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 ?
Philosophy 1 - Moi dix mois 10e anniversaire
Commented by Mana
Dialogue Symphonie
The memorable first work of Moi dix Mois.
It all started here.
Moi dix Mois was born on March 19th 2002.
At that same time, I launched my own official website, Monologue+Theater, and started writing from there.
It was named “Monologue” because its contents came from me only, unilaterally. A few months later, I released my first work, “Dialogue Symphonie”. In this first single, I wrote all the thoughts I wanted to convey to all those who had been waiting for my sound creation. Through this work, I wanted to have a dialogue with everyone through music.
This is why I named it “Dialogue Symphonie”.
Through music creation, I can reach everyone’s hearts and communicate with music.
This song is the first song I wrote for Moí dix Mois, and it’s a song that carries a very important meaning.
—
Dix Infernal
This is a rough but powerful work filled with initial impulse.
Anyway, I was obsessed with speed. I wanted to rush forward, to shake off something, to move forward without looking back. The guitar approach was quieter than it is now and the synths were the core of my approach then.
At that point, I was still in the process of finding my own sound. When I listen to it now, I can see many blue areas, but it’s filled with my determination of the time.
This album title named “ten hells”, has various meanings, starting from the chaos within myself (hell), the 1 where everything begins and 0 being eternity, during which I will continue to protect the world I’m crying to create forever.
I tell my whole story through the image painted on the CD Jacket where I am emerging from a burning evil circle with black wings on my back.
—
Shadows Temple
With the introduction of the violin, the speed and elegant melody are harmoniously integrated, and the lyrics with a storyline intersect.
It is an introductory work that suggests the concept of the next album, but it also has a core story of its own.
—
Pageant
It has the brightest melody of Moi dix Mois songs, but when you finish playing it live, it makes you feel the saddest.
—
Lamentful Miss
A memorable song that became the first sound source with the current five members (*At the time Mana, K, Seth, Sugiya and Hayato). A nostalgic sound approach reminiscent of 80's metal. Who is the angel of sorrow that has appeared in front of me…?
—
Nocturnal Opera
In contrast to the initial impulse of the 1st album, the 2nd album introduces a soprano chorus with dramatic tunes and conceptual lyrics.
The story develops on the theme of the stage, and we wonder what will happen to the fate of the two main characters?
I want you to complete the story within yourself. Hints of the story are hidden in the CD jacket, so it would be nice to listen to the songs with the booklet in hand.
Especially Monophobia and Vestige are songs that contain a lot of personal feelings and talk about things happening in my private life. When I listen to these two songs, I feel like my heart is tightening.
Shadows Temple-x has a different version than the single one, so the key to the story is hidden in a certain line of dialogue that is only found on the album.
—
Beyond the gate
The first sound source of the new member formation was transformative work.
But Eternally Beyond was the beginning of a new chapter.
The lyrics are the determination of that time. We will become one, and be reborn.
Seeking the light beyond the door.
I’ve opened a new door by using lyrics that are more aggressive than what I’ve written before. Deus ex machina was an experimental song with a strong digital feeling, but now it has become an important song that is indispensable for live performances.
—
Dixanadu
In search of the originality of Moi dix mois, I spun out sounds with the current members.
Aggressiveness and beauty are in perfect harmony, and this album is a commemorative work for Moi dix mois, where the pinnacle of the band has been reached.
The world of Moi dix mois is a utopia deep within the world of tangible phenomena. Those who are trapped by form are excluded (*Mana wrote “exclude” in alphabet with the end of the verb in japanese, referencing the song “exclude” on the album) and will not be able to reach paradise.
The fairies who emit beautiful light like jewels would reach it. A beautiful lake shining in lapis lazuli blue. What will they think when they see themselves reflected in the surface of this sacred lake ?
(* “Sacred Lake” is the last song of Dixanadu… The “lake” is also referenced in “Lilac of Damnation”)
—
D+Sect
This work is a condensed and reconstructed work of what we have done so far with Moi dix Mois.
I have created the ultimate ideal sound that I aim for by combining the aggressive and evil world with the beautiful, sorrowful and elegant melodies at high levels.
Moi dix Mois has a dark scripture that embodies my ultimate ideal sound.
