Kuroyume

Kuroyume

Company type	Musical group
Industry	Music
Founded	May 1991 (1991-05)
Headquarters	Nagoya , Japan
Products	Rock music albums and singles

is a rock group originating from Nagoya, Japan, established in May 1991. They quickly gained prominence with their first major label album, Mayoeru Yuritachi, released in 1994, which climbed to the third position on the Oricon Albums Chart. Following the departure of guitarist Shin in 1995, vocalist Kiyoharu and bassist Hitoki became the band's primary members. Their subsequent five albums consistently ranked within the top seven, with both Feminism (1995) and Fake Star (1996) reaching number one. The 1996 track "Pistol" earned them an MTV Video Music Award. Kuroyume played a pivotal role in shaping the visual kei movement and are acknowledged as trailblazers of Nagoya kei.

On January 29, 1999, due to tensions between Kiyoharu and Hitoki, Kuroyume halted their activities. They officially ended the band after a farewell concert on January 29, 2009, but reunited in January 2010, releasing two additional albums that entered the top seven before disbanding once again in 2015. The group came together once more in 2025.

1991–1993: Formation and early independent phase

Kuroyume was created in 1991 by vocalist Kiyoharu, bassist Hitoki, drummer Eiki (all previously part of Garnet), alongside guitarist Shin from Geracee. After a year of live performances, Eiki exited in June 1992; the band issued the single "Chuuzetsu" that July through Haunted House Records. Their mini-album Ikiteita Chuzetsuji.... followed in December and sold out its initial run of 4,000 copies via pre-orders.

Their debut full album, Nakigara o..., released in June 1993, marked a transition toward a more melodic gothic rock style, moving away from earlier metal influences. The track "Shin'ai Naru Death Mask" was re-recorded for this release and became their first music video. Drummer Hiro briefly joined in July but departed after three months; thereafter, the band utilized support drummers. Hitoki mentioned that no official drummer matched their image following Eiki's departure.

During this era, Kuroyume rose as prominent figures within the Nagoya kei scene alongside groups like Rouage and Laputa. Fanatic Crisis guitarist Shun described Kuroyume and as the leading duo of Nagoya kei at that time.

1994–1996: Rise to prominence

After signing with Toshiba EMI in early 1994, Kuroyume released their major debut single "For Dear" in February. Their album Mayoeru Yuritachi -Romance of Scarlet- followed in March and reached number three on the Oricon Albums Chart. The release was supported by two music videos: one for the single and another for "Autism." In August 1994, they issued the mini-album Cruel along with its lead single "Ice My Life," which demonstrated a shift toward pop rock. The band adopted a more reserved image inspired by the 1980s New Romantic movement to attract mainstream listeners. Cruel embraced a more accessible pop sound reflecting Hitoki and Kiyoharu's plan to begin with hardcore elements before transitioning into pop styles. Initial sales for Mayoeru Yuritachi were approximately 30,000 copies; this motivated Kiyoharu to seek wider market exposure by negotiating with their label and management. Unlike many contemporaries aiming for million-selling records, Kuroyume opted to evolve their musical concept, sound, and visual presentation with each release.

In February 1995, guitarist Shin left to establish Vinyl with former D'erlanger vocalist Dizzy. Subsequently, Kuroyume functioned as a duo supported by session musicians. Shin had been their main composer; plans for him to self-produce Cruel fell through as he withdrew from collaboration. With no contact from Shin during later projects, the band proceeded independently. The albums Feminism (May 1995) and Fake Star ~I'm Just a Japanese Fake Rocker~ (May 1996) maintained the mainstream rock direction set by Cruel, with Fake Star featuring sharper production and a trendier aesthetic. Feminism was later acclaimed as one of the best albums from 1989–1998 by music magazine Band Yarouze. In September 1996, Kuroyume received the MTV Japan International Viewer's Choice Award at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards for their song "Pistol" from Fake Star, significantly enhancing their national recognition and firmly establishing Kiyoharu’s reputation across Japan.

1997–1999, 2009: Hiatus and Disbandment

In 1997, Kuroyume embraced a punk rock style with the release of their album Drug Treatment. Their single "Maria," launched in April 1998, achieved a peak position of number two on the Oricon charts, representing their highest-ranking single. The band’s last studio album, Corkscrew, came out in May 1998. On January 29, 1999, Kuroyume declared an indefinite pause in their activities. Although Hitoki had considered departing approximately two years earlier, the group fulfilled their final tour commitments due to previously sold tickets. Hitoki later conveyed his disenchantment with the music industry's commercial pressures and the tension between maintaining artistic values and meeting business expectations, which influenced his decision to step away from music.

Kiyoharu pointed to a deeply fractured relationship with Hitoki as the main reason behind the band's dissolution; communication between them was limited to their manager, and they deliberately avoided interaction during rehearsals and live shows. Creative disagreements also emerged, including disputes over production elements like bass sound levels. Kiyoharu noted that some of the discord stemmed from Hitoki's focus on family obligations conflicting with the band's professional requirements. Additionally, he recognized that Hitoki might have been frustrated by his restricted creative role.

Following the breakup, Kiyoharu established the rock band Sads in 1999, releasing several works before pausing activities in 2003 and resuming in 2010. Meanwhile, Hitoki pursued various ventures such as Hitoki-PiranhaHeads in 2000 and collaborated with former Kuroyume guitarist Shin in Super Drop Babies starting in 2004.

