INDEX
International Festival Regular, VMO a.k.a Violent Magic Orchestra, Opens the Show
First, VMO a.k.a Violent Magic Orchestra took the stage as the opening act. Known for their explosive live performances, they are one of the most acclaimed acts for their intense sound.
On this night, the grand stage at KT Zepp Yokohama fully utilized the venue’s vastness and large screens, enhancing the three-dimensional sound characteristic of larger spaces, making the booming sound even sharper. The fusion of black metal, noise, and club music sounded almost more expansive in the usual smaller venues, which was intriguing. In other words, VMO’s typical stage presence, which is often more intense, interactive, and violent with the crowd, felt more refined and independent this time, presenting a level of perfection that seemed self-contained. While VMO frequently performs at major international festivals ranging from electronic to heavy music scenes, this stage performance made me wish to see them in such a setting more often in Japan. We may not have fully realized their true appeal yet—such was the impression left by their performance, where everything, even the rough edges, seemed to harmonize and come together as a cohesive work. What made this possible was undoubtedly the speculative nature of black metal itself, with its inherent qualities and the sonic intensity that supports its aesthetics.
