278. burning our lives

Little sis arrived in Tokyo on Friday evening, we didn't do much but had dinner and went straight home because she was really tired from her flight.

The next day, we still didn't do anything much but go around Tachikawa because there was a show in the evening at Tachikawa Babel. It was nice to just chill and not worry about the live venue for once, honestly. 

We had a light dinner and went to Babel close to 6 pm for Crystal Lake's Championship Tour. Northern 19 was opening for them. They're a pop-punk band so I wasn't really into them. They sounded pretty good live but pop-punk is just not my thing. 

Crystal Lake took the stage close to 7 pm opening to Mercury. I was surprised with the next song because they played The cover of Beastie Boys' Body Movin'. I have been (kinda) bugging Ryo since last year to play that song, although he said it was difficult to play it live, I think they nailed it on Saturday. I was happy. 

Their setlist on Saturday was refreshing because they didn't play the usual Rollin' and the sequence of songs was different. Also, I thought it was cute they had a stage diving "championship" with judges holding scoreboards. Loyal To The Grave's vocalist was the judge for that night. It was funny because no matter who stage dived, he would hold out a "no" sign. Shinya (guitarist) "opened" the stage diving contest and fans followed. 

I was glad they decided to play Open Water, Burning Our Lives, Endeavor, Ups and Downs, Overcome. The usuals - Beloved, Matrix, Promethetheus, Hades and The Fire Inside were played as well. They closed to Dreamcatcher before the first encore. 

All in all, their fans were the usual - giving back the same energy as the band did. I was glad to see little sis smiling the whole way while the band was playing. It was nice to introduce her to the people I know now. Everyone was in a good mood that day, even me.

I spent some time hanging around the venue as usual before deciding to get supper. It was a great night, I hope Crystal Lake continues to play more old songs for upcoming shows. It's really a breath of fresh air for the band and fans.

266. divine ii

December 18th, Friday was Crystal Lake's The Sign tour final. I took my time to head to the venue since I already knew the schedule for that day. I bumped into Yuu at Ebisu Liquidroom and we went into the venue to check out MEANING for a little bit before I decided to head out, they're pretty decent live, just that I wasn't really feeling the music.

As expected, the drinks area was full of people. It was the same last year at Crystal Lake's Cubes final. I bumped into Hayato again and he introduced me to a girl and SikTh, a progressive metal band from England. The band was nice and I was mostly talking to one of the members about Australia. They invited me to their show the next day in Ikebukuro and I said I'll check them out. After the band left, I ended up talking to Yuuri and we exchanged contact information. Little that I know, she's also a singer who performs with bands sometimes.

I headed back inside the stage area to get a good spot for In Hearts Wake. They opened to Earthwalker again and it was almost the same setlist as Tuesday's show. Today's show was much better because of the special effects and crowd moshing. It was fun to watch Survival's moshpit. I was kind of sad when their set ended because I wasn't really that excited to see Crystal Lake that day since I already knew that they won't be playing my favorite songs.

soul-grabbing cleans on Wildflower

friendly circle pits on Survival

Crystal Lake didn't take too long to get on stage and they opened to Prometheus. I was bored with their set because they didn't play my favorites - Mahakala, Body Movin', not even Twisted fucking Fate. The only thing that made up for this lack of good songs was probably the special effects. I really liked Dreamcatcher's backdrop. Most of the songs had special guests, like Rollin', Matrix, Hades and on Sleep Awake, Jake (vocals for In Hearts Wake) and Yosh (vocals for Survive Said The Prophet), came out to perform. Everyone was in high spirits and the crowd was really good that day. Can't beat Osaka or 2014's Cubes final though.

still my favorite song off their new record, The Sign.

They were their usual, good - but not the best I've seen them. They shared some good news with the crowd, a new tour and touring in the States in 2016. I'm glad and proud of these guys, they've come a long way. I walked out when they were playing their last song, A Fire Inside. 