Aggressive, intertwining guitars with edge, arrangements etc. It’s the most refined and powerful work so far, constructing the ultimate Moi dix mois sound.
The title of songs and the theme of the Book of Revelations by St John are interpreted in my own way, revealing the dawn of a new world. (*The Seventh Veil, Dies Irae and Agnus Dei all refer to different parts of the story of the apocalypse in the Book of revelations, at least in their title. I suggest to people who are curious to read lyrics, especially of “The Seventh Veil” and then go read the Apocalypse by St-John in most editions of the Bible, you will see references. Trumpets, the numbers and gates, the battle in the sky, etc… ).
Surely, after listening to this album, you will feel a faint light shining from heaven onto you, and a secret garden known only to the chosen ones will open.
The melody of beautiful love wrapped in blue roses...
Through this work, you can feel the bond with the people who live in this world.
D+SECT is our sect.
The world of the sublime, hidden in your Seventh Veil.
What did the true savior whisper to you?
Le 10e anniversaire
10 years... how much time has passed. March 2002, when Moi dix mois was born, feels just like yesterday. When I think about it, the flow of time feels fast.
Believing in yourself, pursuing your own sound, composing, writing and arranging all songs…
Every day I reached for my potential to see how far I could go. I ignored music theory, etc., and created everything from an original point of view that only I can make. The feeling of accomplishment when you reach the perfection you are aiming for is a thrilling thing. However, sometimes things didn't go as planned and I ended up destroying the things I had built up, hit a wall and was troubled. However, there are times when a new door opens from there and it is rebuilt and a higher quality product can be made.
Head for your own ideal and build by assembling disjointed parts one by one.
Although it is a dizzying task, it is also a repetition of destruction and construction.
I believe that there are infinite possibilities in people’s own methods of composing music, which is not based on so-called music theory, but on its own unique methodology. Is there really a final point for the music I’m aiming for ? Like the universe, there may be no end. That’s why maybe I’m aiming for an end that no one has reached yet.
Music is a profound thing.
In the course of my activities with Moi dix mois, I think I have become much more of a guitarist than I was at first, in terms of my thoughts on the guitar and my style. I think I have come to understand the depth of the guitar even more after all this time.
In Europe, we toured a lot of places and it was a great experience for me. I remember that I was so excited to see the people who love Moi dix mois and feel their passion for the band.
I also remember the very exciting events such as the Secret Meetings (Mana meeting one on one with fans), Dis Inferno shows and Deep Sanctuary, where we challenged ourselves to do many things that we would normally not be able to do with Moi dix mois, like sessions. Among them, the “Saikai no chi to Bara” reunion in 2010 with Közi and Yu~ki on stage together with me, which was very moving.
I also had a lot of new experiences such as producing other artists.
Producing was a great learning experience for me as I was able to open up new possibilities for my own compositions. Sometimes expanding your horizons is a good opportunity to look at yourself in a new light. In search of the best sound…
I still want to experience many things and further improve my abilities.
I am grateful to all the people involved in my sound project Moi dix mois, especially the members. Without their sound, Moi dix mois would not be possible.
and,
To everyone who loves Moi dix Mois
DIX Love !!!
Cheers to the 10th anniversary of Moi dix Mois!
Mana
______________________________________________
Seth
Moi dix mois, the creation of our leader, celebrates its 10th anniversary !
[Encounter with Moi dix mois]
Actually, I was invited by Mana himself to the first unveiling in 2002. Yes, I was one of the witnesses of the birth of Moi dix Mois. Needless to say, I was shocked to see him there. Until the departure of the previous vocalist, I was invited to every performance in Tokyo, and I saw them every time they performed. In other words, I have been a member of Moi dix Mois for 10 years...lol. Well, Seth's personality was not formed until four years after I met Moi dix Mois, though…
[Seth’s birth]
After the departure of the previous vocalist. Mana, who had been a close friend of mine for a long time then, talked with me about our next projects over dinner. A few months later, Mana contacted me to ask if I would be willing to sing on a few new songs. Although the songs were only tentative at the time, I went to sing them without thinking that I would be the vocalist for them later. A few weeks later, after several days and several songs, Seth was born.
