Matenrou Opera Abyss Tour Final

In the relatively large Akasaka Blitz, which holds about 1,200, the fans waited expectantly for Matenrou Opera’s first tour since their major debut in December 22, 2010. The banner with their signature logo was hung at the back of the stage, which glowed faintly with dim blue lights. The venue was starting to get packed and more of the fans' excited voices could be heard. As the hour approached, the venue lights dimmed, and at the same time a roar from the audience rose up.

Fans had their fists up, screaming the members' names at the top of their lungs, welcoming the members as they took to the stage one by one attired in black costumes. Drummer Yuu urged everybody to pump their fists more as vocalist Sono appeared at last. The lights became bright as the intro for the first song of the day, INDEPENDENT, came on. Right away, Sono shouted with his fist up, fueling the masses. Guitarist Anzi and bassist You’s heavy lines had the audience head-banging, pumping fists, and shouting. White light cast down on Anzi when he played his magnificent guitar solo, and the audiences savored it to the end. ANOMIE, the second song, very fast and heavy, had the fans jumping up and down with their hands in the air. Ayame was smiling and jumping with the fans, while You and Anzi were switching places and interacting with the fans, Sono showing off his brilliant vocals.

The lights dimmed once again, and fans shouted the members' names. Sono addressed the crowd, “Tokyo, I’m so glad to see you all! We thank you for coming today and being here for the final of our first major tour with us.” As he thanked the audience, they resumed with Dennou Paranoia. Colorful lights lit the stage as the audience jumped to the music. Sono’s high pitched vibrato was powerful, winning attention from the crowd and not to be left out, You’s spectacular play was another crowd-pleaser. Sono then started out Murder Scope, a very metal song, which had the audience head banging heavily, sometimes punching their fists in the air during the chorus. Anzi’s guitar line was smooth and flowing while Sono’s voice stood out perfectly in this song.

The audience also jumped to the music for Ruri iro de egaku niji. During the main melody, fans did the same choreography, waving their hands like a fan. Anzi came to the center to show off his brilliant solo. Yuu was striking the drum and singing delightedly to the melody. The lights then turned dark purple, and Double Clutch started right away with Ayame’s key performance. Sono started singing softly, vocals gradually becoming stronger as he reached the main melody. The fans pumped their fists up energetically through the end of the song. The group then proceeded to Mouhitori no hanayome, the intro starting with a beautiful keyboard melody. White light was cast down on Sono as he started singing the song flawlessly. Gradually the stage was lit with twirling red lights, giving it an illusionary atmosphere. Then for the end, the lights became bright again as the climax grew heavier with Anzi’s crying guitar.

The stage became dark again, this time with glowing blue lights which created a mystical atmosphere. Their first ballad of the day, Futari, then started. In the sereneness, Anzi’s acoustic guitar started quietly, accompanied by Yuu’s soft drum snare. Sono’s voice echoed through the quiet venue. Gradually, You and Ayame joined as the song grew stronger toward the main melody. Sono rang out his voice to the fullest, ending the song with a thank you to the audience. As the applause rose up, Sono left the stage and Finale… started. Blue lights cast down on Ayame as he played the intro with a female vocal background. Then it was Anzi’s turn. The lights changed from blue to orange as he played an amazing guitar chase of heaviness and calmness.

After applause from the audience, the venue was enveloped in red lights for Yuu’s drum solo. As soon as the other members left the stage, Yuu’s aggressive drumming had started. Very entertaining, he had a good chemistry with the audience. He would put his hand up in the air and the audience would scream his name out and clap to the drum rhythm. Screaming out, “Come on Akasaka!“, Yuu went right into the intro for the next song, frill. The other members came back on stage and right away Sono shouted “Tokyo!!” towards the audience, fueling them up. The crowd had their tour towels ready, jumping and spinning the towels in the air during the song. Delighted, You came to the front and played with a grin on his face, and Ayame danced to the song, entertaining the crowd. The lights dimmed and at once fans shouted out the members' names. Answering the calls, Sono started introducing the members one by one in the order of Yuu, You, Ayame, Anzi, and himself, also announcing he'd lost 6 kg of weight during this tour.