Ended up talking to some friends again before heading to the second floor. The drinks area was even more packed than it was before which made it even harder to breathe with everyone smoking. I bumped into Ivan before heading upstairs and we caught up for a bit. Upstairs, fate again brought me back to a person I once cared about but before I even realized it, a big accomplishment was made that day, a chapter of my life has come to a close, as a new one unfolds. I hung around the second floor talking to the band and some friends before deciding to head home.

Crystal Lake's tour finals for the past two years have been emotional for me. Sometimes, I really believe that everything is always linked to one another in a strange way. Life is strange.

It was an emotional day for me. I couldn't get to bed until 8am in the morning, too much going on in my mind.  There are a lot of things I've learned this year, and one of them is to learn how to let go. Only by letting go, you can only move forward in peace.

249. to the stars

Last week was pretty hectic because I was trying to juggle school, friends and going to shows. On Thursday I ran off right after class to go to lynch.'s show in Yokohama (I will write that in another entry), Friday was Nan's birthday and we went to celebrate with her boyfriend and son after class. Also, I had a test on Friday so I had to study everything in advance and because my memory is so bad, I have to study multiple times. Saturday was my only free day but I had so many chores and study for my kanji test on Monday, it didn't feel like I could relax.

So on Sunday night, I made my way down to Hachioji for Crystal Lake's The Sign tour. Sunday's line up was pretty good with Backdate November, NUMB and Swanky Dank opening up for CL. I met a couple of people before getting into the venue and since it was sold out, it was so packed I couldn't get in. I was stuck at the entrance but lucky me, I bumped into some more people there.

I missed the first half of Backdate November's set because of that. I wanted to see them since I saw them in April and thought they were pretty good. NUMB's set was good and it was fun with people moshing and crowdsurfing. I really liked their last song, T.H.C. = Tokyo Hardcore.

I managed to talk to Senta (vocals) before the show, we were both stuck in the elevator, haha. People seem to be more understanding towards me now because I'm still studying Japanese but a lot people have told me that I've improved since the first time they've met me. I really appreciate when people correct me straight up when I make a mistake because that way I learn faster.

After NUMB was Swanky Dank, I'm not a fan of their music but their set was fun as well. If I liked pop-punk, I would have enjoyed their set I think. Their songs seem fun to mosh and sing along to. Their crowd was pretty good as well, probably because they attract a younger (more energetic) audience. Man, I'm old.

I always forget to take photos at shows. I got so used to not taking photos because normally at lynch. or any other show, you can't but for small shows like this you can. I wish I took more photos. The main act was up next, and they played about close to 9pm opening with Astra and then Prometheus. Their setlist tonight was mostly new songs with their hits from CUBES EP but I'm glad they played Overcome! As usual, they delivered but not the best I have seen of them. I hope their tour final will be better.

Highlight of their set for me was them playing Dreamcatcher, it's my favourite song off their new album. I was pretty bummed they didn't play their cover of Beastie Boys' Body Movin'. 

It was really hot in the venue, so hot to the point the band started giving out water to the crowd. For some reason, it was really humid and it felt as if summer is still here. =__= They closed to The Fire Inside. Ryo's english has improved a lot as well since the first time I met him. I hung around the venue after the show ended for a little while. As always, it was nice seeing familiar faces again. Obviously a very atmosphere compared to when I go to see lynch. 

I enjoyed their show and can't wait to see them play with In Hearts Wake in December, more excited about In Hearts Wake actually. I don't know if I'm being biased because they're Australian, haha. Australia's concert atmosphere is still the best to me. I'm still missing Australia, I really want to go back for a while but it seems kind of impossible. Doesn't help that there's a new student in my class is Australian as well, everytime I talk to him, it makes me miss Melbourne even more.

236. tonight, we are the dreamers

I have been feeling under the weather for the entire week and wasn't sure if I was up to go to any shows. On Friday, I decided to go to see Decays, THE BONEZ and MERRY but because I am SICK, and being absentminded lately, I forgot my ticket. Thank god, there was Plan B.