[Beyond the Gate]
As I mentioned earlier, I had heard about the idea for the third album, "Beyond the Gate," right after the departure of the previous vocalist, when I tried for a few songs. Knowing this, I believe that Mana might have been working on the project for a long time even before that. The idea of combining Moi dix Mois with a hard digital sound ! And the new songs that I was tried for as a vocalist became the songs from the album "Beyond the Gate".
[The Third night of the Magical Meeting (FanClub Live)]
It was Seth's first live performance as a member of Moi dix Mois. Actually, I had never been to a fan club-only event before, so this was my first experience as a member of Moi dix Mois, including speaking as a MC. However, I felt I was helped by the warmth of everyone's heart. It was also a memorable day when I, Seth, showed my spinning headbanging for the first time! It was the start of Moi dix Mois, a new formation with Seth, K, Sugiya, and Hayato, led by Mana-sama!
[Europe Tour]
After joining the group, I was surprised by an overseas tour! I had never been abroad before, and this was the first time in my life that I had ever gotten a passport. I had seen movies and world heritage sites on TV, and I was plunged into a fantastic world. The buildings were so big that it felt almost dizzying ! Paris and Germany... I had never been to these places before and thought I wasn’t an experienced traveler, but people overseas are all nice people and I have come to like them.
[SHIBUYA-AX】
Europe tour final. This show was the closing off final of our tour coming back from Europe. The first performance of Xanadu with a huge cross on the back of the stage and flames burning on stage. My mother and sister came to see the show...lol. And then, we were going back abroad a month later.
[Wave Gotik Treffen]
One of the world's largest Gothic festivals takes place in Germany. The whole city becomes a Gothic festival. People walking in the streets, waiting for the train... The whole town becomes Gothic with people dressing up in the olden days. People of the age we call grandparents in Japan were wearing black suits, silk hats and walking sticks, black dresses, and ladies were walking the streets arm in arm. I would like to grow old like that. I am very grateful to have been able to attend such a wonderful event.
[Monthly Live in Japan]
From that summer, Monthly lives were held in Japan. The highlight of this series of lives has to be the single "Lamentful Miss", of course ! In the Monthly live series Final, feathers were falling down from the ceiling during the song...it was like I was singing in a dream.
[DIXANADU]
2007 was the year of DIXANADU. In the spring, we performed a live series with the same title. It was the beginning of a new world. In summer, we toured Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka with the same title as well. It was the first show in a local city (outside Tokyo) with the current members. In the spring of the same year, the DIXANADU Europe Tour began. So we left Japan for about a month to tour there. Working together with the members and staff, I realized that this is really how shows are made. I was so moved to be able to work with such a wonderful group of people, and we all had great memories of going to church, going to museums, shopping, etc. on the days off of the Europe tour. In the final event in France, we had a video shoot with cameras, too. The venue was packed with people and we had a great live performance. This tour is included in the DVD of the same title.
[DVD release]
In the spring of 2008, Moi dix mois released it’s first DVD with the new member formation, the [DIxanadu ~Fated raison d’être ~ Europe tour 2007]. The members of the band have made their own comments on the DVD, which was a lot of fun to record. At the end of that year too, Közi (Malice Mizer) even was a guest at our Dis Inferno show !
[Anime Expo]
In 2009, I, Seth...went to the U.S. for the first time! L.A. Los Angeles ! AnimeExpo is an event that promotes Japanese culture through anime. It was a great experience for me to be able to talk with people from different professions.
[Deep Sanctuary]
We had a live event, Deep Sanctuary, in two locations, Osaka and Tokyo, with Moi dix mois and Közi as a guest.
[V-ROCK FESTIVAL]
One of the largest Visual-kei band events in Japan. All the songs were broadcast live to the whole world online. Were we able to show our performance to people in countries where they normally cannot see it, I think ? If so, we are very happy about that.
[Deep Sanctuary Ⅱ]
In 2010, we had a tour to six cities in the summer, Moi dix mois having Közi as a guest once more.
[Akasaka Blitz]
Then, we had a show during that tour in Akasaka Blitz, where Yu~ki also made a special guest appearance.
