Nightmare (Japanese band)
Nightmare | |
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![]() Nightmare performing in 2014 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Sendai, Tōhoku, Japan |
Genres | |
Discography | Nightmare discography |
Years active | 2000–2016,[2] 2020–present[3] |
Labels |
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Members |
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Past members | Zannin |
Website | nightmare-web |
Nightmare (ナイトメア, Naitomea) is a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in Sendai, Tōhoku, in 2000. It has consisted of Yomi (lead vocals), Sakito (lead guitar, backing vocals), Hitsugi (rhythm guitar), Ni~ya (bass, backing vocals) and Ruka (drums, percussion) for the majority of their existence. They experienced mainstream success with the inclusion of their songs "The World" and "Alumina" in the Death Note anime and are considered a major act in the visual kei scene.[4]
History
Founding and Ultimate Circus (2000–2003)
Nightmare formed on January 1, 2000[5] by Sakito and Hitsugi while most of the members were still in high school.[6] The band name was suggested by Hitsugi, saying he wanted a band name that would scare people to match their visual styles. Soon, Ni~ya was invited by Sakito, Yomi by Hitsugi, and Zannin joined after he heard his classmates were forming a band. They were all influenced by either X Japan or Luna Sea,[7] therefore they started out as a cover band, before they began to write their own material.
Just as the band began getting more recognition at live houses and small concerts in the Sendai region, Zannin left the band for unknown reasons. Eventually, Ruka (formerly of Luinspear) joined the band as a support member at first, but became the permanent drummer after a short time. Since Ruka joined Nightmare officially, their line-up hasn't changed. Shortly after, the band began short tours around the region with other supporting bands.
In 2003, Nightmare signed with Nippon Crown and released their first single "Believe". Three months after their debut, they released a triple A-side single, "Akane/Hate/Over", a first time for any band to release any single with three A-side tracks. Nightmare's song "Over" was used as the ending theme for the anime television series Croket!.[8][9] Later that year, they released their first studio album, Ultimate Circus and went on their first tour.
Livid and Anima (2004–2006)
In 2004 Nightmare released three singles; "Varuna", "Tokyo Shounen", and "Cyan", as well as another full album, Livid. Nightmare once more toured around Japan under the name Tour CPU 2004. From 2005 to 2006, Nightmare continued working, releasing more singles and their third full-length album in 2006, Anima, for which the support tour, [Anima]lism, completely sold out. In 2006 they recorded a live record at NHK Hall titled Gianism Tsu. With three albums and several tours under their belt, Nightmare released a series of "greatest hits" albums.
The World Ruler and Killer Show (2007–2008)
In October 2006, Nightmare released "The World/Alumina", the first single to be released under their new label, VAP. These two songs were used as the first opening and ending themes respectively of the first nineteen episodes of the Death Note anime adaptation.[5] On 27 February 2007, they released their fourth album, "The World Ruler" and toured for three months around Japan. They released their next single, "Raison d'Etre", barely a month after finishing their tour (which was used as the opening theme song for the anime Claymore).[10] In June 2007, they had a three-day concert event titled"The World Ruler Encore.
On September 23, 2007, they performed at
2008 began with the release of two more albums. The first,
Majestical Parade and 10th anniversary (2009–2010)
Nightmare started 2009 with a short two-day tour titled "the 9th new departure" and announced the release of their album
2010 marked the band's 10th anniversary. To celebrate, Nightmare held a New Year's Eve Countdown show at Zepp Sendai and released Gianizm the next day. This was followed by their very first performance at Saitama Super Arena on January 9. The show was called Nightmare 10th Anniversary Special Act. Vol.1 [Gianizm] and the set list contained 27 songs, including all of the songs on the new album.[12] The promotional tour Request of Gianizm the Tour began in April and on June 23, they released their 21st single, A:Fantasia. As part of their celebrations, they toured several times. In July, they began the Nightmare 10th Anniversary Special Act. Vol.2: Re:Start of Tell(All)ism tour, beginning in Saitama and ending in Sendai. The final show of the tour was held at Nippon Budokan, marking their third time at the prestigious venue. In between Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 of the tour, they released another best-of album titled Historical ~The Highest Nightmare~, with several re-recorded tracks and one new song. The last part of the tour was titled Nightmare 10th Anniversary Special Act. Vol.3 Historical ~The Highest Nightmare~. They performed at Makuhari Messe for the very first time on December 25.
