G-FREAK FACTORY

I've been supporting them with their music and DVDs for ages, but this was my first time seeing them live because the timing never worked out. The sound, vocals, and power were just as I expected, but the open air and sunlight of the outdoor setting really made G-FREAK shine. The lyrics, a mixture of beauty and strength, fragility and weakness, combined with the nostalgic yet intense sound, were fantastic. The collaborations with TanaPai on "Fire," as well as Takuma and Toshi-low, were deeply moving, leading to tears during the final song, "Rashiku Areto." From the pinnacle of local bands, they're about to become one of Japan's leading dreadlock bands, and I'll be waiting for them at ARABAKI in two years.