[D+SECT]
D+Sect is a wonderful work to celebrate the 10th anniversary. In-store events were held in Tokyo and Osaka. In Tokyo, due to the number of people and the time available at the venue, we were only able to sign autographs and do quick handshakes, but I am truly grateful that we were able to meet our fans in person. In Osaka, as well, we only signed autographs and shook hands, but the store gave us a little extra time so we were able to talk to everyone who came to the event...one by one. The smiles on everyone's faces reaffirmed that they are the driving force for us to move on to the next event.
Only our creator knows how Moi dix mois will evolve in 2011 and beyond. Please all join me in witnessing the future of Moi dix Mois.
Seth
______________________________________________
First of all, I want to say that it is really thanks to all of you that we are able to celebrate our 10th anniversary in this way. Thank you!
On March 19th, 2002, Moi dix mois started activities.
I was actually at Shibuya AX at that time. I felt the beginning of Moi dix Mois with everyone. And since "Dis inferno Vol. III - LAST YEAR PARTY" on December 15, 2004, I have been here as K. Thanks to Boss (K used to call Mana “boss”), of course, but also thanks to his exceptional talent and creativity.
At that time, in 2002, I had no idea one day we’d stand on stage together but…
Fall 2004. I got a phone call.
We started working together, and I’ve experienced a lot since then.
I am usually too embarrassed to say this to his face, but I really appreciate Boss.
The time I spent with Moi dix Mois until now, where I was able to be involved and share the experience of expression, is a very important time in my life, and a precious experience that I would like to leave behind even 10,000 years from now when people's memories will be stored on tiny hard drives.
Well, there was a period of time when we had to stay under the radar due to member changes, but I think we were able to mature Moi dix Mois during that period. I think that Moi dix Mois has matured during that period.
In the spring of 2007, we released a full album "DIXANADU" with the current members, and in the fall of the same year, we went on a European tour, visiting 8 places in 6 countries, and were able to bring Moi dix Mois live to everyone in Europe.
In 2010, while participating in one-man shows as well as Fan club shows, Dis Inferno coupling tours, and other events, we toured around the country on the Deep Sanctuary II tour and experienced the moment of this special resurrection (He is talking about seeing Malice Mizer back together, Mana, Közi and Yu~ki).
Then, in December 2010, D+Sect was released.
As a culmination of the past, I believe we were able to present an evolved and deepened Moi dix Mois.
We are very happy to be able to celebrate Moi dix Mois' 10th anniversary together.
It was because of the support of everyone, the cooperation of the staff, and the strength of all the members that we were able to do this.
I will continue to walk forward with that sense of gratitude in mind.
K
On March 19th, 2002, Moi dix mois started activities.
I was actually at Shibuya AX at that time. I felt the beginning of Moi dix Mois with everyone. And since "Dis inferno Vol. III - LAST YEAR PARTY" on December 15, 2004, I have been here as K. Thanks to Boss (K used to call Mana “boss”), of course, but also thanks to his exceptional talent and creativity.
At that time, in 2002, I had no idea one day we’d stand on stage together but…
Fall 2004. I got a phone call.
We started working together, and I’ve experienced a lot since then.
I am usually too embarrassed to say this to his face, but I really appreciate Boss.
The time I spent with Moi dix Mois until now, where I was able to be involved and share the experience of expression, is a very important time in my life, and a precious experience that I would like to leave behind even 10,000 years from now when people's memories will be stored on tiny hard drives.
Well, there was a period of time when we had to stay under the radar due to member changes, but I think we were able to mature Moi dix Mois during that period. I think that Moi dix Mois has matured during that period.
In the spring of 2007, we released a full album "DIXANADU" with the current members, and in the fall of the same year, we went on a European tour, visiting 8 places in 6 countries, and were able to bring Moi dix Mois live to everyone in Europe.
In 2010, while participating in one-man shows as well as Fan club shows, Dis Inferno coupling tours, and other events, we toured around the country on the Deep Sanctuary II tour and experienced the moment of this special resurrection (He is talking about seeing Malice Mizer back together, Mana, Közi and Yu~ki).
Then, in December 2010, D+Sect was released.
As a culmination of the past, I believe we were able to present an evolved and deepened Moi dix Mois.
