Zi:Kill

Zi:Kill

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1987
Defunct	1994
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Studio albums, singles

Zi:Kill (also presented as ZI:KILL or ZI÷KILL) was a Japanese rock ensemble active between 1987 and 1994. The band’s principal lineup consisted of vocalist Tusk, bassist Seiichi, and guitarist Ken. Their trio of studio albums released under major labels all secured positions within the top ten on the Oricon charts, firmly establishing their influence within the burgeoning visual kei movement. Combining elements of British gothic rock and punk rock with a somber aesthetic, they became pioneers of visual kei’s extravagant style and signature black wardrobe. Zi:Kill’s near dissolution was notably depicted in a chapter of Karl Taro Greenfeld's novel Speed Tribes.

Formation and initial success: 1987–1991

Originally formed as G-Kill in November 1987 by guitarist Ken and bassist Seiichi, the group expanded by February 1988 to include former Aura drummer Masami and vocalist Tusk. Their inaugural performance took place on April 20 at Meguro Rokumeikan. In March 1989, they debuted with Shin Sekai ~Real of the World~ through Ghost Disc, promoting it with a complimentary flexi disc of "Karei" at release events. The album was subsequently re-released by Extasy Records, which Yoshiki of X Japan introduced them to, featuring an additional track. Following a concert on May 3, Masami departed from the band.

The success of this initial album elevated Zi:Kill to prominence among Japan’s visual kei artists. After enlisting drummer Yukihiro and signing with Extasy Records, their sophomore album Close Dance launched in March 1990, achieving the top spot on Oricon’s indie charts with 30,000 advance orders. On October 10 at Shibuya Kōkaidō, they revealed their contract with major label Toshiba EMI, which had established its own imprint named Planet Earth.

After a short tour period, Zi:Kill recorded their major label debut album in London. Known for internal tensions, the band dismissed Yukihiro following a December 28, 1990 appearance at Kawasaki Club Citta.

The 1991 release Desert Town marked a significant milestone by entering Oricon’s top ten; its single "Lonely" sold approximately 40,000 copies. This album later earned recognition as one of the best releases from 1989 to 1998 by Band Yarouze. However, after adding former D'erlanger drummer Tetsu and initiating a nationwide tour, conflicts with Toshiba EMI resulted in terminating their contract. Promotion for Desert Town was halted, and only a limited number of performances occurred that year. On September 24, 1991, Tetsu declared his departure. A single titled "Hero" was released three days later, featuring backing vocals from Sceana of Kamaitachi on the B-side track "Your Face".

Reorganization and concluding period: 1992–1994

Zi:Kill resumed activities in January 1992 with new drummer Eby. Operating independently, they partnered with Extasy Records to produce a compilation album that included selections from their indie catalog alongside the new single "Hero" plus tracks "Crack Eye" and "Don't Ask Me!". The album Tomorrow..., released in 1992, reached number 34 on the Oricon charts—a noteworthy achievement for an independent release. In response, Toshiba EMI issued its own Zi:Kill compilation titled Disgrace - The Best two months later.

Their subsequent album In the Hole, recorded during summer and released by King Records on October 28, 1992, attained number 8 on Oricon charts; it was promoted by the single "Slow Down". Following a nationwide tour, they appeared at Extasy Records' Extasy Summit events held at Osaka-jō Hall and Nippon Budokan, culminating in a solo performance at Budokan on December 17, 1993.

For their 1993 album Rocket, Zi:Kill returned to London for recording sessions. This release achieved their highest Oricon ranking at number 5. The single "Calling" gained wider recognition as "Tony's Theme" featured in the anime Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle.

After completing the Flying Rocket 1993 national tour, they played once more at Nippon Budokan on January 11, 1994. This concert marked their final appearance before officially announcing disbandment in March of that year. Tusk reassured supporters by emphasizing that "Zi:Kill was just a rock band."

Activities Following Zi:Kill

Ken embarked on individual endeavors involving former Zi:Kill drummers Yukihiro and Eby. He initially established Vast, which later became Crybaby, and currently works as a studio musician and producer. Eby transitioned into a session musician role, collaborating with artists such as Bellzlleb, Shazna, and Gackt. In 2012, he co-founded Lizard's Tail alongside ex-Aion vocalist Kenichi Fujisaki; this band was rebranded as Bordeaux in 2014 before dissolving in 2017. That same year, Eby and Fujisaki launched Krishna Blue. On September 22, 2013, Eby participated in a commemorative performance alongside Pata and others honoring Hide.

