the GazettE has already been on the road for 19 years and recently released their 10th album, MASS, in May, and it reaches the top of the music charts around the world. The music video for the main song, BLINDING HOPE is on the mark of more than 1.7 million views on YouTube and keeps growing every day.
the GazettE took some time to quickly talk with us about MASS and how they continue working into evolving and polishing their skills as a band.
Big thanks to the GazettE for making this interview possible!
── First of all, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us. MASS is the GazettE’s 10th album and each time you release an album, you present a new vision and concept. How would you describe the concept or vision of MASS and what differentiates it from your previous releases?
RUKI: There was no clear concept for this album, but as it is our 10th album in total, it’s based on our understanding of our “steady evolution” from the past to the present. We completed this album with the intention of creating something that could truly be called the GazettE.
REITA: We didn’t have a concept connected to a particular worldview, but aimed for a bigger album that would be better for live performances. We didn’t want to show a different side of the GazettE, but the GazettE that has evolved.
── Watching the music video of BLINDING HOPE felt like being chased. Was there anything you were chasing through MASS?
RUKI: Although I think it’s up to the viewer to decide for themselves ….The main theme of the music video is about escaping from a world that has stopped or changed, and desperately pursuing hope.
KAI: In the music video we combined the image of a ray of light with a feeling of running in search of salvation. The MV reflects our live performance and our feelings towards our fans.
── As AOI has switched to a new 7 string guitar, it felt as if the change in the equipment also brought a new dimension to the songs. A clear example of that is HOLD and FRENZY, where we could feel the difference in the chords and riffs. If we aren’t mistaken, REITA also changes between playing with a pick and playing with his fingers in the songs. Besides using new instruments, did you change anything in terms of sound? And did you experience any difficulties using new equipment?
AOI: Until now I’ve been using a basic 6-string guitar for low tuning. However, it was still difficult to maintain the guitar’s original brightness and tension. I picked up a 7-string guitar on a whim, and as I played it more and more, the unfamiliarity naturally dissipated, and the possibilities for sound creation expanded greatly.
REITA: I upgraded my instruments, but for the amplifiers and such, on the contrary, I returned to my previous ones. The sound is different from before; instead of emphasizing the low tones, I emphasized their density. I play DAKU and MOMENT with my fingers and the rest of the songs with a pick.
── Listening to the drums, guitars, and bass, MASS felt stronger and more aggressive as a whole, but MOMENT was completely different; it felt simpler than the other songs. What was your intention to include this song in the album?
URUHA: Even when it comes to our albums, the atmosphere of our live performances is something we are constantly aware of. It’s important to have ballads in the middle of a live performance and it’s equally as important to have them on the CD as well.
AOI: We believe that songs like MOMENT are a necessary part of the GazettE’s musical expression. The scenery throughout an album is like a concert, and those songs are an important part of concerts. We feel that it is very effective to incorporate a three-dimensional soundscape in the midst of a continuous roar.
REITA: This is the first time for us to incorporate acoustic guitars for a whole song. However, we thought it would be a good idea to include some intense songs and some contrasting ones to bring out the best of both sides. I think it will make each of them stand out even more during their live performances.
── It’s obvious that MASS will be a great album to experience live. On the other hand, the lyrics seem to be about the problems, resentment, and frustration of recent years. What are your thoughts on expressing these feelings through music?
URUHA: I think there is often a close relationship between music and what is happening around us. Especially in terms of reality, which in some parts is related to the way we express ourselves in our live performances.
AOI: If you mean what we are thinking about during the concert, then I cannot comment on that. It’s the same with the lyrics, if we say everything, it will define the worldview of the song for the person who reads the words. I think all of us want to perform in a way that leaves room for the listener to feel.
── Looking back over the past 19 years, the GazettE seems to rapidly evolve from the past. I could see it, especially in NINTH. Looking back, do you think this evolution happened naturally for the GazettE?
URUHA: We are making music with the intention to evolve, but whether we actually do so is something that would happen naturally, so I think that’s just a consequence of it.
AOI: As for the ‘especially’ you mentioned, I personally don’t feel that way. We are human beings, so we learn how to improve, and when it comes to the band, ideas are born. Because people don’t know the number of bad ideas we had, it might seem like rapid growth.
KAI: Thank you. It’s what happens when you have a band that’s always looking to evolve and fans who are always waiting for us to do so!
── In recent years, the music media has shifted from physical releases to more digital ones, and reaching the world is much easier now. Even recordings have changed from analog to digital. How was it to adapt to this digitization of music?
RUKI: It’s very convenient to be able to share things digitally and through the internet with the whole world, and I think it’s a tool that can easily cross borders. I also think that music is being transformed into such a tool. But at the same time, I’m trying to increase the value of the packaging and the CD as an object and to surprise the people who buy it. In the end, I think there is a difference between seeing it as just music and seeing it as a whole thing, including the packaging and the artwork. This also applies to recordings and live performances. It’s not a comparison between live and not live, it’s something completely different and I see it as a new tool to share our work.
URUHA: Personally, I think the digital transition is a cycle of success and failure. We have to be flexible in deciding which fields are suitable for digitalization and which are not because different methods, and ways, of handling them will produce different results. The most important thing for me is to always try both digital and physical, without doubting the possibilities, so that we can successfully integrate them.
KAI: I think it became much more convenient, and the process of production got much faster! It’s good to be able to expand around the world with no time lag!
── Still, as for the physical CDs, the GazettE always releases albums in a limited edition. Of course, for MASS it wasn’t different, but the most impactful limited editions for me were DIVISION and DOGMA. The details were amazing. How important is it to create these limited editions? Is it a way of giving life to the album’s concept?
RUKI: The reason why I am so particular about limited editions is that I want to create something that is not only about the music, but also about being able to feel the worldview of the work visually and physically.
── All of the GazettE songs are self-produced, and I can imagine with the pandemic you encountered many limitations. How was the GazettE affected by this situation? Were there any difficulties you haven’t had before?
REITA: At first, it was a little difficult to communicate with the members and engineers. However, we were able to solve this problem by having many online meetings. There were no disadvantages to the final work.
KAI: We weren’t used to working with engineers online, so there was some confusion when it came to the mixing process.
── the GazettE already had 3 world tours throughout many different countries. RUKI also asked the overseas fans via his Instagram about when they would feel safe to attend another world tour. Do you already have plans for your next world tour? And last but not least, please leave a message to your fans outside of Japan. We hope to see you in Brazil once again!
RUKI: Of course we have. However, we have no detailed information about the world’s situation in Japan. That’s why I simply asked the question through social media. As long as we are a band, there is no doubt that we will go on world tours. This album is like a promise for that. Please wait with anticipation.
URUHA: For sure! If there’s a chance to do another world tour, we’d like to seize it. I hope the day of us being in the same space and getting excited at our live shows will come sooner than later!
AOI: Of course, if we get the chance, we will do it. We promised it to our fans and I’m simply looking forward to it. The world is in such a state where it is difficult to return to everyone. However, we are discussing concerts every day, and they will be big, not only for Japan but also for the world tour. We will definitely come back to you again, so once we do, please come and see us. I’m also looking forward to that day.
REITA: We haven’t decided on a world tour yet, but if our fans all over the world are waiting for us, I’m sure we’ll make it happen again. Due to the effects of the corona, things haven’t been going as planned, but if we can all get through this, I believe we will be able to meet again. Until then, please stay safe.
KAI: We can’t make any plans at the moment, but we definitely want to do another world tour, so please wait for us!
zdroj: livejapanmusic.com
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