We are very happy to be able to celebrate Moi dix Mois' 10th anniversary together.
It was because of the support of everyone, the cooperation of the staff, and the strength of all the members that we were able to do this.
I will continue to walk forward with that sense of gratitude in mind.
K
________________________________
Sugiya
It's already been 5 years. It's been both quick and short, slow and long, in a music project group that not totally a “band” per say. I don't think there are many places where you can enjoy so many experiences, challenges, conflicts, and responsibilities with such bliss and pity, depravity and enjoyment, scolding and excitement, tension and relaxation.... Yeah, this is getting off the rails a little, eh.
Let’s talk about my early days with the group, shall we.
At the beginning of 2006, on January 10, an acquaintance of mine told me that he was looking for a bass player, and that they were going on a European tour. I was thinking, "How funky is this project?" Then I got summoned to the office, and a week later I had an audition, and by the 20th, I was confirmed as a member.
What a sudden turn of events ! I thought. You never know what will happen in life. In addition, I had started a short-term tour as support for another band at the same time, which was a request from an incredible source that I couldn’t decline, so it was very difficult.
What should I say…? I felt in danger? No, no, no, I shouldn’t use such a wrong word. (*He uses an expression, the “fiery chariot” which means someone living in a difficult financial situation, which I’m not sure if he means he accepted both offers because he needed work or else...)
I guess that tells the passion and dynamic though. What is it? In times like this, it’s a real eye opener, like your life flashing before your eyes… Actually, that’s not it at all, it’s more like, dizzying.
A surprisingly basic way of saying it, you say? Well, that's how reality is. I couldn't turn down a session with an acquaintance who had come to me with this offer, and ended up learning about 40 to 50 song bass lines in those two months.
Well, in terms of momentum, in Tokyo, I'm like the guitarists who used to hang out at snack bars in Monzennakacho and Shinjuku in the old days. What? I wasn't born in that era, you say ? That isn’t real time at all.
Well, it's like telling an old story, as if you've seen it all before. What? What do you mean by "that’s random"? Human memories are random. They can be overwritten or supplemented in any number of convenient ways. For example, depending on the person who sees you at a live performance, black-rimmed glasses may be replaced by silver-rimmed glasses of a higher level.
The number of songs I learned at that time might have been 37~8. I am happy to be complemented by positive images, though. I’m very grateful to those people. No, seriously.
I write “serious” but like, “for real” (He wrote in kanji “honki” but says it’s read as “maji” for some.). I wonder if the increase in the number of people with a yankee tone of voice in society borders on such a period, but it seems that the Edo dialect, which has been around for 350 years or so, is the main one (average Japanese), and it may be that the generation familiar with manga and anime from Shueisha or Kodansha simply doesn't respect social manners and TPO (time place and occasion). It is sad to see that society as a whole seems to have become less considerate and less formal in its dealings with each other.
Well, I'm getting off track, aren't I? I was barely able to keep up with the blinding developments in the beginning, and I must have gotten in a bit of a manic state.
It's like a migratory fish, if it stops, it will die of lack of oxygen. If that was an urban legend, it would be a very sad one.
Well, I’m a human being, not a tuna, so when I went to bed (an average of 2.5 hours at that time) or relaxed a little, there was a chicken-heart me who was tormented by a sense of responsibility and pressure all at once, or something like that, and there was poor little wear me and I was praised…. No, no, that's impossible.
Is it that sensitive, calculating, and worldly term, "chunibyou"? (Chuu-ni-byou is “the JHS 2nd grader syndrome” basically being cringe and emo kinda lol) I searched for it on the wiki, and it's kind of a pain in the ass with all the transliteration and stuff, but it doesn't look like that, does it? Actually, it’s kinda fun even if that’s the case. I was like that because of feeling responsible and pressured (Is there any meaning to this ?)
Well, the proposition to always provide the best for Moi dix mois’ music is not something that can be discussed in the realm of “responsibility and pressure”. It is like a game of life. In those days, the physical aspect was more difficult than the mental aspect. Yes, I admit that I once fell asleep while talking at a post-rehearsal dinner meeting.
