音楽
Seikima II Fan Testimony
On the eve of SEIKIMA II reuniting for their 20th anniversary and 2005 Japan tour a site named The Worst Community on Live Journal appeared that spread the gospel about the band and its disciples. Fast forward 5 years to 2010 and the blog has exploded into a more detailed forum for fans titled, SHINJA WORLDWIDE
Site administrator Zappin, a young cat from Liverpool, England created an electronic forum where international fans show their devotion and share topics on the group and its members with others. During their performance in Paris an actual book, From Earth With Love: Akumakyo Prayers containing photos and testimonies was delivered to Luke and Jail for H.E. Demon Kakka. The individuals below provided information to MAT on how long they have been worshipping SEIKIMA II, what their impression was of the Black Mass in Dallas, and what their wishes are for the future of the Masters of Visual Kei Rock.
Special thanks to all those who participated and especially, Zappin who has continued to help promote the band via the net for half a decade. Good show, mate!
Zach Harris
I have been a fan for about 6 years and I thought the performance was even better than I expected plus they played a "new" song. (the English version of "Jack The Ripper") Also, we got to see all the "classic" stage moves such as Demon standing on his head and throwing apples to the audience. It was also great to hear all the stage talk in English, so this time we actually understood what Demon was saying...and he was a lot funnier than I thought he would be! I never had any idea he talked about "pussy" and "tits" onstage so much! After the Mass was over, I realized that even in Japan, no one would ever get to see them that close up in an environment like that, so this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. You could tell how excited the band was, and the louder we cheered, the more excited they became. It was great for me to go absolutely crazy and see the band smiling back at me!
Of course, like all Shinjas, I wish that they would get back together permanently! I really would like to see an entire album of new material, and see all of their recent new recordings played live (such as "Heavy Duty Baby, SURPRISE!, and Pandemic Carriers"). Those are all great songs and I don't want them to be forgotten about or just thought of as "one-off" songs that will never be heard again.
If the band does decide to tour again, I would love for them to come back to the USA. I hope they realize that most of the fans at the Black Mass in Dallas were actually from all over the United States, so they could play anywhere in the U.S. and would probably get the same type of response! In fact, if they played bigger cities like New York or Los Angeles, they would get an even larger showing of new fans. Also, I would love to see some older Black Masses released on dvd from tours we haven't seen yet, such as Big Time Changes tour, Frightful Restaurant tour...or possibly even complete shows from other tours such as the 1986 Great Black Mass tour which was released in a heavily cut, 42 minute dvd.
As many have stated, it would be great if the fan club was open worldwide so that people outside of Japan could have access to tickets, posters, toys, shirts, and other merchandise. Ultimately, my main wish is that SEIKIMA II never totally stops and they at least keep doing these "limited reunions" every few years like they have and come back to the states.
Aki Aramoto and fellow Shinjas in Shibuya
I was a Seikima II fan when I was in high school. However, I wasn't listening to them for the next 20 years. I heard of their reunion a few months ago, so I'm back to being a Shinja again. I also reunited with other Shinjas. As far as my attraction to Seikima II, honestly, I'm not really a big fan of Heavy Metal or Hard Rock and prefer pop music. However, I don't know why, but I listen to Seikima II music and I think it is because of their professional skills, not only Kakka's voice, but also because of each member's technical ability. I also listen to them because of their music and lyrics. The uncomfortable sound somehow attracts me a lot.
Finally, their concept and costume attract me too. The feeling I have when I see them is the same feeling I have when I go to Disneyland. You know, once you entered Disneyland, you'll feel you are in a totally different world. I don't think any other band like Seikima II will ever appear again in the future of Japan.Being a Shinja, of course I wish they continue their band activities into the future. With recent internet technology, even people from overseas can get to know about them more and see their live performances. I hope they can have their own live show at a famous concert hall overseas and not just part of an event like A-KON or JAPAN EXPO. I feel this reunion might be the last, so I try not to expect too much activity from them.
