The best Metalcore band from Thailand, ANNALYNN, first came to Japan as part of CRYSTAL LAKE‘s event「TRUE NORTH FESTIVAL」in 2017, October 21st. They performed as a support act of the UK Metal band WHILE SHE SLEEPS for a one-night show in Tokyo at Daikanyama UNIT on 2019, January 22nd shortly before releasing their first Major EP「DECEIVER / BELIEVER」(Japan Edition) on 2019, March 6th. As a result, no later than one year following the event, It’s this time to join the「BLARE FEST 2020」hosted by COLDRAIN in Nagoya that ANNALYNN ensured another trip to Japan for the fourth consecutive year.

The band didn’t want to settle for only one appearance and we were extremely lucky to notice an EXTRA SHOW in Tokyo and their participation as Special Guest in the「HYPERDAZE JAPAN TOUR 2020」of the Australian Metalcore band VOID OF VISION which took place at the same venue in Tokyo, continuing through Nagoya one more time, Osaka and ending by Okayama.

No fewer than 3 bands followed one another with mastery on the single stage as support act tonight, GRAUPEL, winner of the CRYSTAL LAKE’s Live Audition「The Road To The True North 2017」, as well as BEYONDGHOSTS and Area/45. The ambitious performance is now over, and at 21:10 the floor turned dark again, the appearance of ANNALYNN.

One knee to the ground, head down and slightly curved body, as well as the fascinating expression on the face of BON, the frontman, that is different from the warm expression he shows off-stage, reflects the atmosphere surrounding the opening of the set on the Intro followed by the song「4s FUZE」.

ANNALYNN is now attempting to raise the temperature with「WELCOME TO THE CREW」, released on 2019, January 25th. The venue is transformed into a private party. Warning code: RED! It has the feel of a good old mixtape with a mix and match of hip hop, electronic beats and metalcore.

They play their songs impeccably in front of an attentive public whose part of the intended audience is still a little shy about discovering the band maybe for the first time.

« We are ANNALYNN from Bangkok, Thailand. TOKYO, show me what you got! », incites BON while catching his breath before to go on the rampage again.

We’re all seeing red with「FINISH HIM」which is the first song from their latest release「DECEIVER / BELIEVER」. They continue to challenge the audience through an ultimate combo of combative noise and provocative lyrics, « Come face me, come fuckin’ test me, I am your misery ».

A loud dissonance swallows the floor and flows into the following song「10 DIMES」in a good tempo in order to the title song「DECEIVER / BELIEVER」.

Initially, the song「10 DIMES」refers to Frank Sinatra (American singer, actor and producer) who was buried with 10 dimes in his pocket. The story is that his son, Frank Sinatra Jr., was kidnapped and all communication with the kidnappers had to be done only by payphone, which prompted Frank Sinatra Sr. to always carry 10 dimes in his pocket in order to make phone calls. This is the reason why we can hear the noise of the coin in the payphone at the beginning of the song and the sound of the phone line before hanging up at the end.

Another sign of ANNALYNN‘s revolutionary technical approach to music is the reference to R2-D2, the most famous robot from the saga Star Wars, that expresses itself in an electronic sound language resembling beeps and whistles, reminding the new elements incorporated into the guitar-playing.

All this leads us to「DECEIVER / BELIEVER」which is seen as a turning point in the band’s history. This is quite a personal song, as BON explained previously, the heart on his sleeve, he is not scared to show his feelings and emotions. The belief through his misadventures appears to him as a deceiver and sounds the falseness of the Almighty’s words. « Stop believing in god », it’s considered to be the only way to survive. After all, to decide how to end one’s life should be the ultimate human right.

They go straight to「I AM UNBROKEN」which is pretty much along the same lines as the previous song. The personal experience with hard times can be clearly felt. « Welcome the hard times ’til I’m cold and pale », that call of total self-sacrifice of being shaken up emotionally and fighting alone until the death. BON states his determination not to believe in any god and spits out his hatred to set him free, « GOD FREE. I’m not afraid of you, I AM UNBROKEN ».

The perfect combinaison and complementarity of both guitarists, BOSS (8-string guitar) and POB (9 string-guitar), contributes to the consolidation of sounds possibilities through the multi-effects pedals and processors used to create that preset.

