Heisei Ishin's Taku [Vocalist] Passed Away

Yes your eyes aren't conceiving you...It was announced that Taku, vocalist of heisei ishin passed away on December 10th. A funeral service will be held, for his family and close relatives.

The concert that they should have taken place at Holiday Osaka on December 11th is cancelled.

The band wants to thank all the people who have supported Taku.


He will be missed dearly.
R.I.P Taku

Oricon 2010 Week 49

Top 10 - Singles
01. [++] KinKi Kids - Family~Hitotsu ni naru koto~
02. [++] Yuzu - from
03. [++] San Daime J Soul Brothers - On Your Mark~Hikari no kiseki~
04. [++] T.M.Revolution - Save The One, Save The All
05. [++] SID - Ranbu no Melody
06. [++] °C-ute - Aitai lonely Christmas
07. [++] Ｄ☆ＤＡＴＥ - Ato 1 cm no mirai
08. [- 2] Kobukuro - Ryusei
09. [++] Becky♪＃ - Fuyuzora no Love Song
10. [++] JUJU - Kono yoru wo tometeyo

Top 10 - Albums
01. [++] Mr.Children - SENSE
02. [++] DREAMS COME TRUE - LOVE CENTRAL
03. [- 2] Utada Hikaru - Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL. 2
04. [--] Ikimono-gakari - Ikimono-gakari~Members BEST Selection~
05. [- 2] Fukuyama Masaharu - THE BEST BANG!!
06. [- 4] KARA - Girls Talk
07. [++] "Various Artists" - BLEACH BERRY BEST
08. [++] fripSide - infinite synthesis
09. [++] YUKI - YUKI "The Present" 2010.6.14, 15 Bunkamura Orchard Hall
10. [++] The Black Eyed Peas - The Beginning

Top 10 - Indies Singles
01. [Champagne] - You're So Sweet & I Love You
02. Sekai no owari - Tenshi to Akuma/Fantasy
03. Sakura Merry-men - Tetote
04. Odotte bakari no kuni - Akuma no kodomo/Baachan
05. Awoi - abelcain
06. CQC's - Namida no Request
07. Park Kwang-Hyun - Mamoritai
08. Golden Bomber - Mata kimi ni bango o kike nakatta
09. Nanase Yukiko - Ready JUMP
10. N.C.B.B - LAST NIGHT

Top 10 - Indies Albums
01. Def Tech - Mind Shift
02. DJ FUMI★YEAH! - J-POP COVER Densetsu II mixed by DJ FUMI★YEAH!
03. Sugimoto Yoshinori - Shinshoku
04. dustbox - starbow
05. PONTIACS - GALAXY HEAD MEETING
06. MEANING - BRAVE NEW WORLD
07. "Various Artists" - NON STOP MEGA MIX PARTY Mixed By DJ ROC THE MASAKI
08. DAISHI DANCE - DAISHI DANCE remix...2
09. Matenrou Opera - INDIES BEST COLLECTION
10. AKIYASUMI - ORANGE BOOK

The 90s Get CRUSHed!

Every so often, a tribute album is made to an older band of remixes done by various younger bands. But you’ve yet to see one like this! Being released on the 26th of January is a collaboration album in which various bands that formed within the past 10 years (so no one older than 2000) are revamping some of our old school favorites from the 90s! Bands like Matenrou Opera and D are giving us 21st century renditions of X Japan and Malice Mizer (respectively). The song choices and artists being represented are from every corner of the visual-kei world, so this is definitely something to get excited about!

Luckily, we already have a tracklist for you guys!

“CRUSH! -90′s V-Rock best hit cover songs-”

1. 12012 – Winter, again by GLAY
2. アンド(Ando) – ロマンス(Romance) by PENICILLIN
3. ドレミ團(Doremidan) – 街 (Machi) by SOPHIA
4. 摩天楼オペラ(Matenrou Opera) – 紅(Kurenai) by X JAPAN
5. 少女-ロリヰタ-23区 (Shojo Lolita 23ku)- STORM by LUNA SEA
6. BugLug – Melty Love by SHAZNA
7. D - 月下の夜想曲 (Gekka no Yasoukyoku) by MALICE MIZER
8. DaizyStripper – With-you by La’cryma Christi
9. DOG inTheパラレルワールドオーケストラ (Dog in the Parallel World Orchestra) – 夢より素敵な (Yume Yori Suteki na) by Raphael
10. DuelJewel – JUPITER by BUCK-TICK
11. heidi. – ピンク スパイダー (Pink Spider) by hide with Spread Beaver
12. LOST ASH – ENDLESS LOVE by D-SHADE
13. Mix Speaker’s, Inc. -  S.O.Sロマンティック (S.O.S. Romantic) by CASCADE
14. MERRY – Schweinの椅子 (Schwein no Isu) by DIR EN GREY
15. NoGoD – 1/3の純情な感情 (1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou) by SIAM SHADE

Unfortunately, this album isn’t available for pre-order yet, but we’ll be sure to get back to you as soon as it is!

