Phantasmagoria (band)
Encyclopedia
Phantasmagoria was a visual kei
rock band band formed in November 2004 in Osaka
, Japan
by Kisaki
, the executive of Under Code Production, a popular visual kei independent label.
Phantasmagoria was featured on the cover of well-known visual kei magazine Cure, one month after their formation, becoming one of the fastest-rising indie bands to appear on the cover of a magazine.
Rame (bassist of Vidoll
) teasingly began referring to the band as "Mago" (Mago means "grandchildren" and was taken from Phantas-mago-ria). The name "Mago" is now used by fans as well.
Phantasmagoria played their first concerts in the United States on October 21 and 22, 2005 at Oni-con in Houston, Texas. On March 26, the band played their first Japanese one-man.
On February 23, 2007, guitarist Iori and drummer Matoi left the band. The reason given for Iori's departure was that he did not feel comfortable being in a major band; Matoi stated in Japanese interviews that he left due to a foot injury, but in English interviews, Kisaki stated that he also did not feel comfortable being in a major band. On April 5, Kisaki announced that he was retiring and Iori and Matoi had returned to the band, but the band would be "sealing". He followed up on the announcement on a live radio show on April 8, where the band's first and last fan trip was revealed, as well as the final event tour and final one-man tour. Kisaki claimed to be "officially retired" from the active music scene on August 31, 2007, but continued to run his label and produce music.
On May 3, 2008, Phantasmagoria reunited to perform live at the hide
Memorial Summit.
During the 2010 Under Code Production's New Year's live, Phantasmagoria was once again revived to perform. Along with their revival, the band released a mini-album and a single which contained songs the band had written while they were active but never released. The EP, entitled Seeds of Brain, contained four new songs, where as the new single, "Diamond Dust", contained the title track and an instrumental version. In an interview with Shoxx magazine, Kisaki stated "Although we created the songs a while back, we never released them. We included those for hardcore fans who want to listen to all our songs. This is our last release; although I'm not sure if that sounds convincing [grins]. But this time around it's really the end." On April 5, the band had their last official live and Kisaki announced his newest band, "凛 -the end of corruption world-," the day after. As of now, Phantasmagoria's last release is another collection of unreleased songs entitled Actuality, which was released in two versions on June 16, 2010.
Riku is now in a band called Chariots. This band featured members of Pashya, the Pumpkin Head, and Jaguar, and has released 10 singles, several omnibus releases, two extended plays, and a full-length collection album that came in two versions. Within the first few months of 2010, the bassist, drummer, and both guitarists left the group; however, the band did not dissolve. Chariots is now considered to be Riku's solo project and features four new support members. Also, Riku, along with Chariots' drummer Reiya and guitarist Kanata, are now members of Kisaki's newest band, 凛 -the end of corruption world- .
Jun
released solo material under the alias attic. Jun and Iori also worked together in Spiv States
. In the fall of 2010, Iori announced that he would be leaving the band due to health related reasons, but Jun continues the band.
Matoi is in a band called Jill Christ and their first single, "Chrism...Code46358", was released on April 18, 2008. This band has not released any material since.
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...
rock band band formed in November 2004 in Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
by Kisaki
Kisaki
is a Japanese musician who has worked with several visual kei bands, including La:Sadie's, Syndrome, Kisaki Project and Phantasmagoria. Besides playing bass and composing music, he also works as a producer, previously for the Matina label and currently for Under Code Production...
, the executive of Under Code Production, a popular visual kei independent label.
History
Phantasmagoria was formed in November 2004 and their first single "Material Pain" was released in the music magazine Shoxx on December 21 of the same year. The following day the group released its first Maxi-single, "Moonlight Revival".Phantasmagoria was featured on the cover of well-known visual kei magazine Cure, one month after their formation, becoming one of the fastest-rising indie bands to appear on the cover of a magazine.
Rame (bassist of Vidoll
Vidoll
was a Japanese visual kei rock band with the concept "Occult Romance". They helped construct the current visual kei scene. After going major, they had several top 40 singles before disbanding in 2011.-2002–2003: Beginnings:...
) teasingly began referring to the band as "Mago" (Mago means "grandchildren" and was taken from Phantas-mago-ria). The name "Mago" is now used by fans as well.
Phantasmagoria played their first concerts in the United States on October 21 and 22, 2005 at Oni-con in Houston, Texas. On March 26, the band played their first Japanese one-man.
