The GazettE released their eighth studio album titled DOGMA on August 26, 2015, as part of their larger conceptual project called PROJECT:DARK AGE. This project was launched in March 2015 to celebrate the band’s thirteenth anniversary and consists of thirteen sub-projects, each represented by a graphical logo of a circled dodecagon. The dodecagon with a circle symbolizes the thirteenth, representing the band’s thirteen years of existence and the measurement of time. The album DOGMA serves as the first movement of the PROJECT:DARK AGE and is positioned at the extreme north on the logo. It is the centerpiece of the project and collaborates with 18 artists to create textual and audiovisual elements. Musically, DOGMA combines influences from SlipKnot’s album Iowa, DIR EN GREY’s Dum Spiro Spero, and Marilyn Manson’s Holy Wood, resulting in a fusion of heaviness, atypical structure, and esoteric spirit. On September 27, 2016, the GazettE concluded the PROJECT:DARK AGE with a special concert at the Makuhari Messe exhibition center in Chiba, Japan. The concert started with the heavy rhythm of DOGMA, creating a vibrant atmosphere with a saturated red hue. The audience, consisting of lucky golden ticket holders, eagerly awaited the performance.
The concert began with the song RAGE, which immediately ignited the audience’s excitement. Fans engaged in frenzied headbanging, creating a chaotic scene with their intertwining hair. Despite being a more intimate setting compared to their previous grand finale, the concert was filled with energy and did not disappoint. The energetic pace continued with songs like DAWN and GABRIEL ON THE GALLOWS, as the musicians moved around the stage. The concert had a stripped-down setup, focusing solely on the music without elaborate platforms or giant screens. However, the GazettE still incorporated spectacular lighting effects, creating a visually stunning experience. The hit song VENOMOUS SPIDER’S WEB was particularly beloved by the fans, unleashing a contagious energy. As the lights gradually desaturated, the backdrop above the stage became visible, resembling Marilyn Manson’s logo from the Golden Age of Grotesque era. During CLEVER MONKEY, the band further let loose. Guitarists KAI and AOI, accompanied by bassist REITA, explored different corners of the stage while vocalist RUKI danced to the cheers of the audience. The song BIZARRE captivated the crowd with its extended and rearranged intro, showcasing the captivating bass and drum rhythm. DEUX followed with warm autumn colors, creating a softer atmosphere. The concert transitioned into OMINOUS, where a disco ball emitted white light like laser beams, before returning to the vivid red tones of the evening. The ticking sound of a clock set the rhythm for THE SUICIDE CIRCUS, as RUKI performed a serpentine choreography reminiscent of Axl Rose’s unique movements. After a brief speech by the frontman, the show continued with INCUBUS, electrifying bassist REITA who couldn’t stop headbanging and moving around the stage. LUCY quickly followed, intensifying the energy. The musicians and vocalist tirelessly switched places while drummer KAI delivered powerful beats. During ATTITUDE, small balls of light floated above the stage, captivating the audience. The band commanded the crowd to headbang fiercely, freezing them in place before unleashing the energy. The frontman entertained the crowd with humorous remarks, and the concert continued with HEADACHEMAN. There was no moment of respite as the music kept the audience engaged. The concert continued with UGLY and BLEMISH, maintaining the energetic atmosphere. ENDYING closed the concert set, and as the band left the stage, the crowd chanted for an encore, as is typical. At 8:00 PM, as the lights in the venue dimmed once again, a hushed anticipation filled the air. The ambient buzz of the crowd transformed into a thunderous roar as the first notes of INSIDE BEAST reverberated through the speakers. The energy of the crowd and the band merged into a powerful and explosive vibration that electrified the atmosphere. The two guitarists, positioned on the right side of the stage, locked eyes and began playing in perfect synchronization, their fingers flying across the frets. The bassist, on the other hand, moved to the extreme left of the stage, unleashing a flurry of intense slaps and plucks on the strings of his instrument. The deep, resonant tones reverberated through the venue, adding a pulsating rhythm to the already charged atmosphere. The drummer unleashed a torrent of thunderous beats, driving the crowd into a frenzy of movement. The audience members couldn’t help but sway, jump, and headbang to the powerful rhythm, their bodies moving in perfect harmony with the music. Meanwhile, the vocalist, in peak form, commanded the stage with his commanding presence. He traversed every inch of the stage, making sure to visit each of his bandmates, sharing brief moments of connection and camaraderie. His voice soared through the venue, carrying the raw emotion and intensity of the lyrics to every corner of the space. As the band delved into their repertoire of classics, the crowd erupted with excitement. The familiar melodies of Filth in the beauty and COCKROACH ignited a fire within the audience, their voices blending with the music as they sang along with fervor. The energy in the venue reached its peak, with the band and the crowd feeding off each other’s enthusiasm. TOMORROW NEVER DIES was chosen as the song to bring the evening to a close. As the final notes reverberated through the venue, the band members took a moment to express their gratitude to the crowd, their voices filled with genuine appreciation. They bid farewell, leaving the stage to the sound of background music that began to play softly.
However, the silence that followed was short-lived. Suddenly, the background music came to an abrupt halt, and the GazettE reemerged on stage for one last surprise. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, their energy reignited. The band members poured their heart and soul into this final moment, running across the stage, constantly moving, and engaging the audience in a mesmerizing display of passion and talent. The crowd, fully immersed in the experience, responded with equal fervor, their voices blending with the music as they sang along and cheered for their favorite band. It was a cathartic and unforgettable finale, a testament to the GazettE’s dedication to their craft and their ability to create a powerful connection with their audience. With this final performance, the GazettE successfully brought their vision to life.
Mandah FRÉNOT
(c) VMJ
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[The GazettE | SETLIST]
01. NIHIL
02. DOGMA
03. RAGE
04. DAWN 05.GABRIEL ON THE GALLOWS
06. VENOMOUS SPIDER’S WEB
07. CLEVER MONKY
08. BIZARRE
09. DEUX
10. OMINOUS
11. THE SUICIDE CIRCUS
12. INCUBUS
13. LUCY
14. ATTITUDE
15. HEADACHE MAN
16. UGLY
17. BLEMISH
18. UNDYING
–ENCORE–
01. INSIDE BEAST
02. Akai Wanpisu (赤いワンピース)
03. Filth in the beauty
04. COCKROACH
05.TOMORROW NEVER DIES
–ENCORE–
01. Kantou Dogeza Kumiai (関東土下座組合)
