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Luke Takamura
is a Japanese musician, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as guitarist of the heavy metal band Seikima-II from 1987 to 1999, and for various temporary reunions since. From 2002 to 2020, he was the lead singer and guitarist of the rock trio Canta. Luke was voted the tenth greatest Japanese guitarist in a 2019 poll held by goo. He has cited Yuji Adachi, Steve Vai, Eddie Van Halen and Kazumi Watanabe as guitar influences. Career Luke joined Seikima-II in February 1987, replacing guitarist Jail O'Hashi. Like the other members, Luke adopted the stage persona of an Akuma ("demon") from the futuristic hyper-evolved dimension Makai ("demon world"), where he was the former Staff General of Military Authorities. They all wear face paint and elaborate stage outfits. The band preaches a demonic religion called Akumakyō through heavy metal music to conquer the Earth. Luke released nine studio albums with them, and is their most credited songwriter. In accordance to their ficti ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Japan Expo
Japan Expo is a convention on Japanese popular culture - the largest of its kind in the world - taking place in Paris, France, although it has branched out into a partnership festival - Kultima - and expanded to include some European and US pop culture as well. It is held yearly at the beginning of July for four days (usually from Thursday to Sunday) in the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center (the second-largest convention center in France). The attendance has increased steadily over the years, with 2,400 visitors welcomed in the first edition in 1999 and more than 252,510 for the 2019 edition. Like the Olympic Games and many other mass gatherings, the 2020 edition was canceled because of the global COVID‑19 pandemic. History The first exposition took place in 1999 at the ISC Paris Business School and welcomed 2,400 visitors, a number which has grown steadily. In 2002, Japan Expo was hosted at the Center of New Industries and Technologies (CNIT) in La Défense, Paris. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hide (musician)
, known professionally as hide, was a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the rock band X Japan from 1987 to 1997 and a solo artist from 1993 onward. He also formed the United States-based rock supergroup Zilch in 1996. Hide sold millions of records, both solo and as a member of X Japan. X Japan rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, credited as founders of the Japanese visual kei movement. When they disbanded in 1997, he focused on his solo career which started four years prior and went on to enjoy significant popularity. At the height of his fame, while recording his third studio album and about to launch an international career with the newly formed Zilch, he died in 1998 of what was ruled a suicide by hanging. He was seen as an icon for Japanese youth rebelling against their country's conformist society, and his death was labeled "the end of an era". Life and career 1964–1987: ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Oricon Albums Chart
The Oricon Albums Chart is the Japanese music industry standard albums popularity chart issued daily, weekly, monthly and yearly by Oricon. Oricon originally published LP, CT, Cartridge and CD charts prior to the establishment of the Oricon Albums Chart on October 5, 1987. The Oricon Albums Chart's rankings are based on physical albums' sales. Oricon did not include download sales until its establishment of the Digital Albums Chart on November 19, 2016. In November 2018, Oricon began to include streaming in its album rankings, introducing a combined album chart based on album-equivalent units. Charts are published every Tuesday in Oricon Style and on Oricon's official website. Every Monday, Oricon receives data from outlets, but data on merchandise sold through certain channels does not make it into the charts. For example, the debut single of NEWS, a pop group, was released only through 7-Eleven stores, which are not covered by Oricon, and its sales were not reflected in the Or ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mary's Blood
