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.

Starting in Shibuya

I think it was November 29th. I headed to Shibuya to figure out where two new music venues were. This may have been the first time I noticed the concrete encased Shibuya River. It's possible that the name of one of the new venues comes from this urban waterway.

From Shibuya I took a train one stop to Aoyama. I was focused on reaching a certain place. I turned a corner and surprised myself. It was the building where the Aoyama Moi-même-Moitié store was. Unplanned visit.

While there are a lot of high end architectural buildings and shops in Aoyama, there are still a lot of older buildings and interesting shops if you walk through the narrow streets. It's always interesting to see design details like the stained glass in the back of this store.

But what I wanted to see was something I had glimpsed on my last visit to Tokyo.

Aoyama's St. Grace Cathedral.

Granted it's not that old, and it's actually a wedding venue not an actual church, but it still has that great Gothic architecture.

Sadly it was not easy to take photos because of all the power lines and there was a couple getting their wedding photos taken, but the place still looked amazing against that vivid blue sky. I love seeing all the details.

My next stop would be for lunch. Still walking along those narrow streets. Another wedding venue. This is the Chapelle des Anges.

Which was right by where I was having lunch.

Everything Salad and their website is here http://www.everythingsalad.jp/. I really like when places have websites and social media. Because I can figure out what I want to eat before arriving. Since not every place has an English menu or people who can speak English. It's helpful even when a person can speak a little Japanese.

I had the fresh salad set for lunch. Those avocado slices got me. The soup was minestrone and it was delicious! They are on Instagram which is where I figured out what I wanted to eat before going https://www.instagram.com/everythingsalad/. And their address is 3 Chome-14-26, Minamiaoyama, Minato City. This was a really great fresh salad. Tokyo, your salad game has definitely improved.

I decided to see one last thing before going back to my hotel. Still walking through those narrow Aoyama streets. A feeling of timelessness with this restaurant. It's lovely with all the wood and green trees and plants. It's Aoyama Torimikura, an izakaya.

Back out on the main streets. Aoyama Dori to be exact. This clock with the astrology figures caught my attention.

I reached my destination. Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue, with the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery in the distance. I will spare you the image of the hundreds of people on the street and just share a couple photos of the golden ginkgo trees.

Back at my hotel after those really long walks. I was able to see a little bit of sunset with silhouetted mountains. It must have been quite a view before all the concrete buildings were constructed. 

Revisiting

This one is for everyone who loves the old Harajuku train station. It will be greatly missed.

Early in my visit to Tokyo I decided to revisit a few places I had been to before over the years. I always thought that this round building in Harajuku was a great choice for Volks. I believe it had been a childrens clothing store before Volks took it over.

The inside of the store was decorated for the winter holidays. Since they allowed photos of the dolls, I thought I would share a few of the many that were on display.

That was nice but my main reason for going to the Harajuku area was out on the street.

Omotesando Dori to be exact.

Which runs through the tony part of Shibuya to Aoyama.

And has for years lit up the zelkova trees that line the road.

I was here at night back in early December 2010, doing the same thing. Taking photos.

It was all lovely then, it's even more decorated now.

What is different now is that the lighting of the trees is synced to music, and the lights go on and off for each tree. As you can imagine, this is a very popular site to visit at this time of year. Even so, I was able to walk from one end of the lit trees to the other and back without having to deal with crowds. Even though it was cold, I was very happy to experience the Omotesando Dori illuminations once again.