Versailles - "Rhapsody of the Darkness" Single

 The firt thing I did this morning was roll over in bed and grab my phone to buy the new Versailles single, "Rhapsody of the Darkness" off iTunes. I had moderately high expectations for the song - this being the single and all, I wasn't expecting that it was going to be one of the best songs on the album, but since we were told that this new song would have harpsichord and organ in it, which are like my favorite sounds EVER, I expected greater things from this than the average single. (Also I think the fact that the song title sounds like a rip-off of Rhapsody of Fire's band name subconsciously raised my expectations too, my being a huge Rhapsody fan and all ^_^). The release contains two songs, "Rhapsody of the Darkness" and "Illusion."


The single "Rhapsody of the Darkness" starts out with a baroque harpsichord intro with church organ behind it. Surprisingly, the use of those keyboard patches did not make them sound like a Malice Mizer rip-off (even though I would be secretly happy if it did XD), their use of harpsichord was much more baroque and rococo sounding, with more trills and flourishes, also more upbeat and less dark sounding than Malice Mizer and Moi Dix Mois. Actually, the harpsichord parts in this song remind me of Rhapsody's harpsichord parts on Symphony of Enchanted Lands, funny coincidence there... The harpsichord intro then transitions by means of a cascade of dual guitar runs into the main song. This song is very varied! It seems like Versailles has been in the mood recently for writing more experimental, epicly long songs with lots of different "movements" so to speak, and this is alongside those lines stylistically, even though it is only a 5 minute song. It alternates between an epic symphonic part with ominous vocals, a verse with heavy riffing behind it, and a straightforward chorus, with segments of neoclassical/progressive instrumental guitar harmonies strewn in between all those sections. Stylistically, it's nothing that Versailles hasn't done before, just some more of the same good stuff. I'd say the biggest difference from their old stuff is the harpsichord. In relation to their other songs, I'd say it's along the same lines of "Masquerade," not quite as epic, but still very much a symphonic progressive metal song. I thought "Masquerade" was just average when I first heard it, and then it eventually grew on me to be one of my favorite songs off Holy Grail - I think this song will grow on me as well, I'm already liking it more the more I listen to it!

"Illusion" was actually my favorite out of the two songs upon first listen. It's one of their more mellow pop-ish sounding songs, and it always cracks me up whenever Versailles writes songs like this since they're usually a metal band, but man, they're pretty good at this! It starts out with ambient electronic percussion, then goes into a rocking guitar riff, and they bring back the same electronic percussion again when the vocals come in. This song really showcases Hizaki and Teru's good guitar phrasing. Even though it is basically a pop/rock song, there is still intricate guitar work (as always, with Versailles), interesting bass lines, and some tasteful drum fills in here. I just think it has good composition and cohesion, everything just seems to work together really well in this song. I like it! We'll see if it stands the test of time though, sometimes I like these pop-ish songs better at first but then they get old and I like the more experimental ones better later... we'll see!

Overall, I am very pleased, I like these songs better than a lot of their last singles, so this is promising for their next album! The thing I am most displeased with, however, is the fact that this was a digital single. I mean, yes, it is cheaper than a physical single, and yes, I do actually get to hear it on the release date rather than having to wait for it to ship from Japan, but I just paid $3 for songs (or at least one song) that will be on the album anyways, basically I just bought it so I could hear it now. Oh well, seems like it'll be a while before their next album anyways, plus, for $3 I'd say it's worth it! 

Impromptu

The other day I took an impromptu trip to Oakland while on my way to do bridal registry shopping in Concord (because that's totally on the way, right?). I cursed my decision as traffic piled up in front of the tunnel. I sweated my body weight in sweat hiking up and down those hills on the hottest day of the year so far. But among the things I got out of this little escapade was this gem of a photo of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral that's just down the hill from my temple, which, surprisingly, I had never been to before. I was walking around the grounds doing my touristy thing, and I realized there's a certain majesty in holy places and things, even if they aren't your own, just knowing that someone holds it in such regard makes it magical. All the care and attention to detail put into holy buildings is awe inspiring. This place had a very distinct Mediterranean landscaping that made you forget you were in Northern California for a minute there. There were olive trees! Someday, I hope to have olive trees and fig trees in my yard, just so I can be that much more Italian. 

