D’ERLANGER Let the Inner BEAST loose in Akasaka BLITZ

D’ERLANGER put on quite a show for their “BEAST in ME” tour final at Akasaka BLITZ, July 8, 2012. The day after parading with BUCK-TICK, the band gathered fans old and new to review some of their most notable songs in a show that inflamed BLITZ. A charismatic performance filled with blazing riffs, roaring drums and hot vocals made the night.

The lights went down and dark chants engulfed the hall to flashing red and white lights. The band’s trademark red couch stood defiantly in the center of the stage,giving it a familiar and casual air. Slowly, the rhythm built up to welcome kyo (vocals), CIPHER (guitar), SEELA (bass) and Tetsu (drums).

Setting the beast free, the four men kicked off the show with an untitled new song. Piano and red lights were soon accompanied by fast drums, kyo dancing to the smooth beat. Knee kissing the floor, CIPHER kept it cool, his fingers effortlessly flying hotly over the strings before Tetsu took the song home. Yet hot would be an understatement for the classic, “Zakuro.” The rise and fall of the drums and bass took the hall on a sensuous ride with kyo dancing daringly; hand over his crotch as he swayed between half-sung and half-growled verses while CIPHER flirted with the crowd.

“Thank you! Tokyo, welcome! We are D’ERLANGER! It’s the final!” The fast and funky “LAZY SLEAZY” brought with it an outstanding rhythm section with Tetsu delivering a vibrant and vigorous performance while SEELA attacked the strings passionately. Fierce vocals mingled with the instrumentals, kyo throwing his head from side to side and kicking the air for emphasis. CIPHER took the lead for “My lips to over lip your lips” and “Deracine,” the crowd moving to the racing drums, bass close behind between growls and hot vocals.

Giving the crowd some time to rest, the vocalist confessed with a pleased smile, “This feels good. Yesterday we played with BUCK-TICK and today we have our tour final! Let’s have a blast and move one step forward!” He fired up the crowd for the funky “TABOO.” Proving that there are no taboos for D’ERLANGER, the band drowned the hall in yet another feverish number with smoldering bass. Bent over himself, SEELA got lost in the beat, the hot notes he plucked from the bass setting the pace for the leading man who moved across the stage like a deadly panther. The atmosphere became dangerously hot as the blond approached CIPHER, one hand behind his head as he moved his hips to the smoking beat. Falling to his knees by the guitarist, kyo proceeded to sing to him, mouth dangerously close to the brunette as he slowly and sensuously rose to his feet. The crowd froze as the two mouths threatened to touch, kyo pulling back at the last minute while CIPHER dashed forward biting the air with a dangerous grin.

SEELA kicked off another new song, kyo sitting dramatically on the couch, legs apart in a fierce yet casual stance. From dark to hard the song floated, the vocals becoming gradually fiercer and stronger, echoing frightfully over the impressive bass lines. With a growl, kyo broke open “SADISTIC EMOTION” and got the crowd off their feet, jumping to the heavy beat. Restless and demanding, the vocals saw kyo at his best while the guitar sped away with a fast solo that brought CIPHER to the front.

After a few warmly welcomed announcements, the vocalist confessed, “It was a short tour but we had a blast!” With a haunting vocal solo, the band proceeded to “BABY I WANT YOU,”a mix of jazz and rock skillfully accomplished. Facing the drums, CIPHER let his fingers fly over the strings for a wicked solo, Tetsu demanding more before joining the guitarist for a fierce duet that announced “Divina Commedia.”Bass soon joined in, racing through roaring drums.The strong instrumentals contrasted interestingly with lulling vocals.

The vocalist took to the couch once more while all eyes focused on Tetsu whose sticks kissed the cymbals in a strong solo. “It’s time for you to let your energy reach Tetsu!” the vocalist demanded as he swayed to the drums before, with a yell,he set them on a fast, crazy ride that opened “Singe et Insecte.” “Love me to DEATH” continued in a heavy fashion, the ride becoming darker with red and black washing over the room. While kyo paced across the stage, dragging the mic stand heavily between animalistic growls, CIPHER moved like a caged animal, guitar almost touching the floor as the song became angrier and more demanding.

The hot classic “Masquerade” closed the set,its catchy chorus repeated countless times with the words “Crazy for you!” leaving kyo’s lips sensuously while he swayed with CIPHER helping with the backing vocals. The encore demand followed promptly and  D’ERLANGER returned to an enthusiastic crowd. “Are you ready to move some more?” kyo asked with a grin as they proceeded to “LULLABY.” All arms up,the crowd sang along in unison making for quite a sight amid a warm and familiar atmosphere. While SEELA kept it cool, setting the pace for the moving bodies, kyo and CIPHER continued teasing and flirting, the guitarist flashing hearts at the other man.

The close connection between the band and the fans was crystal clear and the classic “ICONOCLASM” simply ignited the fuse, the crowd dashing forward as roaring drums announced the song. Hot bass, sweet riffs and vigorous drums mingled with the warm vocals superbly in a number that literally got the vocalist on his knees, an ardent ending for a memorably hot tour.

Set List

1. (New song)
2. Zakuro
3. LAZY SLEAZY
4. My lips to over lip your lips
5. Deracine
6. TABOO
7. (New song)
8. SADISTIC EMOTION
9. BABY I WANT YOU
10. Divina Commedia
11. Singe et Insecte
12. Love me to DEATH
13. Masquerade

Encore

1. LULLABY
2. ICONOCLASM

There are 45 photos in this visual kei exclusive.

View Gallery