Peter's Japan blog

the GazettE will finally release a new single in November. It will be the second single of 2008 after Guren.
The style of the single will feature their heavy yet delicate sound. (Update 21/08/2008)

Update: Sept 15 2008: radio preview
Update: Oct 10 2008: full PV added

the GazettE - Leech (Optical Impression) [CD+DVD]
Release date: November 12th 2008
Catalog No: KICM-91252
1. Leech
2. Distorted Daytime
DVD
1. Leech (PV)

the GazettE - Leech (Auditory Impression) [CD]
Release date: November 12th 2008
Catalog No: KICM-1252
1. Leech
2. Distorted Daytime
3. Hole

With the immense title "Tour 2007-2008 Stacked Rubbish Grand Finale [Repeated Countless Error] In Kokuritsu Yoyogi Kyogiba Daiichi Taiikukan", the GazettE will release the dvd of the finale of their last concert tour on August 6th 2008. According to CDJapan, the main concert will have 18 songs and 2 encores with 8 additional songs. They will perform nearly every song from the album Stacked Rubbish and from their latest single Guren. And with a nice personal favorite, also Cassis <3 (which they didn't perform in Germany or Shizuoka when I attended their concert there, and also not included on the dvd. Was probably mis-information). So I can't wait to see it!

The dvd will be released in two formats: a regular 2-dvd version and a limited 3-dvd version with poster and 60-page booklet. There is also a third version, a European version of the regular 2-dvd edition with English subtitles.

Regular 2-dvd edition:
Catalog no: KIBM-177
Price: 6090yen

Limited 3-dvd edition:
Catalog no: KIBM-90177
Price: 9765yen

I arrived in Shizuoka with the Shinkansen 1h45 before the start of the concert. I was going to see if there was any merchandise to buy (and maybe, just maybe if there were still some tickets at the counter). While walking through the station to the exit I already came by other people that definitely looked like people going to the GazettE ;p On my way to the concert hall, many more people, totally dressed Visual Kei, were walking in the street. I think some where coming from far away as they were towing small suitcases.When I got to the concert hall, many people where already standing around and some scattered around the large square in front of the concert hall. Practically everybody was dressed visual kei,unbelievable but not unexpected ;p. Also, 98-99% were female. I kind of stood out as a gaijin and rather normally dressed. There was already a long queue for the merchandising, which I got on to as well. Bought a bag, t-shirt, muffler and phone strap (and later also a bandana). Then I noticed that at the cashier there was a sign about tickets, starting at 17h. I saw other people waiting there as well, and indeed, at 17h, the counter opened, and I bought my ticket! ;p
And it was a first row ticket at the balcony (the second floor as it was a theater-style hall). Got something to eat and drink, and changed my t-shirt to my newly bought gazette-t-shirt and got into the concert hall. I think the capacity of the hall was about 1100 people. I had a great view from the balcony. Finally the concert started after the sound check at 18h35, only 5 minutes late. It was one roller coaster ;p And so much better than the one I saw in Germany. Maybe because it was like a theater with seats and not a pack of people standing on each others toes. Another major difference is how these people are in sync with each other, they all do the same at the same time. It's like they know what moves to do at the right time of a song. It's like someone taught it to them before and now they perform it. If you know the Gazette concert at the Budokan, that is exactly how the audience was. Very energetic, responsive and in sync ;p During the pause between concert and encore, I was in awe. It was 10-15 minutes and the whole crowd just kept on shouting "encore", they didn't stop one second, the whole crowd. Amazing compared to the ones in Germany. In Germany, there were just sporadic groups of people who started, but stopped after half a minute.
Now something about the concert itself, the band was amazing. They played very powerful and energetic. They even played Guren and track 2 of the Guren single, Guren was played to absolute perfection, it was spine chilling. Aoi actually uses the double neck guitar live as well, but it seemed to have a different color (black) than in the PV. Some intros from songs were also extended which was very nice. At the start of the encore was another very good Ride with the Rockers. The concert ended with Linda of course. The show was very well done, the lighting reacted very good on the music and focussed on the musicians during solos. Near the end, came also the gazette logo at the back done with small lights. The lights were divided in blocks and alternated in motion (don't know how to say it). They will probably use it during the final as well, so you'll see it one the dvd ^^;

This post is finally done, so I can go to sleep. Tomorrow is Tokyo Anime Fair, long day, which I'm also looking forward to. Photos will be added when I have some time... Maybe the day after tomorrow.

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the GazettE will release their newest single a year after Hyena on February 13th 2008.
It will be called "Guren" and will be used in the commercial for "Gem Carey" jewelry that will also feature the band members.

The single will be released in the usual two versions: Auditory Impression [CD] and Optical Impression [CD+DVD]. The CD+DVD version will also include a three-fold cardboard sleeve case.

Tracklisting
1. Guren
2. Kairai e
3. Kyomu no Owari Hakodume no Mokushi

the Gazette - Guren (Optical Impression) [CD+DVD] (on YesAsia)
the Gazette - Guren (Auditory Impression) [CD] (on YesAsia)

Created: November 22nd 2007
Update: February 13th 2008, track listing

Yesterday was a big day, we went to see the GazettE live in Cologne, Germany.
After everybody arrived at my friends house, got our makeup done, we went straight to Cologne at 12h. It was in the Live Music Hall in the Lichtstrasse 30 in Ehrenfeld, Cologne. Arrived there at 14h, and already saw some people standing at the entrance. Went for a quick bite at a small restaurant in the same street. We joined with some friends from the Netherlands and started to wait in line.

Davin, Misheru & Kumiko:

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Only 1 day to go until the GazettE concert in Cologne, Germany!
As of now 4 of the 6 concerts in the European tour are sold out! Only Berlin and Munich remain.
There is just one signing session in Germany on friday the 19th in Berlin, which I couldn't get to because of work ;( Why no signing session in Cologne!?

I'm very excited to go to the concert!! Gonna get my hair done like Reita and make a nose bandana. Will put some pics online in a few days of the result and the trip ;p

Signing session info from Rock Identity.