On a side note, how do you like the power of my new camera? It's less portable than my last one but it's good, I like it!

Connect the Circle

Today was such a niiiice day out! It made me think of summer. As we drove to church past the city pool and the now familiar hills around our block, it made me remember seeing this city for the first time at the tail end of summer, and how I saw the haphazard assortment of plants along our apartment fence and thought, yes, I'd like to live here. Funny how we have such associations with seasons, isn't it?
I remember back in Utah, when it started snowing and the car would smell a certain way from us tracking snow in and running the heat so much I would always get dreamy-eyed and nostalgic because remember? We started dating in the winter, and you would wear your trenchcoat and I thought that was hot.
Ah, good times...
I could have sworn I smelled jasmine today, too, when we were out on our walk. And I know it's not summer yet, but it made me think:
"Sweet days of summer, the jasmine's in bloom"...

Sakura Con 2012/Moi Dix Mois Concert

Last weekend I drove over 13 hours to go to Seattle, to accomplish one of my life goals: see Mana in real life. Last week I saw the man that I have looked up to for 10 years and always dreamt of meeting but never thought I would be able to. It was a miracle how everything just worked out, and was even better than I had anticipated. Before I left, I thought, what will be my life goal now, now that I'm going to see Mana-sama with Moi Dix Mois? And now my answer is: see them again! XD


So since the concert was at an anime convention, there were other events involving the band as well. First off there was a Question and Answer panel. I could recognize the line for this event by how many gothic lolitas there were wearing Moi Meme Moitie (Mana's brand clothing). There was a girl there cosplaying as Merveilles Mana, and I was cosplaying as Shiroi Mana, but other than that we were the only ones for this event. I had decided before coming up here that I was going to try and make new friends who liked Mana as well. The lady behind me in line was a mom saving a spot in line for her daughter, so I thought I'd talk to the girls in front of me. They were talking about Tetsu from Malice Mizer (old school!) so I thought I'd join in. They were really cool, none of them were dressed up but they all knew a lot about visual kei, liked a lot of the old school scene, and they all travel across the country seeing these band like Moi Dix Mois, D and Versailles. One girl had even come up from San Jose! As we sat down in the panel room, Matt kept teasing me the whole time as to what question I was gonna ask and embarrassing me. 

The band entered the room to "The Seventh Veil," first it was Hayato and I didn't recognize him in the hat, I was like, who is that? and then the rest of the members - they are so tall!!! The other Japanese bands I've seen live have all been way shorter than I had expected, and it was a little awkward. But K and Mana are like the tallest Japanese people I have ever seen in my life. They all wore their Dixieme Anniversaire outfits just like on their website, except Mana-sama had blue hair. I was sitting behind a tall dude (who was conveniently blocking my view of Mana-sama -_-*) so it was hard to see at times, but basically Mana did the whisper thing (whispering to K and having K speak for him) and K translated into English for the band and spoke when he could, but sometimes used an interpreter. For the most part, the band's English isn't very good... A lot of the questions asked were pretty typical, do you dress like this everyday (No), is Malice Mizer ever going to get together again (at the reunion show this year), etc,  but some were funny, they asked K if he were to cosplay who he would be and he said "Ryuk," from Deathnote - he would make such a good Ryuk! Lol. 
Matt asked what their favorite metal bands were: 
Sugiya: Queensryche
K: Slipknot
Mana: Slayer
Seth: the Beatles (?)
Hayato: Galneyrus 
And Mana made some kind of comment earlier about being influenced by Yngwie Malmsteen recently, yeah! Someone asked Seth about Art Cube and what it's like playing in 2 bands and he denies it! Said, "I only sing for Moi Dix Mois." I guess since he uses a different name in Art Cube he wants to keep the two identities separate. And Mana said his favorite thing about Seattle was being able to eat seafood and seaweed in America. XD 
Someone asked, "Describe the person next to you in one word": 
Sugiya about K: Ryuk
K about Mana: my boss
Mana about Seth: eyepatch
Seth about Hayato: tomboy
Hayato about Sugiya: drunk
Then someone asked about their beauty tips:
Sugiya and Hayato: beer
Mana: think love
Seth: eyepatch
Also at one point Mana was covering his face, and the girls next to me were saying, "He must have cracked a smile!" Hehe. Mana said the favorite song he's written thus far was "The Seventh Veil." He dodged a question on what color his hair would be next.  And that's about it as far as questions I remembered.


