seikima II

Seikima-II (聖飢魔II, Seikimatsu?) is a Japanese heavy metal band formed by Damian Hamada in 1982.

According to the mythology created by the band, Seikima-II are a group of "Akuma" (demon race), from the futuristic hyper-evolved dimension "Makai", that are preaching a religion, in order to propagate Satan, through the use of heavy metal music. Each member is a demon of a different hierarchical class, with His Excellency Demon Kogure being leader of the "Akuma" and His Majesty Damian Hamada being the "Crown Prince of Hell". In accordance to the prophecy and after completing their world conquest, the band disbanded at the end of the century on December 31, 1999 at 23:59:59.

However, the band has had two separate limited reunions since their disbandment. One in 2005, celebrating their 20th anniversary, and another in 2010, celebrating their 25th anniversary and the release of their album Akuma Nativity "Songs of the Sword", along with their first ever world tour. As a part of the North American leg of their 2010 world tour, Seikima-II headlined A-Kon 21, in Dallas, Texas. They also made a appearance at Japan Expo 2010 in Paris, France.


History
The band's name, which literally means the "Holy Devouring Demon II", is a play on the term seikimatsu (世紀末?) or "the end of the century". It is also an abbreviation of the phrase Seinaru mono ni kieteiru akuma ga futatabi (tsū) yomigaeru (聖なる物に飢えている悪魔がII（ふたた）び蘇る, "the demon that devours holiness has resurrected again"?).

Seikima-II was formed in late December of 1982 by guitarist The Crown Prince of Hell His Majesty Damian Hamada while he was attending the Waseda University Folk Song Club (WFS). The original lineup included His Excellency Demon Kogure on vocals, Zod Hoshijima on bass and Ace Shimizu on drums. The band was known for their Kabuki-inspired makeup and flamboyant outfits. Although the exact date is unknown, Damian Hamada left the band soon after its formation, but remained a respected founder and songwriter throughout their career. He was replaced on guitar by drummer Ace Shimizu.

In 1983, two new members had joined the band's lineup. Zeed Iijima replaced Ace on the drums. Another member by the name of Majo (witch) Ryoko became the new support keyboardist. That year, the band had its first live performance (concerts referred to as "black masses") playing a series of small gigs. They gained popularity among metal fans for their heavy music style and unique appearance. Later that year, Ryoko left the band and new member Giantonio Babayashi joined as a second guitarist.

In 1984, Seikima-II continued to play small gigs at various concert halls. Later that year, they passed an audition for the CBS Sony Japan label. Around that same time, Giantonio Babayashi left, causing their debut on CBS Sony to be delayed.

1985 marked the year in which the band’s biggest lineup change would occur. A new second guitarist, Gandhara Sangeria Tigris-Euphrates Kaneko, replaced Giantonio. Drummer Zeed Iijima decided to finally leave the band. He was temporarily replaced by the new drummer named Jagy Furukawa. Gandhara soon left the group and Jagy also soon followed. At this point the band was lacking in both a second guitarist and a drummer. They soon discovered guitarist Jail O’hashi and drummer Raiden Yuzawa, who would both go on being part of the first well-known lineup. Later in September of that same year, the band released their first full length album, Seikima-II ~ Akuma ga Kitarite Heavy Metal (roughly: Seikima-II - Devils are Coming with Heavy Metal). The album received mixed reviews by critics, but became very popular among Japanese heavy metal fans. The album exceeded 100,000 in sales, a first for any Japanese heavy metal album in history.

In 1986 they would go on to release their second major album, The End of the Century. The album’s name was also the meaning behind Seikima-II (seikimatsu), as according to them, they were destined to disband at the end of the century (meaning the year 1999). Later that same year they released their third album, Jigoku Yori ai o Komete (From Hell with Love). This was followed by their first major live concert called "The Great Black Mass Tour" held on December 24, 1986. At the end of that year bassist Zod, who was one of the original members, would finally leave the band. That same year, a game was released for the Famicom based on the band, under the title Seikima-II Akuma no Gyakushu (lit. Demon's Counterattack).

One year later, in 1987, guitarist Jail O'hashi also decided to leave the band. He abandoned his "band name" and would later be recognized as Takashi "Jam" O'Hashi, playing in the American/Japanese hard rock group, Cats in Boots, and in his own band, the Takashi O'Hashi Project, although he would go by "Jail O'Hashi" while playing with Seikima-II at future concerts. Later bassist Xenon Ishikawa and guitarist Sgt. Luke Takamura III joined the band to form the most well known lineup. That same year the band released their Big Time Changes album. This album brought about a change in the bands music style by mixing heavy metal with hard rock. Here also for the first time, Luke Takamura takes on the role as more of a lead guitarist and switching off, while Ace Shimizu is heard playing more rhythm guitar. In 1988 they continued their experimentation with other genres on the album, The Outer Mission. With this album they experimented with a fusion of heavy metal, progressive rock and even some jazz music to add for an interesting new sound. Regardless of these changes they continued being praised by heavy metal fans while also receiving attention from the general public.