Plan B was to go to Crystal Lake's True North Project #3 with Loyal To The Grave and OTUS. Despite still feeling a little unwell, I just went ahead to Shibuya Garret. OTUS was already on stage as I walked in. They had a half hour set, and so did Loyal To The Grave. I enjoyed both bands and was glad I could see Loyal because I missed them last month.

Crystal Lake took the stage at almost 9 and played for about 45 minutes. Their set was good today because it was a long one and they played a couple of old songs and a new song. I was kind of sick seeing them play lately because it was always the same 5 songs. Seeing them today was another good pick me up. I have been feeling sick and stressed out lately. Funny enough, little sis and I came down with a fever on the exact same day.

Even though I was having a headache, I was headbanging (not vigorously) to my favorite songs. I was so glad they played Mahakala and Twisted Fate. Yudai (guitarist) crowdsurfed for their encore song, and was playing the guitar on the crowd. As always, it was nice seeing familiar faces again. I always can't handle my schoolmates after some time because even though they are nice and we get along, our minds are just wired very differently.

My headache got worse after show but at least it was worth it since I really enjoyed myself. I hung around the venue for a little bit before heading home. I went home early this time since my head was pounding.

The next time I will be seeing Crystal Lake play will be in Osaka for Bloodaxe Festival. I will be seeing Crossfaith the day after too, can't wait!

P.S. I would have recorded their new song or the old songs but my mind really wasn't functioning. I only realized I didn't record anything after they played The Fire Inside (before encore). Hopefully, I can much better over the weekend.

232. blue and yellow, the used

Today felt like a loooonnnngggg day. I received some bad news from home this afternoon during class, this time it's Mad who is back in the hospital. She was just fine when I saw her almost two weeks ago. Life can just take a turn sometimes and for me, I feel like it's been a never ending battle going on my head of worrying too much and trying to stay focus at the same time of things I want, class and everything here. I hope she gets better soon, I was talking to her fiance and checking up on her.

Thankfully there was a good pick-me-up after class tonight. I made my way to Ebisu after class and headed to Liquidroom for The Used's show here with Crystal Lake opening for them. Crystal Lake took the stage at exactly 7pm and opened to Matrix. I haven't seen them in  a while, they didn't disappoint as usual. They played the usual, Matrix, Ups an Downs, Rollin', Beloved and The Fire Inside.

The Used played almost right on time at 8pm and opened to Maybe Memories. They were better than I expected them to be. In the past people would tell me not to see them because Bert (vocals) sucked live, also because I don't really like Bert because he was dick (inside story). Putting that aside, his vocals were amazingly alright. I guess it pays off when he's been sober for three years now. They played a ton of old songs from In Love and Death and their self-titled album.

The show was filled with nostalgia for me. It's been 10 years (man, I feel old) since I've been listening to them. I remember always listening to them on my way home from school. Oh, those angsty days. Their setlist was filled with my favorites, Take It Away, Listening, I Caught Fire, Blue and Yellow, All That I've Got, Buried Myself Alive, Box Full of Sharp Objects, The Taste of Ink.. FILLED with my favorites like I said. Also, it was a nice break from all the Japanese bands.

Weirdly enough, the longer I am in Japan, I get happier when I see a foreign band even if my favorite bands at the moment are mostly Japanese. It could also be because I can actually understand when they are talking to the audience, lol. The Used had more heart in their live performance than I expected, especially coming from Bert. I really enjoyed Blue and Yellow. It was my lullaby for a few years when I was younger. Their MC was also kinda funny. Well, good westernized humour.

They closed to Pretty Handsome Awkward, and their encore was a long version of Box Full of Sharp Objects. They also covered a little bit of Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit. Ryo came on stage again to do the screamo for Box Full of Sharp Objects. It actually made me really happy because I could see my past and present when they were performing together. It's kind of an unexplainable feeling. Life is so strange sometimes, I'm glad I missed The Used in the past if not I wouldn't be as happy as I was today.

