Cyntia
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Cyntia was a Japanese heavy metal ensemble established in 2011. They are considered among the first groups emerging from the Girls Metal Band Boom movement to secure a contract with a major record label, signing with Victor Entertainment in 2013. In April 2015, drummer and founding member Kanoko departed, and the band subsequently released their 2016 album Urban Night under Village Again Association. Following January 13, 2018, Cyntia entered an indefinite hiatus.
History
The formation of Cyntia began in April 2011 when guitarist Yui and drummer Kanoko connected during a Liv Moon music video production. By summer, they had added keyboardist Ayano and bassist Airi to the lineup, followed by vocalist Saki—formerly an idol—who joined after auditions in November. The band's name, Cyntia, represents the English pronunciation of Cynthia, an alternative name for the Greek deity Artemis. Their debut single, "Run to the Future," was launched in April 2012 through Bright Star Records, a label created by fellow all-female metal band Aldious. Soon after, Airi stepped back from activities due to health issues; Azu from LAZYgunsBRISKY initially supported as bassist before becoming an official member by November. Their inaugural album Endless World came out in September 2012.
In January 2013, Cyntia acted as the backing musicians for South Korean pop group Kara at Tokyo Dome. Their first major-label album, Lady Made, was released in March via Victor Entertainment. Readers of heavy metal publication Burrn! named them the best new artist of 2013. They appeared at the all-female rock festival Naon no Yaon and served as opening act for American metal group Kamelot during their Japan tour.
The track "Senko Strings" was selected as the fourth ending theme for Saint Seiya Omega and issued as a single in January 2014. Another song, "Kiss Kiss Kiss," became the theme for the 2014 television drama special Itazura na Kiss 2 ~Love in Okinawa, preceding its single release in January 2015. Their subsequent single, "Akatsuki no Hana," featured as the second opening theme for anime series Yona of the Dawn. The album Woman, which embraced a milder pop rock style, was unveiled in February 2015.
Kanoko exited the band in April 2015. On December 14, 2016, they released Urban Night through Village Again Association; this album included Aldious guitarist Toki on the track "Bless of the Fire." On December 26, 2017, Cyntia declared an indefinite pause due to guitarist Yui’s diagnosis with focal dystonia. Although Yui intended to depart to allow a replacement guitarist to join, the remaining members opted not to proceed without her. Their final performance took place on January 13, 2018.
Yui, Saki, and Azu are scheduled to reunite as Cyntia for a one-night concert at Club Citta on November 29, 2024, performing alongside former labelmates Aldious.
Members
- Yui – guitar, backing vocals (2011–2018, 2024)
- Saki – vocals (2011–2018, 2024)
- Azu – bass, piano, backing vocals (2012–2018, 2024)
- Former members
- Airi – bass (2011–2012)
- Kanoko – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2011–2015)
- Ayano – keyboards, piano, backing vocals (2011–2018)
Albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart rankings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Oricon |
Japan Billboard Hot |
Japan Billboard Top | ||
| Endless World |
|
22 | — | 33 |
| Lady Made |
|
23 | — | 33 |
| Limit Break |
|
9 | — | 10 |
| Woman |
|
37 | — | 27 |
| Urban Night |
|
33 | 73 | 37 |
| "—" indicates a chart that was not available at the time. | ||||
Singles
| Title | Year of release | Peak chart rankings | Associated album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Oricon |
Japan Hot 100 |
Japan Top Singles | |||
| "Run to the Future" | 2012 | 42 | — | 43 | Endless World |
| "Return to Myself ~ Shinai, Shinai, Natsu." (Return to Myself～しない、しない、ナツ。) | 2013 | 36 | 46 | 31 | Template:Non-album single |
| "Senko Strings" (閃光ストリングス) | 2014 | 13 | 32 | 9 | Limit Break |
| "Shori no Hanataba o -Gonna Gonna Be Hot!-" (勝利の花束を-gonna gonna be hot!-") | 39 | — | 42 | Woman | |
| "Kiss Kiss Kiss" | 2015 | 33 | 49 | 30 | |
| "Akatsuki no Hana" (暁の華) | 100 | — | 94 | ||
| "—" signifies a single that did not enter the charts. | |||||