In the past five years or so, I've tried my hand at being a weird magician, falling over with a beer bottle in each hand, procuring empty Jack Daniels bottles, doing strange movements by myself, editing treasured footage to make a short film, being late until just before the rehearsal for the show because I failed to adjust the time, witnessing boss “waiting for feedback” during a meeting, and many other experiences that became good stories or food for thought. Of course, I am enjoying the musical subtleties at a level that is unquestionably unparalleled!
I’m a lucky man.
This place (the band) is somewhat embarrassing for me to call it a "place to come home to," but like my family, it is my top priority.
I am grateful to everyone who has been involved. Thank you very much for your continued support.
The End
Sugiya
_________________________________
My encounter with Moi dix mois dates back 5 years now.
There were many things that I experienced for the first time by joining, such as the gothic worldview, overseas activities, blast beats, heavy makeup and costumes, etc., and there were many times when I found myself at a loss.
I remember that when all the members first started to play music together, I had a hard time getting to learn more songs, and I felt like a bother to everyone.
It was very difficult for me to keep pace with the drumming style.
The first time me, K-kun and “Sugiyan” had to play together was actually our first time meeting each other. I was not a very sociable person to begin with, and although I really needed to communicate with everyone, I was desperate to play along with the music, so I think people thought I was a difficult person to approach.
Sorry guys !
Five years have passed since then, and now I have managed to understand the music better and can play with a little more composure, but after five years of playing, there have been many failures! Let me specially introduce the worst one among them (lol).
Ah… For sure I’m not gonna forget that one !
It happened on March 17, 2006 at Elysee Montmartre, France.
I was excited and having a good time at the first overseas live show in my life, but I was feeling nauseous from the most extreme stress I had ever experienced for a show, and during the performance of "Night Breed," I had a moment where I didn't realize I had made a compositional error and went off the rails for a while. When I realized it, I was in a complete panic.
I was able to hear the sound of the only sequence data that was still turning correctly, while everyone else was going wacky because of my mistake and scratching around. It made me so depressed that I couldn't remember anything about the rest of the show or the encore.
Night Breed" was a complete trauma for me for a year and a half until I got my revenge at Elysee Montmartre, the same venue for the DIXANADU TOUR FINAL on October 27, 2007.
Oh, by the way, I’m okay now !
I mean, I think I’m okay.
Am I…. ?
Well, this one still might make me a little more nervous than some of the other songs…
Next time you see me playing "Night Breed" at a show, watch me while thinking "Hayato must be nervous" (lol).
I should also write about the most difficult part of participating in Moi dix Mois.
I mentioned it a little at the beginning of this article, so you can probably guess what it is, but whatever it is, it's that drumming!
I started playing two-bass when I was in junior high or high school in copy bands, etc., so it's not that I wasn't familiar with it, but that was actually the only time I played metal drums.
The drum set has two-bass, but I built it like that “just ‘cause it looks cool!” or "because it's flashy!” (lol). So I hadn't played a song with two-bass in it since I was a student! So, you might think, well that seems tough, right ? But that’s not it.
I discovered "blast beats" drumming with Moi dix Mois.
The first time I heard it, I was blown away!
Maybe you don't know what that means, like “Why do you do that?” (lol) Oh, for those who don't know, let me give you a quick explanation of "blast beats".
It is one of the drum techniques often used by speed-oriented metal bands.
In Moi dix Mois, it is played at the beginning of "Gloire dans le Silence", "Shadows Temple", "The Seventh Veil", and so on. To put it in writing, it’s like “Takatakatakatakataka!!!!” kind of fast beat thing (lol)
At first, I really couldn’t hit it at all.
The tempo of the blast beats in Moi dix Mois is a little slower than Slipknot and other black metal groups, but I still couldn't do it. I could play most rhythms with some practice, but I had a really hard time with blast beats. Well, to be honest I still can't play it properly.
I’m only writing about the tough stuff, eh (lol)
Of course, there’s also been plenty of fun and happy times.
I would like to thank all the members and staff of Moi dix Mois, as well as the many musicians, whom I could not have met if I had not joined Moi dix Mois.
Above all, I would like to thank all the fans who welcomed us warmly despite the drastic change of members.
I have been with Moi dix Mois for about half of its 10-year history, and all the people involved in Moi dix Mois are truly good people, and I am grateful for this blessed environment. Thank you very much.