Another thing I love about being in Japan is that when I go to shows, I see a lot of familiar faces and would stop and talk to them as much as my Japanese allows me. Thank god there are a couple of people who can speak English fluently. It feels more "at home" than I ever was in Singapore. It was nice seeing so many people again today, I felt like I needed it after the intense two weeks back home and the news I received today. I was greeted with a lot of 久しぶり, and compliments that I look better with short hair.

This year has been proving to be a little too crazy for me again. I'm planning to go to more shows, do more art related things and spend time with new people. Aside from the worries I have, I have been pretty good and plan to stay that way.

216. another song about the weekend

May 9th, 2015

Saturday was the Mad Ollie Spring 2015 music x skateboarding festival at Shinkiba Studio Coast. The last time I was at Shinkiba was in December for a normal show but this time, there was an outdoor and indoor stage and even a skateboarding ramp in the middle of the indoor stage area. There were a ton of booths around for mostly skateboarding brands like Volcom, Subciety etc. I think they made good use of the small area around the live house, with some food booths as well as band merchandise around the outdoor stage.

 The first band playing for the day at the indoor stage was Crystal Lake. They started at 2pm and opened to Matrix, followed by Beloved, Twisted Fate, Rollin' and closed to The Fire Inside. They put on a good show as always, and this was my first time seeing them on a big stage. The mosh pit was still brutal and I got kicked really hard on the hips and now there are bruises there. 

After they were done, I was walking around until I heard Survive Said The Prophet playing and went to the outdoor stage. I think their songs are catchy and good in general but I'm not a fan of their music. I really enjoyed If You Really Want To though! We were just chilling around and decided to check out Swanky Dank's set half way through. We went in just in time when Ryo (CL) came to do guest vocals on Monster. Swanky Dank's set was surprisingly good, they sound more towards pop rock but had great energy and good vocals on stage. 

There was nothing much to do but to sit around, smoke, look at merchandise or talk to people while waiting for bands to play. Laura would introduce me to people occasionally, and we would talk a little here and there. I was watching Artema from the side and was okay with the first half of their set until they started playing songs with autotuning and electro music. Still not a fan of that. 

We hang around some more till it was time for Namba 69 to play at the indoor, I enjoyed their set even though it was pop punk, but it had a heavier sound. One song in particular looked like it was fun to mosh to because there was clapping in it as well. Someone passed out in the middle of their set, and the singer of the band came down to check what happened after they finished playing. I was rushing to the outdoor stage to catch Loyal To The Grave.

The last time I saw them was also in December, and one of the reasons why I enjoy their set is because of the mosh pit. Their mosh pit is the most brutal I have seen yet in Japan. This time, I almost fell but someone caught me from the back. The guitarist of Artema was really funny during the moshing because his shoe came off and he was trying to wear it and someone would mosh towards him and he threw his shoe at that person, LOL. I was laughing so hard at that. After LTTG's set was over, Laura and I were just hanging around the merch booths talking to people. I wanted to watch The Bonez but ended up missing them because of talking, haha.

We managed to watch the last band of the day, FACT. I haven't really listened to much of their music but they're really big in this scene, so I was just curious to see how good they are. I was impressed by their live set, especially on some songs where they had extra instruments like the didjeridoo, which is an Australian Aboriginal musical instrument (the famous long tube like looking thing) and some percussion drums. Their set was too short and not even being a fan, I wanted at least another song. 

It started to rain when we were leaving Studio Coast, at least it didn't rain during the day! I had a lot of fun at Mad Ollie because of the people I met and bands I watched. Hopefully, there will be more shows for me to go to, so I can check out new music. 

