Japanese Visual Metal - Rock&Read June 2023 Vol. 107 - Mana, Kamijo, Asagi, Sono

Japanese Visual Metal - Joint Statement

On January 1, the "Japanese Visual Metal Joint Statement" was announced by Moi dix Mois, Versailles, D, and Matenrou Opera, four bands that represent “tanbi” metal, or "aesthetic metal”. It was also announced that the four of them would tour together in September and release a memorial single called "Concerto ~Aesthetic Bloodline~" under the name “JVM Roses Blood Symphony”. Here, we asked the four leaders of each band, who are also the JVM leaders, to talk about how this project came along, and about their thoughts and what this project signifies to them. 

To come out of the pandemic.... To create a new scene...

The "team mates" who have sometimes faced each other as rivals, are now on the move together.

Japanese Visual Metal - Group Leaders Roundtable - BILLBOARD Japan April 10th 2023

Interview

Mana (Moi dix mois), KAMIJO (Versailles), ASAGI (D) and Sono (Matenrou Opera) join forces to create “Japanese Visual Metal”

On January 1, 2023, four artists, Moi dix Mois, Versailles, D and Matenrou Opera announced a shocking “joint statement”. We held a sumptuous roundtable discussion with the representative leaders of the four bands. Following the lead of Moi dix Mois, which took the first official step last December through the joint statement, each band is now working to lift the ban on vocal performances at solo live shows. In addition, the social media of these four artists have been converted into a medium to create a new "Japanese Visual Metal" scene based on the "Visual" scene that they have walked in and the "Metal" scene that they have been influenced by. Based on this, they have created a new scene called "Japanese Visual Metal" and will hold a Zepp Tour titled "Japanese Visual Metal Tour" together. They are also working on a joint songwriting project. What is it that unites these four artists? What is the “Japanese Visual Metal” that was born from this project? We asked the four artists to talk about the "bloodlines" that run through their backgrounds. 

(*NOTE : I did not use any -san/-kun as it often is less natural in English. I am not a professional and only do this for fun in the hopes of making it easier for fans to access content in Japanese and the translation might not be perfect or word-for-word accurate but reflects the original text in the most accurate way I could with my level of Japanese.)

Philosophy I - Moi dix mois 10e Anniversaire booklet

 As Moi dix mois recently released their 3rd book of the Philosophy series for the 20th anniversary, I wanted to revisit the past editions of Philosophy I and II to see how the members changed through the years with the band and what they had to share. First is Philosophy I, released in 2012 I believe, for the 10th anniversary. At the time the members had already changed from the first line-up, some members being there for five years already when the booklet came out. So what did Mana and the members have to share about their time in the first part of the story of Moi dix mois ? 

Moi dix Mois 20e Anniversaire ~Dis Inferno XIX~Last Year Party~ Shibuya Stream Hall 18.12.22

 After only having an online Q&A and short show for a "Last Year Party" in 2021, this year, the long awaited ~Dis Inferno~ returned for the 19th edition at Shibuya Stream hall. 

Moi dix mois ~20th Anniversary tour - Route vers l'Ouest~ Osaka BEYOND 2 days

After 118 days without Moi dix mois, finally, we all gathered in Amemura, Osaka, for a jet black meeting to cheer for the band that was visiting Kansai for the first time in years. 

I was meeting a friend from Hyogo, and two from Tokyo on Saturday. Before the show, we had a lovely lunch at a "Heavy Metal Rock" themed sweets buffet, which put us in the ambiance with their guitar, amps and skulls decorations adorned with black and red flowers and food items. It was such a good timing with the theme, when I had seen the post on Twitter, I had to invite my friends to join me for it before the show. It seems the Art Hotel Osaka Bay Side has many wonderful themed buffets year round at the Sky 51 Buffet, so I definitely recommend it ! 

