lynch. TOUR’11 [THE BELIEF IN MYSELF] TOUR FINAL ~un ombra~

Un ombra – Italian for “One Shadow” – was the title for the September 3rd show. Black and white took over the hall with the fans' black and white t-shirts mirroring the stage – white walls contrasting with the black instruments and black floors. The intro echoed throughout the venue and immediately the crowd started moving and clapping. Under red lights smoke invaded the stage making it difficult to see the member’s faces as they stepped on stage – like shadows indeed, lynch. made their entrance illuminated by the twirling dim light of a small mirror-ball-moon.

The show started with the classic LAST NITE, the crowd diving right into the music. Licking his lips teasingly as he swayed to the beat, vocalist Hazuki set the pace for the human wave in front of him. Responding to the vocalist’s silent request, the crowd pumped their arms in the air and held their hands high under the shining moon. I’m sick, b’cuz luv u. brought with it heavy head banging, the audience joining their voices singing the chorus line “I just hate myself because I love you!” in a visually strong performance.

Red fell on the crowd for I BELIVE IN ME, the stage covered in flashing white, as Hazuki head banged earnestly with the crowd. Behind his drum set Asanao set the beat, guitarist Yusuke and bassist Akinori thrashing their heads to the drums. With his trademark coolness, Reo moved to the front, legs wide apart as he delivered a potent guitar solo. The heat was palpable, causing Hazuki to get rid of his heavy leather jacket as he got ready for JUDGEMENT. The band gave all they had, interacting with the crowd and encouraging them to shout and pump their arms in the air.

For the night’s first MC, the vocalist yelled out with a smile, “Hi, Tokyo!” An earsplitting roar filled the venue as fans welcomed the band. “Thank you for coming and let’s make our heat reach the second floor!” he said teasingly, noting the lack of movement on said second floor as it was reserved for press and guests, who unlike the crowd kept unbearably still. “I apologize to the press!” he added with a –not so heart-felt – apology as an amused grin flashed on his face.

STARZ and MARROW brought with them more yelling and head banging. Asanao’s vigorous drum solo was contagious, Hazuki thrashing his head to the beat as he swirled around stage adopting flirtatious poses. With unending energy Yusuke jumped around in a trance, never neglecting his performance. The spinning didn’t die and minus turned plus for -273.15°C. The only reminiscence of freezing cold was the lights show, with a wave of purplish and white that turned crimson for the heavier parts of the song.

The light show that accompanied LIE left a trail of roses all over the floor and made the transition for BEFORE YOU KNOW IT very smooth. Silence embraced the venue as white waves of smoke floated across the floor, transforming the stage into a moon-lit seashore. The drum beat was reminiscent of a heart beat and Hazuki emphasized the melancholic lyrics with every gesture as he let the words escape his mouth in a painful cry. With his hair dripping from the intense performance he dove into another ballad – THIS COMA. Sweet melancholy gave way to choleric red in a well accomplished transition.

Intense guitars and fiery drums opened the path for head banging in quarter life. The stage turned into the depths of hell, blood red lights flashing brightly in time with the furious growls. Throughout the whole show Hazuki’s voice was flawless and his energy contagious, the other members keeping up with him musically despite sometimes fading in the back next to the ever moving vocalist.

SCARLET took off with cool guitars that encouraged pumping fists. Between deafening growls the vocalist demanded more while Yusuke helped out with the back vocals. With their hands opened welcomingly, the audience embraced EVILLY. “Hey Tokyo! Lend me your voices!” Hazuki demanded before gracing the fans with a breathtaking dance during which he moved his hand slowly from his crotch to his chest – under the eyes of a speechless head banging crowd. Reo also appeared to be having a blast, throwing his head back as he played. Arms flashed up for the chorus as lynch. guided their head-bang-loving fans through an interesting choreography. Yusuke opened ALL THIS I’LL GIVE YOU with a well achieved solo. Reo seemed to be having a blast smiling and head banging contagiously. The head banging and jumping didn’t stop as the band introduced another old favorite, THE BLASTED BONE.

The heavy songs continued with TIAMAT following the frantic ALIEN TUNE. Yusuke commanded the crowd to do the choreographies, and to put all their energy and heart into the live. “Are you still alive?” Hazuki asked the crowd after a vociferous growl which ended the heavy song. The audience responded with pumping fists and more head banging. The transition from DAZZLE to pulse_ was very smooth, Yusuke and Hazuki giving all they had and demanding the same from the crowd. The zealous moshing and thrashing heads to Asanao’s unstoppable drums was the audience’s response.

With a yell the vocalist announced “Last!” Moving around, the band put all their energy into UNTIL I DIE. Adding to the atmosphere, the crowd pumped their fists in the air to shouts of “Hey! Hey! Hey!” The band left the stage under a roaring cheer, tired yet obviously pleased with the crowd reaction. Before the last men had walked out, the audience started demanding an encore. Showing neither signs of tiredness nor the will to leave so soon, they shouted “Encore!” like a mantra, not having to wait long before the five men returned.

Smiling, Hazuki thanked the fans for their support and energy. “I’m sorry but I’ll speak like I usually do – even though it’s BLITZ!” he stated with a grin. “I was a little worried about having the two day show!” he confessed before announcing the release of the band’s first major single. “It will include three songs! We have been recording and if we can do everything on time, we will release it on November 9th! And since you guys like tours we have a winter one in which we will cover seven cities!” The crowd cheered with every announcement until the vocalist found himself with nothing else to say. “Hey! Help me out!” he asked the band as he turned around for rescue, but to no avail.

Saving Hazuki from the long MC, melt brought back the bead banging. Reo helped with the chorus while the vocalist jumped energetically with the crowd. No introductions were necessary as ADORE started. In a trance, the crowd thrashed heads and pumped fists, shouting in unison to the song. The show approached the climax with unknown lost a beauty, and with BLITZ on fire, lynch. announced the last song - A GLEAM IN EYE. Diving right into the song, the band and audience sang along with Hazuki while pumping fists and moving to the beat.

Throwing water bottles, picks and waving in appreciation, the band said their goodbyes with the promise of many more fiery performances to come. We look forward to the upcoming single and the band’s future shows!


Set list

SE
LAST NITE
I’m sick, b’cuz luv u.
I BELIEVE IN ME
JUDGEMENT
STARZ
MARROW
-273.15°C
LIE
BEFORE YOU KNOW IT
THIS COMA
quarter life
SCARLET
EVILLY
ALL THIS I’LL GIVE YOU
THE BLASTED BONE
ALIEN TUNE
TIAMAT
DAZZLE
pulse_
UNTIL I DIE

ENCORE
E 1 – melt
E2 – ADORE
E3 – unknown lost a beauty
E4 – A GLEAM IN EYE