212. the fire inside

On Sunday, I went with Laura to see Crystal Lake x Country Yard play at Shinjuku ACB Hall. It was Country Yard's show with Crystal Lake opening for them. They started at almost 7 and opened to (my surprise) Matrix. The had a good set list that day, including (Laura's favorite) Light Up The Tunnel. I was kind of bummed they didn't play Mahakala but was happy they played Ovecome. They closed to The Fire Inside. The crowd on Sunday was more brutal than the last time I saw them at NERDS' Fest. Ryo (vocalist) got kicked in the face several times and me, standing away from the crowd also go hit. It's fun to watch how wild the crowd can get because it made me enjoy their set thoroughly. After starting classes for almost 2 weeks, I felt like I was "losing myself", but seeing them made me feel comfortable in my own skin again. It's strange, when you meet new people that don't really get you, you have to put on this front but when I go to shows I don't have to, and that's what I love about music so much. 

There was a short interval before Country Yard took the stage. To be perfectly honest, I really am not a fan of melodic pop punk, or melodic punk for that matter but Country Yard were really good live with great energy on stage and interacting with the crowd. I've never been to see any melodic punk shows but they had (good? will you call it that?) mosh and circle pits, which I never expected to see coming from a softer sounding band. They played for over an hour and it was really funny because even though I was dazing off after a while, I was actually standing next to Crystal Lake's merchandise table, Ryo (vocals) and Crystal Lake's staff was singing so loudly, it kinda kept me entertained.

Laura and I hung around after the show and talked to the bands for a bit before heading to supper. Since I hardly go to Shinjuku, I don't know where to go, so Laura asked one of her friends for recommendations and we had a nice supper. Unfortunately, we missed our last trains home so we took the train to Shibuya and went to our usual bar where we bumped into another group of Laura's friends and spent the entire night talking to them. It was an entertaining night I would say. We went for a small breakfast and headed home after that. I managed somehow to get up and still go for class the next day.

There's just something about music that I love so much that makes me feel comfortable in my own skin. Sometimes, it gets so hard to stay grounded and remember the reason I'm back for. I'm happy to be back in Japan and can't wait to go to more shows. I seriously can't wait to see lynch. again next month, even though it's a seated show, I feel like that would really make me the happiest.

190. overcome, crystal lake

On Sunday, there was a small heavy music festival in Shibuya. I met up with Laura first for lunch at Silkream, then we made our way to Shibuya THE GAME for the show. When we walked in, Ryo from Crystal Lake was performing with INFECTION. We both agreed it was good timing, since I was there for only Crystal Lake anyways.

We stayed for the next band called Say Hello To Sunshine which was softer sounding and went off to get coffee because we didn't bother about the next couple of bands playing and there was about a little over two hours to kill. I was really sleepy, tired and sore from lynch.'s show the day before. So we chilled a bit and waited for Anzu to arrive and headed back to the venue.

We got back to the venue and watched Castaway for a little bit and continued with Blindside, the mosh for this show was really brutal because most of the bands were really heavy, metalcore, grindcore, hardcore etc. After Blindside was an acoustic set by Kensuke Yamamoto and we all walked out to the smoking area since I wanted smoke.

Some of the guys in the other bands playing later on were outside smoking as well, and Laura introduced Anzu and I to some of them. The acoustic set felt like forever, everyone was complaining about how long it was. We didn't bother going inside for it because we didn't wanted to get sleepy, it also fucked up the schedule for the rest of the night.

Next up was A Ghost of Flare, I only know about them because they're on my suggested list on Youtube. They were really good live and had a lot of energy on stage, I really enjoyed seeing them. The only downside was maybe all the weird interludes to their songs, like whispering, musical box playing, kids crying and some I don't even know what it is? I don't know if I'll listen to them but will definitely watch them again.

Numb was next and they aren't really the type of band I would listen to but they were pretty good live, mosh was brutal again. At this point I was already counting down to see Crystal Lake because my back was aching and I was getting tired and sleepy again.