was a Japanese all-female heavy metal band from Tokyo, formed in 2009 by four former members of Destrose. It consisted of vocalist Eye, drummer Mari, guitarist Saki and bassist Rio since 2012. After releasing three EPs as an independent band, they signed to Nippon Columbia for their first album, ''Countdown to Evolution'' (2014). Mary's Blood then switched to Victor Entertainment for the release of ''Bloody Palace'' (2015) and ''Fate'' (2016). They signed to Tokuma Japan Communications in 2018 and released three further studio albums, including their highest-charting, ''Confessions'' (2019). Mary's Blood began an indefinite hiatus on April 9, 2022. History 2009–2017: Formation and major label debut After the breakup of Destrose on New Year's Eve 2008, vocalist Eye, guitarist Eri, bassist Niboshi (formerly known as "Kayo"), and drummer Mari later regrouped and recruited guitarist Chiba to form Mary's Blood in December 2009. They are named after the "Bloody Mary" cocktail and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Animetal The Second
was a Japanese heavy metal band who specialized in metal covers of theme songs from classic and modern Japanese anime and tokusatsu television series. They were composed of several luminaries of the Japanese metal scene, most notably vocalist Eizo Sakamoto, who has been involved off and on with Anthem as well as participating in various other projects including the pop rock group Nerima, the JAM Project, and a successful solo career where he also plays lead guitar as well as vocals. As of 2006, the band is currently on indefinite hiatus. Sakamoto has since begun a similar project called Eizo Japan, but in 2013 he announced that he and She-Ja were reforming Animetal as . Style Their music can be classified as speed metal and power metal with a very high level of musical virtuosity, especially on the guitarists' (initially She-Ja for the first four albums, then Syu from ''Animetal Marathon V'' to the present) and bassist Masaki's parts. Masaki, in particular from ''Animetal ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Blizzard Of Animetal The Second
is the second full-length album by Animetal the Second, a solo project by anonymous female singer Queen.M. Released through Gr8! Records on 6 April 2016, the album includes the original song "Fallen Angel", written by Loudness lead vocalist Minoru Niihara. It also features guest performances by Loudness members Akira Takasaki and Masayoshi Yamashita, ex-Anthem drummer Hirotsugu Homma, Skid Row guitarist Scotti Hill, Mr. Big guitarist Paul Gilbert, Seikima-II guitarist Luke Takamura, Mary's Blood guitarist Saki, and The Winery Dogs vocalist/guitarist Richie Kotzen. The album peaked at No. 140 on Oricon's weekly albums chart. Track listing All tracks are arranged by Yoichi Tanoue, except track 1 by Shigeru Sakura and Tanoue, track 7 by F.A.B., and track 9 by Naoki Endō. Personnel *Queen.M – Lead vocals *Z.Z.T. – All instruments (except where indicated) with *Yoichi Tanoue – Guitar (2, 7, 11) *Saki – Guitar (2, 10) *Scotti Hill – Guitar (3) *Paul Gilbert – Guita ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Journey (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1973 by former members of Santana, Steve Miller Band, and Frumious Bandersnatch. The band currently consists of guitarist/vocalist Neal Schon (the last original member), keyboardists/vocalists Jonathan Cain and Jason Derlatka, drummer/vocalist Deen Castronovo, bassist Todd Jensen, and lead vocalist Arnel Pineda. Journey had their biggest commercial success between 1978 and 1987, when Steve Perry was lead vocalist; they released a series of hit songs, including "Don't Stop Believin' (1981), which in 2009 became the top-selling track in iTunes history among songs not released in the 21st century. ''Escape'', Journey's seventh and most successful album, reached number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 and yielded another of their most popular singles, " Open Arms". The 1983 follow-up album, ''Frontiers'', was almost as successful in the United States, reaching number two and spawning several successful singles; it broadened ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Open Arms (Journey Song)
"Open Arms" is a song by American rock band Journey. It was released as a single from the '' Heavy Metal'' soundtrack and their 1981 album, ''Escape''. Co-written by band members Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain, the song is a power ballad whose lyrics attempt to renew a drifting relationship. It is one of the band's most recognizable radio hits and their biggest US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 hit, reaching number two in February 1982 and holding that position for six weeks (behind "Centerfold" by the J. Geils Band and "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts). "Open Arms" has been covered by various recording artists. American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey enjoyed an international hit with the song in 1996; hers is arguably the best-known version of the song in the United Kingdom, where it reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. The song has also been covered by such artists as American singer and songwriter Barry Manilow, R&B group Boyz II Men and Canadian singer Cel ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Airplay (band)
