TOKYO, HARAJUKU ASTRO HALL 12.12.03
| Sound quality: | 9 |
| Source: | Core Sound Stealthy Cardioid mics -> Sony MZ-R900 md -> cdr. My recording. |
| Complete: | Yes |
| Japan premier of Nothing To Say, only performance of the tour. |
Recoding comments: Recorded in sound center, in the middle of the room, ca 5 meters from the stage. Well balanced mix. Amazingly crisp and detailed sound.
Any observant pair of ears out there will find two edits in Black To Comm. Those are due to a change of mindiscs where I did everything possible wrong. The irony of it all is that this must have been the shortest Black To Comm to date, and I would have caught it all on the first disc, had I only stayed calm...
Performance comments: The second headlining gig and the finale of the Japanese tour brought us back to Tokyo, this time to fancy shopping district Harajuku and the nice, small club called Astro Hall. The place reminded me of Nouveau Casino in Paris, although even smaller. Around 120 people met up to witness what might very well have been the highlight of the tour, a 90 minute demonstration of powertrio rock at its very best. Jesus Fever and another Japanese band supported Motorpsycho.
Pretty much everything becomes a highlight in Japan because of the total silence in the audience throughout the songs. They actually wait for a signal from the band before they applaud after songs with quiet endings. There were a lot of chit-chat, explanaitions and jokes from the stage between the songs, something which left a very friendly and nice atmosphere.
Highlights: STG coupled with Überwagner for a starter results in a magical transition between the two. It sets the standard for the night.
Nothing To Say makes its Japan debut: 9 massive minutes of guitar frenzy.
Superwheel is back to the glory of the old days. An absolutely stunning Superstooge dripping with feeling and tension is followed by a tender transition to The Wheel, the beast which slowly wakes up in order eat us all alive before it looses its strength and goes back to sleep. Check out the silence at the end there! We're not worthy...