D'espairsRay
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | September 9, 1999 |
| Defunct | June 15, 2011 |
| Headquarters | Tokyo , Japan |
Area served | Japan, Europe, North America |
Key people | Hizumi (vocals), Karyu (guitar), Zero (bass), Tsukasa (drums) |
| Products | Studio albums, EPs, singles |
Number of employees | 4 |
D'espairsRay (previously presented as DéspairsRay, D'ESPAIRSRAY, or +DéspairsRay+) was a Japanese visual kei heavy metal group active from 1999 until 2011. The band’s stable lineup consisted of Hizumi on vocals, Karyu handling guitar duties, Zero on bass, and Tsukasa on drums. Their discography includes four studio albums, three EPs, and thirteen singles. The band toured internationally across Europe and North America, where their music was also officially distributed.
In 2006, they performed at the Wacken Open Air festival before an audience numbering in the thousands. Their sophomore album, Mirror, was released on April 11, 2007. D'espairsRay also took part in the 2007 Jrock Revolution event held in Los Angeles and joined the 2008 Taste of Chaos tour throughout the United States.
Their third album, Redeemer, was unveiled on March 11, 2009. During the summer of 2010, the band embarked on the Human-Clad Monsters world tour spanning Japan, North America, and Europe. After concluding the tour with a final concert on December 30, they announced an indefinite break due to vocalist Hizumi’s rare throat ailment. On June 15, 2011, D'espairsRay officially dissolved as Hizumi’s condition showed no improvement. They briefly reunited for a single performance on July 29, 2014.
1999–2001: Formation and early years
D'espairsRay came together on September 9, 1999, formed by Hizumi (formerly of Le'veil), Karyu (ex-Dieur Mind), Zero, and Tsukasa (also ex-Le'veil). Their initial demotape titled Ao was released in December of that year. In 2000, they issued two additional demotapes and steadily built a following that led to their debut maxi-single, Kumo, released in October. Limited to just 1,000 copies, it quickly sold out. April 2001 saw the release of their second maxi-single "Genwaku" along with a reissue of Kumo due to strong demand. Their first EP, Terrors, arrived in July and helped elevate their profile beyond local audiences.
2002–2004: Rising prominence
Capitalizing on earlier momentum, D'espairsRay released their last demotape titled Ura Mania Theatre, available only at select retailers. Their second EP, Sexual Beast, was launched in June 2002 and swiftly sold out, prompting a second pressing. At the end of that year, they issued the single Ori no Naka de Miru Yume in two versions: a standard edition and a special web-exclusive edition featuring an additional track by their alter-ego project Animalmania. In January 2003, attendees at a live show were given a "secret CD" named tanji, containing an untitled song later identified as Maverick. This track became their next maxi-single released in February and was reissued in March due to high sales. Later in 2003, they followed up with the single Garnet.
April 2004 brought their third EP, Born, which included a DVD featuring the "Garnet" music video; a second pressing in July omitted this DVD. In September, they released the maxi-single Gemini, with a limited edition version containing a DVD of the "Born" video. That year also marked their initial international concerts held in Berlin and Paris, broadening their global fanbase. Additionally, footage for their debut live DVD was recorded late in 2004.
2005: Expanding Globally & Coll:set
At the beginning of 2005, D'espairsRay unveiled their inaugural live DVD titled Murder Day Live, which featured an additional video for "Reddish: Diva Version". Shortly thereafter, they released their first full-length album, Coll:set, which included earlier tracks such as "Fuyuu Shita Risou" and "Garnet" that were absent from the original limited edition. To support the album, the "Garnet" maxi-single was reissued.
In October, the band embarked on a brief joint tour called "Kagerou x D'espairsray COUPLING TOUR 2005 ~龍骸ノ官能~" alongside Kagerou, performing three concerts at CLUB CITTA' in Kanagawa (October 6), Georg-Elser-Halle in Munich (October 21), and Le Trabendo in Paris (October 23).
2006–2008: Mirror
Throughout 2006, D'espairsRay introduced Coll:set to European audiences and toured extensively across Europe and the United States. They released a documentary DVD named The World Outside the Cage, showcasing footage from their tours, followed by the single Kogoeru Yoru ni Saita Hana. At the end of that year, their second live DVD, Liquidize, was launched and subsequently made available in Europe. In March 2007, the maxi-single Squall and their sophomore full album, Mirror, were released; the album also saw a European release in June. The year concluded with another live DVD titled Spiral Staircase #15, which was distributed in Europe by January 2008.
In 2008, D'espairsRay participated in the Taste of Chaos tour alongside fellow Japanese acts Mucc and the Underneath. On May 4, they appeared at the hide memorial summit held at Ajinomoto Stadium, performing alongside major artists such as X Japan and Luna Sea. Following this, the Mirror album was released in the United States, with the single "Brilliant" arriving on May 14.
2008–2010: Redeemer, Immortal & Monsters
On August 6, 2008, D'espairsRay issued the single "Kamikaze" and launched their "88-99" anniversary tour across Japan. They revealed plans for a winter tour and dropped "Horizon" on December 3. That same month, they announced their forthcoming album Redeemer, released through Delicious Deli Records under Universal Music Japan. Originally set for March 4, 2009, the album's release was postponed to March 11. To promote Redeemer, they embarked on a nationwide "Psychedelic Parade" tour throughout Japan, which was followed by "Psychedelic Parade in Europe", covering multiple venues across seven countries.