After that... autographs! I forgot to bring any of my albums so I had to make do with their guest page in the sakuracon booklet. I was so nervous. Seriously. But it was so great. First was Sugiya. When he saw me, he leaned back in his chair with an amused smile on his face and said, "Mana-sama!" (due to my cosplay) That made me really happy. I know these guys like, barely speak English, but he said that in such a way that it felt like there wasn't even a language barrier. Sugiya always seemed like the shy awkward one in the pictures and videos, but not so! He seemed super friendly and confident there. I don't remember anything about Hayato except that he was wearing a hat, and the  emblem on it was so intricate and cool looking I kept staring at it the whole time. Seth was really awesome looking, the feathers on his shirt and the tattoo under his lace sleeve looked really cool together. I told him that I was a fan of Art Cube too and he just kinda laughed it off, and avoide eye contact the whole time, so I wonder if he even understood me, poor guy. I basically told everyone thank you for coming to America, and shook their hands, and I told K that we drove up from California to see them, because I figured he knew he most English, but he didn't seem to know the right words to respond to that, and it was slightly awkward, derp. He has fangs! And they look so real, too! His one light contact really stands out compared to his other eye, too. Then... dun dun dun... Mana-sama himself. I was petrified. I slid my paper over, my brain not really comprehending everything at first, and I just said, "Hi Mana, thanks for coming to America," and just stood there, but then afraid that I would let this moment get away, I got my act together and told him, "I've always wanted to meet you". I have no idea if he understood me, I felt like I was talking in a vacuum, but I just wanted to tell him anyways. And of course Mana doesn't talk, which I was actually grateful for at this point, I just looked him in the eyes, and he looked back, and he shook my hand with both hands! Actually, more like held my hand, his movements are so delicate and careful. We were both wearing lace gloves and he was wearing hecka rings, probably 3 or 4 on each hand. He just stared at me intently and then nodded, (probably cause he's not allowed to smile, haha). And his makeup is amazing, I gave up right there on the spot of ever hoping that I'd be able to do my makeup like him. He was wearing lots of blue and white eyeshadow. It just... Yeah. I can't even. I felt like a kindergartener with crayon on my eyes compared to him. I waited for Matt to finish getting autographs, then I told him all excited as we were walking out, "Mana shook my hand with both hands!" which he ended up making fun of me for the rest of the trip. XD
So that was autographs. Somehow I was a little surprised that Mana was actually out there signing, because other bands I've seen NEVER have the entire band doing autographs, but I was really glad the whole band was there.


THEN we go to the vendor room and I'm just checking out their merch booth looking at a t shirt when, oh, there's people coming over, I look up to see who it is and jump back and almost have a heart attack, because it's Mana! And like, hecka security! The band was there walking around the vendor hall. I slowly scoot backwards out of the general area as Mana starts getting his picture taken in front of the booth, and I see him posing making the peace signs. XD And there were these loli girls following them around and watching them, and I stood there too for a while but then I felt awkward just standing there and walked around with Matt for a while. Then, we were at another booth, and security is telling us to clear out, and the band goes through and exits out of the hall, and I smile at them, and made eye contact with Mana! ...and of course he didn't smile back. >_< If there's one thing I was disappointed in about meeting him, it's that he never smiles! Like, seriously, never. But really, it was great, I am so happy. 


