Nil (Japanese band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = nil


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Origin = Japan
Genre = Rock
Years_active = 1998, 2002 - current
Label = Afro Skull Records
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nil is a rock trio that started in 1998 by Takano Tetsu (ex-Malice Mizer, ex-Mega8Ball, ex-Zigzo), Hiroyuki Kashimoto and Kyoshii Moro. Initially, however, the intent of nil was to become Tetsu's main solo unit and even though it has become a full fledged band all lyrics and songwriting has been solely handled by Tetsu. The band only last briefly during its first incarnation and went on hiatus by the end of 1998 and would not resurface until the middle of 2002 where they would start recording and releasing a steady stream of releases for years to come. The naming of the band "nil" literally means absolute zero and as an acronym refers to native irreligious language.

In 2005, nil had many setbacks which resulted in the departure of founding members Kashimoto and Moro who both left the band on January 10th, 2005 which was the last day of the Touring Inferno tour. Eventually replacement drummer Furuton (ex-Oblivion Dust) left the band after only 6 months and returned to his obligations as HYDE's recording and support drummer. By the end of 2005 nil finally settled down with the addition of Masaru Kobayashi (ex-Soy Sauce Sonix, ex-SADS) on bass and Kazama Hiroyuki (ex-Fantastic Designs) on drums.

In the years since resuming activities nil has recorded and released 2 full albums, 5 mini albums, 1 EP, 1 single, 1 live album, 2 Fanclub CDs and 2 DVDs. This roughly amounts to a release pattern of one full album or 2 mini albums per year. In May 2006 they started recording again with 3 mini albums and 1 full album scheduled to be released once a month starting in October. Tetsu has claimed that nil is his Life Work and despite some bumps in the road he has showed no signs of slowing down with his music and the band nil.

Line-up

* Takano Tetsu (ex-Malice Mizer, ex-Mega8Ball, ex-Zigzo) - Guitar, vocalist, lyricist
* Kobayashi Masaru (ex-Soy Sauce Sonix, ex-SADS, ex-tower, ex-SLOW) - Bass guitar (April 2005-current)
* Kazama Hiroyuki (ex-Fantastic Designs) - Drums (Nov 2005-current)

Former

* Kashimoto Hiroyuki - Bass (Jan-Nov 1998, June 2002-Jan 2005)
* Moro Kyoshii - Drums (Jan-Nov 1998, June 2002-Jan 2005)
* Ofuruton 'Furuton' Sota - Drums (April-Oct 2005)

Discography

Albums

* 12inplosion 2004.05.08 NLCD-4
** The song "Hate Beat!" was used as the ending theme of the TV program, Quiz! Hexagon.
* エクスカリバー (Excalibur) 2005.04.06 NLCD-7
* the PAIN KILLER 2007.01.24 NLCD-12
* THE GREAT SPIRITS 2008.03.19 NLCD-14
* untitled album 2008-10-XX

Mini-Albums

* nil from hell 2002.09.01 NLCD-1
* さよならダヴィンチ (Sayonara DaVinci) 2002.12.01 NLCD-2
* The Covering Inferno 2004.11.25 NLCD-5 (cover album)
* アガペー (Agape) 2005.11.02 ds-00003 (Limited edition EP, available only at live appearances and by mail-order)
* スケルツオ (Scherzo) 2005.11.02 NLCD-8
* マンウーマン (Man Woman) 2006.10.25 NLCD-9
* ギタートスカート (Guitar and Skirt) 2006.11.22 NLCD-10
* Aria 2006.12.13 NLCD-11
* Geron 2007.09.12 NLCD-13

EP

* Down to Dawn EP 2003.09.18 NLCD-3

ingles

* Drop 2005.03.16 NLCD-6

Live Album

* Stroke! Swing!! Shout!!! 2005.01.10 ds-00002

Fanclub CD

* Thank you 2004.07 ds-00001
* one day ver. DS Mix 2005.11 ds-00003

DVD

* Stronger Than Paranoid (1st PV collection) 2004.07 NLB-1
* Tears for Killers (2nd PV collection) 2006.03.04 ds-00005 (Limited edition collection of music clips, available only at live appearances and by mail-order)
* the Pirates 2007-02 ds-00007
* tonight! revoltuon! 2007-03-24 ds-00008

External links

* [http://www.afro-skull.com/] nil's Official Site 'nil from hell'
* [http://www.morokyoshi.com/] 茂呂享志 Moro Kyoshii's Official Site
* [http://marawo.jugem.jp/] 樫本博之 Kashimoto 'Marawo' Hiroyuki's Official Site