INSOMNIAC SONG

VISUAL KEI

Kagerou

 

Members: Daisuke, Yuana, Shizumi, Kazu

Former Members: Masaya, Kuya

Genre: Rock,Visual Kei

Country: Japan

Years Active: 1999 - 2007

Status: Disbanded

Notable traits: Daisuke's vocals

Related bands: the Studs, Daisuke to kuro no injatachi, STEREO.C.K, boogieman, the god and death stars

Recommended Songs: 縄; 夕暮れの謝罪; 午前三時の太陽光線; Lily; 淋しさと眠れ

 

 

Much like the mayfly they're named for, Kagerou made a relatively short, but lasting impact on the visual kei scene. The band formed in September 1999 with Daisuke on vocals and Masaya on bass. Yuana would join the group as guitarist the following month. The trio held their first live in  February 13, 2000 at livehouse CYBER. Two demo tapes and their first single were released soon afterward with Shizumi joining the lineup on drums in May of the same year.  During this time, they were signed to the LOOP ASH label, but soon left it in favor of Lizard, under the FREE WILL umbrella. 

 

During this transition, Mayasa left the group. The band picked up and continued with a new bassist, Kuya in January 2001.  Two singles were released with Kuya providing the bass tracks. However, he would only remain with the band until August of 2001. The lineup would become solid with the quick arrival of Kazu shortly afterward. This addition solidified the quartet. The end of 2001 would bring a short coupling tour with MUCC. 2002 would bring the release of five singles and more touring for the charismatic group. They would even release their first live DVD that year. 

 

In 2003, the band released their first album along with several singles. The band was continuing to grow, changing their musical style slightly with these releases. Their popularity continued to grow with a mixture of fan club and public events during their extensive touring schedule. 

 

2004 saw the release of XII Dizzy as well as yet another long tour. They would take a break through the summer with the release of their second album, Rakushu in August before more touring. 2005 marked the band's first overseas activities with the group heading to Europe for several dates throughout the year. The group wrapped up the year with a coupling tour with D'espairsRay.

 

Kagerou kicked off 2006 with a surprisingly sparse touring schedule. Their fourth album was released in the summer with a tour following. However, September 16th brought bad news for fans. The quartet announced that they intended to disband on January 8th 2007. A final best of album and a last live dvd would wrap up the group's activities. 

 

Despite disbanding, the members kept fans' hopes alive by continuing to be active in the music scene with other projects.  Kagerou will always be one of my favorite Japanese rock bands. The quartet's influence is still easily felt throughout the visual kei scene although no band has emerged that can uproot their place in my heart. Any hope of a reunion between the members ended on July 15th, 2010 when Daisuke passed away. His legacy lives on through the music he made with Kagerou. I miss you, Daisuke.

 

"Live every moment, as if it were the last one, filled not with fear, but with the happiness of the moments"

~ Daisuke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discography:

 

​Studio Albums

• [2003.07.23] Kagerou

• [2004.08.18] Rakushu

• [2005.07.27] Guroushoku

• [2006.07.19] Kurohata

• [2006.12.27] Shinjuka

 

Demo Tapes

• [2000.xx.xx] Biological slicer

• [2000.04.21] Biyou Seikei Ishi no Shumi

   

 

DVD

• [2004.04.28] Kagerou no video clip

• [2004.01.28] ZEKKYOU PSYCHOPATH

• [2005.06.29] Rakushu Enjyo Saishu Koen