Nightmare and Scums (2011–2016)
After a countdown clock appeared on their website, Nightmare announced an unexpected live called Publish! at Shinkiba Studio Coast. However, because of the
Their self-titled album Nightmare was released on November 23, 2011, following which, they began a three-month tour titled Nightmare Tour 2011–2012 Nightmarish Reality. After the tour, they released "Mimic" on February 29, 2012. In July and August 2012, Nightmare participated in a two-man tour with visual kei band Baroque in Natural Born Errors: Nightmare vs. Baroque. They also participated in Little.Hearts 4-year Anniversary show, My Little Hearts. Special Edition Vol.4 with several other visual kei bands. Their 24th single "Deus ex Machina" was released on November 28, 2012.
On January 30, 2013, the band released a new album titled Scums.[14] The album contained the singles "Mimic" and "Deus ex Machina" alongside 12 other songs. Following the release, they began a 19-show nationwide tour from February 10 titled Beautiful Scums.[14] The tour ended on April 20, 2013 at Hibiya Kokaido theatre. Nightmare also had their very first overseas show at Anime Expo 2013 in Paris, France. They performed alongside May'n, Una, and Urbangarde July 6 and had their solo show on July 7 along with a signing session. Their first overseas debut ended successfully. Their next single "Dizzy", released on August 21, 2013, marks their 10th anniversary since becoming a major label band. Alongside the single release, the band will also release a DVD and Blu-ray of their Beautiful Scums final at Nakano Sun Plaza with a tour documentary.
The band abruptly announced an end-of-year hiatus on April 3, 2016, due to Yomi's functional dysphonia.[15]
Return from hiatus (2020)
After a 4 year hiatus, the band officially resumed activities on February 11, 2020, with its "20th Anniversary SPECIAL LIVE GIANIZM ~Sai Aku~" at Yokohama Arena.[3]
On October 7, 2020, they released their first single in 4 years, titled "ink".[16]
On March 3, 2021, they released their 2° Single after the hiatus, Cry for the moon, and shortly thereafter went on tour, NIGHTMARE TOUR 2021, Cry for the moon
On November 17, 2021, they released another Single that same year, Sinners, which was used as the second opening theme for the anime Duel Masters King!
Musical style and Influences
Nightmare's band concept is Gianizm and this word occurs in many of their song titles. Gianizm is derived from the
X Japan's album "Dahlia" and Luna Sea's album "Style" got Yomi into music,[17] and Yomi covered Luna Sea, X Japan, Laputa, Rouage and La'cryma Christi in his high school days.[18] Sakito cited Sugizo[19] and Steve Vai[20] as his main influences.
Radio, webisodes and personal columns
Radio
Nightmare had a radio show on NACK5 called Jack in the Box!.Yomi and Hitsugi usually host the show, but other band members occasionally make appearances alongside them. Just recently announced on March 13, 2013, Jack in the Box! had its final airing on March 27, where all five members were on the show. The show is succeeded by Yomi's younger brother, Igaguri Chiba's "Chiba to Issho!"
Until December 2009, they also hosted a show on CBC Radio called Hyper Nightmare,[21] where they featured tongue twisters, adult stories and phone-in sessions with listeners who could mimic interesting sound effects, TV personalities, anime characters, etc. Sakito was also a DJ for InterFM's show, UP's Beat, every Monday night in early January 2008.
On April 8, 2010, a radio-drama Ganbaru Squadron Mare Rangers (ガンバル戦隊メアレンジャー, Ganbaru Sentai Mea Renjaa) began to air. It featured special guests and the opportunity for fans to communicate with the band. The first series ended on October 14, 2010 and was already billed for a second season. The theme for season 2 was "to come in contact with the users/viewers," by which the members are able to call viewers via telephone in Japan.
Webisodes
Nightmare hosted a 6-episode monthly web show on
A new show titled Bakuretsu! Nightmare (爆烈!ナイトメア) began in March 2010 and featured a different punishment game every monthly episode.
Magazines
For a time, the band members took turns writing a monthly column called "Zozzy" which appeared in Shoxx Magazine. Since then, they have each had their own articles in various music magazines.
- Yomi's articles in Pati Pati, titled Certain Kill!! Gambler]->Taking Correspondence (必殺!! 遊び人]-> お便り募集, hisatsu!! asobinin]->otayori boshuu), focussed on him trying new things suggested by fans, like kick-boxing and sound production mixing. It debuted on September 9, 2008 and continued until March 2011. A collection of his past articles compiled into a book was released on March 25, 2011, along with a DVD that followed him sky-diving.
- Hitsugi had his in Shoxx titled Stepped on a Cat (猫ふんじゃった, neko funjatta) until December 2008.