Concert. The concert was amazing! What a beautiful band. What great presentation and performance. Before they came on, they even played Goblin! I was really excited because it felt like we were being given the same sort of experience as fans in Japan, even though this was just at a convention in America. And then they came on stage to an instrumental track off D + Sect and there was fog and lights, and K's guitar against the fog looked like a scorpion, and Seth had feathers on his shoulder that were blowing in the fan and reminded me of Lord Darcia from Wolf's Rain, and Mana's tulle skirts looked really cool against the light. He is so tall! I kept staring at his shoes and marvelling at how he could strike those power stances with those platforms on. Hayato looks angry when he drums, but in a cool way. He wasn't wearing his hat during the live. His drum kit is a lot smaller than bands I'm used to seeing, but I couldn't take my eyes off him when he was playing the blast beats (I'm a sucker for extreme metal drumming!) Sugiya still moved the least out of anyone in the band, but he also looked cool in his costume - I remember looking at everyone on stage in their costumes and thinking, so this is what a visual kei concert it like. The band, the way they moved, everything was so graceful and dramatic and beautiful. They were SO professional, very polished. Their setlist went something like this: Seventh Veil first, then Metaphysical, Witchcraft, Divine Place, Sanctum Regnum, new song "Duree?", The Sect, Pendulum, Immortal Madness, Dead Scape, and Ange, and for the encore, Deus Ex Machina. They played everything I wanted to hear! I had really wanted them to play Metaphysical, so I screamed like crazy when that song came on. I had also wanted to hear Divine Place, and I had expected to start crying during that song but I didn't, I just stood there clutching my skirts and staring in awe. It was amazing. And Mana-sama's guitar solos- I normally don't like to scream during guitar solos, but I started screaming involuntarily. And everyone was screaming during Sugiya's bass solo, too. K was hilarious while explaining the Dix signs, maybe he wasn't trying to be, poor guy, but we were all giggling as we were doing them, and having lots of fun. This band was way better live than I had expected, their DVD's and live videos don't even compare! Seth blew me away. His hair, his presence, everything was amazing. His singing was amazing, I don't think he was off pitch at all. Him and Mana during Pendulum were doing these poses/interpretive dance thing (fanservice?) where Seth knelt down on one knee beside Mana and waved his hand in front of Mana's body, and Mana was doing some hand gestures as well - they looked like a sorcerer and sorceress out of a storybook, it was so magical! I think that's when I "got it," I finally got the vision of Moi Dix Mois, and their image in D+Sect as dark ages/medieval sorcerers, philosophers, and alchemists and stuff. And, I was so excited that they played a new song! I was really touched that they would play the new song for us in America. It's amazing! It's happier sounding, has a good mellow vocal line beginning than goes into this heavy power metally sounding riff and zomg I can't believe they played the new song for us! It sounded like the name was "Duree" (they pronounced it "doo-ray") or something, either way, something in French that I can't make out. And Mana's "surprise" that he was talking about on his blog earlier was that he came out with a video camera! Of course, I was jumping up and down like an idiot at that point. For the encore they played Deus Ex Machina, which isn't a song that I'm crazy about, but I know it's the song that Mana spins around to at the lives, so I was glad to see that, because spinning was only Mana's trademark for like, ALL of Malice Mizer. And this girl shouted "I love you Mana-sama!" during the show and a guy shouted right after her, "I love your legs!" XD (He WAS showing a lot of leg...) Also, he kisses his guitar picks before he throws them out. Mana was the last one to leave the stage both times, he would close his eyes, taking in all of our cheers, and went to the center of the stage and bowed. Before we even got to chanting for a second encore, Sakura Con started ushering us out because they were going to have a dance in that room. After the show, I only heard people saying good things about the show. It was amazing! Best show of my life. Now I keep waiting for Mana to come out with the next Digital Madousho (his fan magazine) so I can see pictures from this event. Amazing!
So yes, my next life goal: see them again! \m/

Footnote

I'm at a bit of a standstill when it comes to this blog. I think it has exhausted its previous purpose. I used to use it as a poetic and emotional outlet during my days of frustration during Utah winters and upper division college courses, and as a way to keep in touch with old friends. But now it seems these friends don't really post anymore, and I'm not quite as artistic as I used to be. So I'm a little lost, you'll probably see lots of randomness start to pop up here. 

Anyways, I just got back from the best vacation of my life in Seattle. I just saw the best concert of my life and got to meet the man that has been my biggest inspiration for 10 years. I was overwhelmed with love this past weekend. I still have yet to collect my thoughts and emotions. Report coming soon, I promise!