2010 has been an intense year, I would say pretty much across the board. While I don’t mean this in a negative sense, there has been a fair share of turbulence. A number of bands have announced hiatuses, disbandments, problems big and small, and changes (for better and worse) and upheavals of all other shapes and sizes. There have been some monumental moments, instances of celebration and acknowledgment; earth-shaking releases and wretched ones. With its equal share of the good and the not so good, 2010 has felt like a double-edged blade.
This past week, Visual Kei fans across the globe are experiencing the sharp pang of the other side of that blade, with several important announcements made by the neo-historical-heroes Kagrra,.
Although this year saw the clean-cut decade marker for Kagrra,’s career as one of the most unique and interesting PSC groups, and a resulting jam-packed schedule of various tours, shows, and releases, it will, it would seem, also see the poignant climax of their timeline. On November 11th, Kagrra, released the official announcement for what they have dubbed “their DEMISE (SHU EN)”, or, in layman’s terms, their disbandment.
THE DEMISE
(SHU EN)
Kagrra, the band formed on June 3rd 2000, has decided to cease their activity after the live concert in Shibuya C.C.Lemon Hall on March 3rd, 2011. Thank you for supporting the band for 10 years long. The members would like to express their sincere gratitude from the bottom of their hearts.
Meanwhile, the new album “HYAKKI KENRAN” will be released on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011, and the nation-wide tour “ANGYA HAKKI YAKO ~YOU~” will start on February 13th, 2011. Their last activity, the live in Shibuya C.C. Lemon Hall on Thursday, March 3rd, 2011 will be titled “SHUEN ~SAKURA MAICHIRU ANO OKA DE~”.
Although there is little time left, please keep your support up for the band until the very end.
November 11th, 2010
Kagrra,
President Tomomi Ozaki
PS COMPANY Co.,Ltd
Members of the GLOBAL PS COMPANY FAN CLUB will be in on the full story when an interview aimed at overseas fans is released, hopefully offering some more cohesive explanation of their reasons for disbanding, as well as insights from the individual members rather than the management and band as a whole. Although, especially after as hearty a run as 10 years, it can be easy enough to guess a bands’ reasons for breaking up, especially for a group that has been such a prolific runner for PSC all these years it would at least be interesting to get the full scoop. I, at least, have not heard of much dissension or trouble for the band; on the contrary it seemed to me, although I haven’t followed them incredibly closely the past few years, that they were doing pretty well. Their releases appeared to be consistent in timing, reception, and quality, and their tours were frequent.
As a figurehead of the neo-Japanesque Visual Kei movement, Kagrra, has long been one of “those”, one of those iconic Visual Kei bands that are totally pure in their style and mission without sacrificing quality or interestingness. Their sensitivity to the perfect blurring of the traditional and the edgy rock scene have made them an absolute Visual Kei staple that will, following March ’11, be sincerely missed.
One of their summer releases, Tsuki ni Murakumo Hana ni Ame, clearly showcases this sensitivity with its sleek production and excellent design abundant with the avid storytelling themes (literally, in this case), sparkling koto overtones and heavy riffs.
The band will leave their last-words in the form of a full-length album to be released on February 2nd, 2011. The album, titled HYAKKI KENRAN, will blow through in regular and limited editions including 9 tracks, some new as well as previously released.
“HYAKKI KENRAN”
Hyakki Kenran [w/ DVD, Limited Edition] / Kagrra,
Price: 3,990Yen (tax in.)
DVD Contents: Chigiri Music Clip + Precious Off-Shot Footage
[Regular Edition (CD)]
Price: 3,150 Yen (tax in.)
[Track List]
1. Hyakki Choryo
2. Chigiri
3. Kakurenbo
4. Shiroi Uso
5. Kikan
6. Tsuki ni Murakumo Hana ni Ame
7. Kiho
8. Manatsu no Yo no Yume
9. Shiki
Kagrra, will also grace the stage one last time with a final Japan wide tour “Kagrra, TOUR 2011 ‘ANGYA HYAKKI YAKO ~YOU~’” with 6 dates throughout February, saying sayounara with a final on March 3rd in Shibuya.
Kagrra, TOUR 2011 “ANGYA HAKKI 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
Sources: MusicJapan+