Airplay was a short-lived American band, formed by David Foster and Jay Graydon. The band released a self-titled album in 1980, containing "Nothin' You Can Do About It" (originally recorded by The Manhattan Transfer) and the original recording of the Earth, Wind & Fire hit "After the Love Has Gone", written by Foster and Graydon with Bill Champlin. Graydon was asked about Airplay in a 2014 interview: Personnel Principal members * Jay Graydon – vocals, guitar * David Foster – keyboards, background vocals * Tommy Funderburk – vocals Backing musicians ; Toto members * Jeff Porcaro – drums * David Hungate – bass * Steve Lukather – additional rhythm guitars * Steve Porcaro – synthesizer programming ; Others * Warren Wiebe * Mike Baird – drums * Ray Parker Jr. – additional rhythm guitars * Pete Robinson – synthesizer programming * Jerry Hey – trumpet & flugelhorn * Gary Grant – trumpet * Steve Madaio – trumpet * Bill Reichenbach Jr. – trombone * Charlie ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Masatoshi Ono
, also known as Sho, is a Japanese rock/heavy metal singer-songwriter and vocal coach. Ono got his start in the 1980s as vocalist of the heavy metal band Fort Bragg. In 1992, he released his first solo single, "Pure ni Nare", on Sony Records. It was not until his third single, "You're the Only...", that he began to receive notable attention. The single helped Ono win the "Rookie of the Year" award at the 34th Japan Record Awards and an invitation to that year's ''Kōhaku Uta Gassen''. In 2009, Ono became the vocalist of the power metal band Galneryus. His first single in eight years, "Departure!", was used as the opening theme song for the 2011 ''Hunter × Hunter'' anime. "Departure! -Second Version-" was used as the series' second opening theme, with Galneryus' "Hunting for Your Dream" as the second ending theme. Ono sings "Fight It Out!!", the opening theme song for the international versions of the final arc of ''Dragon Ball Kai''. In 2010 he established his own vocal schoo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
La'cryma Christi
La'cryma Christi (Latin for "The Tears of Christ") was a Japanese visual kei rock band originally active from 1991 to 2007. At their peak, they were considered one of "the big four of visual kei" alongside Fanatic Crisis, Malice Mizer and Shazna. They reunited for a concert in 2009 at the V-Rock Festival, for their short reunion tour in 2010, and for a 15th anniversary tour in 2012. History The band was originally formed in 1991 under the name of Strippe-D Lady by vocalist and leader Taka with his college friend and neighbor, Hiro. The two friends held a small audition in Kansai to find new talent for the band. They recruited bassist Kita-J and drummer Sima-Chan, although Sima-Chan was later replaced by Levin, who invited his high school friend, Koji, to join the band as the second guitarist. This Osaka based band played hard rock and heavy metal during this time period. In October 1994, Kita-J decided to leave the band and was replaced by Jun and later Shuse, who had played in th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sex Machineguns
Sex Machineguns (stylized as SEX MACHINEGUNS) is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in 1989. Their music is characterized by a heavy focus on bass as well as extremely fast guitar and bass solos. The band uses the image of " shock rockers" by wearing crazy, exotic outfits like visual kei bands, although this image has been toned down, especially since 2003 when the long-term bassist Noisy left the band. The lyrics feature very off-beat and non-serious themes (the superior quality of Satsuma fruits in Ehime prefecture, minor annoyance in family restaurants, etc.). In addition to their image and attitude, they also exhibit technical skill on their instruments. Biography Sex Machineguns started in 1989 as an indie group, touring live houses and clubs. Their name is intentionally similar to that of the Sex Pistols and, according to the band, "implying that emachineguns are more radical than hepistols". They gained a large fan base quickly and sold out their shows. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
