Review by Pagan
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Live Chronicle 2 [Limited Pressing]MUCCAwesome!
An awesome well-made box. ^^ Two DVD's worth of live footage, with every performance having at least 9 songs it seems. 2003, 2005 and 2008 live on DVD1, 2007 live on DVD2. Picture, sound and performance are excellent in their typical Mucc style. As bonus you get a large photo book, tour passes, three guitar picks and three bass picks. I can understand this is more expensive than most releases, but you get something great in return. Only one minor problem...it's a big box...where to put it?
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020120THE MAD CAPSULE MARKETSVery good!
This is a very good live by this band. Expect a mix between punk, metal and industrial, with lots of digital sounds. The singer can sing, but mainly he shouts and screams, which suits the energetic and aggressive music perfectly. Picture and sound are good. The occasional image effect is edited in to give an atmosphere, but it's not annoying (unlike on Sugizo's 2001 A.D. Final DVD, for example). They're not visual, so it's all about the music. It's sad they split up, because they're a very good band. They will be missed. =( Oh well, at least they have this one live DVD.
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Tour 2007 Kyoshi Gingin Monogatari Live at Hibiya Yagai Dai OngakudoSendai KamotsuFun fun fun
Fun stuff for 2 hours straight...er, gay...? Anyway, good stuff. Chiba's rediculous again wearing a pharaoh headdress and a snake "penis" thing. The headdress won't stay put during the first couple of songs, which adds to the sillyness. The talks inbetween are funny too, even though it'd be funnier if I could understand them. It's just nice seeing them having so much fun, and the tone in which they speak says a lot too. The music is happy as usual, and they make a big party out of it, with additional gay dancers, and the 6th member (masked, does programming off-stage) spewing water/foam from his "schnozz". Maybe two hours is a little too much fun, but it's a better DVD than the first two, which were too short, I think. Picture and sound are good, though sometimes either the vocals or guitars get lost a little in the mix. But that's all the "bad" stuff I detected so far. Sen-dai Ka-mot-su! E-ve-ry-bo-dy----GAY!!!
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AN ENCHANTED EVENINGKitaroThis review is for the DVD...
There's no DVD entry for this live? Strange. The DVD version of this concert is good, though. Filmed in 1995, it shows a more rock-oriented Kitaro, using electric guitars and everything. Since such things are more my scene than Kitaro's usual healing/new age music, I think this is my favourite DVD of him. ^^ It has a bit of progrock element in it as well, which I love. This gig lasts about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Kitaro's songs are long. ^^ Picture and sound are okay, and everything's just fine. If you like Kitaro, you could give this a try?
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Gay no KarasawagiSendai KamotsuFun, but...
So, the first Sendai Kamotsu live DVD. It's nice to see them during this tour, right after the release of their first EP. They're crazy, yes, and they dress rediculously. It's happy & fun music. All good. Though... the stage looks rather empty, and the lights are rather dark at times (or full white). The camera itself is good quality. The sound could've been a little better. Chiba is a little hard to hear sometimes, and you can hear him breathing into the microphone headset a few times. There's only a handful of songs on here (11 to be precise), tied together by MC's, with Chiba having humorous chats with the audience. It's probably funny as heck, but since I can't understand Japanese, the songs really have to do the trick. Nothing fancy stage- or theme-wise. Just 5 crazy guys having fun with a few songs.
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TOUR CPU 2004GHz - LIVE at NAKANO SUNPLAZANightmareDecent live
What to say, what to say... I've seen many Nightmare lives, and they're all of a similar quality: good. Not just that, but many songs are used in later concerts as well, so after a while you kind of begin to recognize them. Anyway, the opening of this 2004 tour is grand. The visuals are decent, and less present than during Ultimate Circus Finale. Picture and sound are good, exactly what you'd expect from a visual rock DVD like this. If you like Nightmare or similar bands (Alice Nine, Wizard, Mask, etc), you can blindly purchase this and enjoy it. I know I did.
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Tenka Daiboso - Warera baka no Gotoku Senshuraku (okeru) Hibiya Yagai OngakudoNightmareAlive Outside
Hibiya Yaon! It's an outdoors gig for once, shot during the evening/night when it's dark. It's a nice-looking stage, and the boys are having fun. Sort of an in-between tour? They play a few songs from Anima, which wasn't released yet back then. Lights are good, as are the picture and sound quality. This live lasts a little longer than the previous two DVD's, which is always a good thing. The box has a red cardboard sleeve over the DVD box. I actually like the sleeve better, as the DVD cover stands out a little from the rest of the Nightmare DVD covers, though it's a pretty one.
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World Tour Final Nihon Budokan 666 [Limited Release]MUCCGreat!
