So, somehow I’m back in Japan after 4–5 months. Basically, the third time in a year. This time, all alone.
Unfortunately, it’s not a vacation since I need to work, so my whole schedule looks like this: work, visual kei gig, work, sleep, repeat. With a couple of exceptions, but overall, that was the plan from the very beginning.
Anyways, as usual, the first day was a huge rush - checking in, metro, and straight to the venue.
08.08 - Karisome / Kuroneko / Tzkwym / Blaze / Snow Smile @ Ikebukuro BlackHole
First were Karisome. I like them quite a bit since their compositions are not as straightforward as those of many newer bands. I can’t say much other than that they didn’t disappoint. Would I go, for example, to their one-man if I had a chance? Not really.
The second were Kuroneko. Last year I had high hopes for them and thought they could grow nicely. But it is what it is, and they are disbanding soon. And they were as good as I expected. I liked the fact that they played a couple of songs from the beginning of their career. I hope the guys form something new that is as decent as Kuroneko.
Then came Tzkwym.
Let me preface this by saying I love Mejibray.
The whole review could be summarized like this - shitting on a plate and serving it to customers in a restaurant makes more sense than what I saw today, because the plate thing is at least a performance. Weak and shitty, but still. This was an abomination. That was pathetic.
If you read above, you could see my hate for Kakumay, whom I considered the worst VK gig I attended. Tzkwym takes first place now.
He is a terrible musician. He is amazing as a vocalist and performer in the right context - both in Mejibray and Drugs. But on his own, or in a setting where he is the driving force - gosh, it’s bad.
What he is doing here is not art. I simply don’t understand such a low level of self-awareness. And the same goes for the ~20 fans who adored him during his set.
At least with Kakumay and bands like Revaless or CHAOSS, you understand what they are trying to do - it’s just bad from the composition side of things and live performance. This… I don’t know.
How the mighty have fallen.
Like, come on - how can you perform karaoke with MIDI drums and guitars? Do you not have 10 euros for proper guitar and drum plugins for Guitar Pro, or wherever you write music?
As for the fans of this - I understand idolizing musicians. But vibing to literal shit is doing a disservice to the artist, because he sees that there’s a response and continues doing the same thing.
Do I recommend seeing Tzkwym? Yes.
It is an experience. You have to see this.
Then Blaze. It’s my third time seeing them, and they are as pleasant as ever. Mio controls his voice better with each gig I see them. And he even tries to stay within his range more often than not - good for him and his vocal cords.
And lastly, Snow Smile. I didn’t have high hopes going in, and in the end I can say there’s potential. So we shall see.
So, that’s the first day.
Two more weeks to go.