Crystal Lake took the stage about almost 9-ishpm when they were slotted for 8.30pm (the acoustic set really messed up the schedule), they opened to Rollin', followed by to my surprise Mahakala, mine and Laura's favorite song from CUBES. She was busy moshing, I just stood somewhere in the front at the side headbanging away. Overcome was next and then Beloved, which I recorded the entire song because the crowd was crazy. Ryo got pulled into the crowd, so he was singing on the ground for a little bit. They closed to The Fire Inside and even if it was such a short set I enjoyed myself and was happy I went because I was pretty hesitant at first (wanted the last show of 2014 to be lynch. cos I'm just crazy).

The last band of the night was Loyal To The Grave, though they also played music I don't normally listen to, I thought they were really good live and had fun. The mosh for them was the most brutal I guess because it was the last band? I fell down a couple of times and I wasn't even in the moshpit. Some girls literally fell over and the guys were helping them up. Also, I almost got kicked in the face by someone who crowd surfed. Have never been to any show that brutal in a long time.

After the show ended, Senta (vocal of numb) was asking Laura and I if we were okay because he saw that the crowd was really violent, lol. We went to look at merch and actually A Ghost of Flare's merch was really nice. We stopped by Crystal Lake's table for quite some time before heading out.

I'm happy I went to this show, it was such a good way to end the last weekend of 2014. lynch. + Crystal Lake on the same weekend? For me, that's perfect. Especially since my love for Crystal Lake has been growing rapidly. I'm not sure what shows or which bands I'm going to see in 2015 but I hope it'll be even better than the ones I saw this year.

183. mahakala, crystal lake

14th December was Crystal Lake's CUBES Tour Final show at Daikanyama UNIT. I met up with Laura at a cafe near the station before we headed to the venue. It didn't take long at all to get in, we got our drinks and waited around before the opening band took the stage.

Crystal Lake took the stage at about 7.30pm and opened to Ups & Downs, followed by Mahakala. At that point I was kind of freaking out because they hardly play Mahakala and also because I wanted to record a video, haha. I'm kind of bummed that I didn't record the first verse because it's my favorite part of the song,  forever you will rest in peace.

Since I've only recently started listening to them, I've only listened to their latest EP, CUBES. They played quite a number of old songs like Openwater, Overcome and Endeavor next. I honestly enjoyed watching this band so much, their fans are insanely awesome as the band. So many stage dives, circle pits and crowd surfing. I especially enjoyed fans running onto the stage and doing backing vocals for The Fire Inside. "We are not the fucking dead!" Fans pulling the vocalist into the crowd, snatching his mic and screaming into it. I haven't seen anything like this in such a long time because I only kept going to see lynch., so it was such a nice change of crowd, scene and music.

I was actually really surprised the crowd was 90% male, I could actually count the number of girls there. That's a first. They played for a little over an hour, with 15 songs. They had a couple of special guests performing with them on certain songs also like Rollin', Matrix, Daylight and Into The Great Beyond which their former vocalist performed with them.

(okay I'm cheating, I only know all the song titles because I got the set list lol.)

But even without knowing any of their old songs, I really enjoyed them. I think this is one of the rare times that a band can buy me over so easily, but they are fucking amazing live and I think their fans also add up to why this show was so good. Both the energy of the band and fans are incredible. I was really surprised they played See This Through the non acoustic version. I love the acoustic version but hardcore version is wayyyyyyy better. The last few songs were Beloved and The Fire Inside. The encore songs were Cubes and Twisted Fate.

It's been a long time since I've written about a band like this, that is not lynch. , haha.  I think the only other band I did was AFI but they have been my favorite band since I was 16. I think Crystal Lake is slowly sliding into the number 3 spot of my top favorite bands. I'm really glad I chose to come to this show as well. I was pretty hesitant at first but decided I really wanted to after seeing them at knotfest. I'm also glad I had company with me at the show. Because honestly, going to shows alone all the time is kind of boring.

So many great bands I've seen this year. There's still one show left for this year and I'm so excited to see my ultimate favorite band at their 10th anniversary show.