Amaterasu - Amaterasu shouka Grand Finale

Amaterasu, certainly one of the most original and yet least known bands overseas, wrapped up the sixth year of their career at the Shibuya O-East in January of this year. Their music is a delicious mix of pop, rock, heavy metal, and electro, with vocals determinedly turned to the east.

The DVD begins with computer generated images matched to the intro music. The musicians and members of Amaterasu are introduced one by one with "technical" index card. After introducing the drummer and then the bass player, a surprise comes in the form of a percussionist who looks like a Kabuki actor.

After some choreography from Daishi and Akira, guitarist/producer and vocalist respectively, jets of white smoke rise and they begin with Hinoko, where their universe set between the East and the extreme East immediately opens! Their music is difficult to describe, so rich and so heterogeneous, but Amaterasu knows just how to create a sound that is at once completely unique and yet very familiar, as if it had always existed.

We are seduced at once by the addition of traditional drums and the bewitching vocals of Akira. Daishi, who sports a bindi (Indian jewel stuck between eyes), shows himself to be an excellent guitarist and does not hesitate to offer fans a number of very beautiful solos or to dance all across the stage. Both wear outfits well suited to their music; a mix of traditional and futuristic at the same time. Akira, able to move about more freely, due to his lack of an instrument as well as his bare feet, executes traditional dances, complicated hand motions, and even some head banging; in even this, the group shows their mix of tradition and modern.

After changing their clothes into spotless white outfits, the band comes back to play Koku no kizuna and Mahoroba with the support of a Japanese traditional flutes player; the fans remain enraptured by the music and Akira’s voice. But Amaterasu knows also how to be violent and the audience reacts perfectly by jumping, head banging, and by executing difficult hand movements. After some fan service, another change of clothes, and the announcement of the last song, the splendid Shinrabanshou begins.

Daishi seemed very moved, right from the start, as Akira sang with a voice that touches everyone present. Then in a shocking moment, Daishi seized a pair of scissors and cuts his long hair before tossing the strands to the ground. Silvery streamers fall on the crowd, a last guitar solo is played and Amaterasu comes to an end admist smiles, tears, and embraces.

This DVD is of a very beautiful concert, with original and bewitching music. It's such a pity to have lost this band and we hope see Daishi and Akira in new projects soon.