Kuroyume

Kuroyume (黒夢) was a Japanese rock group that formed in Nagoya during May 1991 and lasted until 1998, initially consisting of lead singer and founding member Kiyoharu (1968-10-30), guitarist Shin and bassist Hitoki (1972-7-19). They began as a visual kei group, and carried these roots throughout their career with continued emphasis on appearance and packaging. The band had an extensive influence on the visual kei scene, being credited as inspirations by many of the bands of the late '90's visual kei boom.

Following the band's departure from existence, Kiyoharu formed SADS in 1999 and had gone solo by 2003.

From 1992–1993

After several years of gigging the band released their debut maxi single 'Chuuzetsu' in 1992 on Haunted House Records, which was shortly followed by a mini album entitled 'Ikiteita Chuzetsuji...' (remastered from an old demo tape). The music recorded by the band during this era appears indebted to black metal and goth rock which became an influential style within the Visual Kei scene, creating a new type of gothic rock that was mimicked and prevailed in the following years.

A year later, 'Nakigara O...' was released and clearly showed the group progressing in a more melodic direction by leaning further toward the goth side of things and doing away completely with any semblance of black metal (or indeed any form of metal music). The song "Shinainaru Death Mask" from their first album had been rerecorded and the band's first promotional music video (PV) was filmed for the song, but everything else was new material. No singles had been released since 1992.

From 1994–1999

Shortly after signing with EMI in early 1994, Kuroyume released their first major label single For Dear to promote the forthcoming album 'Mayoeru Yuritachi'. Two promotional videos were filmed, one for the aforementioned single and another for album track 'Autism'.

In late 1994, the mini album 'Cruel' and single 'ICE MY LIFE' were released and introduced a poppier Kuroyume. No longer as sartorially overblown as before, the band dressed more conservatively for the new CD sleeves and in their latest videos. The new look was reminiscent of 1980s New Romantic fashion and seemed to give off a more palatable image to mainstream buyers. The music on 'Cruel' was adherent to pop sensibility, no matter how loud and abrasive (as on the songs "Chandler" or "Sick") which helped give the new songs universal appeal.

In 1995, Shin left the group, due to musical differences, and to focus on his other band Vinyl. From then on, Kuroyume would record and perform as a duo, alongside support musicians. The two albums following this rearrangement of band priorities, 1995's 'Feminism' and 1996's 'FAKE STAR', continued the visually-oriented mainstream pop rock of 'Cruel' with the latter of the two having edgier production and presenting a more fashionable image.

In 1996, Kuroyume won the Japanese International Viewer's Choice Award at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards for the song "Pistol" from the 'FAKE STAR' album.

1997 heralded another radical image change for Kuroyume, who were a punk influenced rock 'n roll band both visually and musically for the albums Drug treatment and CORKSCREW. Their releases continued to sell well. In 1999, citing Hitoki's personal health difficulties, Kuroyume disbanded.

Trivia

* Kyo, frontman of another popular Japanese rock band Dir en grey, was formerly a roadie for Kuroyume. He also cites Kiyoharu as an influence.

Discography

ingles

* 'Chuuzetsu' (9 February 1994)
* 'For Dear' (9 February 1994)
* 'ICE MY LIFE' (20 July 1994)
* 'Yasashi Higeki' (8 March 1995)
* 'Miss Moonlight' (26 April 1995)
* 'BEAMS' (13 October 1995)
* 'SEE YOU' (21 February 1996)
* 'Pistol' (17 April 1996)
* 'Like an Angel' (18 November 1996)
* 'NITE & DAY' (10 April 1997)
* 'Spray' (4 June 1997)
* 'Shonen' (19 November 1997)
* 'MARIA' (8 April 1998)

Albums

* "Ikiteita Chuzetsuji..." (25 December 1992)
* "Nakigara o..." (11/06/93)
* "Mayoeru Yuritachi -Romance of Scarlet- " (9/3/94)
* "Cruel" (31/8/94)
* "Feminism" (10/5/95)
* "FAKE STAR - I'M JUST A JAPANESE FAKE ROCKER" (29 May 1996)
* "Drug treatment" (27 June 1997)
* "CORKSCREW" (27 May 1998)
* "KUROYUME COMPLETE RARE TRACKS 1991-1993 -Indies Zenkyokushu-" (10 June 2000)
* "EMI 1994-1998 BEST OR WORST " (17 January 2002)
* "Kuroyume Singles" (27 March 2002)
* "Kuroyume Complete Singles" (29 September 2003)
* "Kuroyume BOX" (28 April 2004)

DVD

* "LIVE AT Shinjuku LOFT" (18 October 2000, reissued on 29 October 2003)
* "DVD Pictures Vol.2" (18 October 2000)