This can easily become one of my favourite Mucc DVD's. This has to do with its overall length of the Budokan concert held on 6-6-2006 (hence "666"). You get 1 hour on DVD 1 (part 1 of the gig) and 1,5 hours on DVD2 (part 2 and 30 mins encore). It also has to do with the fact they play a nice mixture of softer and louder, more metalish songs. Where Tonan No Houyoku kind of disappointed me with its lack of metal songs, this DVD makes up for it. Visuals are again reduced to a minimum (basically make-up and dye only), but that's okay, since their music is great. I'm very happy to have gotten this. The only "complaint" I have is the cover of this re-issue. The original white skull is much cooler than this green skull. But that's all. ^^ What matters is the gig and that is great!
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LIVE-ONCE IN A LIFE TIMEConcerto MoonGreat!
I'm actually quite pleased with this concert. 22 songs and about 2+ hours worth of melodic power metal from Japan. Picture is okay, not extraordinary but it's clear enough. Sound is okay too, with vocals being mixed a little behind the music, so they're part of the music instead of dominating. This is probably best, since I really have to get used to the "new" singer (this is the first live DVD with this singer). He has a very good voice in some bits, but blurts out the words a little strangely sometimes, but luckily it's not off-key and after a while it sounds better (though whether that's because his performance increasing in quality or me getting used to his voice is unknown). This has everything a decent gig of this kind should have. A seperate guitar solo, drum solo and keyboard solo, plus solos in the songs themselves. Medium-to-fast paced drums and bass, chorus vocals by Shima (guitars) and Koike (keys). I really like this live DVD. I hope they'll release a new DVD after their new album tour.
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Kaisan dewanaku Sotsugyo The DVDAikaryuFinally!
I searched high and low for this DVD, thinking it was rare, until I find out it's for sale here and not even limited edition! >.< I have it, though, for a cheaper price too. Anyway, the DVD... yes, sound is good. Cameras are a little shaky and not of crystalclear quality, but it's actually a very enjoyable DVD. ^_^ It reminds me a little of Isabelle's Team KZ DVD, only a little better. It's a good show. The boys really seem to enjoy themselves. And besides, I really like Aikaryu's music, so that helps. ^^ Phew, so glad I have this.
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GAYLYMPIC EBISU 2005Sendai KamotsuSports!?
Gaylympic, an olympic-themed show by Sendai Kamotsu. It's good. =3 Picture and sound are good. The stage is filled well, and the band is dressed in sportswear. As usual, singer Chiba's costume is rediculous. =3 I imagine the MC's (talking) between some of the songs are hilarious, and I did chuckle a little, but I can't understand Japanese. ^^ The music generally sounds happy and light-hearted, and is a blend of various styles, though it's mostly rock. The DVD lasted longer than I thought it would, though I was a little disappointed that the encores were two songs they played during the regular set as well (such as the opening song). I guess that happens when you don't have a big discography yet, though perhaps they could've played a funny cover? Not necessarily Nightmare's, but I imagine they could make something nice out of someone else's songs. =3 Good DVD, this. Worth your money.
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KITARO LIVE IN YAKUSHIJIKitaro*sighs happily*
I've heard of Kitaro years ago, and my father once had the album "Dream". Recently I decided to look up his discography and was pleased to find at least 3 live DVD's. This was the first one I got. I have the European version, but the concert is likely the same. Filmed at night, outside at a temple, the atmosphere fits the mystic healing music well. Don't expect to rock, swing or headbang. Just lay back and watch, relax... Kitaro is a skilled keyboardist, and he is assisted by several Japanese musicians, most of them young girls, playing violin, percussion and additional keyboards, among other things. Picture and sound are good. I have no complaints.
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Manatsu no Kichigai [Limited Release]ANTI FEMINISMYayayayayayaYAAAAAAYYYY!!!!
FINALLY! My dream came true when I could finally order an Anti Feminism DVD. ^^ I orgasmed. Well, almost. First of all, the two DVD's don't have chapters, so you have to watch the concerts in one go. I guess with a maximum song length of 2 minutes you don't really -need- chapters, but it would still be nice, because now it's sometimes a little difficult to know when one song ends and the other begins. It doesn't help they all sound alike, either, as neat and angry as it all is. =) Camera work is a little strange. Small venue, small stage, seemingly filmed with one, maybe two cameras in the front row. You do get to see the visuals that made this band so (in)famous. Not just their unique visual kei, but also Kenzi's self-harm craziness. Setting his arms on fire, rolling in glass shards, smashing fluorescent lights on his head, cutting his body, etc. I guess you kinda need the stomach for it, but it wasn't that bad, considering how it could end much much worse (he'll get himself killed one of these days, I'm sure). I respect Kenzi's guts and ability to express his anger and torment, though. Sound is a little murky sometimes, but good enough. Love this DVD to bits! <3
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INCARNATION OF EROTICIZM -LIVE AT HIBIYA YAON-D'ERLANGERI knew it...