Yukihiro joined the influential 1990s rock outfit Die in Cries from 1991 to 1995 and has been the drummer for L'Arc-en-Ciel since 1998, one of Japan’s top-selling musical groups. He unveiled his solo project Acid Android in 2001 and later created the supergroup Petit Brabancon in 2021. Former drummer Tetsu briefly formed the band Body in 1994 with Cipher, a former member of D'erlanger. In 1995, Seiichi teamed up with them to establish Craze along with Fujisaki.

Tusk pursued a solo artist path supported by Tetsu and Kyoji Yamamoto on his sole solo release titled "3 Songs" (1996). Subsequently, he created The Slut Banks with Norio Toshiro from Ziggy on bass and Toshihiro Niimi from Bow Wow on drums; the group produced four albums before disbanding in 2000 following Tusk’s departure. He joined Craze in 2000 but exited in 2005 to focus on an acoustic solo project under the name Shinjuku Shin'on Kai Itaya Tusk. The Slut Banks briefly reunited for a New Year's Eve show in 2007.

Craze ceased operations in 2006. Seiichi then became part of Nakada Band (later renamed The Heavenly Curve) with Nao, formerly of Deep and By-Sexual. In 2007, D'erlanger reassembled with Tetsu returning to the lineup. Seiichi also initiated Vez (2007), Johnny Loves Brautigan (2010), Oxymorphonn (2019), and joined Genkaku Allergy in 2022.

Musical Style and Influence

Zi:Kill’s signature sound combined elements of British gothic rock and punk, contributing significantly to shaping the dark aesthetics and black attire that became hallmarks of visual kei, as noted by Fuyu Shōgun of Real Sound. Vocalist Tusk was recognized for his unique vocal adaptability; photographer Saori Tsuji described his voice as functioning almost like an instrument itself. The band has been acknowledged as a major inspiration by musicians including Cali Gari guitarist Ao Sakurai, Fanatic Crisis vocalist Tsutomu Ishizuki, and Dir En Grey guitarist Kaoru. Additionally, Miya from Mucc composed the track "Round & Round" in 2025 as a tribute and has participated in homage performances alongside Deadman, who also express deep respect for Zi:Kill.

Band Members

Final roster

• – guitar (1987–1994)
• – bass (1987–1994)
• – vocals (1988–1994)
• – drums (1992–1994)

Previous members

• Masami – drums (1988–1989)
• Yukihiro – drums (1989–1990)
• – drums (1991)

Discography

Studio albums

• Close Dance (March 25, 1990)
• Desert Town (March 20, 1991), peaked at No. 10 on Oricon Albums Chart
• In the Hole (October 28, 1992), reached No. 8
• Rocket (June 9, 1993), attained No. 5

Additional albums

• Tomorrow... (July 29, 1992, compilation)
• Disgrace - The Best (September 30, 1992, greatest hits), peaked at No. 71
• Best Box (March 16, 1995, greatest hits), reached No.16
• Early Best - Final I (September 27, 1995, live album), charted at No.73
• Still Alive - The Best I (September 3, 1999, greatest hits)

Singles

• "Lonely" (March 6, 1991), peaked at No.14 on Oricon Singles Chart
• "Hero" (September 27, 1991), reached No.26
• "Slow Down" (October 21, 1992), attained No.24
• "Calling" (July 21, 1993), peaked at No.51 — featured as "Tony's Theme" on the Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle soundtrack
• "Hero" (August 23, 1995 remixes), charted at No.70

Other releases

• — flexi disc distributed during debut album concerts
• "Tero" (August 2, 1989) — flexi disc handed out at Live On Stage Vol.2 concert
• "Last This Time" (September 2, 1989) — flexi disc given at Who's Generation concert
• "Real of the World" (September 28,1989) — flexi disc distributed at Extasy Summit ~Jōgai Rantō-hen~ concert
• "Another Side of Rocket" (March 1994) — nine-track cassette exclusive to fan club members

Various artist compilations

• Emergency Express Metal Warning 2 (1989) with track "Yuuutsu"
• History of Extasy 15th Anniversary (June 21,2000) featuring "Tero" and "I4U"
• Genten (October6,2010) including track "Hero"

Video releases

• Desert Town Tour1991 (October9,1991)
• Video Rocket London Side (VHS November26,1993; DVD April4,2001)
• Video Rocket Tokyo Side (December22,1993)
• Live Rocket(VHS March16,1994; DVD April4,2001)
• First and Second Step at Budokan(September2,1994)

Photobook

• A Piece of Road(July1993)

Sources

• Zi:Kill Background (taken from the Best Box compilation booklet)

External links

• Extasy Records official Zi:Kill page (archived)