Helloween / Osaka 2023 / 2CDR+1DVDR

Helloween / Osaka 2023 / 2CDR+1DVDR / Shades

ORIX Theater, Osaka, Japan 14th September 2023 ULTIMATE SOUND(from Original Masters)

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大感動のステージを繰り広げ、現代最強のメタル・ユニットであることを証明した７人編成HELLOWEEN。その最新ステージを真空パックした極上ライヴ・セットが登場です。
そんな本作に収められているのは、１つのショウの２つのオリジナル・マスター。「2023年９月14日オリックス劇場」公演の極上録音をDISC 1-2に、絶景映像をDISC 3に配したオーディエンス３枚組です。本稿に目を留められた方ならご存知と思いますが、今回の来日公演は「大阪１回＋日本武道館１回」の全２公演。日本武道館は某衛星放送局による生中継プロショットが大定番となっておりますが、本作はもう一方の大阪公演の決定盤なわけです。

【DISC 1-2：「まるでSBD」を地で行く極上録音】
そんな本作のメインは、極上クオリティのフル・ライヴアルバム。当店ではお馴染みの名手“西日本最強テーパー”氏による本作だけのオリジナル録音なのですが、これがまたスゴいの何の。常に「まるでサウンドボード」「現場で聴いたよりも良い音」と絶賛されるわけですが、本作でもその手腕が大爆発。極太な芯が距離感なく迫り、ディテールも細やかならセパレート感も鮮やかキレイ。ヘッドフォンで耳を澄ませてもホール鳴り成分が感じられず、スカスカ感もまったくなし。いつでもスゴい“最強”氏コレクションだから疑いはしませんが、素性不明だったらオーディエンス録音とは信じなかったでしょう。
その極太サウンドで描かれるのは、日本中のメタル者を魅了した最新のフルショウ。日本用に独別曲もやるという話もありましたが、結果的にセットは海外公演や日本武道館も同一でした。ここでは彼らの象徴でもある公式作品『UNITED ALIVE IN MADRID』との比較で整理しておきましょう。

●ハロウィン
・Skyfall（★）／Mass Pollution（★）／Best Time
●クラシックス
・４人時代：メドレー［Metal Invaders（★）／Victim Of Fate（★）／Gorgar（★）／Ride The Sky／Heavy Metal (Is The Law)］／How Many Tears
・守護神伝：Eagle Fly Free／Future World／Save Us（★）／Dr. Stein／Keeper Of The Seven Keys／I Want Out
・アンディ時代：Power／Forever And One (Neverland)／Perfect Gentleman
※注：「★」印は公式『UNITED ALIVE IN MADRID』で聴けなかった曲。

【DISC 3：“西日本最強テーパー”氏による絶景フル映像】
そんなフル・ライヴアルバムだけでもお腹いっぱいですが、本作はさらに同日の映像篇もセットしています。そして、こちらも実に素晴らしい。ステージ中央を真っ正面に見据えつつ、ステージの端から端まで見たいところを見放題。巨大スクリーンも丸ごと押さえても見やすく（カイ・コーナー直前の日本独自アニメもばっちりです）、各メンバーが絡むフォーメーションも逃さず押さえているのです。
その上でポイントなのは「体験感重視型」のカメラワーク。見どころへズームで寄ったりもしますが、あまり果敢には攻めずに控えめ。これが絶妙な肉眼感覚を醸してくれる。そもそも肉眼にはズーム機能などないわけで、せいぜい目線の先に意識を集中させるだけ。本作のささやかなズームは、そんな人間の集中力に近い感覚なのです。もちろん、ただ茫然と撮っているわけでもない。現行HELLOWEENは３人のシンガーが歌い回し、４人のアックスマンが忙しなくハモる。１曲内でも移り変わっていく見どころを丁寧に、しかし暴れずに追っていくのです。
そのハイセンスなカメラワークを可能にしたのは、撮影者の手腕。そう、この映像篇もDISC 1-2と同じ“西日本最強テーパー”氏によるものなのです。当店のお客様にはお馴染みですが、“最強”氏はHR/HMをこよなく愛する記録家。「ここでコーラス取るのはカイだ」「次はハモりソロだ」と事前に見どころを熟知。先回りするからこそ見逃さず、暴れもしないのです。
東の日本武道館はプロショットに一任するとして、本作は西の大阪公演を押さえる決定盤です。現代日本でHR/HMを記録させたら右に出る者はいない名手“西日本最強テーパー”氏による業物３枚組。どうぞ、存分にお楽しみください！

★「2023年９月14日オリックス劇場」公演の極上録音＋絶景映像をセットしたオーディエンス３枚組。お馴染みの名手“西日本最強テーパー”氏による本作だけのオリジナル・マスターで、フル録音はサウンドボード級なら映像も遮蔽物ゼロで見やすい絶景。話題の日本武道館プロショットと対を成す、大阪篇の超・決定盤です。

HELLOWEEN, a 7-member group, performed a very moving stage and proved that they are the strongest metal unit of today. Introducing the ultimate live set that vacuum-packs the latest stage.
This work contains two original masters of one show. This is a 3-disc audience set with the finest recording of the “September 14, 2023 Orix Theater” performance on DISC 1-2 and the superb view video on DISC 3. If you have been paying attention to this article, you probably know that this time there will be two performances in Japan: one in Osaka and one at Nippon Budokan. At Nippon Budokan, live broadcast pro shots by a certain satellite broadcasting station have become a staple, but this work is the other decisive edition of the Osaka performance.

