After announcing the release of their first major mini-album Abyss, Matenrou Opera graced fans with a preview at a fan club-only live on November 4th.
The night was cold but fans waited patiently for the opportunity to see the band and for the prospect of listening first hand to some of their new songs. People started arriving at O-West before the live was scheduled to start as the band announced they would be selling exclusive “cheki” before the live. Despite the large percentage of men in the crowd, high pitched screams rocked the venue as the lights went up, revealing a simple stage decorated with Matenrou Opera’s logo.
The crowd went wild cheering loudly as the band members appeared on stage one by one, revealing their outfits for the new album. yuu was the first, followed by anzi, ayame and you. The crowd got louder and louder, and when Sono made his entrance all hands were in the air and euphoric cheers filled the room.
The first song of the night was Independent, a song from the new album. The guitar solo was one of the highlights of this new song as anzi’s amazing guitar skills, his confidence and ease on stage got him extremely positive reactions from the crowd. No one could hide their enthusiasm as anzi threw his guitar around his body like a hula-hoop without loosing track of the song. ayame also did a great job interacting with the crowd, a smile always on his face.
As the first song ended, the excited audience cheered loudly. sono welcomed the fans, thanked them for their support and reminded everyone that it had been two months since their Last Indies live. The interaction between the band and their fans was very warm as the band seemed to put great effort in pleasing them.
As the atmosphere heated up, it was time for Denno Paranoia. Everyone jumped along to the rhythm, and it was now you’s time for to shine, his incredible bass playing skills leaving the fans in awe. yuu also showed non-stop energy, headbanging intensely and smiling continuously. Lawn Daisy was the third song of the night, allowing sono to show off his amazing vocal control. anzi’s intense guitar performance made way for the next song, Sexual Entrapment. As this harder song started, the band members seemed to get even more excited. you immediately moved forward to approach the delighted fans. ayame also showed great energy, interacting with the fans who seemed thrilled when anzi approached him and both started paying together.
For the next short MC, the band thanked everyone for their support and introduced the new song coal tar. The light grew brighter and brighter until only figures could be seen on stage. This powerful ballad was amazingly performed and the light show matched perfectly the song, conveying an array of contrasting feelings. The calmer parts were accompanied by blue lights, which alternated with deep red lights as the song grew heavier. sono’s performance was spectacular, blending perfectly with the guitar and bass.
When the song ended, applause filled the room. It was time for the new instrumental song Finale…. . As the lights dimmed, sono left the stage and ayame started his piano solo, accompanied by a female voice in the background. As blue light filled the stage, anzi moved forward, his white nails seeming to fly over his guitar strings – it was time for the guitar to sing. A green light flooded the stage as soon as sono returned. It was time for an old favorite: ANOMIE. anzi and you moved forward, getting closer to the fans who respond with cheers. The music became harder and everyone started jumping. Ayame, now with his portable keyboard, moved closer to yuu, who headbanged to the music and smiled excitedly. anzi seemed to be having a great time and used the opportunity to again throw his guitar around his body again in a move his fans had gotten used to by now.
With the audience on fire, it was time for Hiai to Melancholy. When the song began, everyone already had their towels and hands in the air. The band encouraged the fans to sing, and they were more than happy to comply. As anzi moved to the center of the stage for his guitar solo, he knelt down so fans could reach for him, and female voices filled the room. anzi rewarded the audience with a smile before moving to ayame’s side of the stage, playing with his guitar behind his head and never missing a note.
For the next MC, sono jokingly asked the fans if he was the only one sweating. He then talked about some of the events the band will be holding in the near future, including handshake events to promote the new album. “Do you like handshake events?” sono asked, and a male voice shouted “Yes!” sono continued, “Would you like a handshake event today?” The crowd shouted a thunderous “YES!" and sono replied, “Well, there will be a surprise handshake event after the live today, I hope you enjoy it!"
“We would like to play another song from the new album, we hope you like it,” said sono, introducing Mou hitori no hanayome. As the song began, gentle purple lights illuminated sono and ayame. Once again, sono’s vocal range was impressive. As Eternal Symphony started, anzi and ayame raised their arms. Fast guitar playing and powerful drums filled the room, and the audience couldn’t contain their excitement as the band members moved around on stage, interacting with the fans. anzi seemed particularly happy, singing along and showing a big smile before throwing a pick into the crowd.
The atmosphere was euphoric when the band began playing alkaloid showcase. sono started jumping and the crowd soon followed. yuu was very energetic, and both ayame and you used the opportunity to change sides and interact with the fans. sono’s performance was flawless, and he was able to convey a lot of emotion on stage. The song came to an end, leaving the fans screaming for more, but the band members left the stage one by one. Immediately, the crowd started screaming "encore!" and the band returned shortly after.
yuu, ayame and anzi were the first ones to come back on stage, holding hands and smiling vibrantly. anzi encouraged everyone to scream even louder, and they happily complied. An oblivious yuu was caught off guard as sono suddenly began singing happy birthday. yuu seemed extremely surprised as he contemplated the birthday cake displaying "Dragon Ball" and "One Piece" anime characters. He looked in all directions as if asking for help while the fans cheered “happy birthday!” sono encouraged yuu to come to the front of the stage and say something, but yuu held on to his own mic and from his stand thanked the fans and the band for their kindness and support.
As the live drew to a close, sono announced the last song of the night, honey drop. The fans were ecstatic and immediately started jumping with the band. sono approached the fans, and as he ran his hand down his body, euphoric female screams filled the venue. With everyone still screaming, he reached out to touch the fans' outstretched hands. At the end of the show, sono jumped off stage and greeted audience members from one side of the stage to the other, touching hands and smiling gently at everyone. Sweaty, happy faces beamed as the band finally left the stage, and vibrant cheering filled the room when a giant screen appeared to show the band’s new PV for the song Mou hitori no hanayome.
The live left everyone wishing for more and looking forward to the release of Abyss on December 22nd. Many will surely see the band again at next year’s tour!
Set list:
SE
01. INDEPENDENT
MC
02. Denno Paranoia
03. Lawn Daisy
04. Sexual Entrapment
MC
05. coal tar
06. Finale…
07. ANOMIE
08. Hiai to Melancholy
MC
09. Mou hitori no hanayome
10. Eternal Symphony
11. Alkaloid showcase
EN 01. honey drop
PV Mou hitori no hanayome