With a little time to spare, we also planned to stop at Atelier Pierrot Osaka, where my friend (an Atelier Pierrot staff) had briefly met Mana the previous day when he went to the store to leave a signed panel to put up in store, since they carry Moi-même-moitié there. Friday evening, Mana was alone it seems, but when we went, we were lucky to see all members had come by and left their autograph as well ! They must have had a busy Friday evening, so I'm thankful they visited ! 

After a quick visit at the shop we walked to the venue a few steps away. We had good tickets for both days so I did not want to miss the opening time to make sure we could secure a good place (the aim is always on the right side as close as possible, but that's also a lot of other people's goal, so the competition is fierce, fufufu....) We got about 2 people in front of us, right in front of Mana's place, so we were happy with our placement. The venue was small, so we were very close. The 30 minute wait time before the show was so long, and it was quite hot in there... And then it started. 

Cathédrale de la Rose - Livre Rose - First Chapter - Mana talks about the making of Bara no Seidou

[Cathédrale de la Rose]~Livre Rose was a publication by Malice Mizer that included photoshoots showing their recent looks of their 3 single series and album, as well as interviews about the process, making, creation and completion of the show "Bara ni Irodorareta Akui to Higeki no Makuake" (薔薇に彩られた悪意と悲劇の幕開け) at the Budokan. I will try to translate all interviews in the book in order, as they not only interview the members, but also the production team members that helped the group realize their vision from the stage design, construction and lighting to the costume designer that worked with them to make the concept come to life, for a full backstage view of what it was to make the biggest stage ever made at the Budokan a reality. 

For those interested in the physical material, Livre Rose and Livre Rose~Blanche are the same photo book with the same written contents and interviews, but Livre Rose was the first edition and usually comes in a velvet box with a serial numbered cross necklace, and Livre Rose~Blanche is a re-printing that has an additional photo shoot with the wedding like costumes.

This first chapter is an interview with Mana, who was the main concept creator for Bara no Seidou and also the editor of the Livre Rose. 

(Note* : I believe most would be familiar but when they are discussing the 3 parts of the show/costumes/concept, the 1st part was the Saikai no Chi to Bara costumes (EGL/Gothic), the 2nd part was the PVC and braids costumes, and 3rd part Shiroi Hada ni Kuruu Ai to Kanashimi no Rondo more historical inspired costumes with white lace)

Cathedrale de la Rose 

First Interview - Mana Sama

Construction Trajectory of the “Cathedral of Roses”

August 31 and September 1st, 2000.

On August 31 and September 1st, 2000, the "Cathedral of Roses" appeared at the Nippon Budokan. The following two episodes will trace the path of the largest and most fantastic set building ever made in the Budokan's history until its inauguration. The first story is about Mana, the total concept director of the "Cathedral of Roses”. The second story will be a three-way conversation between Mana, stage producer Mr. Asano, and concert producer Mr. Ito.

Motto High Grade - Vol. 002 - January 2020 - Yu~ki Personal Interview

 In this volume, Yu~ki had a duo interview with Mako (deadman), but also a long personal interview discussing his artistic expression, past works and love for chocolate, as well as his following small fan event to be held in Shinjuku the following month. So, let's meet the Count. 

Motto High Grade - Vol. 002

Yu~ki, who has been appearing on stage about once every year or two since MALICE MIZER went on hiatus, is a bassist and a true artist with a passion for the arts. He is currently working on accessories under his own brand "Mother of Life"(*1) and is currently creating art objects. Like a source spring of pure water, his ideas never run dry, and his desire to express himself grows stronger and stronger everyday. Here, we will talk about the behind-the-scenes of this magazine’s photo shoot, art, and more from the perspective of an artist.

(*1: he used to sell his accessories through Midi-Nette’s online shop but no items are sold anymore. Yu~ki has now started a new brand, Abstract~A - The World of Silence, which he runs an online shop for. His instagram for it is @ the_world_of_silence , and his online shop is here (please see his overseas sale page for instructions on how you can purchase his items from abroad.)