Deadman (band)

Deadman
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	January 6, 2000; 26 years ago in Nagoya, Japan
Headquarters	Nagoya, Japan
Products	Music albums, singles

Deadman (presented in all lowercase as deadman) is a Japanese rock ensemble established in Nagoya in 2000. The band is credited with advancing the Nagoya kei style within the visual kei movement, characterized by its darker tonalities and complex vocal and instrumental arrangements. Deadman gained recognition due to vocalist Mako's sorrowful lyricism and their fusion of somber alternative rock with influences from grunge, indie rock, gothic rock, and post-punk. The group ceased activities abruptly in 2006; however, in 2019, Mako and guitarist Aie revived Deadman.

Initial period (2000–2006)

Before forming Deadman, guitarist and leader Aie, vocalist Mako, and bassist Yukino (formerly known as "Yuki") collaborated in the band Kein. In 2000, they created Deadman by adding drummer Toki, who had previously played with Aie in Lamiel. Their debut live appearance occurred on January 6, 2001. Following the release of their debut single "Subliminal Effect," Yukino departed and was succeeded by Takamasa from Lady. Yukino subsequently joined Gullet, lynch., and DimmDivision. November 2001 saw the release of their first mini-album, Site of Scaffold. After issuing several singles, their first full album No Alternative was launched on March 8, 2003. Their second mini-album, 701125, initially available during tours or via mail order in April 2004, was officially reissued as 701125+2 on June 8, 2005.

Takamasa exited the band in April 2005; kazuya became the bassist in July of that year. The band released their sophomore full-length album titled In The Direction of Sunrise and Night Light in 2005. Early 2006 featured performances across Europe before the band declared their dissolution in March. Their farewell concert was held on May 23, 2006 at Shibuya O-East. Mako has spoken about experiencing mental health challenges during and following the band's active years due to his deep personal involvement with Deadman's music.

After disbandment, Aie formed The Studs alongside former bassist Yukino in 2007; this group paused activities in 2009. Subsequently, Aie founded HighFashionParalyze and The God and Death Stars in 2010 while occasionally performing solo. HighFashionParalyze transformed into Gibkiy Gibkiy Gibkiy by 2016, incorporating new members such as Sakura and kazu. In 2008, Mako published a photobook accompanied by a CD collaboration with Közi. That same year, kazuya launched a solo project under the name Gift. In October 2021, Mako initiated Loa-Roar with Kyo, previously a drummer for Merry Go Round. In 2022, Mako, Yukino (returning to the name "Yuki"), and Aie reunited to reform Kein after a hiatus of 22 years.

Reformation (2019–2024)

Thirteen years after disbanding, Mako and Aie revived Deadman in March 2019. Aie had previously declined reunion proposals citing psychological "trauma," but consented this time with only himself, Mako, and bassist Tetsu from Merry participating; they anticipated a casual, celebratory vibe. Their comeback performance took place on June 22 at Nagoya Bottom Line, announcing that the reunion would continue until September 2020. On September 9, they held a one-man show at Ebisu Liquidroom with Tetsu supporting on bass and Asanao (from lynch.) on drums. After two additional concerts in October and November, they completed a brief tour of three dates in December. February 2020 included touring alongside Gibkiy Gibkiy Gibkiy and plans for a joint tour with Cali Gari scheduled for March; however, these plans were postponed then canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, the reunion was extended into 2021 to commemorate Deadman's twentieth anniversary with intentions to re-record fan-selected older tracks.

The anniversary concert was staged at Nagoya Diamond Hall on January 6, 2021 — precisely twenty years following their debut live show. On May 23, they performed at Tsutaya O-East—the same venue as their final concert in 2006—replicating original lighting setups and employing former staff members. The collaborative tour with Cali Gari took place in June featuring a joint track titled "Shikeidai no Elevator," followed by Deadman's own tour during July. At a December 4 event celebrating David Skull No Records' twentieth anniversary, former members kazuya and Toki joined Mako and Aie on stage.

Deadman's first album in fifteen years, I am Here, was released on January 15, 2022 through Maverick DC Group. It includes re-recordings of earlier songs along with one new composition recorded with kazuya on bass and Toki on drums. Despite both musicians maintaining full-time employment outside music, they completed roughly three tracks monthly over eighteen months to finalize recordings. The album launch was supported by a short tour from January through February. On May 23, a special concert at Spotify O-East featured two lineups: one comprising Mako and Aie alongside former members kazuya and Toki; another featuring current support members kazu and Asanao. Between September and November that year, Deadman conducted three two-band shows at Shinjuku Blaze alongside emerging visual kei groups Razor, Arlequin, and Dezert.

