meanwhile Közi continued trying to get Shuji to say something about him. There was a story about Közi inviting Shuji to go drink and then stay overnight, something about karaoke and Kami. He went on about Közi and Kami (and I guess him) going to a hot spring that had a slide inside it, and Kami hit the back of his head but everything ended okay. Közi thanked him for the story.
Photo from Kamijo's Official Website
Shuji left the stage and "Apres Midi" (hide version)" began playing as Kamijo was introduced. Of the three singers, Kamijo is the most known, so the audience was very enthusiastic when he appeared. He attempted to get us to say "bonjour" a few times. He then sang "Apres Midi". Since I had a clear view of Mana, I couldn't help but laugh a little when Kamijo walked over, acted like he was hitting on Mana, and Mana responded by rolling his eyes.
Then Bel Air "Bel Air ~Kuuhaku no Toki no Naka De~" (ヴェル・エール ～空白の瞬間ときの中で～; Within Moments of Nothingness) began. Really interesting video graphics played on the back screen, at one point, roses burned. The lighting and video really meshed well, the look with the performance and music was so vivid! I was quickly looking back and forth at Mana and Kozi, because it was amazing to see them play this together live. It is too bad no one ever did a split screen of them playing their dual guitar pieces. It would be wonderful to see this.
Introduced by Közi, Kamijo's talking part began. I was actually okay with these sections, it gave me a chance to sit down and massage where my right leg was injured. Kamijo said bonjour again and let's bring you all together with Paris tonight. Közi reminded him that they were in Toyosu. Kamijo said that it was Paris named Toyosu and that here you have Mana-sama. He then talked about his time with MALICE MIZER, when he was doing the loading as a roadie. He mentioned the car they used at that time, a white Toyota Hiace van. He went on about the name of the car and where everyone sat. Mana's seat was behind the driver, which Kamijo accidentally sat there once, not knowing that. Sadly he did not say if there was a penalty for this transgression. Yu~ki would sit with Mana. Kamijo ended up between Kami, who was driving, and Közi who was in the passenger seat. Since there wasn't much room to sit in the middle, Kamijo said he tried not to kill Közi by falling on him.
Kamijo then congratulated everyone on the 25th anniversary and all the fans. He said spoke why he chose "Apres Midi". That it was written by Közi and that he really liked Közi's pop and fashion sense. Sakura chimed in that he was working in radio at that time and Kami brought the song to him so he played it on air before others did. Kamijo said he chose "Bel Air" because it reflected the way Mana feels the darkness, but then you can see the light ahead of the darkness (or after?) That he loves Yu~ki's "Syunikiss" and wanted to do it also but this time he chose "Bel Air".
Photo from Hitomi's Twitter
Kamijo left the stage as "~Zenchō~" (～前兆～; Omen) began to play. The last vocalist of the night, Hitomi, appeared. While Hitomi might not be as well known as the other two singers, he has a wonderful voice and I really looked forward to hearing him sing. The first song was "Madrigal". It is a playful tune and Mana chose to have video of MALICE MIZER's Yokohama Arena performance concert footage play in the background on the big screen. As the video played, Mana moved around the stage doing the same actions as in the video, putting flowers in instruments and dancing with Hitomi. It was a lot of fun.
When the song ended Hitomi gave his congratulations and then said he was worried if he could speak since Shuji and Kamijo were talking a lot. Yu~ki told him that he was cute and that all he had to do was smile and he would be fine. Hitomi thanked him and then mentioned that he never gets angry except for once. He began talking about Winona Rider in "Edward Scissorhands". He said that Yu~ki didn't like her. Hitomi said he wondered why Winona was not good since she was also in Coppola's "Dracula". Mentioning that he loves movies, he talked about the one time Mana-sama asked him to find a movie called "Bloody Tombstone" (known outside of Japan as "Satan's Mask" or "Black Sunday" and may have been an inspiration for the mask sequence during the Bara ni Irodorareta Akui to Higeki no Makuake concert). Hitomi could not find it. So he thought as a roadie he had to search for it but did not have any luck. He then asked if Mana had been able to find the movie? Mana then spoke into Yu~ki's ear, who spoke for him saying that he has the dvd (of course). Yu~ki then says that he saw the movie and that the picture was in color, it was beautiful! Mana then spoke to Yu~ki again. Yu~ki apologized and said that the film seemed to be black and white (it is).