In this industry, where there are so many ups and downs, it's really tough to keep doing one thing for 10 years.
Mana Sama, Congratulations on the 10th anniversary. Please continue to deliver your wonderful music to the world.
I hope I can be of some help, even if it is only in a small way.
Hayato
There were many things that I experienced for the first time by joining, such as the gothic worldview, overseas activities, blast beats, heavy makeup and costumes, etc., and there were many times when I found myself at a loss.
I remember that when all the members first started to play music together, I had a hard time getting to learn more songs, and I felt like a bother to everyone.
It was very difficult for me to keep pace with the drumming style.
The first time me, K-kun and “Sugiyan” had to play together was actually our first time meeting each other. I was not a very sociable person to begin with, and although I really needed to communicate with everyone, I was desperate to play along with the music, so I think people thought I was a difficult person to approach.
Sorry guys !
Five years have passed since then, and now I have managed to understand the music better and can play with a little more composure, but after five years of playing, there have been many failures! Let me specially introduce the worst one among them (lol).
Ah… For sure I’m not gonna forget that one !
It happened on March 17, 2006 at Elysee Montmartre, France.
I was excited and having a good time at the first overseas live show in my life, but I was feeling nauseous from the most extreme stress I had ever experienced for a show, and during the performance of "Night Breed," I had a moment where I didn't realize I had made a compositional error and went off the rails for a while. When I realized it, I was in a complete panic.
I was able to hear the sound of the only sequence data that was still turning correctly, while everyone else was going wacky because of my mistake and scratching around. It made me so depressed that I couldn't remember anything about the rest of the show or the encore.
Night Breed" was a complete trauma for me for a year and a half until I got my revenge at Elysee Montmartre, the same venue for the DIXANADU TOUR FINAL on October 27, 2007.
Oh, by the way, I’m okay now !
I mean, I think I’m okay.
Am I…. ?
Well, this one still might make me a little more nervous than some of the other songs…
Next time you see me playing "Night Breed" at a show, watch me while thinking "Hayato must be nervous" (lol).
I should also write about the most difficult part of participating in Moi dix Mois.
I mentioned it a little at the beginning of this article, so you can probably guess what it is, but whatever it is, it's that drumming!
I started playing two-bass when I was in junior high or high school in copy bands, etc., so it's not that I wasn't familiar with it, but that was actually the only time I played metal drums.
The drum set has two-bass, but I built it like that “just ‘cause it looks cool!” or "because it's flashy!” (lol). So I hadn't played a song with two-bass in it since I was a student! So, you might think, well that seems tough, right ? But that’s not it.
I discovered "blast beats" drumming with Moi dix Mois.
The first time I heard it, I was blown away!
Maybe you don't know what that means, like “Why do you do that?” (lol) Oh, for those who don't know, let me give you a quick explanation of "blast beats".
It is one of the drum techniques often used by speed-oriented metal bands.
In Moi dix Mois, it is played at the beginning of "Gloire dans le Silence", "Shadows Temple", "The Seventh Veil", and so on. To put it in writing, it’s like “Takatakatakatakataka!!!!” kind of fast beat thing (lol)
At first, I really couldn’t hit it at all.
The tempo of the blast beats in Moi dix Mois is a little slower than Slipknot and other black metal groups, but I still couldn't do it. I could play most rhythms with some practice, but I had a really hard time with blast beats. Well, to be honest I still can't play it properly.
I’m only writing about the tough stuff, eh (lol)
Of course, there’s also been plenty of fun and happy times.
I would like to thank all the members and staff of Moi dix Mois, as well as the many musicians, whom I could not have met if I had not joined Moi dix Mois.
Above all, I would like to thank all the fans who welcomed us warmly despite the drastic change of members.
I have been with Moi dix Mois for about half of its 10-year history, and all the people involved in Moi dix Mois are truly good people, and I am grateful for this blessed environment. Thank you very much.
In this industry, where there are so many ups and downs, it's really tough to keep doing one thing for 10 years.
Mana Sama, Congratulations on the 10th anniversary. Please continue to deliver your wonderful music to the world.
I hope I can be of some help, even if it is only in a small way.
Hayato
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