After releasing their next album, Yuugai (You Guy!) in 1991, they began playing their first overseas concerts in surrounding Asian countries and in Europe, most notably England and Spain. Later in 1992, they followed up by releasing their heaviest album yet, Kyoufu no Restaurant (The Frightful Restaurant). The album was a drastic change in style from the last few albums while keeping to their heavy metal roots; they combined dark, Satanic lyrics with heavy music.

Their next album, Ponk!!, released in 1994, brought about even more change from the bands past style. This album combined heavy metal with folk rock music and more ballade songs. The album was produced at Abbey Road Studios in London, England when the band was living there for a short time. They showed this through their new appearance and tryed to show their life in London through photos used for the album booklet.

In 1996, the band returned to its heavy metal roots when they released their next full-length album, Mephistopheles no Shouzou (A Portrait of Mephistopheles). Also for the first time, they left the CBS Sony label and were signed to BMG Japan. The album was a return to their heavier sound while also having elements of power metal and traditional metal. The move to BMG also made a noticeable difference in the sound quality of their following albums. In 1997 the album News was released, followed by Move in 1998. Both albums bring about a new digital sound combining various styles with heavy metal.

In 1999, their final album, Living Legend, was released. The album is considered to be one of Seikima-II's heaviest albums. They kept true to their roots and fans consider it to be a proper final chapter in the band’s history before finally disbanding on December 31, 1999, at 23:59:59. Their final concert was called "The Black Mass Final 3 Nights", which was part of a three day concert lasting from December 29–31. The concert was separated into three days called "The Theatrical Day", "The Satan All Star's Day" (on this night every former member and supporting member that was ever in the band performed, except Giantonio Babayashi and Gandhara Sangeria Tigris-Euphrates Kaneko, who sent video messages), "The Doomsday", which at the end, the band is seen disappearing into a portal of light leaving the stage and finishing their 14 year career.

After disbanding in 1999, the band each member has continued to have strong solo careers. Demon Kogure has been a solo artist since the early 90’s and still continues to perform and release new material. Ace Shimizu has been involved in his own two piece band called Face to Ace. Luke Takamura later formed his hard rock band called Canta with Raiden Yuzawa. Xenon Ishikawa has been involved in the band RX with Raiden and ex-Seikima-II support keyboardist Yuichi Matsuzaki.

In late 2005 Seikima-II held a two night special reunion for their 20th anniversary. The second night included guitarist Jail O’hashi as a special guest. The reunion lives were both very well received and were completely sold out within a short period of time. Since then they have released two live albums which were recorded from both concerts. The second live album included a special third bonus CD which included 6 new songs written by the band.

In 2010 Seikima-II reunited to celebrate their 25th anniversary and to perform a world tour entitled, "Intercontinental Black Mass Tour". It was announced that guitarist Ace Shimizu, an original member of the band, would not be taking part and instead Jail O'Hashi would rejoin the group. On June 6th they held their first "black mass" in America at A-Kon in Dallas, Texas. On July 4th they held their second "black mass" in Europe when they visited Paris, France for the Japan Expo. On September 3rd and 4th they performed in Korea at the "Viva! Korea Rock Festival", which was broadcast on TV.

Members

* His Excellency Demon Kogure/Demon Kakka – vocals (1982–1999, 2005, 2010)
* Empire Magistrate Jail O' Hashi – guitar (1985–1987, 2010)
* Staff General Luke Takamura III – guitar (1987–1999, 2005, 2010)
* Doctor Xenon Ishikawa – bass (1987–1999, 2005, 2010)
* His Imperial Highness Raiden Yuzawa – drums (1985–1999, 2005, 2010)

Former members

* Captain Ace Shimizu – guitar (1982–1999, 2005), drums (1982)
* Zod Hoshijima – bass (1982–1986)
* Jagy Furukawa – drums (1985)
* Gandhara Sangeria Tigris-Euphrates Kaneko – guitar (1985)
* Zeed Iijima – drums (1983–1985)
* Giantonio Babayashi – guitar (1983–1984)
* His Majesty Damian Hamada – guitar (1982)

Studio albums

AKUMA GA KITARITE HEAVY METAL September 21, 1985
聖飢魔II -悪魔が来たりてヘヴィメタる (Seikima-II -Akuma ga Kitarite Heavy Metal)

THE END OF THE CENTURY April 2, 1986

FROM HELL WITH LOVE November 21, 1986
地獄より愛をこめて (Jigoku Yori Ai wo Komete / FROM HELL WITH LOVE)

BIG TIME CHANGES November 21, 1987

THE OUTER MISSION December 9, 1988

YOU GUY! September 9, 1990
有害 (yûgai / Harmfulness?)

FRIGHTFUL RESTAURANT October 21, 1992
恐怖のレストラン (kyôfu no resutoran?)

PONK!! July 1, 1994

MEPHISTOPHELES NO SHOUZOU September 21, 1996
メフィストフェレスの肖像 (Portrait of Mephistopheles)

NEWS July 2, 1997

MOVE July 23, 1998

LIVING LEGEND October 21, 1999

AKUMA NATIVITY "SONGS OF THE SWORD" September 16, 2009

AKUMA RELATIVITY July 28, 2010

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