Hitomi spoke about going to Mana's house and how it was really gothic. He refered to the white drapes over the stage. Hitomi then said he went to Közi's house and he also had white drapes like Mana. Hitomi wondered if everyone in MALICE MIZER was like that so he also put up white drapes. Next he said something about seeing Sakura at rehearsal and mentioned the crest or markings on his face. Sakura said that when MALICE MIZER started, Kami did it (Sakura appeared to have some sort of black markings on his face during the concert). Hitomi wanted to say something about Közi. About how he was loading a car with Közi, and he ended up stuck between a wall and the car when it backed up. They took him to a hospital but it was not a big deal. He ended by saying he chose "Madrigal" because he loves it. Then he and Közi introduced "N.p.s N.g.s" (N·p·s N·g·s; No Pains No Gains).
The energy in the venue was high. The crowd was really into the song, shouting back "Die Game" along with Hitomi's singing. Mana would go up to the front playing guitar as everyone moved about the stage. Streams of fog shot up to the ceiling. This was vintage MALICE MIZER. The song ended and Hitomi and the band left the stage. But the concert wasn't over yet.
The big screen in the back lit up as Kami's song "Unmei no Deai" (運命の出会い; Meeting with Fate) began to play. Photos from Kami's days in MALICE MIZER were shown on the big screen. Many had not been seen before. Some were outtakes from known photo shoots, like one where Kami was laying in the road wearing the 60's styled outfit from this magazine.
Then the band returned and began playing "Au Revoir". There was no vocalist. This was notable since it was at Deep Sanctuary V when the audience began singing the song as the instrumental version played at the end of the concert. I was there and it was amazing to hear. I had wondered if Közi, Yu~ki and Mana had heard us singing. Recently they did say that they had been in the stage wing listening. It was very emotional for them, and they realized they needed to try to have another concert. It was the inspiration for this anniversary show. So to honor that, they decided to play the song live and have us, the audience, be the singers. It was a wonderful feeling.
The three vocalists returned to the stage and sang "ma chérie 〜愛しい君へ〜". This song was previously covered by the three original MALICE MIZER singers at each period. So having Shuji, Kamijo and Hitomi sing the song together was a nod to the former singers and a bringing together of all parts of MALICE MIZER. At the end of the song colored streamers shot from canons on the stage. Cue mad scramble by the audience for these souvenirs. I had a lot fall around me, including the cap of one of the canons which ended up at my feet.
The instrumental version of "ma chérie 〜愛しい君へ〜" played as the singers and band members took their bows. At one point the audience yelled out for Kami. It was hard for me to look, I was sad that the concert was over. Finally the three, Közi, Yu~ki and Mana took their bows and walked off stage with Mana in the middle. He had his arms around both, but then he moved his arms and waved to the crowd as they left the stage.
Finally a message from MALICE MIZER was shown on the big screen at the back of the stage. Since it was in Japanese, for some of us, we were unable to read it. From what I could find online, the band wrote that they were delighted with the reunion with the fans. And that some day, somewhere...
I don't know more than this. It would be great if this message could be put on the MALICE MIZER website so the overseas audience members could translate it.
Photo from Yu~ki's Twitter
Then the house lights came up with stage lights on Kami's drums and an announcement was made that people could take photos. For us in the front section, we were able to redeem the red ticket we were given when we first entered the venue. Part of the price of our ticket was for a special gift.
We were each handed a black bag. Inside the bag was a black box containing the wine goblet. Also inside the bag was a drink stirrer, soap, handkerchief and ticket. Sadly my soap was dented inside my suitcase during my flight home. The handkerchief is amusing because I had commented to Mana on Twitter that everyone will need to bring a handkerchief to the concerts because seeing Kami's drums will make us cry. As for the ticket, I wonder if there is a future use for it...
Photo from Mana's Twitter
As to summing up this concert, I can't. I had so many feelings during the show and after. Even now while I write this I feel emotional. It was one of those few times where it was a moment of overwhelming happiness and joy. And it was over too soon. But it was perfect.
No comments:
Post a Comment