Surprisingly, the leader of the band is not the vocalist, but rather one of the guitarists, and something rather interesting about the band is that each member each wears a corresponding color in most mvs. In fact, Kiryu's whole goal with their music was to make music that fit well with the prospect of an older era of Japan meant to be more relaxing and calm over anything else, despite the occasional heavy metal tones in their music. Formed in the good old days of 2007, this band also incorporated the same elements of of dancers, use of native instruments, Japanese styled clothing, Japanese settings (such as sights that look like a shrine, or a town), all just once again giving us a feel of listening to Japan itself with their music. Kiryu (己龍) is a little different from Memento Mori. Perhaps this is the reason behind their disbanding coming after their last performance on August 17th, held at Birth SHINJUKU. However, in September of 2013, Yue also left the band, leaving them without an official drummer. Why didn't you mention one?" Originally the drummer of the band's name was Karua (刈愛) but quickly left in 2011 and was replaced with Yue (悠依). Now, you're probably pausing here and asking, "Wait Liz, if you look at the music videos, or even listen to the music, they have a drummer.
Dancers, women in masks, use of native instruments in the background, the traditional outfits, and the scenery itself all scream Japan. With the head of the band and vocalist Ai (哀), the strong guitar players Tsubaki (椿) and Jin (潯), and Yohan (夜半) as their bassist, their music is powerful and filled with dramatic images of a dark and dismal Feudal Japan. Their music is interesting, and certainly a different sound from Kiryu, as they take more to the elements of death metal, such as the guttural growling and headbanging, the morbid makeup used such as fake blood, cuts, or scars, and a heavy guitar and bass focus. But Memento Mori was for sure also a Visual Kei band, whose music certainly fit their Latin name's meaning "Remember that you will die".
When I first heard of them, I was certainly confused, since the only Memento Mori band I ever knew of was the Swedish Doom Metal band and so for sure I thought it was a mistake. Memento Mori ( メメント・モリ) was a band formed back in October of 2010. What this genre has though, is an interesting twist on Visual Kei style, by pulling from elements of Japanese culture, music, and dress while still incorporating the elements of rock, bizarre hairstyles, androgynous looks and crossplay in their videos and performances. Both bands active since around the late 00's, they alone have helped create an entirely new genre of Visual Kei that from what I know of, has no name. Yet there are many genres of Visual Kei, and new ones pop up into existence every year.Ĭue in the bands Memento Mori and Kiryu. X Japan, The GazettE, and maybe Dir En Grey pop into mind. Most of the time, when you read the name "Visual Kei" (ヴィジュアル系 or "bijuaru kei" romanized) your mind goes to outrageous outfits, incredibly styled and colored hair, makeup that is beyond crazy, and music that is not only catchy, but somewhat reminiscent to metal and rock music.
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