On February 23, 2007, guitarist Iori and drummer Matoi left the band. The reason given for Iori's departure was that he did not feel comfortable being in a major band; Matoi stated in Japanese interviews that he left due to a foot injury, but in English interviews, Kisaki stated that he also did not feel comfortable being in a major band. On April 5, Kisaki announced that he was retiring and Iori and Matoi had returned to the band, but the band would be "sealing". He followed up on the announcement on a live radio show on April 8, where the band's first and last fan trip was revealed, as well as the final event tour and final one-man tour. Kisaki claimed to be "officially retired" from the active music scene on August 31, 2007, but continued to run his label and produce music.
On May 3, 2008, Phantasmagoria reunited to perform live at the hide
Hide (musician)
, better known by his stage name hide , was a popular Japanese musician. He was primarily known for his work as lead guitarist of the heavy metal band X Japan from 1987 to 1997...
Memorial Summit.
During the 2010 Under Code Production's New Year's live, Phantasmagoria was once again revived to perform. Along with their revival, the band released a mini-album and a single which contained songs the band had written while they were active but never released. The EP, entitled Seeds of Brain, contained four new songs, where as the new single, "Diamond Dust", contained the title track and an instrumental version. In an interview with Shoxx magazine, Kisaki stated "Although we created the songs a while back, we never released them. We included those for hardcore fans who want to listen to all our songs. This is our last release; although I'm not sure if that sounds convincing [grins]. But this time around it's really the end." On April 5, the band had their last official live and Kisaki announced his newest band, "凛 -the end of corruption world-," the day after. As of now, Phantasmagoria's last release is another collection of unreleased songs entitled Actuality, which was released in two versions on June 16, 2010.
Riku is now in a band called Chariots. This band featured members of Pashya, the Pumpkin Head, and Jaguar, and has released 10 singles, several omnibus releases, two extended plays, and a full-length collection album that came in two versions. Within the first few months of 2010, the bassist, drummer, and both guitarists left the group; however, the band did not dissolve. Chariots is now considered to be Riku's solo project and features four new support members. Also, Riku, along with Chariots' drummer Reiya and guitarist Kanata, are now members of Kisaki's newest band, 凛 -the end of corruption world- .
Jun
Jun (musician)
Jun is a Japanese visual kei rock musician and singer-songwriter. He is currently the sole member of Spiv States...
released solo material under the alias attic. Jun and Iori also worked together in Spiv States
Jun (musician)
Jun is a Japanese visual kei rock musician and singer-songwriter. He is currently the sole member of Spiv States...
. In the fall of 2010, Iori announced that he would be leaving the band due to health related reasons, but Jun continues the band.
Matoi is in a band called Jill Christ and their first single, "Chrism...Code46358", was released on April 18, 2008. This band has not released any material since.
Members
- Riku (戮) - Vocals
- He was the vocalist, born in Hyōgo PrefectureHyogo Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...
on January 3, 1977. He was previously in the bands Kawon and Hiskarea and went under the name Kenji (研二).
- He was the vocalist, born in Hyōgo Prefecture
- JunJun (musician)Jun is a Japanese visual kei rock musician and singer-songwriter. He is currently the sole member of Spiv States...
(JUN) - Lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, synth guitar- He was a guitarist, born on November 17, 1983 in KobeKobe, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
. He was previously in the bands Se'lavy and Mar'derayla (マーディレイラ).
- He was a guitarist, born on November 17, 1983 in Kobe
- Iori (伊織) - Rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, synth guitar- He was a guitarist, born on January 10, 1984 in Kobe. He was previously in the bands Se'lavy and Mar'derayla (マーディレイラ).
- KisakiKisakiis a Japanese musician who has worked with several visual kei bands, including La:Sadie's, Syndrome, Kisaki Project and Phantasmagoria. Besides playing bass and composing music, he also works as a producer, previously for the Matina label and currently for Under Code Production...
(KISAKI) - BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, leaderBandleaderA bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or rock and roll music....
- He was the bassist and bandleader, born on March 10, 1976 in Kainan, WakayamaKainan, Wakayamais a city located in Wakayama, Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 55,763. The total area is 101.18 km².The city was founded on May 1, 1934.On April 1, 2005 the town of Shimotsu, from Kaisō District, was merged into Kainan....
. His previous bands include Levia, Laybial, Shey≠de, De=prive, Stella Maria, Haijinkurobarazoku (廃人黒薔薇族), La:Sadie's, Mirage, and Syndrome.
- He was the bassist and bandleader, born on March 10, 1976 in Kainan, Wakayama
- Matoi (纏) - 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 ....
- He was the drummer, born on September 25, 1981 in OsakaOsakais a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
. He was previously in the bands Kawon and Hiskarea.
