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Eve of Destiny - K17 Halloween Party
Berlin, Germany -Oct. 30, 2004
by Geisha

The concert started late. The lights dimmed around 10pm (the announced start time) and smoke started to engulf the stage but EOD were nowhere to be seen. Yuko was darting back and forth between the stage door and the "control room" at the other end of the floor, setting things up and signaling to whoever was in charge of the lights and the sound system.

Finally, EOD appeared on stage and the show began. If they were disappointed about the low turnout they didn't let it show. Haruhiko in particular seemed cheerful and full of enthusiasm. Közi appeared more subdued but nevertheless gave a thoroughly professional performance. The audience loved every minute of it, dancing or taking photos during songs and cheering happily in between. The crowd consisted mainly of Goths, with a few Gothic Lolita's and some "normal" looking teenagers mixed in. EOD played for 30 or 40 minutes and then disappeared but, after some persistent cheering, were persuaded to a brief encore.

Later there was an autograph session in the corner where the T-shirt stall was set up and the fans rushed forward to have their flyers and CDs signed (I think I spotted a copy of Katharsis). I was hanging back because I didn't want to add to the crush and started chatting to a very nice Japanese guy who was taking pictures for KERA magazine. There was also a group of German students of Japanese Studies, who were interviewing EOD and members of the audience about the increasing popularity of Japanese bands in Europe.

Perhaps I was a little bit too laid back because suddenly EOD got up and left, leaving a good number of people (including me) still queuing for their autographs. I wasn't too disappointed though since I had come for the music, not a signature, and the others took it in good humor as well. There was no screaming or hysterics. One girl followed Közi (Haruhiko had already left) because she wanted to chat to him about the concert, not realizing that he only speaks Japanese. Poor Közi must have thought she was after an autograph because he disappeared and returned shortly after with a flyer signed by both Haruhiko and himself. Eventually, everybody was ushered out by the not too friendly K17 staff, who seemed keen to wrap things up.

Overall it was a good concert and I felt sad that it was so poorly attended. The timing, with D'espairs Ray playing at the same time across town as part of a VK/Halloween party, could have hardly been worse. Of course, it meant that EOD ended up playing in front of an audience of truly dedicated fans but I couldn't help wondering if their sudden disappearance reflected some disappointment after all.