[DISC 1-2: The best recording of “SBD” on the ground] The main feature of this work is a full live album of the highest quality. This is an original recording only for this work by the famous master “Western Japan’s Strongest Taper” in our store, but this is also amazing. It is always praised as “like a sound board” and “better sound than what I heard on site,” and this work also shows off its skill. The extra-thick core approaches without any sense of distance, and the fine details make the separates look vivid and beautiful. Even when I listen carefully with headphones, I can’t hear any hall noise, and there’s no sparse feeling at all. I don’t doubt it because it’s always an amazing “strongest” collection, but if I didn’t know the background, I wouldn’t have believed it was an audience recording.
The latest full show that captivated metal players from all over Japan is depicted with that thick sound. There was talk of doing a unique song for Japan, but in the end the set was the same for the overseas performances and Nippon Budokan. Let’s compare it with their symbolic official work “UNITED ALIVE IN MADRID”.

●Halloween
・Skyfall (★)／Mass Pollution (★)／Best Time
●Classics
・Four-person era: Medley [Metal Invaders (★) / Victim Of Fate (★) / Gorgar (★) / Ride The Sky / Heavy Metal (Is The Law)] / How Many Tears
・Shugojinden: Eagle Fly Free/Future World/Save Us (★)/Dr. Stein/Keeper Of The Seven Keys/I Want Out
・Andy era: Power/Forever And One (Neverland)/Perfect Gentleman
*Note: Songs marked with “★” were not heard on the official “UNITED ALIVE IN MADRID”.

[DISC 3: Spectacular full video by “Western Japan’s Strongest Taper”] The full live album alone will fill you up, but this work also includes a video version from the same day. And this one is really great too. While looking straight ahead at the center of the stage, you can see as much as you want from one end of the stage to the other. It’s easy to see even if you hold down the entire huge screen (the original Japanese animation just before Kai Corner is perfect), and the formations involving each member are clearly visible.
On top of that, the key point is the “experience-oriented” camera work. I sometimes zoom in on the highlights, but I don’t attack them too boldly. This creates an exquisite visual sensation. In the first place, the naked eye does not have a zoom function, so at best it can only focus on what is in front of it. The small zoom in this work gives a feeling close to that human concentration. Of course, I’m not just taking pictures in a daze. The current version of HELLOWEEN has three singers singing and four axmen working in harmony. It carefully follows the changing highlights within a single song, but without going wild.
What made this sophisticated camera work possible was the skill of the photographer. Yes, this video version is also by the same “strongest taper in Western Japan” as DISC 1-2. As is well known to our customers, Mr. “Strongest” is a chronicler who loves HR/HM. They knew the highlights well in advance, saying, “Kai is the one who takes the chorus here,” and “Next is the harmonious solo.” Because we’re ahead of the curve, we don’t miss anything and don’t go wild.
The Nippon Budokan in the east is left to the professional shot, and this work is the definitive edition that will hold down the Osaka performance in the west. A 3-disc set by “Western Japan’s Strongest Taper,” a master who is second to none when it comes to recording HR/HM in modern Japan. Please enjoy it to the fullest!

★A 3-disc audience set with the finest recording of the “September 14, 2023 Orix Theater” performance + spectacular footage. This is an original master only for this work by the well-known master “Western Japan’s Strongest Taper”, and the full recording is sound board quality, so the image is a spectacular view that is easy to see with no obstructions. This is a super definitive edition of the Osaka edition that is a companion to the much-talked-about Nippon Budokan pro shot.

Disc:1 (60:19)
1. Orbit
2. Skyfall
3. Eagle Fly Free
4. Mass Pollution
5. Future World
6. Power
7. Save Us
8. Walls Of Jericho
9. Metal Invaders
10. Victim Of Fate
11. Gorgar
12. Ride The Sky
13. Heavy Metal (Is The Law)

Disc:2 (71:29)
1. MC
2. Forever And One (Neverland)
3. Sascha Gerstner Solo
4. Best Time
5. Dr. Stein
6. How Many Tears
7. Perfect Gentleman
8. Keeper Of The Seven Keys
9. Daniel Löble Solo
10. I Want Out

DVD
1. Orbit
2. Skyfall
3. Eagle Fly Free
4. Mass Pollution
5. Future World
6. Power
7. Save Us
8. Live In Japan (Interlude)
9. Walls Of Jericho
10. Metal Invaders
11. Victim Of Fate
12. Gorgar
13. Ride The Sky
14. Heavy Metal (Is The Law)
15. Forever And One (Neverland)
16. Sascha Gerstner Solo
17. Best Time
18. Dr. Stein
19. How Many Tears
20. Perfect Gentleman
21. Keeper Of The Seven Keys
22. Daniel Löble Solo
23. I Want Out

COLOUR NTSC Approx.131min.

Michael Kiske – Vocals
Andi Deris – Vocals
Kai Hansen – Guitar, Vocals
Michael Weikath – Guitar
Sascha Gerstner – Guitar
Markus Grosskopf – Bass
Daniel Löble – Drums