On October 16, gothic fantasy-themed band D streamed their third “Music Video Live” concert Orokashii ryuu no yume. After the concert, D suddenly announced a new full album “Zmei” coming November 23.
The “Music Video Live” concert was relatively short, clocking in at about 48 minutes long. D played a 10-song set featuring tracks from a few different albums, as well as Draco animus, a fan club limited single that was released earlier this year.
Despite its fast pace, Orokashii ryuu no yume was packed with non-stop music and dramatic visuals. The five-piece band sported matching red and black costumes, made with rich textures and intricate detail. Vocalist Asagi stood out with a curved pair of horns, silver talon-like rings, and a sweeping cape with a batwing-like edge.
D’s intricate outfit for “Music Video Live” concert Orokashii ryuu no yume.
D performed in a dark, cavernous setting, the stone backdrop broken by smoke and flames. Every so often. the smoke picked up adeptly used stage lighting, flashing in hues of emerald green or flame red.
At times, D sounds like a high-fantasy band, using folk music elements such as acoustic guitars and tambourines. Then suddenly, the rhythm of the bass guitar couples with a high-pitched guitar solo, reminding you they are indeed a high-adrenaline rock act.
The concert was marketed as a “Music Video Live”, and it lived up to its promise of high production quality. Multiple cameras and angles were used for a dynamic experience beyond head-on shooting. The concert was directed by Hiroyuki Kondo of VISUAL TRAP, who has shot visual kei content for over 20 years. Kondo is best known for winning the MTV Headbanger’s Ball Best Video award two years in a row for DIR EN GREY’s saku and DOZING GREEN.
You can see highlights of the livestream below.
After the concert credits, D announced that they will release a full album later this year, Zmei.
Zmei features three new songs: Venom immunity, Lamb’s REM sleep, and Zmei ~fumetsu no ryuu~. It also includes the track Draco animus, which was previously a fan club limited release.
In addition to the CD, a Limited Deluxe edition will be available. The Limited Deluxe edition boasts the full album, a 44-page photo booklet, plus a bonus DVD featuring the three new songs mentioned above.
On October 30, Zmei ~Fumetsu no ryuu~ will be released on its own as a digital single. Following D’s beloved theme of dragons, this song seems to be inspired by an immortal dragon from Russian folklore.
You can see a preview of the new album and single below.
D “Orokashii ryuu no yume 2021” No Audience Performance in OYA INARIYAMA
Setlist
- Orokashii ryuu no yume
- Ryuukoku no epic
- Hanatsumi no otome ~Rozova Dolina~
- Harukana tate he
- Draconids
- Reijuu ~Kaibyaku no honnou~
- Dragon Princess
- Binetsu ~Ame no Fantasia~
- Draco animus
- Cannibal morph
- Ryuukoku no epic竜哭（りゅうこく）の叙事詩（エピック）
- Orokashii ryuu no yume愚かしい竜の夢
- Hanatsumi no otome ~Rozova Dolina~花摘みの乙女 ～Rozova Dolina～
- Draco animus
- Venom immunity
- Lamb's REM sleep
- Reijuu ~Kaibyaku no honnou~隷獣 ～開闢の炎～
- Harukana hate he遥かな涯へ
- Draconids
- Cannibal Morph
- Zmei ~Fumetsu ryuu~Zmei ～不滅竜～
- Ryuukoku no epic竜哭（りゅうこく）の叙事詩（エピック）
- Orokashii ryuu no yume愚かしい竜の夢
- Hanatsumi no otome ~Rosova Dolina~花摘みの乙女 ～Rozova Dolina～
- Draco animus
- Venom immunity
- Lamb's REM sleep
- Reijuu ~Kaibyaku no honnou~隷獣 ～開闢の炎～
- Harukana hate he遥かな涯へ
- Draconids
- Cannibal morph
- Zmei ~Fumetsu no ryuu~Zmei ～不滅竜～
- Zmei ~Fumetsu no ryuu~Zmei ～不滅竜～
- Venom immunity
- Lamb's REM sleep
- Orokashii ryuu no yume愚かしい竜の夢