Aion (Japanese band)
Encyclopedia
Aion is a Japanese metal
band formed in 1983 by guitarist Izumi. Aion are considered to be important to the formation of visual kei
, credited as being one of the bands to start the movement in the early '80s. They are also considered to be one of the most successful heavy metal bands in Japan, touring with big bands such as X Japan
and Luna Sea
. As of 2010 they have released 15 full albums, 6 singles, 2 EPs and more than 10 VHS/DVD.
guitarist Kerry and Color
drummer Toshi). But this band was short lived as well, only lasting until May 1986. Izumi then decided to try again with Aion, bringing with him Mein Kampf bassist Tatsuya "Dean" Miwa and vocalist Kenichi "Rod" Fujisaki, and adding Jun "S.A.B" Saburi on drums. Rod would soon be replaced by Salee, whom after a year, would then be replaced by Satoru Sasano. And with this line-up they had their first official release, the 1987 single "Hang on Night". In 1988 Satoru left and Hisayoshi Hiraga joined, their first album Deathrash Bound was released in 1989. Hisayoshi left soon after the album's release, and they finally got a steady vocalist when he was replaced by Nov. In 1990 they released Human Griefman
, which is basically Deathrash Bound, the only differences being Nov is singing and he also rewrote the lyrics. Signing a contract with BMG
in 1990, Aion gained a following in the visual kei
scene. 1991 was the year when they started to succeed, with the release of Aionism
. At that time, Aion and Luna Sea
used to play a lot of shows together. This led to Luna Sea providing some backing vocals on the album. Bigger success would come in 1992 when they changed from their thrash metal
roots to a more stylized melodic power metal
sound. The first album with the new sound, Aion -Aion-
, was very successful. Also in 1992 S.A.B left and was replaced by Shu. Local magazines and TV showcased them from 1991 until 1995, when their last album, Freak-Out, was released. In 1995 they disbanded, although not in the traditional sense, as Nov and Izumi continued to release their own music using the Aion name.
In 2000 Dean and Shu rejoined the band and they released the album Magnitude in three versions: Japaneses, English and all English. Although Shu soon left, he was replaced with the return of S.A.B, thus the "classic" Aion line-up was reunited. In 2003 they released the album Sister. They continued to play shows in small live houses, until 2009 when S.A.B left. He was replaced by Youth-K, and in 2010 Aion released their first single in 16 years "Black Heart".
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band formed in 1983 by guitarist Izumi. Aion are considered to be important to the formation of visual kei
Visual Kei
is a movement among Japanese musicians, that is characterized by the use of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics. Some sources state that visual kei refers to a music genre, or to a sub-genre of Japanese rock, with its...
, credited as being one of the bands to start the movement in the early '80s. They are also considered to be one of the most successful heavy metal bands in Japan, touring with big bands such as X Japan
X Japan
is a Japanese heavy metal band founded in 1982 by Yoshiki and Toshi. Originally named X , the group achieved their breakthrough success in 1989 with the release of their second album Blue Blood...
and Luna Sea
Luna Sea
Luna Sea is a rock band from Kanagawa, Japan, formed in 1989. The band was initially founded by bassist J and rhythm guitarist Inoran, when they were in high school. They soon recruited lead guitarist and violinist Sugizo, drummer Shinya and vocalist Ryuichi, a lineup that has remained the same...
. As of 2010 they have released 15 full albums, 6 singles, 2 EPs and more than 10 VHS/DVD.
Band history
Aion was originally created in 1983 by Izumi Ochiai, he soon ended it in 1985 to start a new band named Mein Kampf (which included future XX Japan
is a Japanese heavy metal band founded in 1982 by Yoshiki and Toshi. Originally named X , the group achieved their breakthrough success in 1989 with the release of their second album Blue Blood...
guitarist Kerry and Color
Color (band)
Color was a Japanese punk band formed in 1985 by Dynamite Tommy, who founded the Free-Will record label a year later. They are considered to be important to the formation of visual kei.- History :...
drummer Toshi). But this band was short lived as well, only lasting until May 1986. Izumi then decided to try again with Aion, bringing with him Mein Kampf bassist Tatsuya "Dean" Miwa and vocalist Kenichi "Rod" Fujisaki, and adding Jun "S.A.B" Saburi on drums. Rod would soon be replaced by Salee, whom after a year, would then be replaced by Satoru Sasano. And with this line-up they had their first official release, the 1987 single "Hang on Night". In 1988 Satoru left and Hisayoshi Hiraga joined, their first album Deathrash Bound was released in 1989. Hisayoshi left soon after the album's release, and they finally got a steady vocalist when he was replaced by Nov. In 1990 they released Human Griefman
Human Griefman
Human Griefman is the 2nd album released by the Japanese metal band Aion. It is essentially the same album as Deathrash Bound, however, all of Hisayoshi's vocals have been replaced with Nov's, the lyrics were rewritten and most song titles were changed...
