D'erlanger

D'erlanger

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1983 in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Founder	Cipher, Seela
Headquarters	Kyoto Prefecture , Japan
Products	Music albums, singles, live performances

D'erlanger (often stylized as D'ERLANGER) is a rock group originating from Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, established in 1983 by guitarist Cipher and bassist Seela. The band initially focused on speed and power metal genres but transitioned to a punk rock style after incorporating drummer Tetsu and vocalist Kyo. Their debut album, La Vie En Rose, was released in 1989. Despite being signed to an independent label, the album quickly sold out and was reissued three times within the same year, leading to a contract with major label BMG Japan in 1990. Their second album, Basilisk, achieved a top-five position on the charts; however, the band unexpectedly dissolved in December of that year.

Though their initial period was brief, D'erlanger are widely acknowledged as trailblazers within the visual kei movement. The band reunited in 2007 and released Lazzaro, which showcased a heavier sound infused with gothic rock influences. Since then, they have released six additional studio albums and broadened their reach through extensive touring, including performances outside Japan.

Formation to disbandment: 1983–1990

In December 1983, guitarist Cipher and bassist Seela founded D'erlanger. Soon after, vocalist Kaoru and drummer Shi-Do joined, completing the original lineup. Their debut live appearance took place in May 1984 at Osaka Bourbon House. Kaoru departed in August 1984 and was succeeded by Dizzy.

By 1985, the band had issued three demo tapes titled "Tonight," "The Birth of Splendid Beast!!," and "Blue." On October 26, 1986, they emerged victorious in The New Power Metal Audition hosted by Mandrake Root Records. This achievement led to the release of their single "Girl" on February 20, 1987, which was limited to 3,000 copies. Additionally, they contributed the track "Like a Beast" to the live compilation album Hungry Days and distributed a complimentary demo tape featuring "Sadistic Emotion."

D'erlanger performed their first solo concert at Meguro Rokumeikan on August 1, 1987. Following Shi-Do's departure, drummer Tetsu joined in October; he had previously worked as a roadie for 44Magnum alongside Cipher. Dizzy left the band in June 1988; subsequently, Kyo—formerly of Dead Wire and Saver Tiger—became the new vocalist on July 1. Kyo cited influence from 44Magnum and their lead singer Paul.

After debuting live with Kyo on July 22, they launched the Sadistical Punk Tour. Their first album La Vie En Rose was released on February 10, 1989 through Danger Crue Records. This record marked a stylistic change from speed and power metal towards punk and alternative rock. The album sold out via pre-orders alone, necessitating an immediate second pressing. Subsequently, they embarked on the Incarnation of Eroticism Tour.

In early 1990, D'erlanger secured a deal with major label Ariola, a subsidiary of BMG. During the Ai to Shi to Koh-Kotsu Tour, they issued their first major single "Darlin'" on January 25. Their sophomore album Basilisk was released on March 7. Prior to commencing the Moon and the Memories Tour on September 10, they put out the single "Lullaby -1990-." The tour wrapped up on October 31 at Koseinenkin Kaikan in Osaka.

On December 24, 1990, D'erlanger unexpectedly declared their breakup. A home video alongside two live albums titled Moon and the Memories... the Eternities Last Live volumes one and two were issued on March 6, 1991; these featured recordings from their October concerts at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall. Both studio albums underwent remastering and were reissued on April 21, 1995. In 2020, Masahiro Oishi—the founder of Danger Crue Records—attributed the band's dissolution to ineffective management.

Reunion Period: 2007–2012

On March 14, 2007, D'erlanger unveiled their greatest hits compilation and DVD titled Pandora, alongside their first new album in 17 years, the third studio release Lazzaro, under Cutting Edge, a subsidiary of Avex Group. They marked this comeback with a "rejuvenation performance" called Bara Iro no Sekai - Rosy Eyesight at Zepp Tokyo on April 22, which was later issued on DVD. On September 22, they organized Abstinence's Door #001, featuring bands such as Mucc and Merry.

Their single "Zakuro" followed on March 19, 2008, including "Love Anymore," a song originally written by Cipher during his youth. The fourth studio album, The Price of Being a Rose is Loneliness, was released on April 30. Subsequently, the band embarked on the D'erlanger Tour '08 -A Rose Insane-, beginning with their 25th Anniversary concert at Nihon Budokan, the footage of which was captured on the Bara Iro no Jinsei -La Vie en Rose- DVD. Later editions of Abstinence's Door featured acts like Inoran, Merry, heidi., the Underneath, La;Cen-zhow, lynch., and Sadie.

