Bellzlleb

Bellzlleb
Origin Chiba, Japan
Genres Heavy metal, doom metal, extreme metal, black metal
Years active 1985–1992
Labels Nude Records, Captain, Free-Will, Crown
Associated acts Genkaku Allergy, Love House, Spooky Six Mouse, Samurai Blondies, Rosenfeld, Jurassic Jade
Past members Rei
Tetsu
Takami
Kimura
Fumi
Mataro
Rick
Yuji
Koizumi

Bellzlleb (stylized as BELLZLLEB) was a Japanese heavy metal band, formed in 1985 by Tetsu and Yuji in Chiba. The band's sound was heavily influenced by elements from black metal, doom metal and hardcore with philosophical influences from Aleister Crowley, the occult, horror, satanism and the dark, heavy sound of Black Sabbath. They toured the Japanese national club circuit extensively during the 1980s and the early 1990s and created various recordings until they disassociated in 1992. Kuroyume opened for Bellzlleb for their last gig in 1992 at Meguro Rock-May-Kan.

History

Bellzlleb was formed between junior high school mates in 1985, guitarist and composer Tetsu (Genkaku Allergy, Spooky Six Mouse, E.G.O., Love House, Zeus) drums and arrangement by Yuji (Scarecrow, Love House). Tetsu and Yuji played together prior to Bellzlleb in hard rock band Love House. Rick, the loudest and craziest bass player in Chiba city, was recruited into the band along with Koizumi who used to sing in local Black Sabbath cover bands. Her high-tone vocals were influenced by Ozzy Osbourne. The 4 completed the original lineup of Bellzlleb in 1985 during high school. Bellzlleb played in local clubs such as Dancing Mother's and participated in metal festivals to draw fans which led to participate in the Yamaha band contest East West in 1985. Bellzlleb participated in the East West 1985 junior finals in Tokyo at Nakano Sun Plaza. Following an extensive club circuit their first real break came in 1986 opening for thrash metal band, Black Rose.. Black Rose was the band whose guitarist and lead composer Pata later joined X Japan. Opening for Black Rose at Explosion led to a live-mini flexi sheet recording at Kagurazaka Explosion. The phono-sheet was called "Satanic Metal".[1] "Satanic Metal" increased Bellzlleb's core fan base, which lead to another compilation recording at Kagurazaka Explosion in 1987 entitled Heavy Metal Force IV. By the Summer of 1987, Bellzlleb had expanded beyond their region in Japan to expand their fan base nationwide with extensive club circuiting in Japan. Koizumi left in 1987 due to direction disagreement and health related reasons to be replaced by vocalist Rei (ex-Hardwave) as the new frontman. Co-founder and drummer Yuji left in 1988 due to disagreement of musical style and direction changes. Bellzlleb's first full length album "Bellzlleb" originally scheduled for release in 1998 was delayed for a year. Drummer Eby ex-Zi:Kill supported Bellzlleb live performances and participated in compilation album recordings after Yuji's departure. Fumi was recruited who started recording of their 1989 first full length album, Bellzlleb released from Nude Records.[1] Rick left the band soon after the release due to directional disagreement and was replaced by ex-Jurassic Jade bass player, Mataro. With the 1990 line-up, Bellzlleb recorded a second full length album, Section II ~Aru Gusha no Shougai~ released by Captain Records (owned by Takarajima).[1] Bellzlleb increased their touring schedule nationwide to support their release, however Mataro and Fumi left after the recording to pursue their respective band careers in Japan and overseas. Tetsu and Rei, left without a rhythm section for Bellzlleb in 1991 released an acoustic mini-album, Inori released by Nude Records.[1] The final line-up in 1992 consisted of bass player Takami (Rosenfeld) and drummer Kimura. Bellzlleb released their third and last full-length album, Mr.Ree: ~Kairai to Sad~ in 1992.[1] Bellzlleb toured nationwide and participated in television programs to support the new release, but countless member replacements damaged the life of Bellzlleb throughout the years as to portray how they were haunted as a group. Bellzlleb disbanded because Tetsu knew they could not have continued to produce a better sound than they currently had.

Members lineups

Original lineup 1985–1987

1987–1988

1989

1989–1990

1991–1992

Discography

Video

Compilations

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Discography at 80's Kusare Metal". www2.pf-x.net/~steeler/. Retrieved 2010-12-12.