Nightmare | |
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Nightmare performing in America (2014)
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Background information | |
Origin | Sendai, Japan |
Genres | |
Years active | 2000–2016 (hiatus) |
Labels |
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Associated acts | Sendai Kamotsu |
Website | Official website |
Members | Yomi Sakito (咲人?) Hitsugi (柩?) Ni~ya Ruka |
Past members | Zannin |
Nightmare (ナイトメア? Naitomea) is a Japanese visual kei rock band from Sendai. Formed on January 1, 2000, it has consisted of Yomi (lead vocals), Sakito (lead guitar & backing vocals), Hitsugi (rhythm guitar), Ni~ya (bass & backing vocals) and Ruka (drums & percussion) for the majority of their career. They enjoyed mainstream success with the inclusion of their songs "The World" and "Alumina" in the Death Note anime and are considered a major act in the visual kei scene.
Nightmare started on January 1, 2000 by Sakito and Hitsugi while most of the members were still in high school. The band name was suggested by Hitsugi, saying he wanted a band name that would scare people to match their visual styles. Soon, Ni~ya was invited by Sakito, Yomi by Hitsugi, and Zannin joined after he heard his classmates were forming a band. They were all influenced by either X Japan or Luna Sea, therefore they started out as a cover band, before they began to write their own material.
Just as the band began getting more recognition at live houses and small concerts in the Sendai region, Zannin left the band for unknown reasons. Eventually, Ruka (formerly of Luinspear) joined the band as a support member at first, but became the permanent drummer after a short time. Since Ruka joined Nightmare officially, their line-up hasn't changed. Shortly after, the band began short tours around the region with other supporting bands.
In 2003, Nightmare signed with Nippon Crown and released their first single "Believe". Three months after their debut, they released a triple A-side single, "Akane/Hate/Over", a first time for any band to release any single with three A-side tracks. Later that year, they released their first studio album, Ultimate Circus and went on their first tour.