Black Gene for the Next Scene Take on Tokyo

Summoned to Takadanobaba Area by Black Gene for the Next Scene, FEST VAINQUEUR, Awoi, and Kiryu warmed up the crowd for the stars of the evening on Janurary 29.

Sala (drums) was the first onstage, followed by Rame (bass), Toki (guitar) and finally, Ice (vocals). Wasting no time, the band kicked off the show with “DOOM.” Ice’s energy was contagious from the start and he dove into the song, clapping and moving to the beat. The fans danced to the electronic background, thrashing heads while the rhythm section executed the song with mastery. A wicked bass solo brought Rame to the front, Toki close behind as he plucked vigorously at the wire strings.

Headbanging returned full force for “Thirsty,” a fast and heavy ballad that the crowd seemed more than familiar with as they executed the choreography. Legs parted for a solid base, Ice dared the fans to get wilder and set an example he shook his head, hair flying to the beat.

“The next song is new. We have played it in Osaka and Nagoya but never in Tokyo so we will practice first!” the vocalist explained. With the words, “Rehearsal one!” he signaled for the chorus to start and with no warnings, the crowd went wild, lolitas and housewives pumping fists and moshing with the band. What followed was a relaxed and hilarious explanation of the choreography to come. Holding Toki’s hands, Ice explained what the crowd should do. The movements were tricky and involved holding the hands of the people to either side then rushing right, left, right, left and finalizing it with a collective jump. “This is the true feeling of ‘love, love’!” the front man joked before adding, “You need to hold hands. Don’t worry if the person next to you is a guy or a girl, even if their hands are sweaty, you all like us and that is what makes us all one!”

After two hot rehearsals, it was time to get to business. The song’s title proved to be ironic and BFN’s fans showed they feared nothing, not even “Fear Dance.” A deep bass solo took the honors before all hell broke loose and the venue started jumping in circles while the people in the front rushed to get closer to the stage. Holding hands, the crowd moved right and jumped, then left and jumped, repeating the steps one more time before joining voices as they yelled out “three, two, one, jump!”  With the fans twirling and spinning, Toki took the spotlight for a hot guitar solo while Ice and Sala joined voices for the potent growls that commanded the moshing. The song crashed to a dramatic ending, giving band and fans a chance to gather their breath after the wild dance.

“-1” took the venue on a drive from slower moments to fast drums and desperate growls. The crowd moved with the band while Ice and Sala took the spotlight for a heated duet. Soft piano guided the vocalist through the last lyrics before the pumping fists returned for one last hurrah as the drums carried the song off. Another new piece, “Shinjitsu no tsubasa,” allowed the band to show they mean business with their powerful instrumental compositions. The electronic background ended up being a little overwhelming, muffling the bass and guitar work. As the theatrics grew heavier, Ice put on quite a show, adding intensity to the lyrics with every move. A hot solo brought Toki to the front, the guitar speeding away to confident drums.

“A-jest” allowed the crowd to fully appreciate the drum and bass work. The song travelled from a Goth-inspired melody to slower, softer moments. As the crowd gave in to wild headbanging, the band moved around energetically before announcing the night’s last song. Pumping fists made way for “DistRhyme” as the audience shouted “Oi!” repeatedly. The mosh returned and all hell broke loose with the fans twirling right and left as they crashed into each other. Suddenly, the crowd stopped only to bend forward and up again in unison. Onstage, Toki imitated them and twirled around.

Like a mantra, the encore demand resounded, the band soon returning with some announcements. The crowd could not refrain from laughing as Rame teased Ice repeatedly about his uneasiness during the emcees. “Thank you all for your support!” the bassist exclaimed, adding, “I have a confession to make. I love bangya! (Female visual kei fans)” The predominantly female crowd cheered and Ice joined in saying, “I will probably marry a bangya!” Rolling his eyes, Rame smiled while the vocalist called all the candidates to be his wife to the front for the next song.

“Change To Chance” closed the set with a blast, towels flying and twirling to the electro beat while the fans moved right and left. Ice punched the air as he jumped on the spot like a boxer in the ring, each punch accenting the drum beats. With distorted guitar and smooth bass lines, the band closed the sizzling set.

Set list

1. DOO
2. Thirsty
3. Fear Dance
4. -1
5. Shinjitsu no tsubasa
6. A-jest
7. DistRhyme
8. Encore
9. Change To Chance

There are 39 photos in this visual kei exclusive.

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