Etsushi Kobayashi: I am 35 years old and I have had fun enjoying the band since I was an eighth grader. I was really satisfied with their U.S. performance, the music, the talk, and Demon's way of thinking. I liked it all. Of course I want this revival to last, but think that it might not be long enough. They have not been able to completely conquer the earth, yet. Their conquest of Japan has been successful, but for many reasons I want and expect more activity from them worldwide.
The only Japanese artist who played a very active part around the world was Kyu Sakamoto with the song, "SUKIYAKI." (which went to #1 in 1963 in the U.S., including a world tour and ended up selling 13 million copies).
Jennifer B
Yurinka T.
I've been a Shinja for 21 years. Oh my god, more than half of my life!!! I have seen many Black Masses and it does not matter where and when I went I always enjoyed them and painting my face as well. I enjoyed the show because H.E. Demon's Master of Cermonies technique was perfect, their playing is awesome and I love mingling with Shinjas in makeup.
My wish is that they will come back again in 5 years and have more Masses overseas. The ICBM Tour was too small, even though its name was INTERCONTINENTAL. Hopefully RX will have a U.S live show, as Xenon said he wants to do so.
Helene Lejeune
I found out about Seikima-II about a year ago completely by chance while exploring J-Rock thanks to youtube and stumbled upon a live version of "El Dorado" and later "Big Time Changes" and I was completely captivated. Demon Kogure's voice was so powerful, tears began to well up in my eyes! The rest is history: I've been totally taken by the band ever since. I'm 37 but there's something special about Seikima II that makes me feel like I'm 18 again!
Demon's voice really touches me. I don't speak Japanese, but I can feel the emotion in his voice. To me, he's up there with Bruce Dickinson and Rob Alford. His stage presence is also a huge draw. I can't keep my eyes off him! He's a gifted performer who is talented, funny and smart.
With other metal bands, some members seem to fade with the background. Who the heck was the drummer or the bassist? Each member here is interesting with a distinct personality, history and style. These guys are great musicians and they only got better as time went by. Luke plays the most amazing solos! They are very skillful and can play hard fast metal and soaring ballads with mastery.
I had butterflies in my stomach all day before the show in Dallas. I could barely eat! When they came on stage, I had chills all over my body. I could see the goosebumps on my arms and I had tears in my eyes! I forgot who I was, all of my worries and the rest of the world during the Black Mass. I was screaming with others and was taken out of time and space for a brief moment.
People evolve, so do Akuma. So it's normal to want to widen your horizons. I wish them a lot of success and I will try to support them the best I can. I hope they'll want to play for us again, with a proper world tour. I wish they'd write more Scriptures too. The English versions are great, but a cd full of new songs would be totally awesome! I'm just dreaming...
Is it a bit crazy to fly to Japan just for a rock concert? Not for a Shinja! It's our duty!
John Erigo
I have been a fan since 2000. It was very frustrating to have discovered the band AFTER they had initially broken up!
I was beyond satisfied with the Dallas Black Mass! After 10 years of buying EVERY concert dvd the band released, it was so exciting to see them live, right in front of me! I could not believe the energy they had! Every band member is so talented. It's a rare occasion to have that and SEIKIMA II delivered! I think the fact that there was no keyboard player present, made the band sound that much louder and heavier. AWESOME SHOW!!!
My wish is simple. PLEASE come back and play America again, especially NEW YORK and as important, a full album of NEW music! I understand this is a "limited reunion", but it would be great to get a full album worth of brand new songs!
James Flanigan
Shion Francois
From Japan to North America, from Russia to England, the Phillippines, Mexico, France, Italy, Spain and all points in between SEIKIMA II and their legendary movement and doctrines continue to spread across the planet in a big way. It is certain that more people are taking notice and the waves of their fandom and revolutionary music will rebelliously last way beyond their first quarter of a century presence in the Japanese rock world.
Linda R. Shadow
Two generations of fandom.