CONCERT CLUB: VMO [VIOLENT MAGIC ORCHESTRA]

Individuals who adopt the names of black metal bands such as Darkthrone, Mayhem, Gorgoroth, and Emperor (the latter referencing the band associated with Shuichi Manabe—former core member of Soutaiseiriron—who composed and wrote “Chu, Tayōsei.” for the anime Chainsaw Man ending theme by ano), together with visual director KEZZARDRIX, initially formed the project using three strobe lights (now five) and a smoke machine. The vocalist Zastar later joined the lineup.

Framed as having arrived from the planet HELVETECH in the year 2099, the project manifests as an art-music entity in which techno, black metal, industrial, noise, and gabber coalesce, emitting blinding light and smoke. It is, in essence, black metal meets Kraftwerk—Aphex Twin in corpse paint. They are currently reputed to be the most power-consuming unit performing in live houses and clubs.

VMO’s total power usage amounts to 5000W (roughly equivalent to 56 amplifiers).

Their first album, Catastrophic Anonymous—featuring Chip King…