X Japan: Night of Destruction
I didn't want to write an entry yesterday because the concert ended on a note that wasn't extremely pleasant, I got home really late, missing my last train I had to take a cab. Pretty much crashed as soon as I got back.
As many would already know, Yoshiki collapsed into the drumset after a good deal of Art of Life. It's not the full 30min version, probably ended somewhere before he was supposed to go on to the piano.
I reached Tokyo Dome at 2+pm.
At the ticket pick up I saw someone I knew, so I smiled and was about to wave hi when she caught my eyes, glared daggers and then looked away. I probably grew a dozen question marks out of my head but for certain had a feeling that it wasn't going to be a great day.
Long story short, the gig was delayed by 2+hours and started around 8.30pm. I stood for about 6+ hours of waiting in bleak wind, an empty stomach, and a freezing drizzle.
I'm sure enough people have reviewed and talked about the set, so I'd go to the end. I dare say the final collapse wasn't the intention to end the concert. There's a word going around that it's confirmed Art of Life was the last song on the set, but they didn't finish playing.
I was skeptical when one of the model agencies I visited told me that there would be a fashion show at the X Japan concert. I was like, really? He laughed. I turned around and said, right, you were kidding, and I actually believed you. Just because I believe people easily, such jokes are not funny. Then he went on trying to convince me he said the truth, in laughter. How could I believe something like that?
Later on the 27th I received an email from a major fashion magazine's chief editor saying she would be at 28th concert for the h.Naoto show.
I think it's a bit early for April Fool's joke to be cracked by different people at the same time for the same event. Unless they all just wanted to pull my legs only because of how serious I was when explaining the main reason I am in Tokyo this time was for X Japan.
So, when h.Naoto really showed today, I think it's safe to assume that it was supposed to be yesterday, or all 3 days...
It wasn't a terrible night, in fact, after the curtains dropped, Rusty Nail was so epic I could feel it. The abrupt ending just didn't leave a good taste...
X Japan: Night of Madness
My ears are ringing from the aftermath of tonight's concert. It hasn't happened since I stopped jamming years ago.
It almost started on time today. Commendable.
There wasn't any trashing of drums. I'm totally happy about that.
I was seated in the 3rd row in block B-13, I could see the stage. Awesome.
Most songs were the same as yesterday, but it's totally different being able to see Toshi running on the stage as compared to having to look at the screens. A lot more touching being able to see them when Without You was sung.
I was a little sad there wasn't Silent Jealousy today. It holds some memories to me, as much as I am over it.
Someone a few rows behind me in my block was fortunate enough to get Yoshiki's drumstick after it flew over my head, ah well.
The encore was a long deal, probably to make up for yesterday.
h.Naoto any day is a bonus.
After the Violet UK/h.Naoto's opening for encore, it was an extremely long drum solo.
Yoshiki double-paddled nonstop for a very, very long time. Even when he turned around to play the keyboards he was still double-paddling. I feared that he would collapse from exhaustion and fall off the platform, which was raised dozen meters high into the middle of everything in the center of Tokyo Dome.
But he played, and played.
It didn't make sense to me, but it was grand.
At that point of time I realized the impact of it all, the experience from watching a live up close.
Where Yoshiki was, what Yoshiki was, was screaming to be worshipped. I mean it no lesser than the word's exact meaning.
And then there were Tears, World Anthem, and X.
I like Sugizo, I love his presence on stage. (Random note, Heath reminds me so much of the early days of Toshiya diru it's not even funny.) I'm not big on the idea of using western guitarists, whether it's someone I like or not. I just don't like it... It was like tainting something holy, sacrilegious. I didn't habour any negative feelings when the rumours were spreading but suddenly when I saw it unfold before me I was upset before I even realized it.
I have mixed feeling about using Hide's images so much, but I don't wanna debate about it, so let's not.
Both nights, yes, the vocals certainly strained in some songs, but I find Toshi's voice more refined than before.
Yes, Yoshiki wasn't perfect on the piano, but I could feel from his playing. And that is enough for me for the experience.
Really really tired, I'd not been so worn out from photoshoots before, then again I hardly have to do them for consecutive days, and the way I'd been living here's totally taking a toil on my body.
Will probably post some photos after tomorrow's concert.
I know this entry is totally fragmented, but I don't feel like pouring out my feelings about how I felt about each and every song for a review, alas, my talent does not lie in writing. XD