This DVD fails to impress me. Picture and sound are okay for a '89 performance, I suppose. The band looks good, though. The beginnings of visual kei, they say. Along with X Japan, although X Japan impresses me much more. This DVD is good for the historic value, and although the performance isn't bad, it's way too short (definitely not the entire concert), and they edited in a PV as track 5, right in the middle of the live gig. Bad move, I'd say. I knew what to expect since I also bought the Last Live 1990 DVD, which was also too short, not the entire performance, and more or less a similar quality. I really do hope the next-generation DVD's of their 2007 and 2008 tours are better than this.
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acid android live 2003acid androidDifferent...
Nine Inch Nails without the commercial potential. That's what I think after watching this live DVD by Acid Android. It's industrial rock and difficult to listen to or get into sometimes. Picture and sound are good, though the stage is rather dark most of the time. Yukihiro is a better drummer than he is a vocalist. His voice reminds me of Hide's sometimes, a little growly and squeaky, as if he's trying to hide he's not really a singer at all. His guitarplay isn't Hide either, only playing several chords in certain songs. Why does he even need to play guitar? The band has three guitarists beside Yukihiro (I didn't spot a bassist, though I could be wrong...I -did- hear basslines) and a drummer. No live keyboards, though. At least, none of stage. Yuki's guitar looks cool, though, so I guess that's something. Um, the DVD isn't very long either. The main concert at Shibuya AX is about 8 songs long, and they filled the DVD with additional live material filmed at other places, which aren't bad at all, but aren't the smooth quality of the main concert either. It could've been longer, but oh well...I don't know how long I could listen to difficult music like this, anyway. It's good for when you're in the mood for something different. Don't expect anything like L'arc-en-Ciel, though. I do admire Yukihiro does something entirely different with this side-project, because really, do we need L'arc-en-Ciel ~deux~?
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transfovistaenvyIt has about everything...
This DVD has it all. Documentary type DVD with live songs and bits of other footage (backstage, PV's) inbetween. The live songs are from different gigs throughout the years, so the quality of both picture and sound varies. From small venues filmed amateurishly, to festival gigs professionally shot. The music itself is melodic/melancholic rock combined with heavier parts. The vocalist sometimes sings softly, but mainly uses hardcore screams to express himself. It gives an unusual contrast when he does that during the quieter parts. Don't expect a visual band, Envy's not like that. It's all about the music, and that's good enough. You could say this DVD is the fruit of their many years touring and performing. =) Now let's hope for a full-length concert DVD from these guys. I'd be very interested in that.
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Court of Justice Kra live 2006.12.27 Shibuya KokaidoKraUm...
This wasn't as great as I was hoping it would be. I like the previous 2004 DVD better, but I'm not entirely disappointed, as this is a good Kra concert. It's a little shorter than the previous one, though the songs are delivered well. The stage and band look good, though the stage is kind of bald sometimes, with only some lights in the back. For a "Court of Justice", I guess it's fitting, but it could've been more. Picture and sound are great, exactly what I've come to get used to in the Japanese rock/visual scene. It didn't amuse or blow me away like the other DVD, but it's good enough. =)
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Perfume First Tour "Game"PerfumeAwesome!
Perfume has really grown since their last DVD. This one is a lot more professional and with more props and visuals, while still being cute as ever. I'm glad they included Take Me Take Me, my favourite song off the Game album. They play older material as well, so you really can't go wrong if you like Perfume. Picture and sound are awesome. I really like this release. I hope the girls will continue spoiling us with great music and awesome performances like this. =)
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Territory Of Divine - 2006.3.27 Shibuya-AX [Limited Release]PhantasmagoriaLove <3
A very good Phantasmagoria release, this. Where Creatures in Imagination contained two concerts with around 10 songs each, and Survivor's Guilt is rather short, it felt good to finally watch a full single concert of this magnificent band! =3 Picture and sound are excellent, and the songs are played really well by these visual boys. I wish they didn't open -and- close with Kami Uta, though. It's a good song, but it didn't have to be on the same setlist twice. =) Love this DVD! *hugs it and guards it jealously* Rawr. Mine!
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T.K.O.RIZENot as good as the others...
I enjoyed this Rize DVD less than I did the other two. Fuck'n Live was more nu-metal, and in Alterna Live the band looked familiar even though they had a different sound (more alternative metal if you ask me). I liked the guests as well. With this DVD, I don't know...maybe I wasn't in the right mood, but the band's sound was a lot happier than I remember. Were they so happy to finally be a three-piece, where vocalist Jesse now plays all the guitars? I didn't manage to watch the DVD fully, so I don't know about the performance itself, but I do know the picture quality isn't as smooth as the other ones, but it's not bad. Speaking of visuals, Jesse looks really disgusting on this DVD. Curly afro-like haircut, dirty beard... he was better off looking like a Japanese Chester Bennington clone. Bleh. Happy music by a bunch of ugly guys.