The audience, who initially looked a bit away from the band, begins to sway into the evil and crazy grooves of a multi-string band and BON’s vocal technique reminiscent of EMMURE. This sound is addictive.

Following the BON’s roar calling « Are You Fxxxkin Ready? », the energy is released in the form of seismic waves on the middle tempo song「F.E.A.R.」from the latest work, followed by「SELF RAISED, SELF MADE」from the previous work「STARE DOWN THE UNDEFEATED」which causes the ground to shake.

「F.E.A.R.」(False Experience Appearing Real) Fiction versus Reality. In keeping with「DECEIVER / BELIEVER」, there is a very complex and sensitive issue because it deals with cultural and religious beliefs. We all want to know how to stand firm under mental and life pressure to which we are subjected in order to make the right decisions. It’s a form of machination and instrumentalisation of human beings. « You’re the product of our negativity, you’re my F.E.A.R., the greatest fictional character we’ve ever created ».

The audience responds to BON’s grateful words, « I’m glad to perform in Tokyo tonight. I seriously can’t express what I’m feeling right now. You are incredible, so please make some noise for yourself! Thanks to everyone who is supporting us, thank you so much! », and the floor seems to be getting warmer little by little.

The live is now in the middle of the early stage, but BON’s strong vocals are never buried in the sound pressure that overwhelms the viewer.

The show goes on with「SELF RAISED, SELF MADE」. The idea and the feeling that your life belongs to you is something that nothing and nobody can dispute. BON’s non-adherence to a belief helps him to develop the strength and ability to repair himself. I have made myself free from all, so that I can save myself, it might be the hidden message behind the lyrics.

While being guided by BON’s words, « I wanna see everybody down! And jump! », the rhythm squad sounds the alarm with「THE SIGNAL FLARES」that blows fire on the floor without a break. ALEX uses a 5-string bass to create a powerful groove that fills up the bottom of the drum by MONG.

After thanking the audience again for the very warm welcome on their third visit to Japan, ANNALYNN is about to end the show with their latest release「HOLY GRAVITY」which is without any doubt a notch above everything.

ANNALYNN seems to have conquered the hearts of an audience who is asking for « one more song ». This time again, the band responds positively to the request introducing「DEAD WEIGHT」as last chance to make this show a success and memorable night for everyone involved.

One of the highlights of this day’s show is the sound quality. ANNALYNN had a staggeringly balance from begenning to end. It may be natural that the Live engineer of the night is also in charge of ANNALYNN‘s albums mixing, Drof, but it’s definitely ANNALYNN that produced the best sound tonight.

ANNALYNN was finally able to prove what they are capable of through a long set with all eleven songs and realized that they are a band with high abilities as an instigator. Thailand’s leading Metalcore band has performed an impressive performance. It goes without saying that the band was generously applauded by a delighted audience.

BOSS (Gt.), who recently joined, has proven to be a major and real asset for the band, thanks to whom ANNALYNN was finally able to increase the level of its music production with new creative abilities and to explore its potential and full capabilities.

The artist’s masterful handling of scenic art, BON’s real rage and the breathtaking spectacle by the rhythm squad probably left a strong impression on the audience facing a band united in its diversity.

Everything was there in ANNALYNN‘s music and the electronic beats, beautiful melodies and new elements brought out the full richness of it all. There is no doubt that ANNALYNN‘s upcoming album will be a masterpiece with a significant impact on the Metal scene.

Althought Japan seems to be perceived as a goal for any Metalcore band in the world, year after year, ANNALYNN never ceases to attract new listeners and started to settle in the Land of the Rising Sun, like a second home.

« From heaven to the grave, always and always, you’re my home »

SETLIST:

(Intro)
1. 4s FUZE
2. WELCOME TO THE CREW
3. FINISH HIM
4. 10 DIMES
5. DECEIVER / BELIEVER
6. I AM UNBROKEN
7. F.E.A.R.
8. SELF RAISED, SELF MADE
9. THE SIGNAL FLARES
10. HOLY GRAVITY
(Encore)
DEAD WEIGHT

[LIVE REPORT] 2020.02.04 ANNALYNN「JAPAN TOUR 2020」~EXTRA SHOW~ @ HATSUDAI WALL, TOKYO (JP)

Live Report & Photos : Gaëlle GEDDA

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