Amaterasu at HOLIDAY SHINJUKU

As Amaterasu’s instrumentals played in the hall, The HOLIDAY SHINJUKU slowly filled with a cheerful crowd of a couple of hundred people, anticipating the long awaited oneman of Daishi’s solo project. There were mainly girls in their twenties, but some older women and men could be seen amongst them, as the band seems to attract a very diverse audience.

After a little delay, the show started and some ethic style introduction music began to play, the audience started clapping along to it with enthusiasm. The three support members, dressed quite simply in black came out on stage and stood at the front. They then put their hands together in front of their chests and bowed theatrically. Daishi came out last, dressed in his usual white costume which incorperated elements of traditional armor. He then gestured, opening his arms widely to greet the hall. The first song hi no kuni kicked off powerfully, the public shook their fists in the air and headbanged before glittering confetti shot out into the audience, hiding them in a cloud of sparkling silver. Daishi fluently switched between playing guitar and singing, never once forgetting to interract with the audience. The second song was Takamagahara, in which, as with most songs, Daishi’s voice was distorted by heavy sound effects, but in other parts sounded smooth and mezmerizing. An MC followed in which Daishi greeted the audience, welcoming everyone to the show.

aya followed, during the song Daishi concentrated on playing his guitar showing amazing skill. The catchy rhythms and positive melodies of this song did not leave anyone untouched and Daishi’s glowing smile pierced the darkness of the hall. Following was the energetic haja and the audience once again was headbanging and shaking their fists vigorously as Daishi shot fearsome looks at them and moved around the stage dynamically. The next song was slower, beautiful and atmospheric ubumitama had flowing melodies that almost sent the listeners in a state of hypnosis. Daishi showed that not only is he a guitar genius, but is also a very talented singer who can touch people’s hearts with his deep, smooth voice.

For kagerou Daishi took off his guitar and concentrated on singing, which gave him more freedom of movement – he headbanged together with the support members. He span around the stage during this dark song sending waves of movement through the audience. During marogare, Daishi and the support members performed rehearsed choreography, moving from one side of the stage to another. As the support guitarist played another one of his great solos, Daishi flirted with the support bassist jokingly, and the excited audience jumped with wide smiles on their faces. As the song ended, Daishi thanked the audience and all the members left the stage.

As the SE played, Daishi’s recorded voice could be heard introducing the support drummer ISAMU. He came out on stage and performed a lengthy solo. He started slowly but then he started to play with gradually increasing speed and complexity. As ISAMU finished his amazing show, the audience exploded with ovations. Next it was the turn of the support guitarist YOU, who graciously played a whole song-long complex solo without a single audible fault. He also impressed the audience with his stage presence. Next Daishi’s voice announced the appearance of the support bassist KEN, whose solo seemed not overly complex, but very atmospheric and the vibrating, dark sound of his bass got right under one’s skin.

Finally came Daishi himself, playing a number of different solos, which again sounded more like whole songs of incredible complexity. As he played, Daishi took time to smile and make eye-contact with the audience, not failing to amaze the public with his great skills. When the applause quieted down, Daishi one by one introduced his support members, especially teasing the bassist KEN. He then talked about their projects outside of Amaterasu, amusing both the audience and the support members with his charismatic chatter.

Daishi then changed to a serious tone introducing the next song, that he said was connected to his memories. The slow and beautiful Toki no kizuna set the whole hall into silence, and without the usual sound effects over the leader’s voice it was very moving. Daishi talked more about his feelings in the next MC, and the mood changed for the powerful kibou ga oka, to which the audience followed the musicians in jumping and dancing, imitating the moves that Daishi was showing on stage. The powerful atmosphere with jumping and headbanging continued throughout gou and the temperature in the hall seemed to be getting hotter with every passing minute.

An MC interrupted the flow of the show for a very special piece of information. Earlier this year Daishi mentioned his plans on forming a new band full of good looking young men. Then finally he made the official announcement was made. Daishi’s new band MaitoreiA (the name of which Daishi theatrically presented to the public, written on a scroll a roadie carried out), is due to have their first two onemans at the Meguro Rockmaykan on February 13th and 14th. With this happy news in mind the audience was even more enthusiastic for the following song ouma, jumping up high as Daishi danced on the stage looking very content. The energetic waves of headbanging continued throughout guren, although with a more darker, sinister atmosphere. As the last song was announced, the musicians encouraged the public to scream, which they did with great pleasure. Everyone then clapped and danced to their heart’s content. To end the live, the band and the audience parted with a high jump together. Amaterasu, in their traditional gesture, put their hands together and bowed to the audience, and slowly left the stage.

Soon the audience started to clap their hands and scream for Daishi and a while later the band came out again. Daishi, who thanked the audience for calling them back. He had changed backstage into a beautiful traditional Japanese costume of black and gold. For the encore they played the fast-paced Natural Selection, and the audience screamed as KEN, YOU and Daishi assembled in the centre of the stage. They played with lively smiles on their faces and it was plain to see that they were visibly enjoying themselves. As the song finished, Daishi once again thanked the audience and the band left the stage. The audience started screaming for an encore again and soon the musicians reappeared on stage. Daishi talked about the band and said that he is happy that he did not give up and continued Amaterasu on his own. He then introduced and thanked the support members, who seemed to be very important to him once again. They promised each other to meet in a live once again after they have gone a level up and had a big musical battle.

On this final happy note the band proceeded to play shinrabanshou, the last song of the evening, "To unite with everybody" as Daishi said. Once again, silver glittering confetti shot up into the air, and the audience all as one sang along loudly to the melodic song. Everyone both onstage and in the audience happy and satisfied. Daishi thanked all the fans and the band members for their support before giving everyone on stage hugs. He then waved to the crowd, he seemed obviously unwilling to leave. Putting an end to the show once again the musicians bowed to the audience, who in return bowed back to the band.

As Daishi is starting his new band, this was the last oneman of Amaterasu before they begin a pause of their activities. But with his impressive musical skills, enchanting stage performance and powerful charisma Daishi was able to touch and move deeply so many hearts. He put smiles on to so many faces that no matter how long their pause will last, Amaterasu will not be forgotten.


Set list:

Hi no kuni
Takamagahara
~MC~
Aya
Haja
Ubumitama (2nd cut)
~SE~
Kagerou
Marogare
~SE~
Drum solo
~SE~
Guitar solo
~SE~
Bass solo
~SE~
Daishi solo
Member introduction
Toki no kizuna
~MC~
Kibou ga oka
Gou
~MC~
Ouma
Guren
JESUS CLEANSING

En1:
Natural Selection
En2:
Shinrabanshou