D'erlanger's first international performance took place in Taipei on July 25, 2009. They also appeared at the V-Rock Festival '09 on October 24, which was streamed live online, and performed in South Korea on October 30. Their self-titled fifth album, D'erlanger, was released on November 11 and included a studio rendition of "Easy Make, Easy Mark," a track originating from the 1980s.

Abstinence's Door #005 and #006 were held on September 19–20, 2010, featuring live global streams with performances by Head Phones President, defspiral, Girugamesh, Acid Android, and Pia. The series continued with Abstinence's Door #007 in Taipei alongside Taiwanese group Overdose and Korean band Pia.

On September 29, 2010, the band released A Fabulous Thing in Rose, an album comprising eight self-cover tracks from their first two albums, an English rendition of "La Vie En Rose," plus new songs such as "Everything is Nothing" and the instrumental piece "Adameve." This release was available in both standard and limited editions; the limited version included extra bonus tracks and exclusive items like a photobook and poster.

D'erlanger intended to hold their inaugural European concert at Moscow's XO-Club on April 30, 2011; however, this event was postponed due to the March Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. They returned to Taiwan for the Hohaiyan Rock Festival on July 15, 2012. Additionally, they contributed a cover of "Iconoclasm" for Parade II -Respective Tracks of Buck-Tick-, a tribute album honoring Buck-Tick, and took part in the Buck-Tick Fest 2012 On Parade tour on September 23.

Warner Music Japan Era: 2013–Present

On May 22, 2013, D'erlanger released their sixth studio album titled #Sixx, marking their first project after transitioning from Cutting Edge to Warner Music Japan. In December of that year, they contributed a cover of hide's "Genkai Haretsu" for Tribute VII -Rock Spirits-. The following year saw them embark on the #Sixx-69- tour. Their seventh album, Spectacular Nite -Kuruoshii Yoru ni Tsuite-, was released on April 22, 2015, followed by a nationwide tour commemorating their 25th anniversary that concluded at Akasaka Blitz. During this period, they also performed at Luna Sea's Lunatic Fest and Angelo's Intersection of Dogma concert.

The band's highest-charting release since reuniting came with J'aime La Vie on May 3, 2017, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of their reunion. Later that year, on September 13, the tribute album D'erlanger Tribute Album ~Stairway to Heaven~ was issued featuring covers by artists including Dir En Grey, Hyde, and Psycho le Cému. That same month saw D'erlanger hosting and performing at Abstinence's Door #008 and #009 events at EX Theater Roppongi, collaborating with Hyde and Kiyoharu.

Abstinence's Door #010 took place on April 20, 2019, with guest performances by Merry and Cali Gari. Their ninth studio album, Roneve, was released on May 22 and supported by a fifteen-date nationwide tour extending through July.

On September 14, 2021, D'erlanger postponed their Agito Tour due to Kyo undergoing surgery for a lung tumor. They later appeared at Jack in the Box 2021 in December alongside Tatsurou (Mucc) and Hyde. The Agito tour resumed between March and July of 2022 to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of their reunion. Additionally, D'erlanger participated in Arlequin’s So no Sekai event in August and held five Sadistical Punk shows at Veats Shibuya from September through November.

In 2023, the band conducted the Anonymouz tour spanning twenty-two performances from May to July. On September 13, they released their tenth studio album titled Rosy Moments 4D, symbolizing both the completion of a cycle and paying tribute to their debut album La Vie en Rose (1989), highlighting the importance of the number ten within their career.

Legacy

D'erlanger is recognized as a pioneering band in the development of Japan's visual kei genre. Tomokazu Nishihiro from Real Sound observed that their fusion of metal, punk, and early Japanese rock significantly shaped both the auditory style and visual presentation within the visual kei movement. Kiyoharu remarked on their combination of "beat rock" and metal as particularly "startling" during an era dominated by bands like Boøwy and Buck-Tick. According to Tomoyuki Hokari of OK Music, their musical approach merges elements of beat rock with metal influences. The publication Geki-Rock highlighted their role in blending punk, goth, beat rock, heavy rock, and electronic textures into their sound. Nishihiro further noted that D'erlanger’s individuality endures even after several decades, thanks to the unique qualities each member brings.

