Deathgaze

Deathgaze (デスゲイズ, Desugeizu) is a Japanese nagoya kei metal band formed in 2003.

History

Deathgaze was formed in the summer of 2003 by Hazuki, Ai, Naoki, and Kanna. After releasing their first EP, "294036224052", vocalist, Hazuki, left in spring 2004 to form his own band, lynch.. Guitarist Kanna also left in 2004. As replacements, vocalist Sou and guitarist Naoto joined the group in late 2004. The band released several more singles and their first album, before Sou left in late 2006 to marry. The band then did a tour without vocalist with girugamesh titled "Girugaze&Deathgamesh", with bassist Ai and girugamesh vocalist Satoshi sharing vocal duties. In March 2007 the band announced they would be on hiatus while searching for a new vocalist.

On November 11, 2007, the band officially ended their hiatus with bassist Ai becoming the band's vocalist. They continued as a three-member band until April 2008 when Kosuke joined the band to relieve Ai of bass duties.^[1] On April 26, 2009, guitarist Naoto retired from the band and from music, but he stated that if possible in the future he would return. After Naoto's retirement, Takaki (ex. ASS'n'ARROW) played live support guitar for the band, while Ai contributed guitar work to "The Continuation" and "Blood." Takaki was added as an official member on November 20, 2009. From 2010 on, Ai also took up the rhythm guitar in some of the band's songs.

As of 2012, Deathgaze has released five albums and several singles. Ai is the main composer and lyricist of the band, and was so even when he was still the band's bassist. He is also in charge of art direction for their CD releases. From 2003 to 2007 the band also performed under the session name Knohhoso (野っ細), playing cover songs of older and popular Japanese rock bands. Knohhoso also featured Ai on vocals.

On March 23, 2013, Deathgaze announced that they would be playing in venues all around Europe for their European Tour commemorating their 10th anniversary. This included cities such as Paris, Wroclaw, Hamburg, Vienna and more.^[2]

Music

Deathgaze's music is part of the nagoya kei scene, and has influences from various heavy metal genres. The vocals are usually a mixture between clean singing and growls, with clean vocals being used more in recent years. All of Deathgaze' vocalists have had a similar, nasal singing style. When Ai became the band's vocalist, he had no previous experience with growls and for some time bassist Kosuke assisted him with the growls. Kosuke still provides most of the growled backing vocals. All of Deathgaze's guitarists have used 7-string guitars, and since 2012 vocalist Ai has started using an 8-string guitar as well. Deathgaze music is considered original metalcore (hardcore and thrash metal), with elements of melodic death metal. In recent years, Deathgaze have become more melodic, relying on a clean vocal style while still having death growls.

Members

• Ai (藍) – lead vocals (2007–present), rhythm guitar (2010–present), bass (2003–2008)
• Takaki (貴樹) – lead guitar, backing vocals (2009–present)
• Kosuke (孝介) – bass, backing vocals (2008–present)
• Naoki (直樹) – drums, backing vocals (2003–present)

Former members

• Hazuki (葉月) – lead vocals (2003–2004)
• Sou (宗) – lead vocals (2004–2006)
• Kanna (柑那) – guitars, backing vocals (2003–2004)
• Naoto (直人) – guitars (2004-2009)

Timeline

Discography

Albums

• Genocide and Mass Murder (July 16, 2006)
• Awake -Evoke the Urge- (December 10, 2008)
• The Continuation (September 9, 2009)
• Bliss Out (December 8, 2010)
• Creature (April 4, 2012)

EPs

• "「294036224052」" (February 22, 2004)
• "genocidal freaks death code=[2F0U0C6K1E2R1!0]" (December 10, 2006)

Compilations

• Decade (July 7, 2013) (Best of, containing seven re-recorded tracks and a new song)

Singles

• "Chaos" (February 5, 2005)
• "Chaos Vol. 2" (August 17, 2005)
• "Downer" (November 11, 2005)
• "腐敗と腐生"(Fuhai to Fusei) (April 1, 2006)
• "Insult Kiss Me" (January 23, 2008)
• "Dearest" (February 20, 2008)
• "I'm Broken Baby" (March 19, 2008)
• "Abyss" (July 24, 2008)
• "Blood" (November 18, 2009)
• "Sorrow" (May 26, 2010)
• "Silence/The End" (May 7, 2011)
• "Useless Sun" (November 2, 2011)
• "Dead Blaze" (November 21, 2012)
• "Allure" (May 22, 2013)

Omnibus

• Hevn.8号 - "リヒトゾイレ"(Lichtsäule) (November, 2003)
• Nagoya Band Catalog 2006 Rebels - "Reborn" (July 19, 2006)
• Visualy[zm] The Cure Century - "Insult Kiss Me" (July 30, 2008)

Live

• Bloody All Lovers (March 22, 2010)
• Bliss Out Mind -From the End- (February 22, 2012)

References

External links

• Official website
• Knohhoso website