Aion (Japanese band)

AION
Origin Osaka, Japan
Genres Thrash metal, power metal, speed metal
Years active 1983–1985,
1986–present
Labels MAR 1987
Night Gallery 1989–1990
BMG-Victor 1991–1995
Deathrash Bound 1997–present
Associated acts Mein Kampf, The Braincase, Zigoku Quartet, Volcano, Z-Sect, Paranoia, Virus, Rosenfeld
Website deathrash-bound.com
Members Izumi
Nov
Dean
Youth-K
Past members Former members

Aion (stylized as AION) is a Japanese metal band from Osaka, 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.[1] They were also one of the most successful Japanese heavy metal bands of the early '90s, charting on the Oricon music chart and touring with big bands such as Luna Sea. As of 2010 they have released 15 full albums, 6 singles, 2 EPs and more than 10 VHS/DVD.

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 X 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 and speed 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 and reverting to their original thrash and speed metal sound.

In 2000 Dean and Shu rejoined the band and they released the album Magnitude in three versions: Japanese, 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". Aion will take part in Luna Sea's Lunatic Fest at Makuhari Messe on June 28, 2015.[2]

Band members

Current members

Former members

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Self-cover album

Live albums

Singles

References

  1. ↑ "Eclectic sounds and erratic looks, this is Japanese metal". CNN. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  2. ↑ "LUNA SEAフェス出演者第2弾発表 敬愛するDEAD ENDら6組". Oricon (in Japanese). 2015-05-08. Retrieved 2015-05-09.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "AIONのアルバム売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2010-11-03.
  4. 1 2 "AIONのシングル売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2010-11-03.

External links

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