DIR EN GREY at Shinkiba Studio Coast

Shinkiba Studio Coast hosted the final show for DIR EN GREY’s tour The Unwavering Fact of Tomorrow Tour 2010-2011 on January 6, 2011. The night was cold but that didn’t stop the fans who monopolized the main road leading to Studio Coast. Many had attended the previous night’s performance but those who had not were tantalized by the prospect of a firsthand preview of the new single Lotus to be released on January 26. The new song had been played only twice before including the first of the two days at Shinkiba and once at DIR’s fan club-only event.

The stage was quite simple. Amplifiers and drum set took most of the space and the only decoration was a set of lit candles by the drums. Meanwhile, massive silver letters covered the wall, the band and tour name popping out dramatically against the black background. At 7pm sharp, the lights went down and a gigantic roar filled the venue.

Red lights illuminated the stage and as “Sa Bir” started, the crowd swarmed, roiling in waves with the music as the excited fans tried to get closer and closer to the band. Shinya was the first on stage sporting a white shirt and white pants in contrast with the other members and the black all around.  Die, in black pants and black vest with a hint of gray showing as he moved, followed on. Soon came Toshiya, black head to toe and the most visual of the group with tight pants and a knee-length skirt. Kaoru was clad simply in plain black pants and shirt. The crowd was screaming euphorically and although it didn’t seem possible for the sound to escalate, it did just that the moment Kyo walked on stage. He moved slowly, hands in his pockets, short black hair, leather jacket and tight pants giving him a cool, cold look. As the song progressed, Kyo’s screams were muffled by the crowd, cheering with hands in the air.

The lights turned red and smoke started flowing down the wall, covering the floor as “Conceived Sorrow” started, its rare appearance taking the fans by surprise. Kyo’s voice was flawless and although he sang different lyrics, the fans gladly waved their hands along to the tune. Sound effects aided in creating the perfect atmosphere as Kyo’s voice echoed for long periods throughout the venue. As they reach the last verse and Kyo screamed the lyrics “Mada, todokanai!” Kaoru, Die, and Shinya changed instruments and it was time for another surprise: “Lotus.”

The cloud of smoke disappeared and the lights turned white, matching Die’s white guitar and Shinya’s out-of-place shirt, now opened all the way to his abdomen. The ballad was pretty and blended nicely with the previous number. However, despite the pleasing sound of “Lotus,” it wasn’t as impressive as other songs performed that night.

“Obscure” from the new single was next and was greeted by the fans with excitement. Lighting dividing the stage in two horizontal sections made for an interesting effect, the name DIR EN GREY now a bluish green as a wash of red illuminated the band. As the song started, white, blue and green lights flashed intensely like machine guns and the band to moved, crowd following suit in waves, attempting to approach the stage. Purples pinks and blues marked a change and the moment everyone had been waiting for came as Kyo stepped on the central platform for the first time that night. The crowd went wild, hysterical screams filling the venue.  The heavier sound seemed to please the fans despite the new arrangement style and as the machine guns lights blasted away, they raised their arms, waving at speed along with the song. When it reached the end, Kyo stepped down from his platform and a red beam of light shined down from on the crowd Die’s side of the stage. Still desperately trying to get closer, the fans cheered, arms in the air and pounding like a heart-beat as they yelled, “Hey, hey, hey!”

Kyo moved forward and immediately the room went silent, giving way to “Gaika, Chinmoku Ga Nemuru Koro.” Kyo’s demonic gurgle filled the venue and the guitars sped away. All hands in the air, the fans frantically shook their hands in time with the tune. As Kyo sang the chorus, he encouraged them to sing along: “Nozomarenai. Ai demo nai…” As one, the voices of the crowd filled the venue.

The heavy songs continued with “Lie Buried with a Vengeance,” Kyo screaming “Tobe!” (jump) and prodding “Ikeru ka?” (Can you go on?) over and over, the fans responding immediately. Amid the heat, it was time for Kyo to unzip his leather jacket to reveal his bare torso as rejoicing fans shouted hysterically. The following songs needed no introductions, “Stuck Man” and “Bugaboo” from the album Uroboros allowing the musicians to interact with the fans and show off their abilities. “Bugaboo” was visually stunning with lit candles and a red light from beneath Kyo the only illumination in the room creating a hellish atmosphere encouraged by the sound of wind and inhuman cries filling the air. Kyo began praying as if to ward off the devil. The metallic background of equipment and lighting created a holocaust landscape, the metallic ruins of a destroyed city and the marching of soldiers welcoming “Deity.”

