Thursday, September 11, 2008

Kagrra



LINE UP
Vocal : Isshi
Guitar : Akiya
Guitar : Shin
Bass : Nao
Drums : Izumi

OFFICIAL LINKS
kagrra, - ameba artist room
Kagrra, - official MySpace
Kagrra, - official site

PROFILE
Kagrra consists of five talented young musicians: Isshi (vocals), Akiya (guitar), Shin (guitar), Nao (bass) and Izumi (drums). The name of the band derives from the japanese word 'kagura', which stands for an ancient japanese dance connected with the Shinto traditions. Already the name suggests that Kagrra is strongly connected with the Japanese culture and traditions. The main concept behind the band's style is classical Japanese aesthetics, which they cleverly combine with rock music. In the past, their costumes or lyrics were based on particular stages from the cultural history of Japan. Although in the recent years the band has largely dropped the heavy visual style, the sense of neo japanesque is still present in their music and lyrics.

BIOGRAPHY
In the year 1998, a group of three musicians, Isshi, Izumi and Nao (vocals, drums and bass, respectively) decided to create a band. All they needed to fulfill their plans was a guitarist, and so they posted an advertisment in a local music store. The advertisment was answered by, among others, Akiya and Shin, who joined the initial members, forming CROW in October 1998. After joining the label Key Party, they formed a sort of twin-band-duet with Lar~mia, and the two bands were often referred to as the kuroi tori (black bird: CROW) and shiroi tori (white bird: Lar~mia). In 2000 the band switched their label to PS Company and changed their name to Kagrra. In June they played live under the new name for the first time and released a new demotape. Kagrra's first mini-album, Nue, was released in December and, after selling out quite quickly, March witnessed the edition of a second pressing.March 3rd, 2001 was another breakthrough date in the history of Kagrra. It was on this day that they played their first one man live at Shibuya, released their second mini album, Sakura, and opened their official fanclub, auga. Additionally, in 2001, they released four singles related to the four seasons of the year. In September, along with Kagerou and Due'le Quartz, they toured Hong Kong and on October 3rd their third mini-album, Iodori, hit the stores. Kagrra's first live recording, a VHS tape entitled Fuunroku, was released on March 6th, 2002, and no more than a month later they released their first maxi-single, Yume Izuru Chi. They also the released two maxi-singles, a mini album, and their first full-length album entitled Gozen that same year.They continued with a prolific schedule in 2003, releasing two maxi-singles, a mini album, and their first live DVD. In December Kagrra performed their last indies gig and went major on January 1st, 2004, changing their name to Kagrra, as well, which was celebrated by the release of their first major single, Urei. In March they released their first major album, Miyako. Having released their last indies live DVD in April, as well as another DVD in July, they surpised their fans at the end of their summer tour by announcing the release of yet another live DVD in November. They closed out their year by playing with their label-mates for PS Company's Peace & Smile Carnival tour.2006 was somewhat of a breakthrough year for visual bands, giving them a boost toward a more mainstream audience with some of them recording songs for anime series. Kagrra's Chikai no Tsuki was featured as an opening for the TV series Kinnikuman II Yo Ultimate Muscle 2. That summer they went on another tour, and before the year ended, they released another DVD, a maxi-single, and a photobook.They kicked off 2007 by relasing a new album, shizuku, in February. This year will also witness Kagrra's first live in the States, as they are scheduled to perform at the J-Rock Revolution Festival in Los Angeles in May.

Uzu (Limited ed.)
September 10, 2008

1. Uzu (渦)
2. Hoozuki (鬼灯)
3. Shigatsu Tsuitachi (四月一日)
~DOWNLOAD~

Core
January 9, 2008

1. Irodori no Sanka
2. Ujou
3. Shigatsu Tsuitachi
4. Guilty
5. Boukyaku no Hate no Kogoeta Kodoku
6. Sai
7. Kaze no Kioku
8. Kamikaze
9. Yuki Koi Uta
10. Shin- Hyakkiyakou

Shizuku
February 14, 2007

1. Utakata
2. Sayounara
3. Kaze
4. Ishin
5. Hakai
6. Sadame no ito
7. Sakebi
8. Kasunda fuyu no mukou ni...
9. Shizuku

Utakata (Type C)
November 22, 2006

1. Utakataうたかた
2. Sakebi叫び
3. Ano saka wo noborebaあの坂を登れば

Chikai no tsuki (Kagrra jacket Version)
February 1, 2006

1. Chikai no tsuki誓ノ月
2. Bikuniびくに
3. Kokyou故郷

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