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As the lights dimmed and Brahman's middle-eastern intro began a round of deafening cheers filled the very sold-out Liquid Room. This should come as little surprise to anyone who's been following Brahman's career over the last decade. Firmly entrenched in the Japanese indie scene, over the years the Tokyo quartet have built up a rabid legion of fans who go absolutely ape-shit at the mere sight of their heroes. Tonight was no exception. Opening with "A White Deep Morning" from their latest effort, The Middle Way, Brahman instantly worked the capacity crowd into a frenzy. The area in front of the stage became a rapidly moving barrage of stray limbs and bouncing bodies. Vocalist Toshi-Low gripped his mic stand tightly with both hands while trying to out sing the extremely enthusiastic audience.. Utilizing the quiet/loud dynamic favoured by many post-rock artists, Brahman strung together a solid set of emo, hard rock, and skate punk. The majority of the material in the night's 20-song set began quietly. Shadowed by dark lights, Toshi-Low, bassist Makoto, and guitarist Kohki all stood still while creating their melodic sounds. However, at some point during each track the rhythms would feverishly increase in speed and the stage would light up. All hell would break loose as the band and crowd let the passionate, powerful music take hold of them. Watching this scenario continually unfold throughout the show it seemed almost like there was a light switch hidden somewhere amidst the speakers and amps in the club. When the switch was off things would be calm. But when flicked on, a jolt of energy would shoot through the group resulting in mass hysteria on the floor below. Anchored by the proficient drumming of Ronzi, the bulk of The Middle Way's dozen tracks were presented along with older gems such as "See Off" and "Beyond the Mountain". Ending with "Far From", Toshi-Low spun around in a circle while belting out his lyrics. Squeezing his microphone with all his strength, he began dancing wildly as the venue was engulfed by strobe lights. Flinging himself onto the ground, he soon disappeared as his bandmates finished playing their parts. Returning a few minutes later, Brahman made quick work of their four-song encore. The highlight of the rapid-fire assault came during "Answer For" from 1998's A Man of the World. As surfing teens flew through the air, Toshi-Low climbed on top of the speakers and sang while leaning over the lighting rig hanging from the ceiling. Although the house lights came on after a rousing version of "Placebo", a large number of those in attendance refused to leave. Choosing to reward their cheers and unified clapping the group re-emerged for one last number. Unsurprisingly, the fast, hard song was met with the same response as its predecessors. After the gig, flyers were handed out advertising next year's re-release of the group's 2001 disc, A Forlorn Hope, by Californian heavyweight Revelation Records. With North America's recent love affair with all things Japanese, it'll be interesting to see how Brahman's unique blend of melodic and hard rock is received by Western audiences. If they can manage to gain even a fraction of the highly devoted fan base they have here, they'll be successful overseas in no time. |
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report by shawn |