- He was the drummer, born on September 25, 1981 in Osaka
Former Members
- Mao - Vocals
- He was the former vocalist, born on June 7 in KyotoKyotois a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
. He was previously in the band Selfrush, and currently in SadieSadie (band)is a visual kei rock band from Japan, formed in 2005. Sadie is signed to Face Music and Mijinko Records.-Biography:Sadie was founded by Mao, Tsurugi, Aki, Mizuki and Sora in February 2005, and comes from the English word "sad", according to vocalist, Mao...
.
- He was the former vocalist, born on June 7 in Kyoto
- Shion (熾苑) - 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 ....
- He was the former drummer, born on August 11 in Kobe. He was previously in the band Mist of Rouge.
Singles
- "Material Pain" (December 21, 2004)
- "Moonlight Revival" (December 22, 2004)
- "Never Rebellion" (June 1, 2005) Oricon Singles Weekly Chart Top Position: 83
- "Never Rebellion - Fool's Mate Edition" (July 1, 2005)
- "Mikansei to Guilt" (未完成とギルト, October 19, 2005) Oricon Singles Weekly Chart Top Position: 22
- "Kousoukyoku (Variant Jihad)"(神創曲～Variant Jihad～, January 25, 2006) Oricon Singles Weekly Chart Top Position: 80
- "Kyousoukyoku (Cruel Crucible)"(狂想曲～Cruel Crucible～, February 22, 2006) Oricon Singles Weekly Chart Top Position: 90
- "Gensoukyoku (Eternal Silence)"(幻想曲～Eternal Silence～, March 26, 2006) Oricon Singles Weekly Chart Top Position: 75
- "Under the Veil" (December 13, 2006) Oricon Singles Weekly Chart Top Position: 77
- "Vain" (February 14, 2007)
- "Kisaki Chronicle" (June 21, 2007)
- "Kami Uta" (神歌, July 18, 2007) Oricon Singles Weekly Chart Top Position: 32
- "Vanish..." (August 31, 2008)
- "Diamond Dust" (March 10, 2010)
- "Actuality" (June 16, 2010)
Albums
- Splendor of Sanctuary (US Release: October 21, 2005)
- Synthesis Songs (September 20, 2006)
- Sign of Fragment (December 20, 2006)
- Subjective or Ideal (December 20, 2006)
- Requiem: Floral Edition (September 5, 2007)
- Requiem: Funeral Edition (September 5, 2007)
- No Imagination (October 10, 2007)
- Dejavu: Sanctuary Of Revival (August 20, 2008)
- Seeds of Brain (March 10, 2010)
- Actuality (June 16, 2010)
DVDs
- Kindling Vol.1 (March 1, 2005)
- Kansai Seiatsu 2004~2005 (関西制圧2004～2005, April 6, 2005)
- Geneizou I: After the Moonlight Revival (幻影像Ⅰ～after the moonlight Revival～, April 6, 2005)
- Yoshigen Yuukoujouyaku (四次元友好条約, July 1, 2005)
- Geneizou II: Sin Screen Film (幻影像2～SIN SCREEN FILM～, August 10, 2005)
- Geneizou III: For Degradation Crowd (幻影像3～for degradation crowd～, December 14, 2005)
- Survivor's Guilt: 2005.10.21&22 USA Houston,Texas Park Plaza Hotel Reliant (June 21, 2006)
- Territory of Divine: 2006.3.27 Shibuya-AX (July 25, 2006)
- Japanesque Rock Collectionz Cure DVD Vol.01 (September 27, 2006)
- Geneizou IV: Chronology Revelation (幻影像4～chronology revelation～, October 18, 2007)
- Creatures in Imagination (November 15, 2006)
- Black-Veil Before Christmas: 2006.12.17 La Foret Museum Roppongi (February 21, 2007)
- Geneizou V: Under the Veil (幻影像5～under the veil～, February 28, 2007)
- At the End of the Rest Period: 2007.2.23 Shibuya-AX (April 25, 2007)
- Shinki: Graduation & Departure (May 30, 2007)
- Eclipse of Myth: 2007.8.31 Osaka Kokusai Kouryuu Senta (-Eclipse of Myth- ~2007.8.31 大阪国際交流センター~, August 31, 2007)
- Reincarnation: Geneizou Kanzenban (REINCARNATION～幻影像完全盤～, September 5, 2007)
- Crystal Finale: 2007.8.27 Tokyo Shibuya-AX (-CRYSTAL FINALE-～2007.8.27 東京SHIBUYA-AX～, October 31, 2007)
- Forbidden: Insanity Of The Underworld (November 20, 2008)
- History of Phantasmagoria 2004-2008 (December 24, 2008)
- Diamond Dust in Truth (June 26 , 2010)
- Wailing Wall 2004-2010 (October 26, 2011)