Kuroyume
| Kuroyume | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Nagoya, Japan |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1991–1999, 2009, 2010–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts |
|
| Website | kuroyume |
| Members |
Kiyoharu Hitoki |
| Past members | Shin Eiki Hiro |
Kuroyume (黒夢?, lit. "Black Dream") is a Japanese rock band formed in Nagoya in May 1991. The group had a definite influence on the visual kei scene, being credited as inspiration to many bands of the late '90's visual kei boom.
The band suspended activities for an indefinite period on January 29, 1999. Kuroyume was officially disbanded at their final live performance on January 29, 2009. However a year later in January 2010, Kuroyume reunited as a duo consisting of vocalist Kiyoharu and bassist Hitoki.
After a year of performing live, the band released their debut maxi single, "Chuuzetsu" in 1992 on Haunted House Records. Shortly afterwards, the band released a mini album entitled Ikiteita Chuzetsuji... (remastered from an old demo tape). The music recorded by the band during this era appears indebted to gothic metal and black metal, which became an influential style within the visual kei scene, creating a new type of gothic rock that was mimicked and prevailed in the following years.
A year later, Nakigara O... was released and clearly showed the group progressing in a more melodic direction by leaning further toward the goth side of things and doing away completely with any semblance of metal music. The song "Shinainaru Death Mask" from their first album had been rerecorded, and the band's first promotional music video was filmed for the song.
Shortly after signing with EMI in early 1994, Kuroyume released their first major label single "For Dear" to promote the forthcoming album Mayoeru Yuritachi. Two promotional videos were filmed, one for the aforementioned single and another for album track "Autism". Mayoeru Yuritachi had a far milder sound than previous releases, probably due to the group signing with EMI
In late 1994, the mini album Cruel and single "Ice My Life" were released and introduced a pop side. The band now dressed more conservatively, with their new look being reminiscent of 1980's New Romantic fashion, seeming to give off a more palatable image to mainstream buyers. The music on Cruel was again more pop-friendly, but still loud and abrasive, which helped give the new songs a universal appeal.
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