On October 30, 2008—Kiyoharu’s 40th birthday—Kuroyume formally dissolved, culminating in a farewell concert at the Nippon Budokan on January 29, 2009, attended by approximately 13,500 fans. Hitoki disclosed that he and Kiyoharu had not communicated during the decade following the band's suspension.

2010–2015, 2025–present: Reformations

Kuroyume announced their return on January 29, 2010, initiating work on a new album. This reunion was partly inspired by the passing of Masato Tōjō in 2009, former editor-in-chief of Fool's Mate magazine and an early advocate of the band. They signed with Avex Trax—the label managing both Kiyoharu’s solo career and Sads. Their comeback single "Misery" was initially set for release on January 29 but was postponed to February 9, 2011. That same day saw the launch of the tribute album Fuck the Border Line, featuring cover versions by prominent visual kei bands including Abingdon Boys School, Plastic Tree, The Gazette, Sid, and Cascade. Subsequent singles "Alone" and "Heavenly" were released on May 25 and August 24 respectively, preceding their album Headache and Dub Reel Inch which debuted on November 2. Notably, "Alone" was utilized by Capcom for promotional campaigns related to Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D.

On March 26, 2014, Kuroyume released "Reverb," which climbed to number eleven on Oricon charts and was selected by Koei Tecmo for use in advertising Samurai Warriors 4.

In September 2016, four trademarks connected to Kuroyume were auctioned off by the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau due to financial difficulties faced by Kiyoharu’s Full Face Records. These rights were acquired by an undisclosed buyer; one trademark sold for 681,000 yen while each of the others fetched around 200,000 yen. The band's manager expressed intentions to regain ownership of these trademarks.

To commemorate Kiyoharu’s three decades in music, Kuroyume performed at Tokyo Garden Theater on February 9, 2025. They are slated to participate in Gappa Rocks Ishikawa on May 10 alongside artists such as Orange Range, Brahman, and Man with a Mission to support recovery efforts following the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. This event will precede their own ten-date Zepp venue tour scheduled from July 19 through September 20.

Members

Present lineup

• – lead vocals (1991–1999, 2009, 2010–2015, 2025–present)
• – bass guitar, backing vocals (1991–1999, 2009, 2010–2015, 2025–present)

Past members

• – guitar (1991–1995)
• – drums (1991–1992)
• Hiro – drums (1993)

Studio and mini-albums

• , reached #3 on the Oricon Albums Chart
• Cruel (mini-album, August 31, 1994) peaked at #7
• Feminism (May 10, 1995) attained #1
• Fake Star ~I'm Just a Japanese Fake Rocker~ (May 29, 1996) secured #1
• Drug Treatment (June 27, 1997) ranked #2
• Corkscrew (May 27, 1998) reached #2
• Headache and Dub Reel Inch (November 2, 2011) peaked at #2
• achieved #7

Singles

• "For Dear" (February 9, 1994), peaked at #18 on the Oricon Singles Chart
• "Ice My Life" (July 20, 1994) reached #10
• attained #10
• "Miss Moonlight" (April 26, 1995) ranked #12
• "Beams" (October 13, 1995) climbed to #6
• "See You" (February 21, 1996) hit #5
• reached #4
• "Like @ Angel" (November 18, 1996) achieved #5
• "Nite & Day" (April 10, 1997) peaked at #3
• "Spray" (June 4, 1997) attained #5
• ranked #3
• "Maria" (April 8, 1998) reached #2
• climbed to #6
• peaked at #8
• "Heavenly" (August 24, 2011) hit #14
• "Kingdom" (September 6, 2013)
• attained #15
• "I Hate Your Popstar Life" (December 11, 2013) reached #16
• "Reverb" (March 26, 2014) ranked #11
• "Day 1" (January 5, 2015)

Live albums

• 1997.10.31 Live at Shinjuku Loft (January 16, 1998), peaked at #7
• Kuroyume "the End" -Corkscrew a Go Go! Final- Nippon Budokan (March 18, 2009), reached #23
• XXXX The Fake Star (May 4, 2011)

Compilation albums

• EMI 1994–1998 Best or Worst (February 17, 1999), attained #2
• Kuroyume Singles (March 27, 2002), peaked at #44
• Kuroyume Complete Singles (September 29, 2003)
• Kuroyume Box (April 28, 2004)

Tribute albums

• Fuck the Border Line (February 9, 2011)
• Kuroyume Respect Album: Revision Underwear (March 25, 2015)

Home videos

• Under.... (October 31, 1992)
• Neo Under (September 5, 1993)
• Deep Under (December 20, 1993)
• Theater of Cruel (September 28, 1994)
• Tour Feminism Part 1 (September 27, 1995)
• Pictures (December 13, 1995)
• Fake Star's Circuit 1996: Boys Only (October 4, 1996)
• 1996 Fake Star's Circuit: Yokohama Arena (November 18, 1996)
• 1996 Fake Star's Circuit: Tour Document (January 29, 1997)
• Pictures 2 (October 22, 1997)
• 1997.10.31 Live at Shinjuku Loft (January 16, 1998; reissued October 29, 2003)
• Live or Die -Corkscrew a Go Go- (March 31, 1999)
• DVD Pictures Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 (October 18, 2000)
• Complete Single Clips (April 13, 2005)
• All Pictures (January 28, 2009)
• The End -Corkscrew a Go Go! Final- Nippon Budokan (March 25, 2009)
• XXXX Fuck the Fake Star: The Newest Feather (July 20, 2011)
• Headache and Dub Reel Inch Live at Nippon Budokan (May 2, 2012)
• Kuroyume Live & Document Last Long Tour DVD (January 7, 2021)