UPDATE: Kagrra speaks on their “demise”

Earlier today, I brought you the news of Kagrra’s “demise“, but there hadn’t been any statements made from the band members concerning their thoughts on the decision. Now, Kagrra’s staff have updated their Official Myspace with the translation of the announcement along with a message from each member and tour information.

It’s the time for Kagrra, to cease the activities, which have lasted for 11 years. This is the demise.

During these long years, thanks to the members, fans, staff and all the persons concerned, Kagrra, was able to create a unique culture pursuing the best music. However, we have found a final form in it as a result.

However, we believe that we should not be complacent with our current condition, therefore, we call it a demise.

As to the time I’ve spent with Kagrra, it’s no exaggeration to say that there are so many memories that I can not possibly resolve my feelings, even after I made this conclusion. As Isshi of Kagrra, I want to focus all my energy on to the end with all of you.

I want to say sorry to all the fans, staff and people concerned, who have been supporting us till now. However, I still believe that the music and the words that we have left will be alive forever in the future. We will pursue all the possibilities and begin our own activities in the future, although it’s hard to imagine how the future will be for myself. I will feel very happy if we can have your unchanged love from now on.

The belief that I had in saying “Where Kagrra, is, is where everyone is. Where everyone is, is where I am.” will not change.

Although it’s a farewell, I want to express my gratitude to all of you who have been supporting Kagrra, and Isshi.

Isshi
Kagrra,

We have a very important announcement for everyone today.

Kagrra, will stop activities after the live concert at Shibuya C.C. Lemon Hall on March 3rd, 2011.

The five of us have been making music for more than ten years, as Kagrra, it has been ten years.
I’ve met the best band members, we shared a dream and we grew up together.
A lot of things happened; not only good things,
but we have the best memories with our fans who loving our music and the staff we can trust.

Although we have celebrated our 10th anniversary,
in order to aim for a higher place,
we have had several discussions on the course of our future activities,
and reached a tough decision after considering all kinds of opinions.

To those who have been supporting us,
I’m so sorry to make such a sad announcement.

We are a band, which can not exist without Isshi, Shin, Nao, Izumi.
Our music will remain forever because it is unique,
and I will always be proud of Kagrra, as the most important band for me.

Thank you for being with us for ten years.

In the time remaining, the five of us will try our best to present the whole world of Kagrra,
with all our might.
Please support us until the very end.

Akiya
Kagrra,

As an unexpected announcement, after the discussion among all band members, Kagrra, will cease activities and come to a “Demise” after the live concert on March 3rd 2011.

The reason differs by each member. but to me, at the moment we have done what we can do and want to do as Kagrra,. It would be by pressure only if we continued these same activities without a pause.

Thanks to the support from a lot of people, we have made it through ten years, which is a long time.
The ten years with Kagrra, have become a life style to me, and I kept growing both as an artist and as a human being.

I’m proud of the band Kagrra, and at the same time I can never thank enough to everyone who has been supporting Kagrra,.

Thanks to every member of Kagrra, the fans, and the staff concerned.

There is still a little time left before the “Demise”, please keep your support up until the last minute with Kagrra, until then, we keep work as hard as we can

Sin
Kagrra,

I’m so sorry for the sudden and unexpected announcement.
Based on a lot of discussions, we decided this is not possible to keep the band anymore.

Kagrra, is a band that has been supported by a lot of fans, staff and persons concerned for ten years long.
It’s been 10 years already and I keenly feel that the time goes by so fast.
Lives, tours, KITANSAI, in-store events, fan club trips. Amongst a lot of memories, the most impressive ones are “KITANSAI” and the “fan club trips”.
We had a lot of fun, planning how to make everyone happy, although there were some tough times like when being too busy during recording. We have found the fulfillment and sense of accomplishment in these events.
These were some of the few events where we could communicate with you.
The final two events have been scheduled, but we will try our best to make them more fun than ever, for you to enjoy.

I have spent 1/3 of my life as Nao of Kagrra,.
And although it makes me feel anxious and lonesome to leave Kagrra, But I will not bend down my head!
I will focus on the future and move forward with belief in myself.
The announcement might make you, who loves Kagrra, sad, but please don’t feel down and let’s move forward.
I am proud of everyone and “Auga” who have been supporting us.
There is little time left, but I hope we can say goodbye with a smile.

Thank you for being with us for ten years.

Nao
Kagrra,

It’s a very disappointing result.
Celebrating the 10th anniversary, I felt that Kagrra, would have a new start.
I wanted to continue.
No matter for what reason, I wanted to continue this forever.