The group intended to release their first compilation album, Immortal, accompanied by a live DVD from their performance at Shibuya C.C. Lemon Hall on December 16; however, both releases were delayed until December 29. Later, Immortal was launched in the United States on April 20, 2010, via Maru Music. In January 2010, recording commenced for a new single described by members Karyu and Zero during an instore event as having a "dance style". The single "Love Is Dead" was released on April 14.
Their fourth studio album, Monsters, debuted in Japan on July 28, 2010. Shortly after, on August 3, D'espairsRay began their "Human-Clad Monsters World Tour" starting with a show in Los Angeles.
2010–2011: Hiatus and Dissolution
On September 20, 2010, D'espairsRay announced via their Facebook page that they would enter an indefinite hiatus after completing the "D'espairsRay World Tour 2010 'Human-clad Monsters'" due to vocalist Hizumi suffering from a rare and persistent throat ailment. Despite undergoing various treatments, a lasting remedy was not achieved. The band intended to prioritize Hizumi's recuperation in early 2011, while guitarist Karyu continued to work on songwriting.
Their concluding performance occurred on December 30, 2010. Following this, they issued a live DVD titled Human-Clad Monsters Final on March 30, 2011, along with a compilation album named Antique, which compiled 17 B-side tracks; the limited edition featured a DVD containing all their music videos spanning from "Garnet" through "Death Point."
On June 15, 2011, with no significant improvement in Hizumi's condition, D'espairsRay officially disbanded without holding a farewell tour. The group conveyed heartfelt appreciation to their fans and staff for the unwavering support since their inception in 1999.
Activities After D'espairsRay and Reunion Performances
Following the disbandment, Hizumi established Umbrella, a creative company specializing in illustration and design. In May 2019, he formed the band NUL. alongside guitarist Masato (Defspiral) and programmer Toshiyuki Kishi (Abingdon Boys School).
Karyu became a member of Angelo in August 2011, joining forces with former members of Pierrot and Vidoll. In 2022, he initiated the trio H.U.G with vocalist Ryo (Hollowgram) and percussionist Kazutoshi Yokoyama.
Zero and Tsukasa launched The Micro Head 4N's in August 2011 with ex-Fanatic Crisis members Kazuya and Shun as well as Ricky (Dasein). After several lineup changes, including vocalist Ameno joining in 2019, the members also created the side project OFIAM in 2021, with Tsukasa participating as a support member.
Tsukasa embarked on a solo career as an enka singer starting in 2014, becoming the first visual kei artist to perform enka under the name Tsukasa Mogamigawa. He also formed an enka duo with Seth from Moi Dix Mois.
D'espairsRay reunited for a one-time performance during Angelo’s The Intersection of Dogma event on July 29, 2014, held at Zepp Diver City. In 2022, Karyu, Zero, and Tsukasa revived Luv Parade—a cover band originally created in 2009—with Taka (Defspiral) supporting as vocalist; they appeared at Devil’s Party 2022 and launched their debut mini-album Joker on June 1, 2024.
D'espairsRay is set to reunite once again for the opening day of Cross Road Fest at Makuhari Event Hall on November 15, 2025.
D'espairsRay Revival in 2025
The band revealed plans for a comeback with a single-night solo concert titled D’ESPAIRSRAY LIVE 2026『RAPTURE』, slated for May 4, 2026, at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo. This event marks their first solo show in fifteen years and was announced on the anniversary of their formation, September 9, 2025.
In an exclusive interview with VMJ, all four reunited members shared intentions to collaborate on new music moving forward.
Members
- Hizumi – lead vocals
- Karyu – guitar, programming, backing vocals
- Zero – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Tsukasa – drums, percussion, programming
Discography
Studio Albums
- 2005: Coll:set – Peak position on Oricon Weekly Album Chart: 97
- 2007: Mirror – Peak: 36
- 2009: Redeemer – Peak: 39
- 2010: Monsters – Peak: 49
EPs
- 2001: Terrors
- 2002: Sexual Beast
- 2004: Born
Compilation Albums
- 2009: Immortal
- 2011: Antique
Singles Selected singles with Oricon Weekly Single Chart rankings include:
- 2003: "Maverick" – reached number 70
- 2004: "Gemini" – peaked at number 46
- 2006: "Kogoeru Yoru ni Saita Hana" – peaked at number 41
- 2008: Both "Brilliant" and "Kamikaze" reached number 30
- 2009: "Final Call" – reached number 16
- 2010: "Love Is Dead" – peaked at number 16
Videos Noteworthy video releases include:
- 2005: Murder Day Live
- 2006: Liquidize: Live Tour '06
- 2009: 10th Anniversary Live Closer to Ideal: Brandnew Scene
- 2011: Human-clad Monsters: Final
External links
- Articles with short description
- Gan-Shin artists
- Universal Music Japan artists
- Visual kei musical groups
- Japanese alternative metal musical groups
- Japanese gothic metal musical groups
- Japanese nu metal musical groups
- Japanese industrial rock musical groups
- Musical groups formed in 1999
- Musical groups disbanded in 2011
- Japanese musical quartets
- 1999 establishments in Japan
- Musical groups reunited in 2025
- Musical groups disestablished in 2011