 mag files : Lights, Camera, Action : (04/11/15 @ Ebisu Liquidroom) : review by shawnShow your Show! 生き様を提示しろ : (04/10/01 @ Shibuya AX) : review by oyumi帰って来たブラフマン : (04/04/01 @ Shibuya AX) : review by nob中国での初ライヴ : (03/10/02 @ MIDI 2003 Modern Music Festival) : review by xiao_longトシロウの笑顔？ : (03/09/12 @ STUDIO COAST) : review by joeもう一度ブラフマンを信じようと思う : (03/09/12 @ STUDIO COAST) : review by nob変わらないスピリッツ : (03/08/28 @ Himeji BETA) : review by toshiphoto report : (03/04/19 @ Paci' Paciana, in Bergamo, Italy) : photo by hanasanphoto report : (03/04/18 @ Zapata, centro social, in Genova, Italy) : photo by hanasanphoto report : (03/04/17 @ Giornata dell'Arte e della Creativita Studentesca in PISA, Italy) : photo by hanasanphoto report : (03/04/11 @ Villaggio Globale Rome, Italy) : photo by hanasanreview(untitled) : (03/03/28 @ Shinjyuku LOFT) : review by toy, photo by saya38photo report : (03/03/28 @ Shinjyuku LOFT) : photo by saya38photo report : (02/08/01 @ Takadanobaba Phase) : photo by hanasanphoto report : (02/04/06 @ Street Beat Festival in Rome) : photo by hanasanphoto report : (02/04/05 @ Street Beat Festival in Padva) : photo by hanasan1時間30分の愉楽 : (02/02/24 @ Akasaka Blitz) : review by nob, photo by saya38とてつもなく素晴らしいものを観た!! : (02/02/24 @ Akasaka Blitz) : review by oyumi, photo by saya38音楽の革命だ! : (02/02/14 @ ZEPP Tokyo) : review by ali, photo by hanasanreview(untitled) : (02/02/14 @ ZEPP Tokyo) : review by oyumi, photo by hanasanreview(untitled) : (02/01/18 @ Shibuya AX) : review by oyumi, photo by saya38review(untitled) : (99/11/04 @ Nigata Phase) : review by Megumi Miyashitareview(untitled) : (99/03/13 @ Ebisu Milk) : review by Makoto Otowa Disc Review『The Middle Way』 やっぱりオマエらはこんなにも凄いのか！ : (04/09/06) : review by oyumi |
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The official site of BRAHMAN is; http://www.tc-tc.com/ The latest album  "THE MIDDLE WAY" |
previous works ;
『deep/arrival time [MAXI] 』 『A MAN OF THE WORLD 』 『WAIT AND WAIT 』 『A MAN OF THE WORLD [SINGLE]』 『GROPE OUR WAY 』 『deep/arrival time [MAXI] 』 DVD 『Craving 』 check the albums? |
shawn's works-->2005 2004CD review : "Christmas" : Old Man Gloom (28th Dec)Music Soothes the Savage Beast
: eastern youth (20th Dec @ Shibuya Club Quattro)And to all A Good Night : Shonen Knife (19th Dec @ Daikanyama Unit)Exciting Music for Exciting People : illreme (6th Dec @ Shibuya Club Quattro)It's In Their Hands Now : Franz Ferdinand (29th Nov @ Shibuya AX)Lights, Camera, Action : Brahman (15th Nov @ Ebisu Liquidroom)Mostly Business : The Stills (8th Nov @ Ebisu Liquidroom)Scare The Rock Right Outta Ya : Halloween Ball 2004 feat . The 5,6,7,8's, Gasoline, The Woggles (30th Oct @ Shiomkitazawa Shelter)Three More, Two More, and Take it to the Left : Hawaiian6/ Idol Punch (11th Oct @ Shinjuku Loft)Busting Eardrums : Mogwai (5th Oct @ Ebisu Liquidroom AX )Medical Breakthrough : The Most Notorious Vol. 18 feat. Melt Banana and K.K. Null (25th Sept @ Shimokitazawa Shelter )Grey Skies Are Going To Clear Up... : HUSKING BEE (5th Sept @ Shibuya AX )no title : V∞REDOMS (8th Aug @ Ebisu Liquidroom )CD review : Andre Ethier With Christopher Sandes : Andre Ethier2003Cause Music Must Be Magic : Mayor McCa (21st Dec @ The Casbah,Hamilton, Ontario )Make It a Double : EVANESCENCE (28th Jul @ Shinjuku AX)Getting Knifed in Tokyo : Shonen Knife / bloodthirsty butchers(12th Jul @ Shibuya Club Quattro)Hail Hail! Some of Japan's best come together to pay tribute to San Diego's finest : TRIBUTE TO ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT feat. John Speedo with Jet Boys, Retro Gretion, and KEMURI, (21st June '03 @ Shibuya Club Quattro)The Canucks are Coming! The Canucks are Coming! : Simple Plan & GOB (26th Apr @ Akasaka Blitz)no title : Banda Bassotti with Doberman, Oi Skall Mates & Rude Bones (12th May @ Kawasaki Club Citta)The Enchanting Sounds of Summer : KEMURI (31st May @ Shinjuku ACB Hall)Absolutely F**king Brilliant!! : The Coral (21st Apr @ Shinjuku Liquid Room)no title : Short Circuit w/ Asparagus (24th Mar @ Shibuya AX) |