Matenrou Opera (original) (raw)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Japanese visual kei symphonic metal band

Matenrou Opera
Matenrou Opera performing at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall in November 2015Matenrou Opera performing at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall in November 2015
Background information
Origin Japan
Genres Symphonic metal[1]
Years active 2006–present
Labels Office A to Z Sherow Artist Society Warner Music King/Bellwood CLJ (EU)
Members SonoAyameYoHibikiYusuke
Past members JaYYuuAnziKarenMika

Official Matenrou Opera logo

Matenrou Opera (Japanese: 摩天楼オペラ, Hepburn: Matenrō Opera, lit. "Skyscraper Opera") is a Japanese visual kei symphonic metal band. It was formed in 2006 by vocalist Sono and drummer Yuu, who were previously in the band Jeniva together.[2]

Matenrou Opera was formed in October 2006 by former Jeniva bandmates vocalist Sono and drummer Yuu.[3] The lineup was rounded out by bassist You, former Ancient Myth guitarist Mika, and female keyboardist Karen.[3]Their first single, "Alkaloid Showcase", was released by the Office A to Z label on May 4, 2007, the same day as their first concert; it sold out before the concert began.[2][3] However, Mika and Karen left the band in November.[3] They were replaced by guitarist Anzi (ex-Masterpiece) and keyboardist Ayame (ex-Ry:dia) in December.[3]

joined Kamijo's record label Sherow Artist Society, and released the single "Ruri Iro de Egaku Niji" on March 5, 2008.[3] It reached number 11 on the Oricon Indies Chart; the EP Gilia reached number 7 and was also released in Europe.[4][5] Matenrou Opera toured through Europe with Versailles from the end of March to the beginning of April 2008.[6]

In late 2009, Matenrou Opera shared a national tour of Japan with Deluhi.[7] Matenrou Opera covered X Japan's song "Kurenai" for the compilation Crush! -90's V-Rock Best Hit Cover Songs-. The album was released on January 26, 2011, and features current visual kei bands covering songs from bands that were important to the '90s visual kei movement.[8] Matenrou Opera also covered hide's song "Dice" for the tribute album Tribute II -Visual Spirits-, released on July 3, 2013. Then, they released Avalon on September 3, 2014.

On May 15, 2016, guitarist Anzi announced that he would leave Matenrou Opera after eight years with the band. His final concert with the band was held in July of the same year in Tokyo, at Tsutaya O-East.[9] Matenrou Opera continued performing with support guitarist JaY, the former guitarist for the band Light Bringer, until it was announced in May 2018 that he would be their new permanent guitarist.[10]

They released Chikyuu on January 20, 2016, and on October 19, 2016, they released Phoenix Rising. They officially released Pantheon -Part 1- on April 12, 2017. Additionally, they released both 摩天楼オペラ 〜BEST & CLIPS〜 and 摩天楼オペラ 〜BEST & REQUEST〜 on October 19, 2016, for a limited time. In 2020, Sono announced the band would be switching from King Records to his self-owned label, amairo records.[11]

In December 2020, Matenrou Opera announced JaY's departure from the band, with their last show with him being livestreamed on December 14.[12] Shortly after, the band began performing with guest guitarist Yusuke Hiraga, formerly of the metalcore band Arise in Stability and of Babymetal's Kami Band. He was officially inducted as a permanent guitarist in May 2022,[13] and contributed to the composition and songwriting for the album Shinjitsu wo Shite Iku Monogatari. Released in June 2022, this was Matenrou Opera's first full-length album as a complete band in three years.[14]

In 2023, the band teamed up with Moi dix Mois, Versailles and D for the four-date Japanese Visual Metal tour between September 22 and October 2.[15] The four bands collaborated on the song "Kyōsōkyoku ~Tanbinaru Kettō~", which was released as a single credited to the JVM Roses Blood Symphony.[16]

Current members Sono (苑) – vocals Yo (燿) – bass Ayame (彩雨) – keyboards Hibiki (白石 響) – drums (Hazuki support) Yusuke (優介) – guitar Former members Mika (未伽) – guitar (ex. Ancient Myth) Karen (華蓮) – keyboards Anzi – guitar Yuu (悠) – drums JaY – guitar (ex. Light Bringer)

Support members

  1. ^ "摩天楼オペラのプロフィール". Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  2. ^ a b Visual Alive Magazine Profile retrieved August 24, 2008. Archived July 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Matenrou Opera". jame-world.com. 2008-09-13. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  4. ^ Visunavi Profile Archived 2008-09-22 at the Wayback Machine retrieved August 24, 2008
  5. ^ "Matenrou Opera European discography". cljrecords.com. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  6. ^ "Ästhetik Revolution tour dates". cljrecords.com. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  7. ^ Shattered-Tranquility.net Archived 2019-04-03 at the Wayback Machine Three announcements for DELUHI!, Retrieved Oct 22, 2010
  8. ^ "Covers Kurenai". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  9. ^ XII, Midnight (2016-05-16). "Matenrou Opera's guitarist Anzi will depart from the band in July". JROCK NEWS. Retrieved 2019-01-11.
  10. ^ Ioner (2018-05-04). "JaY has joined Matenrou Opera ("Invisible Chaos" single details + NEW LOOK)". visual ioner. Retrieved 2019-01-11.
  11. ^ Lippert, Oliver (2022-05-31). "Matenrou Opera kündigen neues Album an". ROCK FANATICS - Webzine (in German). Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  12. ^ Midnight (2020-12-12). "Matenrou Opera's guitarist JaY departs with final livestream concert". JROCK NEWS. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  13. ^ 摩天楼オペラ Official [@opera_staff] (2022-05-04). "【🎉新メンバー加入🎉】本日より新メンバー優介の加入が決定！それに伴い新アーティスト写真を公開します！" (Tweet). Retrieved 2024-08-13 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ "摩天楼オペラがニューアルバム「真実を知っていく物語」発売、ギタリスト優介が正式加入". Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  15. ^ "Moi dix Mois × Versailles × D × 摩天楼オペラが共同声明「我々は共に手を組みここに宣言する」". Barks (in Japanese). 2023-01-01. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  16. ^ "Moi dix Mois、Versailles、D、摩天楼オペラのメンバーによるプロジェクト、JVM Roses Blood SymphonyがメモリアルSGをリリース". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2023-12-14.