The powerful quintet from Niigata celebrated their second one-man with an atmospheric and feverish live in Shibuya
-OZ-, the aggressive rock group on the Loop Ash label, had the intimate Shibuya Boxx venue packed to its bursting point; their fans eagerly expected their first one-man of the year. As the live opened to a pounding SE, the crowd punched the air enthusiastically, and as each member arrived on stage, they held up a lighter. The almost ritualistic opening created a fantastic and spooky atmosphere that became a roar of music as the band began to play Venom.
It was powerful from the outset with fan headbanging hard while Natsuki's guttural primeval screams cut through the guitars. The following song had a slight pop sensibility to it, with a catchy melody driven by guitarist Aki's rousing riff. "Tonight, let's go to the end!" screamed Natsuki as Zenith began. The crowd chanted along with zeal, Natsuki encouraging them with shouts of "More! More!" He was quite an intimidating sight, a tall figure roaring beneath the eerie green lighting. He unleashed a powerful scream in a moment of darkened silence before leading a fury of headbanging from the largely female audience. He had a magnetic hold over his crowd, causing a surge as he called them to him before speed metal drumming opened Cry the Crime. It was a song that showcased the variety in -OZ-'s repertoire, with interesting punk vocals and dreamy guitars marking the interlude before the return to raw and unleashed energy.
The first break was short and simple, only long enough for a quick drink before the band resumed the show with Clover. This was followed by the slightly softer Colors and fade, with a deep bass line prominent throughout the latter and lighter guitars floating over the top of the rather lovely song. The ensuing SE began as dulcet music box notes, but they quickly became a mesh of industrial noise, marking the transition back to a more aggressive -OZ-.
Perfect Ruler brought back thunderous drumming. It was a polished composition, with a good balance and smooth transitions between moments of quiet, utter chaos and creepy whispers in the interim. Next up, Raze seemed even more ferocious than the songs before. Natsuki's screams varied wildly between low and high pitches as he motioned wildly to the crowd, encouraging them to move. The audience headbanged in response, somehow keeping beat with Zukki's relentless drumming. The following, S.I.N, seemed to raise the atmosphere even further with a neat guitar solo from Aki and more passionate singing from Natsuki. In the slow, methodical roll of drums and guitars that began Resemblance, he swayed gently to the beat before bursting into life for a rousing call and response with the audience.
After a few more violent songs, NEVER [F] concluded the first half of the concert. It had a sweepingly grand, almost epic sound at times, with heartfelt wails from the vocalist in combination with confident guitar playing from Aki and Tama. The audience held their hands aloft as it ended, roaring their hearts out in appreciation for -OZ-.
The other members left, leaving Zukki alone on stage. He played a short but fun drum solo to a cyber-techno backing track, and the audience screamed his name between beats to encourage him. At the conclusion of the solo, bassist Nao returned, drawing more shouts from the crowd. He led the crowd to chant "oi oi oi" before picking up his bass to play along with Zukki. One by one, the members each appeared in this manner, gradually coming together to play the instrumental Genocide as everyone awaited Natsuki's return.
Upon his return, the band began with Nerve(less). Flashing green lights came together with the song for a powerful visual impact. "Let's go for the last bit! Show us your power, Tokyo!" shouted Natsuki before Shangri-la and Blot were played. The guitarists joined in for the screaming parts while Natsuki danced around in a slightly hip-hop style, and Nao encouraged the girls to make box-like signs with their thumbs and index fingers.
The three finale songs, Fetters, Enmity and Detox, brought the set to a powerful close. Enmity, extended by the repetition the main refrain, saw the most violent headbanging yet as the crowd gave it their all. The band members switched sides continuously, and each took a moment to stand in the spotlight on Natsuki's podium. Before Detox, Natsuki rallied the frenzied mob one last time: "Let`s go once more for the final one! Can you join us? In a really good voice everyone, shout!" Glow-sticks appeared suddenly, lighting the room in fluorescent yellow light. Even a few of the guests carried them and waved them along energetically to the music. It was a fun song, and as the crowd jumped with their glow-sticks, they appeared like field of fireflies.
The band left, but the audience was still unsatisfied, screaming loudly as they waved their glow-sticks. When the band reappeared, they wore their tour T-shirts. "The yellow glowing was an amazing sight, it was a very pretty scene to see everyone dancing," Natsuki told the audience during the encore. Each member took a turn to give their comments. Zukki mentioned how their fans were really passionate; Nao said how they had felt everyone's warm affection while on tour, and the livehouse was a really important place to them.
Speaking last, Natsuki introduced the first encore song, Misty. "That we have been able to introduce our music to everyone with our tour, we are sending this song to you with our sincere thanks." It was a pretty song, lighter than the norm, but it had a strong bass line and showcased Aki's talents well. Natsuki's vocals were particularly pop sounding in style. Athena, brought back the sea of hair for one last time. "Show me that wonderful scene once more," said Natsuki as hands were held aloft to the announcement of the song. It brought a fun, warm atmosphere to the livehouse once again.
The band members said their thanks and departed. Encore shouts began quickly but were silenced by the appearance of a screen that gave the announcements of a new one-man live and a new album. The crowd erupted into joyous screams and gave the band an even warmer welcome as they came back for one final song. Under pink lights, a long piano SE introduced Butterfly, played for the fans "with our love." The vocals were awesome, pitch-perfect and beautiful despite the apparent craziness all around. The crowd even got a chance to sing with a mini sing-along before the roaring, drum-roll finish.
Leaving the livehouse, the fans looked sweaty but happy, chattering in excited tones about the new announcements. -OZ- had certainly heated up Shibuya BOXX with their music and charisma.
Set list:
1. Venom
2. Public Speaker
3. Zenith
4. Cry the Crime
SE & MC
5. Clover
6. Colors
7. Fade
SE
8. Perfect Ruler
9. Raze
10. S.I.N
11. Resemblance
12. NEVER [F]
Drum solo
13. Genocide (instr)
14. Nerve(less)
15. Shangrila
16. Blot
17. Fetters
18. Enmity
19. Detox
Encore
20. Misty
21. Athena
Encore 2
22. Butterfly
