In the packed venue of Makuhari Messe Event Hall, a clock ticked away at the time as VAMPS fans waited impatiently for the start of the UNDERWORLD tour final.
The live was scheduled to start at 5:06 PM but after 16:59 PM, the clock changed to 16:60 and multicolored spotlights fanned out across the venue as heavy electronic music blared out across the venue. The clock kept ticking out its otherworldly time until it got to 16:66 and then the numbers “666” grew larger as the crowd cheered and then the lights faded to total darkness.
The stage was set up with the impressive 3D projection of a sinister-looking castle that had been used throughout the tour. The castle had flames and crosses on its turrets and was looming over the crowd. The support members took the stage and to either side of the stage were actual police cars with their lights blaring and police tape crossed over the front of the stage, adding to the chaotic atmosphere. The screams grew louder as guitarist K.A.Z and vocalist HYDE made their appearance. The sky over the castle grew stormy and VAMPS flags began to fly.
“Are you fucking ready Bloodsuckers?!” screamed HYDE. He was wearing a dark hood that hid most of his face as the heavy introduction of “UNDERWORLD” began and the whole room began singing along and going wild. VAMPS were out for blood and there was only a brief second’s pause before they continued with “INSIDE OF ME” with HYDE singing into the megaphone. Bassist Ju-ken moved to stand on the hood of one of the police cars and was helping to keep the crowd fired up. HYDE began moving around the stage more, prowling back and forth while aggravating the police tape that still barred the edge of the stage.There was another break and HYDE got the fans hyped again by shouting, “Hey Bloodsuckers, welcome to hell!” The next song was “EVIL” and the venue was lit up by fireballs being blasted into the air creating a truly hellish atmosphere. Next was “BREAK FEE” after which, the police tape had been ripped down and the band was free to move around. K.A.Z jumped high into the air before ripping into the riffs for “DON’T HOLD BACK” as HYDE showed off even more of his impressive vocals.
The song ended and the stage went dark as ominous church bells began to toll. When the stage lit up again, HYDE was lounging on a large throne that had appeared in the center of the stage. He had a military-style cap perched at an angle on his head as he asked the crowd, “Will you bleed for me?” He remained on the chair as they performed “BLEED FOR ME”, moving sensually to the beat. Both HYDE and K.A.Z began moving around again for “IN THIS HELL” and then the venue exploded with energy once again for “CALLING”. HYDE riled up the audience who were screaming the lyrics of the song before K.A.Z stole the spotlight with an impressive solo.
“Makuhari we did it. The final is here,” HYDE told the crowd after the song. “In a moment it’ll be over and then there’ll be nothing so let’s go wild in the short time we have.”
The crowd agreed enthusiastically and HYDE continued to encourage them, “You guys understand that it’s the final right? So you have to bring the best!!” The fans roared in response and sirens begin to blare leading up to “BLOODSUCKERS” which was a whirlwind of frantic energy and no-holds-barred headbanging. They continued with “DEVIL SIDE” which was an intense performance, made even more so when HYDE’s eyes began glowing a cold, otherworldly blue that was visible all across the room. The voices of the crowd grew louder and louder during “RISE OR DIE” as everyone pumped their fists in the air.
Heavy blasts of sound cut through the venue and there was the sound of a choir chanting. Lights lit up on either side of the stage and from the ground, the VAMPS flags were lifted into the air. The drums went wild at the beginning of “AHEAD” and K.A.Z’s intro solo had the fans screaming in excitement. When HYDE began to sing, gold tape burst into the air making the atmosphere even crazier. HYDE also had his guitar slung over his shoulder and he and bassist Ju-ken stood in the middle of the stage rocking out. This song had some of the best energy of the night and the crowd kept singing along.Without breaking the streak, they continued with “B.Y.O.B. (BRING YOUR OWN BLOOD)” followed by “MIDNIGHT CELEBRATION”. Much to the delight of the crowd, HYDE hopped down from the stage and made his way directly into the thick of the fans. While the rest of the band were rocking out on stage, HYDE got the crowd even more riled up with a call and response. They ended the set in pure chaos, the overheated crowd was being blasted with cool air while fireballs shot towards the ceiling and siren sounds layered over the heavy riffs of the guitar and the pounding of the drums.
The band left the stage but returned before long, walking on stage to the chants of “SIN IN JUSTICE”. After the song, K.A.Z took over the MC and thanked the fans for such an amazing tour.“This year we released a wonderful album as well as having a world tour, nationwide tour, Halloween lives and more. It’s because everyone shows up and supports us we’ve been able to get so fired up. It’s amazing.” He pointed out that it was the last VAMPS show of the year and wished everyone a ‘Happy New Year’.
HYDE added his own thanks and then asked the audience to turn on their phone lights for the next song. The darkened venue lit up like a sky of stars and HYDE asked that they please listen to the next song, “SWEET DREAMS”.
The combination of the lights and HYDE’s melodic vocals transformed the venue into a real dream-like place and was a great reminder of the sheer range of VAMPS’ music.
At the end, HYDE whispered “Thank you” and then they were back to frenzied energy, ending with “RISE UP” and then “SEX BLOOD ROCK N’ ROLL” a definite crowd favorite. It didn’t seem possible but the fans managed to bring out more energy and enthusiasm than they had the entire night matching the unrestrained energy that HYDE and K.A.Z were delivering on stage and ending with a bang.
Setlist:
1. UNDERWORLD
2. INSIDE OF ME feat. Chris Motionless of Motionless In White
3. LIPS
4. EVIL
5. BREAK FREE feat. KAMIKAZE BOY of MAN WITH A MISSION
6. DON’T HOLD BACK
7. BLEED FOR ME
8. IN THIS HELL
9. CALLING
10. BLOODSUCKERS
11. DEVIL SIDE
12. RISE OR DIE feat. Richard Z. Kruspe of Emigrate / Rammstein
13. AHEAD
14. B.Y.O.B. (BRING YOUR OWN BLOOD)
15. MIDNIGHT CELEBRATION
16. SIN IN JUSTICE feat. APOCALYPTICA
17. SWEET DREAMS
18. RISE UP
19. SEX BLOOD ROCK N’ ROLL
Photos by: Takayuki Okada & Kazuko Tanaka
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