lynch. THE TRUTH IN A MIRROR Final at Shibuya AX

lynch.’s tour final at Shibuya AX drew in a huge crowd that filled the venue. The moment the intro cut into the background music, the house lights burned brightly and hands rose to clap in time. The crowd’s shouts to the members were a constant buzz, the roar deafening as Hazuki entered last with a “Let’s go Shibuya!”

Hazuki’s deep voice encompassed the venue with the opening number, THE TRUTH IS INSIDE. Half spoken verses and fast melodic chorus hit it off with a bang before a shout of, “Hade ni yarouze, Tokyo! (Let's get loud!)” pressed on into I'm sick,b'cuz luv u. The well-familiar song met with fierce headbanging while Hazuki danced and growled, ending with an elated “Whoo!” The headbanging lagged to cut-time in I BELIEVE IN ME, controlled by a wicked riff between guitar and drums that got even the vocalist’s head swinging by the end. Meanwhile, bassist Akinori backed him up, barking a shout on every other beat while Hazuki growled and sang.

Dirty static fed the opening guitar line for 59, all eyes on Reo until Hazuki's sinuous arm-movements brought the focus back to him. As if in stilettos, he stalked backwards, before lunging into a hard guitar chord that heralded the instrumental and another solo from Reo, who fought to win back the crowd’s attention.

Hazuki greeted the crowd, letting them yell for a while before he gave them more. “It’s finally started, Tokyo! Our second Shibuya Ax show!” Seeming on the verge of emotion, Hazuki spared a few words for the path to their current destination but he didn’t allow the atmosphere to stew, letting out a monumental shout of “EVILY” before things could go too far. Green spots strobed overhead as a wicked guitar riff tore through the tune. Perfectly manipulating his tone, Hazuki was right on target even as the number wound down into an eerie bridge far removed from the album recording. With a roar of “DOZE” the crowd began to jump heavily under the deep red light. A brief pause and a burst of deathvoice and -273.15℃ broke out an angry guitar riff. The vocalist carried his stand as he danced throughout the number.

LIE was Yusuke’s domain as he rapidly plucked out the opening guitar which lead into a pretty, melodious vocal line despite the heavy undertones. Draping the microphone over his arm, Hauzki talked up to the ceiling, silently echoing the recorded speech.

Getting weird, in his own words, Hazuki was eager for Melt. He thrashed bodily and the intoxicating riffs sent heads whipping throughout AX. You may think you know lynch. but the band evolves so rapidly, there’s just no guarantee unless you’re present at every live, and Melt was the perfect example with another bridge heavily altered from the original. Seemingly a quiet number, Lizard then took over the set, producing such an air of danger and sexuality that the rumbling, vocals perched the crowd firmly on tenterhooks. This led in beautifully to the universe, shouts of “Monster barker!” bringing the macabre into play while Hazuki played the monster himself, an evil grin and sinuous movement lending credence to the lie.

lynch.’s major debut number, JUDGEMENT, drove the crowd wild, the number featuring a blunted edge compared to the rest of the set, yet with entertainment value that inspired the crowd to jump and yell even harder. The following number, MIRRORS, gave the tour its name, and fans who had followed the band were well familiar with the live rendition, headbanging stolidly throughout. The vigour continued through ALL THIS I’LL GIVE YOU and THE BLASTED BACKBONE, each number a show-stopper in its own right, keeping the crowd's heads in constant, neck-snapping motion. Lesser-known to fans of lynch.’s major music and the preceding hit album SHADOWZ, alien tune held its own among the surrounding numbers, driving the frenzy to a head just in time for the ravenous TIAMAT, burning through AX like a rampaging dragon.

Performance simple but intense, lynch. took the crowd to another place where music was breathable and the five senses blurred as heads whirled and voices blended into one. In the midst of that atmosphere came Unknown Lost a Beauty with its powerful, manipulating riffs.

DAZZLE’s riffs raced in and out again before anyone knew what had hit them, the frenzied tempo far outpacing the familiar recordings. It was on that note that Hazuki yelled, “Let’s go until death takes us!” introducing the finale of UNTIL I DIE. With a good pace, the number held a sense of sweetness in vast contrast to the preceding songs, allowing the crowd to slow down gradually rather than coming to a nose-bleed-inducing halt.

Not that the show was over. Far from. Once the horses were fed and watered, the derby continued with DEVI, a fun, upbeat number which Hazuki sung rather than growled as the crowd waved their hands through the air.

Taking a little time out for some lighthearted chatter, Hazuki soon got down to business, announcing lynch.’s long awaited Zepp Tokyo debut in March of 2012. The vocalist explained that Zepp had always been his dream, and his satisfaction and excitement spilled over to the crowd, turning ADORE into a festival after each of the members said their piece regarding the tour and announcement. The crowd were given the chance to prove their exultation, by singing out, and they poured their hearts into it, Hazuki and the band, receiving their enthusiasm with openly moved expressions.

“I feel weird again, Tokyo!” Hazuki warned, the fever of pulse perhaps a result of that inexplicable “weirdness.” “yaritaiyaritaiyaritaiyaritai” intoned the crown along with the enthusiastic Yusuke while the vocalist poured his all into every scream. “Tokyo, I wanna hear your voices! Don’t stop! Can we do just one more song? This is my first and last wish! LAST!” A GLEAM IN EYE consolidated the union between band and fans, Hazuki yelling at the crowd to yell back at him as he thumped the microphone against his chest. “I wish you were here,” sang the crowd. A short riff inundated by screams and the band were shouting their gratitude once more, a wordless Hazuki clasping his hands in a sign of thanks.

Obviously responding to the insatiable high gripping the crowd, lynch. couldn’t resist one final encore, and they gave the crowd a hotter, harder rendition of MIRRORS to bring the house down, letting the crowd sing their hearts out as Hazuki scanned their faces, seemingly trying to burn the sight into his memory.

The show was nothing if not unforgettable, a deciding milestone in lynch.’s career and above all else, a great show which all present enjoyed to the fullest.


Set List

THE TRUTH IS INSIDE
I'm sick,b'cuz luv u.
I BELIEVE IN ME
59
EVILLY
DOZE
-273.15℃
LIE
Melt
Lizard
the universe
JUDGEMENT
MIRRORS
ALL THIS I'LL GIVE YOU
THE BLASTED BACK BONE
alien tune
TIAMAT
unknown lost a beauty
DAZZLE
UNTIL I DIE

Encore1
DEVI
ADORE
pulse_
A GLEAM IN EYE

Encore 2
MIRRORS