By the time “Merciless Cult” started, the crowd was beyond hyper and Kyo signaled the end of the warm-up period by taking off his jacket. The head-banging was intoxicating and the crowd sang the chorus in one voice reaching to heaven—or perhaps hell.  Recently bare-chested, it was time for some Kyo-style dancing with “Rotting Root.” When the song ended, the vocalist, who hadn’t stepped on his platform for the whole number, finally did so. The room immediately went silent and a church-like tune filled the venue.  Kyo kneeled down, a red beam of light hitting him from behind. Smoke crawled from beyond, obscuring the stage-floor as he started his solo.

Seemingly alone atop a hill and calling up the heavens from hell, Kyo cried and screamed, a kaleidoscope of emotions ensnaring the venue. The crowd appeared to sustain its breath so as not to disturb the prayer. For those following DIR EN GREY since the release of their first album Gauze, this was probably the highlight of the night: “Mazohyst of decadence.” A dreadful scream filled the air, blending with the bloody red lights. Shinya sped off, arms flying effortlessly over the drum-kit. As smoke cascaded down the walls, a white wave encompassing the floor, in came Kaoru’s distorted guitar. Throughout, Kyo’s voice was flawless and the performance hauntingly beautiful, reminiscent of the old DIR EN GREY but with the strength and confidence of the present.

Green lasers welcomed another old favorite – “HYDRA -666-” during which the lights went wild and so did the fans, screaming along. Die and Toshiya never stopped head-banging, showing great energy. “AGITATED SCREAMS OF MAGGOTS” and “REIKETSU NARISEBA” were the last two songs and the crowd moved simultaneously, more than familiar with the songs and proving to have no problem singing them. Shinya’s performance was flawless as he moved gracefully over his drums. With the conclusion of the last song, the band thanked the crowd, throwing picks and towels before leaving the stage. First Kyo, then Kaoru, Toshiya, Shinya and finally Die left behind a hysterical crowd.

Immediately they demanded an encore and the security personnel made smart use of this break to check for any casualties. The fans didn’t have to wait long before the band returned. With electric green lights reflecting off the massive disco ball on the ceiling, Studio Coast seemed to again become Ageha (invoking the venue’s alternate use as a night club hosting). Red lights popped out from behind the stage, cycling on and off with the music and illuminating the crowd who cheered for the band, screaming “Oi! Oi! Oi!” but this was not enough for Kyo and he encouraged the fans to shout even louder. “Ikeru ka!?” he screamed. (Are you ready for more!?) He elaborated on the theme, the fans responded with a massive roar as Kyo bent his knees, back forming an arch, and shouted “Koe agattekoi yo!” (Raise your voices!) He shouted for the women and was greeted by loud female voices, then for the men who responded in turn.

“Rasetsukoku” took off and whilst everyone cheered Die, Toshiya, and Kaoru took the cue to move around the stage, interacting with the over-excited fans. This was followed up by another old favorite, “Saku.” The crowd now bent back and forth with the music, shadowing the band. Jumping commenced with “The IID Empire” and Kaoru took the spotlight with an energetic performance constantly head banging to the music. As the show approached its end, another old favorite emerged with a twist, the new version of “Zan.” The show ended with “Hageshisa To, Kono Mune No Naka De Karamitsuita Shakunetsu No Yami,” which was welcome enthusiastically. The voices of the singing fans rose up and as the song reached its end and the band surrounded Shinya for the last chords of the night.

The crowd cheered and clapped for over five minutes as the members one by one said their last goodbyes to the crowd, throwing tour t-shirts, towels, drum sticks, picks, and water bottles to thrilled recipients. It was an amazing end to the tour, leaving the fans in high anticipation of following performances.

Set List

Opening: SA BIR

1. Conceived Sorrow
2. Lotus
3. Obscure
4. Gaika, Chinmoku ga Nemuru Koro
5. Lie Buried with a Vengeance
6. Stuck Man
7. Bugaboo
8. Deity
9. Merciless Cut
10. Rotting Root
11. Mazohyst of Decadence
12. Hydra 666
13. Beautiful Dirt
14. Agitated Screams of Maggots
15. Reiketsu Nariseba

Encore

1. Rasetsukoku
2. Saku
3. The IIID Empire
4. Zan20 Hageshisa To, Kono Mune No Naka De Karamitsuita Shakunetsu No Yami