Moi dix Mois ~Scarlet Sabbath~

I'm not sure where to start with this. So perhaps it would be good to begin with a couple photos for the new venue where the Moi dix Mois ~Scarlet Sabbath~ was going to be held. That was the SHIBUYA STREAM. 

Since it was a little unclear on Google Maps where the place was, I made my way there the day before. Just in case I got lost on the way. So once I made it out of Shibuya Station, I found myself going up escalators. Many escalators.

Thankfully they had a lot of signage inside the vast building where SHIBUYA STREAM is. And in case I wasn't sure, there were video screens of flowing water.

Finally the last escalator. Which on the day of the concert was open for everyone to go up. Something else about this building, it is very open. Lots of windows and air flowing through. It is very different from other venues I've been at in Japan. 

The area outside the hall was really large. Lots of room for the goods table. Along with a flower arrangement from ESP Guitars. Because today was the debut for the new Moi dix Mois guitar strap. 

Up another escalator and into the venue. Which was much smaller than I expected. Six rows of seats and then an area for standing behind those. On stage was the familiar Moi dix Mois banner along with the rose gates and the band's instruments. Personally I did not know what to expect. It was my first time experiencing the end of the year show, but this was actually an added live. I felt rather lucky that the time I decided to attend there were two shows. So I found myself sitting next to a vampire for this Scarlet Sabbath. Who told me my shoes were very elegant.

(from Mana's Moi dix Mois Twitter)

I suppose the best way to describe the band's look as they each entered the stage to the instrumental "En Lumiére" is to show Mana's make-up for the night. Everyone wore black with red accents. Mana wore the Moi-même-Moitié Falling Cross Print Gauze Shirt for a more hard-core look with the red contacts and red and black make-up. The feeling from the band's appearance was this would be a dark night of music. And it was.

The first song was "unmoved" followed by "Sanctum Regnum". Right off the audience was into the music and the band responded in kind. For me, I had two questions. The first was how lead singer Seth would sound after his vocal chord surgery.

(from Seth's Twitter)

The answer to that question came quickly. Seth had no problem handling the range of the Moi dix Mois songs. His voice moved easily from a growl into the higher notes needed for some songs. While he had been singing enka since his surgery, this was his first time singing with Moi dix Mois and I can say he sounded great. A test was the chorus of next song, "Gloire dans le silence" and it was marvelous. 

(from Ryux's Twitter)

That was one of the songs I really wanted to hear, so I was happy Mana chose it. What happened next was a big surprise to me. Because it was the one song I had wanted to hear the most. I kind of have mentioned this on Twitter for a few years now. But I did not expect it. The last time it was played live was in 2016 in Hong Kong. Mana did say there would be songs they had not done in a while, so I was indescribably happy when the opening notes of "Deflower" played. It was amazing to hear live, the sound being much deeper and darker than the recorded version. Along with Ryux's beautiful backing vocals, "Deflower" was perfect. I hope Ryux will get to sing more. I love the choral style songs, and he is great backing Seth's singing. I do wish they did "Deflower" more often, but this time, it felt special. My second question had been answered.

"Invite to Immorality" played and then the band rocked "Nocturnal Romance". The instrumental "A Lapis Night's Dream" flowed into another not played recently song that I had hoped they would play, "Lamentful Miss". In a way, this song has meaning for the current band, being the first single released where drummer Hayato and bassist Sugiya were listed as official band members. A song about a fallen angel, it really is wonderful to hear live. Next up was the new song "A ghost whispers". It's great to know the actual title of the song. I look forward to when this is recorded and everyone can hear it. Because there is a bit of a story behind it, and I think it is also played out in the samples used for it.

(from Hayato's Twitter)

Next up was a bit of fun. It was time for Seth's MC, in which he reads "Message from Mana". There were announcements for future events like the two Mana-sama birthday shows, Deep Sanctuary VII and Mana going to Russia and America for events in 2020. What also happened was Mana came out with two bouquets of red roses for Hayato and Sugiya, for their recent November birthdays. I give them credit for not tearing them apart and throwing the roses everywhere, like someone else does. Following the roses, Seth had us participate in repeating some crazy phrases that Sugiya and Hayato came up with. Besides the two performing an awesome version of "MAD INGRAIN" together with just bass and drums, we were asked to repeat "Sugi-sama, Sugi-sama, Sugi-sama, Sugi-sama, Sugi-sama" and "Haya, Haya, Haya, Haya, Haya-sama" a number of times as part of "Immortal Madness". The audience did really well. Me, I did okay when I wasn't laughing.

(Sugiya and Hayato from Hayato's Twitter)

All members came back to play "Dead Scape" and "Perish". I have to say everything was right on this night. And Mana looked like he was really into playing guitar. Everything sounded like it was going well. And it was time for another new song. Which we now know the actual title is "Lueur Blanche". Once again, it was exquisite in how delicate yet strong this ballad is. And Seth's vocals were superlative. It's going to be a wonderful moment to hear how this ends up sounding once it is recorded. Another great Seth song is "Twilight Flower". Besides how this has turned into a very elegant waltz complimented with his singing, Seth's movements really bring out the drama of this song. 

Back into more hardcore rock, Mana tore into "Immortal Madness" (this is where that audience participation happened). This was followed by "Beast Side" and then "Ange~D side holy wings~", which has become the closing song. The band left the stage and we in the audience began chanting "Moi dix Mois". Slowly each member came out wearing the new M warm Moi dix Mois hoodies. Well not everyone one.

(from Ryux Twitter)

Ryux came out wearing this thick black faux fur coat. And Mana, well he did have the hoodie with him.

(from Mana's Twitter)

Besides having the draped the hoodie on one shoulder, Mana was wearing black bunny ears, much to the crowd's enjoyment.

(from Mana's Twitter)

Mana continued to wear the rabbit ears while the band played their closing number, 

"Je l'aime". Mana threw his final guitar pick much harder than the previous ones. It made it to the fifth row in front of me, where it disappeared. No one could find it. 

(Mana Death Bunny from Mana's Twitter)

While we were all not wanting it to end, there was a feeling of anticipation. Because the next night would be that annual festive night, Dix inferno XVII ~Last Year Party~. And I was pretty happy because of something nice that had happened.

I, like many, had hoped to get a ticket for a seat. I was concerned that standing two nights in a row would not be easy for me. I had not been lucky, I ended up with a standing ticket. I had been checking Twitter when I saw someone offering for sale at face value, one seat ticket. I contacted this lovely lady and everything worked out. I got my ticket at the venue. Even though I ended up paying for two tickets, it was worth it. She and her friend were sitting in the row in front of me, so that was nice.

And she gave me sweets! The cookies were really good. Thank you very much to this lovely lady for helping me out. And thank you to Moi dix Mois and Mana for another wonderful show. Everything went smoothly it seemed, and the music was excellent. And finally getting to hear "Deflower" live, it was amazingly better than I could have ever imagined.