lynch. TOUR’14 “TO THE GALLOWS” Final at Meguro Rokumeikan

lynch. held the final of their TOUR ’14 “TO THE GALLOWS” on August 3rd at Tokyo’s Meguro Rokumeikan. The tour had seen the band play 33 shows in as many cities since May, in promotion of their new album GALLOWS released back on April 9th. lynch. were booked to play two shows at Rokumeikan, and both days were unforgivingly hot and humid in Tokyo. Six electric fans were placed on the stage, with another three fans mounted on the venue’s walls. Later, vocalist Hazuki himself revealed that they could not go on until the end of the show on a previous day due to the heat and humidity. This finale was expected to be physically demanding for band and fans alike.

lynch. stepped out onstage after the blackout: drummer Asanao, bassist Akinori, guitarists Reo and Yusuke, and finally vocalist Hazuki, all dressed in the band’s signature color black. A loud ovation welcomed them in and the band kick-started the show with GALLOWS. “Yeah! Are you ready!?” Hazuki wasted no time in stirring up the fans with his growls and screams whilst Akinori added more fuel to the fire with powerful backing vocals and a provocative bassline. Fans shouted aloud together with Akinori while violently headbanging to the heavy riffs of Reo and Yusuke. Halfway through, the song suddenly became melodious. lynch. exhibited their signature music style from the beginning; a perfect blend of hard edge and fragile sensitivity. Hazuki removed his jacket by the second song, fed the hungry fans with his intense growls with his eyes open wide. The thumping drum beat of Asanao sent fans into a frenzy during the following songs GREED and Devil. Reo and Yusuke, operating like two wings, carefully controlled the rhythm while headbanging together with Hazuki at the front.

“At last, today is the finale. I think all of you have already realized, yes, it is super hot! The heat could get even worse towards the end of the show. Do not hesitate to signal to the staff on the second floor if you don’t feel well. They’ve got your backs. Let’s make it through this alive!” said Hazuki to the fans. However, contrary to his caring remark, the show just got more intense. “Let’s make space for you guys to run around”. Accordingly, the fans made way for a mosh pit in the middle of the venue. Hazuki showed no mercy, making a throat-cutting gesture across his neck during the song GUILLOTINE. Lost in euphoria, the fans jumped, shouted and lost control in the mosh pit as lynch. blasted them with a berserk number.

Later, the band left the stage to take a break. Tour staff entered the stage with water bottles and ice packs for fans. Fans thanked the tour staff as they shared them with each other. Shortly after, the band members returned to the stage. “We decided to use as many electric fans as possible, but I guess they are not really helping us with the heat”, said Hazuki with wry smile on his face. “Let’s cool down a bit”. The band then reeled off three midtempo ballads from their latest album: ENVY, OBLIVION, and RING. Hazuki showed off his wide vocal range, projecting his glamorous voice and beautiful falsetto during the songs with sweet melancholy. “Please restore your energy”, Hazuki smiled at the fans. However, he suddenly changed his tone: “Are you ready to go crazy now?! Go crazy!!” lynch. went into full throttle once again. The song MAD lived up to its title, unleashing chaos upon the fans as Hazuki’s most intense screams yet pushed them over the edge. Meanwhile, the tour staff kept a watchful eye from the second floor so that no one would pass out unnoticed. The members once again left the stage for the second break.

“Are you guys OK? We brought some sodium supplements for you guys. I guess you guys had never seen a rock band who give out sodium candies in the middle of the show”, Hazuki laughed. The band members threw candies and water bottles to fans. Fans cheered as the band played the popular number Mirrors, another signature blend of screams set to a haunting melody. “Tokyo, we are getting into the zone! Aren’t we Yukihiro?”, asked Hazuki to the guitarist. “I’m worried about you, but I won’t let you guys get out of here alive!” Yukihiro responded to the vocalist with an agitating remark. The band and fans made a last spurt to the final song TOMORROW. Hazuki lay down on the floor, but still roused the fans to jump and headbang. His voice lost none of its intensity throughout the show, despite the heat. “Thank you!”

Later, the band came back for an encore. Hazuki made an exciting announcement that lynch. were to hold a 10th anniversary show at Tokyo’s Shinkiba Studio Coast on December 27th. “We will take the band to a whole new level”, he promised fans, and was met with a loud ovation. Hazuki continued, “We can actually do everything ourselves, like recording and set-up for the shows. You know it’s been so tough to do the shows for two straight days in such a crazy heat. We are thankful to the tour staff like never before for making these shows possible.” Applause rose for the tour staff who’d watched over the band and fans. “We would like to work together with this great team for the rest of our lives”, Hazuki made a heartfelt remark. Later, it was also revealed that a bassist Akinori will be joining X JAPAN’s vocalist ToshI’s solo live in Tokyo’s Zepp DiverCity on August 25th. “I will be representing lynch.”, declared Akinori. lynch. made an explosive finish with the hit I BELIEVE IN ME in which Hazuki and fans growled, screamed, and headbanged together, celebrating their triumphant survival of the Rokumeikan inferno. Hazuki, the last man standing, clapped his hands to fans with a satisfied smile on his face. “It was a great tour. Thank you!”

He thanked the fans once more without a microphone, then left the stage.

Below is a promo video for the band’s 10th year anniversary show on December 27th at Tokyo’s Shinkiba Studio Coast.