Oricon Web Interview - DIABOLOS

Translated by: Gekka

Please do not copy, take, redistribute, retranslate or repost this translation without my permission. Thank you~

Scoring a direct hit on Gackt as he runs intensely!

The new album titled "Diabolos", meaning "devil" in Latin, appears fully as the "heavy and dark Gackt world", which everyone, including Gackt, has been hoping for. And, after the album goes on sale, the nationwide tour that is bigger than any in the past will start; furthermore on Christmas Eve there is the first performance at Tokyo Dome, a direct hit on Gackt as he runs intensely!

A "Gackt world" beyond imagination is spread out. 

Q: It's rumored that although the release date of September 21 for the new album is drawing near, you're now (the interview was in August) still in the middle of recording, and you are surrounded by an incredible[1] state of affairs... (laughs)
A: That's true, isn't it (laughs). Because all kinds of things are moving forward simultaneously. Of course, including the mixdown, there are currently songs that are completely finished, and there are songs where the singing still needs to be added. Besides the album, there's the tour starting on September 23 that I have to think about, and I have to rehearse for that as well... So, all of that is simultaneously making progress and currently moving forward.

Q: At this stage, what kind of album do you yourself think it has become?
A: Generally speaking, it's "heavy and loud". When I say it's heavy, I don't mean just the guitar sound is heavy, but that all the instruments sound heavy.

Q: Before the interview, I was able to listen to a song from the album called "Future".
A: That song is the quietest one on this album, you know! (laughs)

Q: Indeed, that's how it was (laughs). And so is there a feeling that the heavy orientation/aim shown in the three singles, "BLACK STONE", "Metamorphoze", and "Todokanai Ai To Shitteita Noni Osaekirezuni Aishitsuzuketa..." also envelops the whole album?
A: Well, I think it's difficult to get an image of the album with those three songs. Those three songs were musical compositions that existed before work started on the album. Those three songs will be recorded for the album, but the album as a whole includes a broad[2] range of music. And of course, in addition to a heavy sound... it's a work with extremely heavy importance.

Q: So, covered in darkness and sorrow as anticipated by the fans...
A: Most likely, a "Gackt world" that exceeds everyone's expectation is spread out.

Q: In Latin, the album title "Diabolos" means "devil"; is that a key word that solves[3] the new "Gackt world"?
A: That's right. It's not merely the meaning of "devil" itself, it's the darkness in the depths of humans, the sadness, the negative parts, the things that lurk on the other side of joy and love... it's that kind of dark side that is symbolized by "Diabolos".

It's going to be a Tokyo Dome live that no one has done before in the past!

Q: Immediately following the release of the album is the amazing 26-city, 36 performance nationwide tour, followed by the eagerly awaited Tokyo Dome performance!
A: You know, it's going to be a Tokyo Dome live that no one has done before in the past.

Q: Aa, are you making such a declaration[4]?
A: I declare it[4]. As for the stage, there's no doubt; and even as to the sound, it won't be the same kind as seen in the past. 

Q: So the vision of the Tokyo Dome live has already become clear in your mind?
A: But I can't say it yet, you know (laughs). I'm thinking of something that, if the staff heard it, they'd say "Is this something that can be done?" For me, this album is that way, as are the lyrics, the tour and Tokyo Dome, and it's because I am thinking about it as one, total "story". 

Q: Creating the work is like writing a scenario for a drama or movie, isn't it.
A: That's what I think. It's like thinking of a story for a movie and then turning it into a reality. And we practically made a movie.

Q: Speaking of movies, have you recently seen any good movies?
A: As for something recent, there's the movie I saw just a few minutes ago... I unexpectedly[5] started to cry (laughs).

Q: You mean just a few minutes ago???
A: Well, in the car on the way over here, someone played the DVD "Ima, Ai Ni Yukimasu"[6] (laughs).

Q: You shed tears by watching "Ima, Ai"? (laughs)
A: That's right (laughs). I myself even thought "It can't be!?" When we reached the studio, the back of my sunglasses were overflowing with tears and I couldn't get out of the car (laughs).

Q: Again, it's extremely surprising... you were KO'd by a romance film weren't you? (laughs)
A: Right? (laughs) But you know, I thought it was a really wonderful Japanese love movie. That would be impossible for Hollywood! And Nakamura Shido-kun's performance was wonderful. (while gazing far off into the distance) Co-starring together in that wonderful love movie, and then to have married...[7]

Q: And it makes you really accept their marriage[8] (laughs).
A: You can say it's accepted, but in a way, it's breaking the rules![8] (laughs) And then there's the Orange Range song "Hana"[9] that's...

Q: So, to conclude, send a message to the fans who are waiting anxiously for the album.
A: For the album, and the tour, and Tokyo Dome, it's like "Keep your neck clean and wait!"[10] (laughs) I have confidence that everyone's expectations will be exceeded and that you will all be pleased.

Notes:
[1] "susamaji": terrible; dreadful; awful; terrific; tremendous; awesome; amazing.
[2] "habahiroi": wide; broad; extensive.
[3] "himo toku": "himo" means string; "toku" means untie, undo, solve.
[4] "dangen”: declaration; assertion; positive statement.
[5] "ukkuri": carelessly; thoughtlessly; inadvertently; despite oneself.
[6] "Ima, Ai Ni Yukimasu": The English title for this movie is “Be With You”. It's a romantic drama that was based on a novel and released in Japan in 2004.
[7] The lead actor and actress in "Ima, Ai" got married in real life! Thanks to sweiled for that info, and for all the help on the "Ima, Ai" content!
[8] The question and answer are a little confusing, but this is my interpretation. I think the interviewer is saying that you can readily accept the marriage of the two characters because they eventually married in real life. I think Gackt's answer is that it's true you can accept it, but it's breaking the rules for an actor and actress to fall in love on set.
[9] Shameless plug for Orange Range: go listen to “Hana”, it's good!
[10] "kubi wo aratte matterou!": this literally means "wash your neck and wait!", but after doing some research, I found that this is an old samurai saying. You would tell someone to keep their neck clean because the following day it would meet with a sword. In this context, I think he is saying the experience is going to be quite intense, so you better be ready for it!

Source: http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/interview/050914_01_comment.html (September 14, 2005)

Top | Previous page