, which is basically Deathrash Bound, the only differences being Nov is singing and he also rewrote the lyrics. Signing a contract with BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
in 1990, Aion gained a following in the visual kei
Visual Kei
is a movement among Japanese musicians, that is characterized by the use of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics. Some sources state that visual kei refers to a music genre, or to a sub-genre of Japanese rock, with its...
scene. 1991 was the year when they started to succeed, with the release of Aionism
Aionism
Aionism is the third album released by the metal band Aion. The first pressing released on October 8, 1991 included a sticker and cardboard slipcover. A remastered version was released on June 6, 1995. It is arguably the bands most successful album, reaching number 37 on the Oricon chart. A...
. At that time, Aion and Luna Sea
Luna Sea
Luna Sea is a rock band from Kanagawa, Japan, formed in 1989. The band was initially founded by bassist J and rhythm guitarist Inoran, when they were in high school. They soon recruited lead guitarist and violinist Sugizo, drummer Shinya and vocalist Ryuichi, a lineup that has remained the same...
used to play a lot of shows together. This led to Luna Sea providing some backing vocals on the album. Bigger success would come in 1992 when they changed from their thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
roots to a more stylized melodic power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
sound. The first album with the new sound, Aion -Aion-
Aion (Aion album)
Aion -Aion- or simply Aion is the 4th album released by the Japanese metal band Aion. The bands catchphrase "Deathrash Bound" is written on the cover, and since the album's full title is only written on the side, this is often mistaken to be the album's title...
, was very successful. Also in 1992 S.A.B left and was replaced by Shu. Local magazines and TV showcased them from 1991 until 1995, when their last album, Freak-Out, was released. In 1995 they disbanded, although not in the traditional sense, as Nov and Izumi continued to release their own music using the Aion name.
In 2000 Dean and Shu rejoined the band and they released the album Magnitude in three versions: Japaneses, English and all English. Although Shu soon left, he was replaced with the return of S.A.B, thus the "classic" Aion line-up was reunited. In 2003 they released the album Sister. They continued to play shows in small live houses, until 2009 when S.A.B left. He was replaced by Youth-K, and in 2010 Aion released their first single in 16 years "Black Heart".
Current members
- Nov – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
1989–present (Paranoia, Z-Sect, Volcano, Zigoku Quartet) - Izumi Ochiai – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
1983–1985, 1986–present (Mein Kampf, The Braincase) - Tatsuya "Dean" Miwa – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
1986–1995, 2000–present (Mein Kampf) - Youth-K – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
2009–present (Batcave, BPM 13 Groove)
Former members
- Taro – vocals 1983
- Potukun – vocals
- Shin'ichi "Shin" – drums
- Hideki – drums 1983–1985
- Ray – bass 1984–1985
- Kamizi – vocals 1985
- Kenichi "Rod" Fujisaki – vocals 1986 (Mein Kampf, Justy Nasty, Craze)
- Salee – vocals 1986–1987
- Satoru Sasano – vocals 1987–1989 (Paranoia, Sweet Death)
- Hisayoshi Hiraga – vocals 1989 (Rosenfeld, Thread Worm)
- Shue "Shu" Sakai – drums 1992–1995, 2000 (Virus, Girl Tique)
- Jun "S.A.B" Saburi – drums 1986–1992, 2000–2009 (Virus, Lizer)
Studio albums
- Deathrash Bound (March 21, 1989)
- Human GriefmanHuman GriefmanHuman Griefman is the 2nd album released by the Japanese metal band Aion. It is essentially the same album as Deathrash Bound, however, all of Hisayoshi's vocals have been replaced with Nov's, the lyrics were rewritten and most song titles were changed...
(February 25, 1990) - AionismAionismAionism is the third album released by the metal band Aion. The first pressing released on October 8, 1991 included a sticker and cardboard slipcover. A remastered version was released on June 6, 1995. It is arguably the bands most successful album, reaching number 37 on the Oricon chart. A...
(October 8, 1991) OriconOricon, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
Weekly Album Chart Position: #37 - Aion -Aion-Aion (Aion album)Aion -Aion- or simply Aion is the 4th album released by the Japanese metal band Aion. The bands catchphrase "Deathrash Bound" is written on the cover, and since the album's full title is only written on the side, this is often mistaken to be the album's title...
(愛音～AION～, August 21, 1992) #34 - Z (Z [ZETTO], June 2, 1993) #40
- Absolute (March 2, 1994) #41
- Freak-Out (November 22, 1995) #96
- Mithras (February 22, 1997, fan-club only)
- Eve (April 4, 1998, fan-club only)
- Ceremony of Cross Out (September 9, 1999, fan-club only)
- Judge of Death Line (September 9, 1999, fan-club only)
- Manners of Kill and Wound (September 9, 1999, fan-club only)
- Magnitude (December 24, 2000, fan-club only, 3 versions: Japanese, English and all English)
- Sister (October 24, 2003, fan-club only)
Singles
- "Hang on Night" (July 1987)
- "Fatalism" (August 3, 1990, distributed at a Nakano Kokaido concert)
- "Gasp for Breath" (August 5, 1990, released with the music magazine Rockin' f)
- "Be Afraid" (October 2, 1991) Oricon Weekly Singles Chart Position: #45
- "Piece of My Life" (1991, limited to 3,000 who purchased "Be Afraid" & Aionism)
- "Aion -Aion-" (愛音～AION～, August 5, 1992) #68
- "Missing" (February 23, 1994)
- "Black Heart" (October 13, 2010)