MORRIE "Flesh Odyssey" at Tokyo Kinema Club

MORRIE celebrated his "birthday of the flesh" with his fans at Tokyo Kinema Club on March 4th, and the show was also live streamed worldwide via ZAIKO. The archive of the performance can be viewed until 11:59pm (JST) on April 3rd. Streaming tickets can be purchased here.

At this show, MORRIE was accompanied by the following support musicians: guitarist Shinji Kuroki, bassist FIRE, keyboardist Takeyuki Hatano, violinist Heather Paauwe and drummer Hiroshi Kido. Saxophonist yukarie was unable to participate due to an injury.

To Delight got the show off to a solemn start. MORRIE sang in a strong, deep voice while strumming his acoustic guitar. The contrast of calmness and intensity within the song's soundscape was well described through MORRIE's beautiful falsetto and Kuroki's shredding guitar solo. The show then progressed to Icarus. MORRIE's powerful vocal delivery seemed to show that the Japanese rock legend has reached a new level of spiritual freedom.

Later, MORRIE took up an electric guitar, and adjusted his effector by foot before starting Dust Devil. Under the red stage light, MORRIE delivered powerful guitar riffs, accompanied by Paauwe's violin. Fans waved their hands to the guitar rock song. Later, Hatano's mellow keyboard intro guided fans into Bud of Panic. MORRIE's vocals and Paauwe's violin gave a romantic and haunting feel to the song.

"I wonder how the 20 year-old me would feel if he saw today's me. I will live more aggressively. Please enjoy the show today," MORRIE said to the fans.

Later, a song with a cosmic soundscape, Unchained, followed. The song progressed with dynamic modulations. MORRIE's celestial falsetto ascended with soothing violin sounds and thunderous drum beats toward the end of the song. Fans applauded the musical expression of MORRIE's existential journey.

After, MORRIE played his classics Somewhere but Here, and Into the Cosmos. The show heated up even more when the funk rock song SEX started to play. Paauwe delivered powerful violin riffs normally played by saxophone. Accompanied by the energetic violin and groovy bass line, MORRIE passionately sang out the lyrics. Fans danced along to the explosive band ensemble.

The frenzy continued with the next funk rock number, Paradox. Fans clapped along with Kido's drum intro, which was later followed by thrilling guitar riffs from MORRIE and Kuroki. Paauwe and Kuroki's solo battle was met with an enthusiastic response from the fans.

Later, FIRE wowed the audience with his masterful bass solo, which transitioned smoothly into the intro of Danger Game. MORRIE delivered sharp guitar riffs and sang in his deep voice. Later, MORRIE shifted to a beautiful falsetto in the midst of fiery guitar riffs and a pounding drum beat. The contrasting sounds created an amazing harmony.

MORRIE himself seemed to be enjoying the band's dynamism. Perhaps out of excitement, MORRIE laughed after his energetic vocal delivery during You with a Good View. Fans were happy to see the rock icon having a good time on the stage.

Later, MORRIE took some time to speak to his fans before the last song, After Us the Deluge:

"Thank you. Today is my 'birthday of the flesh'. However, the 'I' that this flesh belongs to has no age, no birth, and no death. That is the mystery.

When you come to the point of such a realization, you will understand everything happening in this world is dreams and illusions. Yet, now I can find joy in the dreams and illusions in this world.

In life, we try to overcome hardships. There is also sadness and anger. Now, I can find joy in such circumstances. Just like the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, 'joy is deeper than sadness'. I would like to have my 'birthday of the flesh' show again next March."

After this talk, the fantastic melody played by the keyboard and violin started the closing song After Us the Deluge. MORRIE sang of his infinite journey through the changing seasons in this world. His voice conveyed his existential freedom, and his concept of "I" in the eternal now.

For the encore, MORRIE played DEAD END's Ultimate Fuse. His voice and guitar playing contained the warmth that comes from his existential understanding of infinity and the joy he finds in the dreams and illusions in this world. The closing song seemed to fill the fans in the venue with tender feelings.

"I do not care about my age. I will run through dreams and illusions. Please follow me. Thank you and see you again," MORRIE said to close the spectacular show.

Set list

01. To Delight
02. Icarus
03. Dust Devil
04. Dream of Monkey
05. Bud of Panic
06. Pleasure of a Glance
07. Castle of Purity
08. Disquieting Muse
09  Unchained
10. Riding the Night
11. Somewhere but Here
12. Into the Cosmos
13. SEX
14. Paradox
15. Fly Me To Neptune
16. Danger Game
17. Destroy!
18. You with a Good View
19. Love Dizziness and Dream
20. After Us the Deluge

Encore

21. Ultimate Fuse