Kuroyume (黒夢) is a Japanese visual kei rock band hailing from the city of N… Read Full Bio ↴Kuroyume (黒夢) is a Japanese visual kei 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 its comeback in 2011.

The band came into being when vocalist Kiyoharu (清春) from the band ＧＡＲＮＥＴ and guitarist Shin (臣) from GERACEE decided to collaborate. Kiyoharu then invited Hitoki (人時), the bassist from Garnet, to join. The band's concept was based upon the idea of "yume wa nai" (dreams don't exist).

Kuroyume 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, Kuroyume 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 included "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 Shin left the group, Kiyoharu and Hitoki continued as a duo. The first Kuroyume album without Shin was "feminism" (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" (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 Kuroyume would continue with their next release, "DRUG TREATMENT" (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 Kuroyume has ever done, "Like A 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 Kuroyume's amazing power while playing live. In 1998, Kuroyume 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, Kiyoharu formed the band SADS. That band's original run lasted until 2003, and from 2004 onward Kiyoharu was active as a solo artist.

Unlike Kiyoharu, HITOKI returned 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, Kiyoharu and Hitoki reunited for Kuroyume's "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 Kuroyume. However, the following year, Kiyoharu announced the band's reformation.

II
黒夢 Lyrics

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砂に帰りたい夜
貴方を思い出すなら
浅はかと折り直す
見るからに不釣合と
間違いに満ちた落日
砂に帰りたい夜
貴方の名前口ずさむ
成し遂げた半死現われ

二つが一つになれない
DANCE 2 GARNET
捧げたのは裏切り
DANCE 2 GARNET
問われたのは傷口を

砂に帰りたい夜
貴方も帰したくなる
間違いに満ちた落日
浮彫りに出来た嫉みと
DANCE 2 GARNET
同化の為続いた
DANCE 2 GARNET
完成せぬ蜃気楼
DANCE 2 GARNET
捧げたのは裏切り

DANCE 2 GARNET
問われたのは傷口を

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 黒夢's "II" express a desire to return to the sands of time or to a simpler life. The singer reflects on their own mistakes and regrets, particularly in relation to a person that they still remember. The lyrics suggest that this person may also have a desire to return to the past, but the mistakes made have caused too much damage for them to make that leap. The chorus, "Dance 2 Garnet" seems to represent an attempt at healing or redemption through dance, but the sacrifices made for that attempt have left the singer feeling betrayed, wounded, and unable to fully move on.

The imagery of the sunset conveys a sense of finality and loss, and the desire to return to the sand symbolizes a longing for a new beginning or an idealized past. The repeated phrase of "Dance 2 Garnet" perhaps suggests that the singer is trying to move on from their pain and regrets by dedicating themselves to this act of dancing, but it is ultimately unsuccessful in helping them find closure or forgiveness.

Line by Line Meaning

砂に帰りたい夜
A night where all one wants, is to return to the sand

貴方を思い出すなら
If I were to think about you

浅はかと折り直す
I would fold myself clumsily

見るからに不釣合と
Which would be clearly mismatched

間違いに満ちた落日
A sunset filled with mistakes

砂に帰りたい夜
A night where all one wants, is to return to the sand

貴方の名前口ずさむ
Humming your name

成し遂げた半死現われ
Realizing I'm half-dead, having achieved nothing

二つが一つになれない
Two halves can never make a whole

DANCE 2 GARNET
Dancing towards garnet

捧げたのは裏切り
What I offered was betrayal