- Sakito's was in B-Pass titled Where Will the Local Train Take Me? Journey in the Japanese Syllabary (鈍行いくの?~五十音の旅~, donkou iku no? gojuuon no tabi). He released a compilation of his travel articles that were published in B-Pass as a book that goes up to no (の). The book also had an extra article on his trip to Taiwan, along with a short DVD documentaryof the trip. The book went on sale June 29, 2009. His recent articles talked about him getting his drivers' license and going to various places around Japan. His last article was printed in the June 2011 issue of B-Pass, with his trip to Sendai in a 2 part series. The second volume of his travel articles began from ha (は). The second volume included a special article on his trip to India, with a DVD documentary included. He also had a free paper column called Disc Garage Issue Free Paper "Di:Ga" Those Who Are Human in Visual Kei (ディスクガレージ発行フリーペーパー「DI:GA」 ヴィジュアル系だって人間だもの, disuku gareiji hakkou furii peipaa 「DI:GA」 Vijuarukei datte ningen damono). He is currently writing a new short story in KERA! Magazine and will be releasing another book titled "Tabisite Vol. 1 Cambodia."
- Ni~ya's was in Zy Magazine titled "Just Freak Out Let It Go." It has since ended.
- Ruka's was featured in Duet Magazine titled Coming out! Coming out! (出てる!出てる!, deteru! deteru!). The last article was published in the September 2009 issue.
Solo projects
- RUKA: The LEGENDARY SIX NINE
The LEGENDARY SIX NINE (L69) is the solo project of Nightmare's RUKA. Each new release, the lineup will change with the exception of RUKA. He started this solo project to experiment with new sounds he is not able to make with Nightmare. The first lineup of artists consisted of HAKUEI from Penicillin on vocals, rapper TWIGGY on vocals, with SHINOBU and Takayama on guitars, Ni~ya on bass as support members, and RUKA on drums. The band debuted on March 24, 2010 with the single "CRUEL." Announced on Nightmare's homepage in July 2013, LSN will be restarting band activities for the little HEARTS.5th Anniversary "MY little HEARTS. Extra Edition Vol.1."
The first lineup was:
- Vocals: Hakuei (PENICILLIN)
- Vocals/Rapper: TWIGY
- Support Guitarists: SHINOBU (Creature Creature), Takayama
- Support Bassist: Ni~ya
- Drums: RUKA
The second lineup is:
- Vocals: Yuusa (THE KIDDIE)
- Guitar: Kei (baroque/ kannivalism)
- Guitar: SHINOBU (Creature Creature)
- Bass: Sugiya (Moi dix Mois)
- Drums: RUKA
The LEGENDARY SIX NINE will be releasing a mini-album titled "BELIAL" on October 16. It will come in two versions; Type A will come with 5 tracks and a DVD. Type B will be the CD only with 6 tracks. It will cost 2,100 yen.
- Hitsugi: GREMLINS
This is Hitsugi's first solo project. Announced on Nightmare's homepage in July 2013, GREMLINS will be making their debut at the little HEARTS.5th Anniversary "MY little HEARTS. Extra Edition Vol.1."
The members of GREMLINS are:
- Vocals and Guitar: Hitsugi
- Drums: Kenzo (ex: AYABIE)
- Support Bassist: Chiyu (SuG)
- Support Guitarist: Mizuki (Sadie)
GREMLINS will be releasing its debut single titled "the Carnival." It will also come out on October 16. This single will also come in two versions: Type A will come with 3 tracks with a DVD. Type B will the CD only with 4 tracks.
Sendai Kamotsu
Sendai Kamotsu is a side project of Nightmare formed in September 2001. It consists of entirely the same members, but they are different compared to their usual image, so much so that one may think them a different assemblage of musicians altogether. Sendai Kamotsu was formed in 2001 before Nightmare became successful. The story goes that Chiba is actually the "younger brother" of Nightmare's vocalist, Yomi. They were first featured in Nightmare's "Jishou -Shounen Terrorist-" PV, minus Chiba. Sendai Kamotsu have released several albums and singles and have toured independently from Nightmare.
Charity and other work
In the summer of 2008, the Iwate-Miyagi Nairiku earthquake hit Nightmare's hometown of Sendai. When they heard about the tragedy, the band held a charity concert on September 26, 2008 at Zepp Sendai. Proceeds of the concert were donated to the victims. During their live house tour and arena tour ("Nightmare Live House Tour 2008 Killer Show" and "Nightmare Tour 2008 Grand Killer Show", respectively), they set up a donation box for proceeds to the earthquake and made a quick appearance on 24 Hour Television. They raised a total of 304,048 yen. They also invited victims of the earthquake to their show in Zepp Sendai as their guests of honour.
In light of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Nightmare held a fund-raising event for the victims called "publish and recover!" at Shinkiba Studio Coast on March 30, 2011.
