Locally Owned and Operated...Special Edition July 2016
Matenrou Opera First Live at Anime North in Canada
Matenrou Opera (摩 天 楼 オ ペ ラ ) is a five-piece Japanese Visual Kei rock band from Tokyo, Japan. The band consists of Sono (vocals); Ayame (keyboards, keytar); Yuu (drums); Yo (bass) and Anzi (guitar). Matenrou Opera, a combination of skyscraper and opera, the band name represents the mixture of modern and classical music styles. Sono describes it as an amalgamation of rock and classic. Influenced by traditional hard rock and heavy metal, Matenrou Opera is known for their beautiful melodies based on their hard rock sounds. When writing songs the band is most inspired by the energy from their live shows. Matenrou Opera has performed live concerts in the U.S.A., Europe across Asia and has garnered fans all over the world. This was the band’s first trip to Anime North in Canada where a concert took place at the Toronto Congress Centre in Hall “C” on May 28th. Formed in 2007 by Sono (vocalist) and Yuu (drummer) previously with the band, “Jeniva”, they made their major debut in 2009 and have since grown in both popularity and musical techniques. The band attests their longevity to working hard. In 2008, Matenrou Opera joined Kamijo’s record label “Sherow Artist Society” with their single “Ruri Iro de Egaku Niji” reaching number 11 on the “Oricon Indies Chart”. Their EP “Gilia” garnered number 7 and was released in Europe. During that same year, the band had the opportunity to tour Europe with Versailles and developed a strong bond with the band. According to Sono, the band is no longer affiliated with Kamijo’s label. “We have ceased our relationship with Kamijo’s label. We learned a great deal from him on the kind of attitude that is necessary in creating music. Now, we just get together for drinks.”
Matenrou Opera covered X Japan’s song “Kurenai” for the compilation “Crush! 90’s V-Rock Best Hit Cover Songs” released in January 2011 featuring current Visual Kei bands covering songs from bands of the 90’s Visual Kei movement. The band participated in the tribute album “Tribute II – Visual Spirits” launched on July 3rd, 2013 with hide’s song “Dice”. “I love the high tone in Kurenai”, said Sono. The band used the live arrangement in lieu of the CD version and according to Yuu “That’s what Hide used to do and that’s what we liked the most”. Matenrou Opera feels social media plays a key role in promoting the band. “I think it’s important to let people know about our music through our videos. I noticed international people watch YouTube videos and learned about us,” said Ayame. Since most of their fans purchased their songs via iTunes the band would like to have the opportunity to sell their physical CDs. “In order for this to happen we would need more lives in Canada,” said Sono. You can expect a new release from the band in the near future. Matenrou Opera held their first live show on Saturday, May 28th at the Toronto Congress Centre in front of a full crowd. Their music resonated in Hall “C” and fans rejoiced upon hearing Sono’s unique vocals. All of the members were exuberant on stage providing the entertainment the fans have been waiting for. Yuu’s powerful drumming is known to resemble Lars from Metallica. When asked what he likes most about his style Yuu said: “I like the face he makes when he is drumming.” At one point during the concert, Ayame addressed the audience in English recounting his visit at the CN Tower and explained how he has never seen Tokyo Tower in his hometown but did enjoy his time at our CN Tower. Some of the dedicated fans travelled as far away as Texas to see Matenrou Opera. Sybil from Montreal
is one of their biggest fans and planned to see them in Japan until she got the news they were performing in Toronto. She waited fourteen hours in line to see her beloved band. “It was worth it. They were amazing. It was better than I anticipated.” Christine who has been running The North American Street Team since 2012 had her team circulated a Canadian flag collecting signatures from fans lined up for the show. It was later given to Sono as he displayed it during the concert. Isabel native from Brazil now living in Canada was amazed to see them at Anime North. “Heavenly concert, I could hear every single instrument. They exceeded my expectations.” According to Jerry from Toronto it was very sentimental for her and brought tears to her eyes when seeing her favourite band on stage. She thought they were phenomenal. For Ty from Toronto this was his third time seeing the J-rock band as he saw them twice in Japan. “It had more of an intimate feel by being closer to the band and interacting with them.” Matenrou Opera certainly made a great first impression in Canada to all their fans. Hopefully we will have the pleasure of seeing them again in the near future. Special thanks to Matenrou Opera: Sono, Ayame, Yuu, Yo and Anzi, J-Rock North Promotions, King Records, Bellwood Records, Certified Translator, Yukari Meldrum, Anime North and the fans for their input. Matenrou Opera concert photos are courtesy by Stephen Echavia with thanks. For more information visit matenrouopera.jp or their Facebook and Twitter pages. Dianna Chycki is host of Beach Corner podcast weekly entertainment show from beachBOOSTERradio.com. Beach Corner article sponsored by Exchanging Vows Bridal Boutique in Collingwood.