Hiai to Melancholy was the starter for the latter half of the live. The energy from the members could be felt from the stage. Sono went to the left side, Ayame on the opposite, Anzi and You in the center playing and interacting more with the audience. Fans answered them by pumping their fists energetically. Moving onto the heavy Sexual Entrapment, Anzi did an eye catching performance of swinging his guitar like a hoola hoop, awing the audience. When Sono sang a phrase the fans would follow suit and sing. Yuu was all smiles, striking the heavy rhythm as he gazed out over the audience pumping their fists. R came next, another heavy number with a good strong bass line, which You performed perfectly. Fans were head-banging and the members moved about the stage more, interacting with the audience. More activity could be seen in EVE, where both members and the fans clapped their hands in the air.

As the lights dimmed again, Sono spoke to the crowd: "Hey, are you all still ready for more? Guys ready for more!” From the audience, quite a lot of male voices shouted out in answer. “Girls ready for more!” More voices shouted out. Sono then called out, “Guys! You’re losing out to the girls!! Come on! Let’s go!” As the mass was triggered by Sono, fists went up at once when alkaloid showcase started. Very heavy, the strobe lights flashed constantly. Head-banging, jumping and air-punching fists were non-stop during the song, an amazing sight to see. Though out of breath, Sono made a comment before the last song of the main set: “This Abyss tour was very very fun, thanks to all of you as well as our staff who have supported us throughout this tour. I am fortunate to be able to sing in front of all of you. (After this tour), I know many are waiting for us everywhere. We will definitely tour again! Lastly, let us hear your voices. COCOON."

Yellow lights brightly lit the stage so that only the silhouettes of the members could be seen. The voice and the sound that came from Matenrou Opera were vibrant and alive. Sono sang with the fans as if reaching out to them. As the song repeated the main melody it became more and more energetic until the end. The members all thanked the audience and left the stage. Without a pause, the fans shouted for an encore repeatedly. After a while, the members came back on stage attired in the tour T’s with big smiles on their faces. Very delighted, Sono shouted, “Thanks for the encore! Are you guys still ready for more?” The audience replied with vigorous shouts and screams.

Kurenai, a cover of the legendary X JAPAN, started the first encore of the day. Intense strobe lights and the fast metal melody triggered headbanging and pumping fists. Anzi came to the center for his guitar solo which was breathtakingly awesome. Not to be outdone, Yuu performed a dynamic drum solo as well. “20 years, and Kurenai is still alive and brilliant," Sono said. "We are honored to cover this song. We, Matenrou Opera, have our own metal song. Can we do OUR metal song??” With that, Anzi’s heavy guitar and Yuu’s drum started Eternal Symphony. Silver tape confetti exploded from above, showering over the crowd. The song raced through as the fans pumped their fists enthusiastically.

The members left the stage once again, and came back with grey tour T-shirts. Before the encore the members each spoke about the tour. One of the impressive speeches was from Anzi who mentioned, "We are often asked why go major? I did not think it would be possible to change the Japanese music scene if we remained in the indies. Although the road might be tough ahead, we would like to someday realize a music scene with the kind of music we make hitting the top charts.” Lastly, Sono announced a 2-day event in May where the first day will be a live event, and the second day will be a fan club dinner event. He also announced a single release in July, which drew huge applause from the fans.

Soon after, honey drop started with Sono’s shouts, and the fans immediately started jumping to the music. The members moved about the stage actively, Ayame and Anzi played at the center while Sono stretched his hand out to the fans as they jumped to the fast paced music. Without any break they went on to the climax, Boukyaku Celluloid, where all the members moved about the stage interacting with the fans. Everybody was head-banging and for the end, the members all came to the center to perform. As the live came to an end, the lights became bright and from the crowd was a big applause and shouts of members' names rose up. The members went to both sides of the stage expressing gratitude to the fans, throwing picks and water bottles. Basking in the afterglow, the members held hands and bowed to the fans. As the band left the stage for good, the applause grew even louder.

Matenrou Opera’s first major tour had ended successfully. Expectations are high with releases and more lives coming up, and we can definitely anticipate more from this band in the future.


Set List:

1. INDEPENDENT
2. ANOMIE
3. Denno Paranoia
4. Murder Scope
5. Ruriiro de egaku niji
6. Double Clutch
7. Mouhitorino hanayome
8. Futari
9. Finale…
10. Drum SOLO
11. frill
12. Hiai to Melancholy
13. Sexual Entrapment
14. R
15. EVE
16. alkaloid showcase
17. COCOON
EN
1. Kurenai( X Japan cover)
2. Eternal Symphony
EN2
1. honey drop
2. Boukyaku Celluloid