Other work
- In the 2008 live action film adaptation of the 20th Century Boys manga, the band made a short cameo as the visual kei band playing at Friend's concert.
- Sakito had a small voice acting role in Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuroepisode 17, as an electronically controlled bystander bicyclist in the chase scene.
- The band provided the opening theme "Raison d'être" (レゾンデートル, lit. Reason for being) for the anime Claymore.
- Ni~ya was a support bassist for Penicillin's single "Rainbow/Scream" that was released on August 20, 2008. He was also a support musician for Gackt in singles "Setsugekka" and "Ever".
- Hitsugi was a support guitarist for T.M. Revolution in a NHK Japan event, alongside Kenzo from Ayabieand other artists.
Discography
Studio albums
- Ultimate Circus (December 25, 2003)
- Livid (November 25, 2004)
- Anima (February 22, 2006)
- The World Ruler (February 28, 2007)
- Killer Show (May 21, 2008)
- Majestical Parade (May 13, 2009)
- Nightmare (November 23, 2011)
- Scums (January 30, 2013)
- To Be or Not to Be (March 19, 2014)
- Carpe Diem (March 25, 2015)
- Nox:Lux(March 16, 2022)
Tours
Year | Title |
2004 | Tour CPU 2004 |
2006 | [Anima]lism |
2007 | The World Ruler Tour |
Dirty Influence Tour | |
2008 | 2008 Zepp Tour Six Point Killer Show |
2009 | Nightmare Live House Tour 2009 Parade of Nine |
Nightmare Tour 2009 Parade ~ Start of [X]pest Eve~. | |
2010 | Request of Gianizm the Tour |
Nightmare 10th Anniversary Special Act. Vol.2: Re:Start of Tell(All)ism | |
Nightmare 10th Anniversary Special Act. Vol.3 Historical ~The Highest Nightmare~. | |
2011 | Time Rewind to Zero |
Zeppelin. | |
Nightmare Tour 2011–2012 Nightmarish Reality | |
2012 | To Mimic the Past |
Nightmare Premium Live at Shinkiba Studio Coast | |
Natural Born Errors Nightmare vs. Baroque | |
Nightmare Tour 2012 Final 'Deus ex Machina' | |
2013 | beautiful SCUMS at Nakano Sun Plaza |
References
- ^ Eremenko, Alexey. "Nightmare". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ NIGHTMARE、11月に東京体育館で活動休止前ラストライブ. Natalie (in Japanese). June 3, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
- ^ a b "NIGHTMARE to briefly resume activities for "20th Anniversary Special Live GIANIZM ~Sai Aku~""". JROCK NEWS. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ "Nightmare the WORLD Ruler". SHOXX. 170. Ongaku Senkasha: 40. April 2007. Archived from the original on 24 January 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ a b "Nightmare Biography" (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 November 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Nightmare Special Feature". Cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ "Nightmare Interview". SHOXX. 176. Ongaku Senkasha: 39–49. October 2007. Archived from the original on 3 September 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ "Over / ナイトメア / コロッケ!の歌詞ページ - アニソン!無料アニメ歌詞閲覧サイト". Retrieved 2017-10-22.
- ^ "ナイトメア:NIGHTMARE". Nightmare-web.com. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
- ^ "Nightmare "Raison d'etre"". SHOXX. 173. Ongaku Senkasha: 58–59. July 2007. Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ "Nightmare Interview". SHOXX. 178. Ongaku Senkasha: 38–57. December 2007. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ "Laser Lights and Fireballs – Celebrating 10 Years Nightmare-Style". Musicjapanplus. 2010-02-02. Retrieved 2010-02-03.
- ^ "Hitsugi To Participate in "HALLOWEEN JUNKY ORCHESTRA"". NaitoUSA. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
- ^ a b "NIGHTMARE announces new album + nationwide tour". TokyoHive.com. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
- ^ "NIGHTMARE suddenly announces end-of-year pause due to YOMI's functional dysphonia". JROCK NEWS. 3 April 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ "NIGHTMARE pens first single in 4 years, "ink"". JROCK NEWS. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ Nightmare 2008, p. 6.
- ^ Nightmare 2008, p. 8.
- ^ Nightmare 2008, p. 46.
- ^ Nightmare 2008, p. 20.
- ^ "Hyper Nightmare". CBC Radio. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009.
Bibliography
- Nightmare (2008). Revelation[黙示録]photographs and history: BOOK-2 history (in Japanese). ぴあ. ISBN 978-4-8356-1704-6.
External links
- Official website by Avex Group(in Japanese)
- Official MySpace