Megamasso at Shibuya AX: Starz M6

Megamasso are a slightly unusual band on the VK circuit due to the singer, Inzargi, whose roots are more hip-hop than aggressive rock. Adding to this refreshing alternative background is the group's custom of bringing out two backing dancers mid-live that gives each live a slight EXILE dimension, and more importantly, Inzargi's powerful and distinctive voice on the scene is what distinguishes Megamasso from the flock; a voice that Inzargi showed off to its full prowess for the final night of the Starz M6 tour in Shibuya AX.

The staging at AX was simple, a style to echo the upcoming single, White White. As soothing chillout music floated over the crowd, the stage was bathed in a gentle blue light that, together with the long white curtains draped on either side of the stage, created a serene mood. This all changed as the blaring introduction music came on and the band appeared in turn on the stage at the rear. Gou was first, in skinny black polka dot jeans and a white jacket. Ryohei followed him, looking quite a bit more manly than usual - a fact that was commented on later - in green skinny jeans, white t-shirt and leather waistcoat. Finally Inzargi arrived, in an outfit that was part hip-hop (with a checked shirt hung loosely around his waist) and part children's TV presenter in jeans adorned with colourful stars. The set opened with Minazuki Missou, all guitars blaring and the whole room dancing along. It was a catchy opener with Inzargi's rap-sung vocals propelling the infectious beat.

As it closed and Inzargi introduced the live with a shout, the band wasted no time in jumping into Throne Angel. Ryohei, in a particularly energetic mood, stood on the small　perspex box beside him and ran on the spot while the audience, jumping as one, sent vibrations through the whole building. The following songs kept the setlist varied and interesting as Megamasso switched faultlessly between styles, from the heavy hair metal of Blue V Neck Japan to the poppier disco sound in Ame Gakkitai, which made for a crackling start; during the first MC, when Inzargi asked his fellow bandmates how they felt about the evening, Gou responded by simply giving a thumbs up, no words were needed.

Inzargi's vocals were clear throughout, and particularly so in Hoshi furi machi, which calmed the atmosphere a little with a staged bathed in soothing pink and white lights. This calm continued as Megamasso launched into a slew of ballads. Shizuka na hoshi, shizuka na hitobito featured some neat guitar from Ryohei although it was dampened by Inzargi's voice that at points seemed a little flat, creating an awkward fit between guitar and vocals. Modern Amplifire on the other hand, couldn't have been more different. A special live version, it featured Ryohei gently playing the sweet melody on piano while Inzargi's vocals soared over the music with real passion and power. It made for a stunning close to the ballads as Gou returned and with In Pinky Jelly, so did the heavy.

Ryohei's energy then hit overdrive in the aptly titled Gymnasium, and Inzargi joined him in hopping around the stage. Only Gou remained stoic and as Ryohei skipped past the drumkit to switch places Gou nonchalantly strolled. The heavy continued into Yoreru monooki as Inzargi displayed clear, strong vocals that would be well suited to 80s power metal. Menou brought a change of pace as strains of qi flute, koto and shamisen filled the room as accompaniment for the onslaught of guitars. Sadly the breaks and verses seemed disjointed as the traditional instruments faded for a while, thus leaving a somewhat patchy and uneven song. Despite this it was hugely popular, judging by the reception.

The following MC gave a well deserved break and the audience were regaled with an amusing story of water and slipping on conbini floors. Inzargi also asked the audience their thoughts on the new outfits and made a big deal of pointing out that Ryohei was not wearing a skirt. Shockingly Ryohei looked like a man! At the very least it made the difference between him and the hip-hop dancers who appeared for the next few songs less marked. In baggy jeans, puffy body warmers and baseball caps they danced with Inzargi and Megamasso who went into EXILE mode. More amusingly, as Shakunetsu Taiyou was played and the fans swung their towels above their heads, so did Inzargi's 'bo' friends; the scene bordered on farce as the pair danced along to a distinctly visual song while waving flannels.

The dancers departed as Sweet Skin Like a Candy began and the music took on a more familiar visual ambience once more. While the dancers had gone, the towels at least returned for Bullet Song, a heavy rock offering with a distinct Middle Eastern sound to the bridge. The set ended with Lips, its positive cheerful sound filling the room with colour. Ryohei marched around the stage all smiles in such contrast to the eternally stoic Gou.

Megamasso had a further treat for fans during the wait for the encore with the showing of a video: The Making of White White. AX filled with the sounds of laughter and screams as on screen, Megamasso played with hula hoops; Gou acted it up with smiles and Ryohei failed spectacularly as the hoop hit him repeatedly in the face. The trio returned very shortly after the video's end and for the first few minutes talked about those antics as an introduction to the playing of White White, a rather poppy and pretty song. The second encore, Namida Neko, was a huge contrast with a stronger darker melody within which Gou's bass sounded particularly sonorous and beautiful. With that they were off again and the waiting began once more. Thankfully Megamasso are not so inclined to keep their fans waiting, and within a few minutes they reappeared in tour t-shirts.

The second encore began immediately with music, rather than the long conversations that will occasionally dominate encores. (Aori) Imomushi no nushi, with a powerful drumbeat that got the crowd shouting, was a good start to this encore and included a killer solo from Ryohei that caused the fans to go crazy. This spilled over into Viper as the crowd surfing began with a small girl in a tiger shaped kigurumi costume who climbed on the central bar and then made a tremendous leap onto the heads of the crowd in front. She was followed by others, frantically trying to keep their modesty as they rolled ungracefully over the audience. The music for a moment became almost incidental as Megamasso played the same heavy refrain over and over. Finally though Inzargi called 'Last one!' and the livehouse returned to sedateness for Paradisa Halo.

Paradise Halo is the kind of song that comes to life when played live. On CD it is quite lackluster, but live, Ryohei's neat solos and Inzargi's a capella moments leading the crowd into a sing-along make it quite the magical track. It certainly left the audience spellbound and they sang relentlessly to the end. The band left to raucous cheers and applause and the party continued after they had left; not even the light rain that had started to fall could stop it.

Setlist:

Minazuki Missou
Throne Angel
Blue V Neck Japan
Ame gakkitai
Hoshi furi machi ite
Yawarakai koushou, shinkai
Shizuka na hoshi, shizuka na hitobito
Modern Amplifire (Shibuya AX Special Ver)
In Pinkey Jelly tonight
Gymnasium
Yoreru Monooki
Menou
Mitsu to ga
Shakunetsu Taiyou
Sweet Skin Like A Candy
BULLETSONG
Beautiful Girl
LIPS

EN1:
White White
Namida Neko

EN2:
(Aori) Imomushi no nushi
Viper (Live ver)
Paradisa Halo (Live Ver)