About 黒夢

黒夢 (Kuroyume) is a Japanese visual rock band hailing from the city of Nagoya, Japan that formed in May of 1991 and originally lasted until January of 1999. The band made it's comeback in 2011. The band came into being when vocalist 清春(Kiyoharu), of the band ＧＡＲＮＥＴ and guitarist 臣 (Shin) from GERACEE decided on collaborating. 清春 then invited人時 (Hitoki), Garnet's bassist, to join. The band's concept was based upon the idea of "yume wa nai" (dreams don't exist). 黒夢 started their career as one of the pioneers of the visual rock scene. Next to artists such as LUNA SEA or the early works of L'Arc～en～Ciel, 黒夢 was one of the most influential, and to this day many artists have tried to replicate the sound of their early era. Albums during this era were "生きていた中絶児" (Ikiteita Chuzetsuji, 1992), "亡骸を..." (Nakigara o... , 1993), and "迷える百合達" (Mayoeru Yuritachi, 1994). After 臣 (Shin) left the group, 清春 (Kiyoharu) and 人時 (Hitoki) continued as a duo. The first 黒夢 album without 臣 was "feminism" in 1995. The album took the band into more pop territory than they had ever been before. The album featured hit songs such as "優しい悲劇" (Yasashii Higeki) and "Miss MOONLIGHT". The follow-up to "feminism" was "FAKE STAR" in 1996. "FAKE STAR" still featured slick production to appeal to the pop crowd and also featured more songs with a punk edge. Also, it is important to say that Hitoki played guitar on most of the band songs after Shin left. The influence of punk rock on 黒夢 would continue with their next release, "Drug Treatment" in 1997. While having hit songs such as "NITE & DAY" and "Spray" the album also contained what would be their most punk influenced works to date. The album is also home to one of the most famous songs 黒夢 has ever done, "Like@Angel". Later that year a live album at Shinjuku LOFT was released, and to this day remains to be one of the best examples of 黒夢's amazing power while playing live. In 1998, 黒夢 would release one last proper album, "CORKSCREW". It was the most abrasive, loud, and fast album they had ever done. While the album was still fun, the simplicity of the writing began to show. The band would break up the following year. Immediately following the break up, 清春 formed SADS. That bands original run lasted until 2003, and from 2004 onward 清春 was active as a solo artist. Unlike 清春, HITOKI went back to the indie scene. Along with keeping busy with projects such as HITOKI-PIRANHAHEADS, SSS, SUPER DROP BABIES, and Dummy's Corporation, HITOKI also served as a session/support musician for many bands and artists including: Aki, IZAM, Robots, Creature Creature, 大塚愛 and Hysteric Blue. On January 29th, 2009, 清春 and HITOKI reunited for 黒夢 "the end" ～CORKSCREW A GO GO! FINAL～ on the 10 year anniversary of their last live. The one night event was supposed to serve as the official end of 黒夢. However, the following year, 清春 announced the bands reformation.