Versailles concluded their world tour with a mix of rococo inspired outfits, fast guitars, potent drums, hot bass lines and versatile vocals.
Versailles set C.C. Lemon Hall aflame for their 2012 World Tour Grand Final. The memorable live brought together great music and dramatic staging with songs for all tastes. Many male fans stood out in the crowd among Lolitas, housewives and wizened fans ready for some serious headbanging.
The stage was simply adorned, red roses covering the amplifiers and microphone stands while a wide screen dangled from the central wall. A loud roar shook the venue as the lights dimmed and the screen came to life flashing pictures of the members as they made their appearance. In their rococo inspired wardrobe YUKI, MASASHI, TERU, HIZAKI and KAMIJO made their entrance to Prelude.
Kicking off the show with MASQUERADE the band showed great confidence and vigor on stage. A masquerade mask appeared on the screen for the intro and soon after three black clad figures appeared behind the band dancing on a high platform placed behind the drums. Visually it was a very well accomplished piece that set the mood for the show, with the crowd following the hand choreographies while the band twirled in unison to the word “Masquerade.” With a smile KAMIJO addressed the crowd for the first time shouting out “Welcome to Versailles” before adding in French “Bonjour!” Obviously amused, the fans repeated the words back and wasting no time the band proceeded to Philia now without the extras. With HIZAKI on the lead the show fired up, the four men at the front taking advantage of the stage as they moved energetically.
The crowd moved to Judicial Noirbefore night and darkness enveloped the hall, welcoming Thanatos. The song appropriately named after the Greek god of death brought a sad yet demanding tone with it. KAMIJO defied and questioned death with every word, his plea turning into a growl as the song built up to potent drums and hot bass. Anger was appeased by desire in the lively Libido, KAMIJO and TERU gracing the crowd with some hot fanservice as they danced to the sensuous lyrics.
The still unnamed New song got a good response from the audience who pumped fists vigorously to the beat. MASASHI skillfully delivered some fiery bass lines while the song switched from fast to slow like a wave. The previous song’s dramatic ending made the transition for the epic DESTINY – The Lovers – very smooth. Colorful roses in full bloom sprouted among the crowd in a visually stunning piece for the heartwarming ballad. The guitars and drums speeded off as the song grew in strength, the front man putting all his passion into the lyrics.
Alone on stage KAMIJO took the lead for the epic ballad Love will be born again, his voice warmly embracing the hall to a melancholic piano. As the song approached its climax the others returned. Like the hopeful morning sun a yellow light grew brighter on stage, anticipating the new beginning expressed by the title.
With the front man gone the remaining four dove into some instrumental pieces, first with Holy Grail – Amoroso to a sorrowful piano and violin, followed by Threshold. The guitars and bass mingled perfectly with the powerful drums in these epic pieces that left the crowd in awe. To red lights the vocalist returned for DRY ICE SCREAM, gracing the hall with a fiery performance that got the crowd pumping fists to deafening shouts of “Oi!”
The show lightened to Flowery, flowers invading the giant screen while HIZAKI skillfully jumped with his 18th century multilayered long dress. Intricate guitar solos set the tempo for the dancing, KAMIJO twirling around the room as he danced first with TERU and then with HIZAKI. From ball-dancing to moving across the stage like a madman KAMIJO went with Glowing Butterfly. The heavy growls and stronger beat eased the transition to the new song Rhapsody of the Darkness. The song was accompanied by the three extras who now wore red belly dancing inspired costumes. In a positive attempt to create a different atmosphere, the dancers ended distracting fans from the song itself with their flashy and repetitive moves.
With the dancers gone the band got back to work with Vampire. Red lights accompanied the dramatic intro, opening the way for the guitar and bass solos. The band showed endless energy, moving constantly as they encouraged the crowd to follow the choreographies. One of the night’s highlights was definitely the classic The Red Carpet Day. Welcoming the final song with a vibrant yell KAMIJO incited the crowd to yell and pump fists. All hell broke loose as the hall moved like one to the thunderous drums and ardent guitars.
An unusual encore demand soon started with the fans yelling out “We are, Versailles” instead of the habitual “encore.” Returning promptly the band made some warmly welcomed announcements before diving into the sweet ballad Remember Forever. Again the colorful roses sprung from the crowd, adding intensity to the performance and testifying the close connection between the band and their fans. The whole venue sang as one in one of the night's most memorable moments. “Let’s dye the venue in the color of roses!” KAMIJO exclaimed with a growl before the hall was engulfed in red for Aristocrat’s Symphony. YUKI pounded the drums vigorously as he set the pace for the choreographies while KAMIJO moved back and forth with the crowd. The string trio took the lead for the grand finale, taking the song home with impressive instrumental lines.
Again Versailles bade farewell, returning one last time in response to the shouts of “We are, Versailles” for two of the band’s most impressive works. The powerful Faith & Decision with its long instrumental moments, fast guitars and dramatic lyrics made quite an impact both visually and musically. The Revenant Choir closed the set with the hall singing as one in a perfect ending for the band’s 2012 world tour, thousands of shinny silver stripes falling from the sky for the grand finale.
Stay tuned for more adventures in Versailles epic world of rococo inspired outfits, fast guitars, potent drums, hot bass lines and versatile vocals.
Set List
SE. Prelude
01. MASQUERADE
02. Philia
03. Judicial Noir
04. Thanatos
05. Libido
06. New song (unnamed)
07. DESTINY – The Lovers –
08. Love will be born again
09. Holy Grail – Amoroso (new song)
10. Threshold
11. DRY ICE SCREAM
12. Flowery
13. Glowing Butterfly
14. Rhapsody of the Darkness (new song)
15. Vampire
16. The Red Carpet Day
Encore 1
01. Remember Forever
02. Aristocrat’s Symphony
Encore 2
01. Faith & Decision
02. The Revenant Choir