In early 2023, Deadman embarked on the Dead Reminiscence fanclub-only tour in February followed by the Rabid Dog Walking a Tightrope tour from March through April. They distributed a new track titled "Rapid Dog," recorded with kazu and Asanao, free of charge at venues. The album Dead Reminiscence, containing six re-recorded older songs featuring kazu and Asanao, was sold during these tours and later available via mail order. On May 23, they performed a two-band show with Kein at Spotify O-East; another two-band event with Mucc occurred on July 28 at the same location. These bands released a split single including Deadman's "Neko to Blanket, Yorisoi-meguri au Ubugoe." On March 30, 2024 Deadman released Genealogie der Moral, their first album of new material in nineteen years recorded with kazu and Asanao; this release was supported by a nationwide fifteen-date tour. Simultaneously released was the self-cover album Living Hell, featuring guest appearances by Miya (Sid) and Aki (Sid), sold exclusively at concerts or through mail order only.

25th Anniversary (2025–present)

In 2025, Deadman marks its 25th year. The celebration commenced with a trio of fan club-exclusive performances in February, followed by the To Be and Not to Be - Act 1 tour, which included ten shows across five cities from March 29 through May 23. To commemorate this occasion, the band issued a four-track EP titled Lepidoptera wa Cyan Blue, available solely at live events and through the Maverick online platform. Concurrently, the To Be and Not to Be -Cyan Blue- tour launched on March 29 and is scheduled to continue until August 31.

Musical style

Deadman's sound is influenced by artists such as Buck-Tick, Chage and Aska, and Kurt Cobain. Their compositions merge alternative and indie rock with gothic rock, punk, and post-punk influences, featuring unpredictable transitions and unconventional vocal delivery within multi-sectional pieces.

The lyrics, penned by Mako, delve into themes like mental instability, mortality, and spirituality, often incorporating references to Christianity and Shinto beliefs. Many of the songs draw from Mako's own life experiences to maintain a genuine tone. The album 701125 alludes to the death date of author Yukio Mishima (November 25, 1970), while Genealogie der Moral takes its name from Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical work On the Genealogy of Morality.

Members

Current members

– vocals (2000–2006, 2019–present)
Aie (stylized as aie) – guitar (2000–2006, 2019–present)

Former members

Toki – drums (2000–2006)
– bass (2000–2001)
Takamasa – bass (2001–2005)
Kazuya (stylized as kazuya) – bass (2005–2006)

Support members

– bass
Kazu (stylized as kazu) – bass
– drums
– drums
Lotto – drums

Studio albums and mini-albums

Site of Scaffold (November 21, 2001)
No Alternative (March 8, 2003), Oricon Albums Chart Peak: No. 160
701125 (April 2004; available on tour or via mail order)
701125+2 (June 8, 2005)
In the Direction of Sunrise and Night Light (December 14, 2005) Peak: No. 189
Genealogie der Moral (March 30, 2024)

Other albums

No Alternative 2.0 (November 30, 2009; remix album)
I am Here (January 15, 2022; self-cover album) Peak: No. 67
Dead Reminiscence (March 20, 2023; self-cover album sold on tour or by mail order)
Living Hell (March 30, 2024; self-cover album sold on tour or by mail order)

Singles

"Subliminal Effect" (April 25, 2001)
"In Media" (August 20, 2001)
"Jekyll and Hyde of Early Afternoon" (White Version; original songs July 27, 2002; split single with Blast)
"Jekyll and Hyde of Early Afternoon" (Black Version; cover songs July 27, 2002; split single with Blast)
"Family" (Osaka Edition April 13, Nagoya April 23, Tokyo April 26, all in 2003)
, Oricon Singles Chart Peak: No. 102
"°C+1" (sold March 10, 2004)
"°C" (October 6, 2004) Peak: No. 85
Peak: No. 117
"Rapid Dog" (distributed free during tour March–April 2023)

Home videos

2 Clips (April 2004; exclusively sold on tour)
0605231830 (December 27, 2006)
Endroll (December 27, 2006)
Endroll 2006/Endroll 2022 (March 20, 2023; Blu-ray and CD box set)
Documentary of Genealogie der Moral (March 29, 2025; exclusive to fan club)

External links