We started to discuss about this even before the tour “HYAKKI YAKO” starts, but hadn’t reached a conclusion for a long time. It was a tough tour.
However, we have had a lot of good memories from a pleasant tour.
In retrospect, everyone seemed to have enjoyed it.
I really felt that we could still go on.
Unfortunately, I could neither save it nor stop it.

To be honest, there are moments I feel tired.
Why someone who would like to continue have to suffer? I questioned myself, but got no answer.

It has been great ten years.
We have received a lot of passionate support from you so we could continue on.
We got a lot of experience.
We created a lot of memories.
We have gained a lot of happiness. I could never thank you enough.

I believe that Kagrra, is a great band.
Now and ever.
It’s really nice to be a member of this band.
Kagrra, is everything to me.

Thank you very much to all of you.
Thank you very much for your love.
And, thanks to Kagrra,.

I am still Izumi of Kagrra, until next March.
Please keep up your support.
Let’s enjoy it until the very last minute.

Izumi
Kagrra

Kagrra,’s last Japan wide tour “Kagrra, TOUR 2011 ‘ANGYA HYAKKI YAKO ~YOU~’”

[Tour Information]
Kagrra, TOUR 2011 “ANGYA HYAKKI YAKO ~YOU~”
2011/02/13 (Sun) Sendai darwin [OPEN/START] 17:00 / 17:30
2011/02/15 (Tue) Sapporo KRAPS HALL [OPEN/START] 18:00 / 18:30
2011/02/21 (Mon) Umeda Shangri-La [OPEN/START] 18:30 / 19:00
2011/02/23 (Wed) Fukuoka DRUM Be-1 [OPEN/START] 18:30 / 19:00
2011/02/25 (Fri) Nagoya ElectricLadyLand [OPEN/START] 18:30 / 19:00
[Price] 4,725Yen / DRINK FEES Extra
*No entry for preschoolers

SHUEN ~SAKURA MAICHIRU ANO OKA DE~
2011/03/03(Thu) Shibuya C.C.Lemon Hall [OPEN/START] 18:00 / 18:30
[Price] All Designated Seats 5,250Yen
*No entry for preschoolers

[Overseas Ticket Sales]
GLOBAL PS COMPANY FAN CLUB Member Ticket Application Period: From 11/11 (Thu) to 12/03 (Fri)
*In case the total number of available tickets for the venue is exceeded by orders, the
tickets will be distributed through a lottery.
Only people winning the lottery will receive a PayPal bill until 12/07 (Tue).
Payment Period: From the billing day until 12/20 (Mon)
* If the payment is not made during the Payment Period, the ticket order will be canceled.
* Overseas handling fee 5% will be added to the total price

≫ GLOBAL PS COMPANY FAN CLUB ≪

Versailles in 3D?

That’s right, Versailles previous performance at Tokyo JCB Hall on April 30th this past spring was filmed in 3D, but that’s not the exciting part yet. The band also collaborated with Panasonic for a promotional project that would be featured nation-wide in Japan. Towards the end of this month, Panasonic television sets throughout retail stores in Japan (and there are around 8,000 of them) will soon be featuring 3D footage of Versailles’ live.

No doubt this is the kind of coverage bands that went major not too long ago can only dream about, not to mention being set back by the loss of an important member. And in the meantime, the Panasonic Center in Ariake, Tokyo will be playing the footage free of charge until November 14th, 10am-6pm JPT. So if you happen to be in the area, definitely check it out!

(Just in case you’re curious, here’s the playlist from the JCB Hall performance:

Prelude
愛と哀しみのノクターン (Ai to Kanashimi no Nocturne)
Rosen Schwert
zombie
Shout & Bites
Amorphous
ASCENDEAD MASTER
PRINCESS
God Palace
The Revenant Choir)

Alice Nine Avatars!

In celebration of the release of their single, “Stargazer,” Alice Nine has announced a collaboration with AmebaPico! AmebaPico is a public online service that allows you to create your own customized avatar and use it to chat with other avatars. With permission from the band, there are now designs for outfits and so on inspired by each individual member. You can check out the Alice Nine avatars below.

Personally, I think they all look adorable. They outfits they used here are based on the band’s latest look that you can see at the top of the post which takes the guessing away. I’m impressed how accurate these miniature versions are for the most part.

Kagrra says Good-bye

After 10 long years, Visual Kei group Kagrra, have decided to put a cease to all of their activities. PS Company made the announcement in a news letter, stating that the members would like to call their decision a “demise” instead of a “disbanding”.  It took multiple discussions for the band to come to this conclusion, though an exact reason as to why, was not given. The members of Kagrra thank everyone that has supported the group throughout their long career.

Their final gift to fans will be an album, Hyakkikenran due out February 2nd and a tour. The tour is scheduled to begin on the 13th of February and the finale will be on March 3rd at C.C Lemon Hall in Tokyo.

It’s sad to see one of PSC’s main acts call it quits after being around for so long. Please wish the guys good luck with whatever journey they each decide to take from here on out.