The magazine Kerrang! included Basilisk among 13 must-hear Japanese rock and metal records, commending its profound impact on an entire generation. Prominent artists such as Inoran, who admires Cipher, Shinya Yamada, and Hyde have acknowledged D'erlanger as a source of inspiration. Die, guitarist of Dir En Grey, credits La Vie En Rose with igniting his enthusiasm for music and refers to Cipher as his "guitar hero." The guitarist Miya from Mucc has said that D'erlanger motivated him to form his own band, while Dezert’s drummer Sora is also a well-known admirer.

Members

D'erlanger’s lineup is identified by their single-name stage names:

• Ichiro "Cipher" Takigawa – guitar, backing vocals (1983–1990, 2007–present) (associated acts: Body, Craze)
• Tomohiro "Seela" Nakao – bass guitar, backing vocals (1983–1990, 2007–present) (associated acts: Fix, Vinyl, Atomic Zaza, No Stars Innovation)
• Tetsu Kikuchi – drum kit (1987–1990, 2007–present) (former bands: Rabbit, Dead Wire, Saver Tiger, Mephistopheles; associated acts: Zi:Kill, Body, Craze)
• Hiroshi "Kyo" Isono – vocals (1988–1990, 2007–present) (former bands: Runaway Boys, Dead Wire, Saver Tiger, Ba-Ra; associated acts: Die in Cries, Bug)

Previous members

• Kaoru Miyahira – vocals (1983–1984)
• Tadashi "Shi-Do" Uno – drums (1983–1987)
• Yoshifumi "Dizzy" Fukui – vocals (1984–1988) (associated acts: Strawberry Fields, Vinyl)

Albums

• La Vie En Rose (released February 10, 1989), reached No. 25 on the Oricon Albums Chart
• Basilisk (March 7, 1990), peaked at No. 5
• Lazzaro (March 14, 2007), attained No. 32
• The Price of Being a Rose is Loneliness (April 30, 2008), charted at No. 22
• D'erlanger (November 11, 2009), reached No. 19
• #Sixx (May 22, 2013), peaked at No. 16
• Spectacular Nite -Kuruoshii Yoru ni Tsuite- (April 22, 2015), achieved No. 18
• J'aime La Vie (May 3, 2017), climbed to No. 14
• Roneve (May 22, 2019), reached No. 15
• Rosy Moments 4D (September 13, 2023), charted at No. 17

Live albums

• Moon and the Memories... the Eternities Last Live 1 (March 6, 1991), peaked at No. 5
• Moon and the Memories... the Eternities Last Live 2 (March 6, 1991), reached No. 7
• #Sixx -Discordantly- (December 18, 2013), attained No. 117
• D'erlanger Reunion 10th Anniversary Live 2017-2018 (September 12, 2018), charted at No. 115

Other albums

• Pandora (greatest hits with DVD released March 14, 2007), reached No. 54
• A Fabulous Thing in Rose (self-cover album released September 29, 2010), peaked at No. 26
• D'erlanger Tribute Album ~Stairway to Heaven~ (September 13, 2017), climbed to No. 4

Singles

• "Girl" (released February 20, 1987)
• "La Vie En Rose" (January 1989 release)
• "Darlin'" (issued January 25, 1990), reached No. 9 on the Oricon Singles Chart
• "Lullaby -1990-" (September 5, 1990; available on cassette and CD featuring different B-side tracks), peaked at No. 12
• Charted at No. 26

Demos

• "Tonight" (1984)
• "The Birth of Splendid Beast!!" (December 26, 1985)
• "Blue" (1985)
• "Sadistic Emotion" (February 22, 1987)

Home videos

• An Aphrodisiac (October 15, 1989)
• La Vie En Rose (October 28, 1989; limited lottery edition during Hibiya Yagai Ongakudo concert)
• Incarnation of Eroticism ~Live at Hibiya Yaon~ (VHS released February 7, 1990; DVD issued May 23, 2001)
• Kid's Blue PYX '90 SPR (March 1990; included with a magazine)
• Moon and the Memories... the Eternities/Last Video (VHS: March 31, 1991; DVD: May 23, 2001), peaked at No. 16 on Oricon DVDs Chart
• Charted at No. 36
• 13e Cross Intoxication (March 24, 2010), reached No. 63
• Deep Inside of You (September 28, 2011; DVD & CD package), peaked at No. 25
• #Sixx -Flick- (December 18, 2013), attained No. 51 position
• Reached No. 19 on Oricon Blu-rays Chart
• D'erlanger Reunion 10th Anniversary Live 2017-2018 (September 12, 2018), DVD peaked at No. 46 and Blu-Ray at No. 25