J-rock heavyweights L'Arc-en-Ciel's latest live DVD, Theatre of Kiss, is more than just a concert. The glamorous set and special effects make this a theatrical extravaganza.
The concert opens with the catchy punk mega-hit Seventh Heaven and immediately set the whole stadium shaking. Vocalist Hyde's powerful voice is as passionate as ever, with the occasional yell and falsetto adding additional drama.
Highlights include the sensational Seaside, the anti-war anthem Day Break's Bell and old favourites like Fate and And She Said. However, most of the set list is made up of songs released after their 2003 comeback, which may be unfamiliar to fans of their older stuff.
Thanks to the remarkable editing and camera angles, the audience can see the band's individual quirks and performance techniques.
The special appearance of the legendary P'unk-en-Ciel is a welcome surprise, joining the band on Natsu no Yuutsu (Sea in Blood 2007) and I Wish 2007.
The concert closes with Hurry X'mas. Hearing a Christmassy jazz song may be odd when the sun is beating down, but the artificial snow will convince you it's the festive season.
