Fight against COVID-19 # 3 ~ "Aku-THE BROKEN RESUSCITATION"

This May, visual kei band MUCC released their new album AKU. Due to the crisis caused by COVID-19, it faced a lot of difficulties on its path to release. However, not only did MUCC score a hit on the charts, but they also recorded plenty of material for their YouTube channel that fans could enjoy from home. Furthermore, they recently held their second no-audience show to promote the album.

Fight against COVID-19 # 3 ~ "Aku-THE BROKEN RESUSCITATION" was the name of this second no-audience live show, held at the Takeshiba Port Hall in Tokyo on September 20th. The first of these no-audience lives, Fight against COVID-19 # 2- "Aku-THE BROKEN RESUSCITATION", took place on June 21st and was released on DVD and Blu-ray on October 7th.

At 7:30 pm, the event logo prompted MUCC to appear on stage. Tatsuro wore a wide black windbreaker with a yellow-and-red design on its front, finishing the look with leggings; YUKKE went with a red jacket and sports pants; Miya, favoring a more classic style, wore a vest with multi-colored details on a black background; SATOchi opted for a black and white style. On the piano and keyboard was Tooru Yoshida, wearing a floral shirt.

The night started with Miya's guitar, which provided a smooth entrance to what would be the first electric shock of the day: AKU -JUSTICE-. A whisper from Tatsuro and then an instrumental explosion that elevated the atmosphere were the hints of what the night had in store: it was a show full of loud and vibrant songs, followed by a few moments of introspection that ended in new explosions.

The lights turned red and between speedy drumming and a loaded bassline, CRACK began. Tatsuro rapped and paced around the stage, singing to different cameras as he moved. He then performed the first guttural vocals of the night, shaping the aggressive rock song to his liking.

IRIS entered with all the force of a headbang and a light show that came and went, giving the scene a psychedelic feel. The string instruments followed the same psychedelic theme, becoming the highlight of the piece. YUKKE led the way to TIMER, which moved the fans with a more melodic sound. Tatsuro seemed at ease, dancing and gesturing to the cameras throughout the song while Miya joined him during the backing vocals, pointing at the camera beside him.

There was a change of scenery for the next songs and Tatsuro took some time to ask the band members and staff how they were doing. He insisted the other members make noise, as if to say "Yeah, we are having a good time!". Tatsuro laughed and invited Yoshida to join them with the piano as well.

Friday the 13th brought a more relaxed, 80s-ish air, almost like a cabaret. YUKKE came into view with an electric double bass as Yoshida brought the piece to life with happy notes from his piano. That’s the thing with MUCC: if jazz is what they want to play, then jazz is what they deliver. CANARIA reaffirmed this position, keeping the relaxed atmosphere throughout as the screen split into five panels, enabling the audience to watch the whole band, Yoshida included.

Between songs, the lights went out and Tatsuro took a seat. The stringed instruments were introduced smoothly, creating a nostalgic atmosphere for the evening's round of ballads. Tsuki no sakyuu started with a lonely guitar, which was soon joined by languid piano notes. The drums added atmosphere to the song, of which the strings were clearly the protagonists.

A moon appeared on the stage's backdrop and after a beautiful instrumental minute, Tatsuro's deep voice joined the fray. It was an overwhelming performance, hailing from an album that is already fifteen years old but that never seems to age.

Ryuusei then made its way out from the piano, picking up speed as the other instruments entered the fray. Miya's voice joined Tatsuro's in this faster ballad. The rest of the band slowed down during the first chorus, leaving Tatsuro and Yoshida alone. At the end, a flower made of blue light marked the conclusion of the ballad section. Returning to the first stage, MUCC was immersed in a galactic backdrop as they played ALPHA. SATOchi's drums reclaimed their prominence, sharing the spotlight with a newly-added violin. It was a dreamy sight to behold.

Then it was time for the first MC. Tatsuro asked how people were doing and remembered that the concert was being broadcast around the world. "Well, we are going to get a little more fired up. Is everything ready?", he said, approaching a camera as if listening to the public's answers in the comments, "Yeah? I want to invite a colleague to sing this song with me: Hazuki from lynch.!”

MEMAI was the chosen song for this duet. Hazuki's deep voice and guttural growls contrasted with Tatsuro's high tones in an aggressive blast of metal. One can just imagine the crowd headbanging along at home, with SATOchi's pounding drums and Miya's frenzied guitar solo, all accompanied by synths that added further insanity to the moment. Hazuki owned his space, interacting with the entire band and playing with the cameras.

The atmosphere was still on fire when the song gave way to WORLD’S END. YUKKE invited the audience to clap with him throughout the song while smiling. Tatsuro stole a camera and started shooting everyone with it while still singing. "Are we done? We are not done yet!" he yelled, “It's time for our world! My WORLD!”

The uplifting strength that My WORLD brought to the show was undeniable. Tatsuro sang with a smile on his lips and behind the band, on the stage's backdrop, hundreds of small windows appeared with fans chanting and dancing along to the song. Tatsuro turned around and went to sing to them, to his audience, to those who were not physically with them but were still there in spirit. Suddenly, was easy to feel nostalgic for the moments that fans and performers can no longer share.

"Are you having fun? Although the next song is the last song, let's call Hazuki. Hazuki! Would you sing this last one with me? I know it wasn't on the set list but… would you?”. Hazuki returned to the stage, somewhat confused. "Yeah, I think…", he replied uncertainly, moving closer. “You can read it! Read it!” Tatsuro insisted. "Well... I'm going to do my best," Hazuki finally laughed, defeated.

Miya started strumming his guitar and SATOchi speeded up violently. MUCC and Hazuki started headbanging to the rhythm of RANCHU. The sound lashed out full force like an erupting volcano. "Are you ready at home, in Japan, in the world?" Tatsuro asked, squatting on the ground with the rest of the band. "Ready to jump?", Miya strummed his guitar once, twice, three times. “Three, two, one!” Tatsuro yelled, and they all jumped at the same time. It was a climax loaded with the force of MUCC.

During the encore, all of MUCC's members shared a few words with the audience, about this experience and how they hope to meet everyone again one day. Afterwards, they prepared for the penultimate song. "We have a very good atmosphere," said Tatsuro jokingly. Only when he started singing did he realize that he began early. "Sorry! Again! We had such a great atmosphere and I messed up! Sorry! This is live, people, let's go again!"

Thus began HEIDE, a song looking to the future. MUCC jumped on stage, enjoying the song from beginning to end because, despite the uncertainty of what is to come, there is still hope. The performance of HEIDE featured a shot from the back of the venue, giving a few seconds of nostalgia again when fans were able to take in the emptiness of the place, with only the band and their staff there.

The last song of the night started with a synthesizer and heavy guitars. Tatsuro presented TONIGHT with a deep voice, after which the band's rock sound took over the stage again for its explosive final stand.

Set List

1. AKU –JUSTICE-
2. CRACK
3. KURAGE
4. IRIS
5. TIMER
6. Friday the 13th
7. CANARIA
8. TSUKI NO YORU
9. TSUKI NO SAKYUU
10. RYUUSEI
11. ALPHA
12. MEMAI feat. Hazuki (lynch.)
13. WORLD’S END
14. My WORLD
15. RANCHU feat. Hazuki (lynch.)

Encore

16. HEIDE
17. TONIGHT