What is coldrain to me?

I say this a lot, but there wasn't a band that impressed me like the GazettE until coldrain. While they're two different types of music, I can appreciate the differences in them both and enjoy them to the fullest.

I was a casual listener, and though I was highly excited to see them for the first time at the Loading Dock-it wasn't until after the show that it really spiraled. I discovered them because Aoi tweeted about their album "The Revelation" and I was intrigued. It was about two years I believe that I was listening to them periodically, and then they announced their show in Salt Lake.

Meeting Masato the first time.

Granted, I read reviews of their performances beforehand to sort of get a feel of what they were like. And people had nothing but good things to say, and I wasn't disappointed. I was one of the first people in the venue, so I secured a spot at the front of the stage. I was right in front of Sugi. [I believe he kind of spit on me a little, but we alright Sugi. We alright.]

I'm not going to talk about their performance, but about how it meant to actually see them and meet the two members I did meet that night. [I sort of met Ryo? If you count waving at him, and him waving back as meeting.]

Masato was really kind, case in point-he allowed me to take a photo with him. I didn't expect to run into him after the show, but the venue was small and I ran into him again three more times. [I promise...I wasn't stalking him.] My brother talked to him a bit I think about merch, but they didn't accept cards so I had to run and grab cash from the nearest gas station. When I came back, it was Katsuma running the merch table.

Katsuma is really sweet, honestly. I was scared of him at first, because in pictures and even on stage he seemed a little intimidating. I wasn't sure what it was, but I asked about the hoodie and as an afterthought I said I would also buy their Vena Album. He smiled sweetly and said "thank you!" while processing the purchase. I thought about asking him to sign it, but my nervousness kicked into highgear and I just thanked him and left. [Without a photo too ;-;]

In the weeks that led after the concert, I listened to VENA and the Revelation albums nonstop. I don't know what it was, I didn't pay attention to anything else but coldrain. And it was surprising to me considering I never had a band do this before to me after I got into the GazettE. I've had bands I've liked, and listened to-but I would just eventually either stop or just casually listen to them.

But I listen to coldrain almost everyday. I don't care what time of day it is, whether I'm on my lunchbreak or at home-I'm playing one of their albums. And honestly it feels good, they make me feel like I can make it through the day.

I was super sad that I didn't get to see them when they came back with Silverstein, but....it was either go to Vegas to see them OR see the GazettE in California and you all know what I chose. But I was soon blessed to hear they were coming back for Warped. I was on edge about seeing them honestly, but I got tickets anyways.

This time around, I tried not to be too shy. I tried to talk to them, tell them how good they were-but alas I was shy again. I could barely tell Masato I saw them at their first show in Salt Lake, and his response was to smile and say 'thank you'. It meant a lot to me however, for me to turn the corner and to lock eyes with Katsuma. He greeted me with a smile, even though it wasn't quite my turn.

I asked them to sign their album 'the Revelation', and then before I left I asked Katsuma for a hug. I talk about this a lot, but it really meant a lot. Masato offered a hug too, and so I hugged the rest. I remember certain things about each member when I hugged them too!

So Katsuma just gave me a quick hug, but I think he hugged a little tighter. I wonder if he knows......that he's my favorite. Masato was sweet as always, as I said as soon as he saw me hug Katsuma he was like 'hey' and opened his arms. Ryo was just like 'oh hugs? Okay.' it seemed like, same with Sugi. He just went with it.

But Yoko almost killed me, he gave me a squeeze with a big smile on his face. He was like "Have a good day!" and honestly whenever I feel bad about something....I remember that. I think to myself, "Yoko wants me to have a good day, and god dammit I will have a good day!"

[Where am I even going with this?]

I feel that, like the GazettE, coldrain is a band that will help me get through the day. They give me strength, not only to make it through hard times-but to also stand up for what I believe in.

[I'd like to know that the drum tech they had for Warped Tour, totally watched me sing along to Wrong and laughed. So thanks...drum tech guy.]

[I also caught Sugi's guitar pic, it's in my purse. <3]