Kamijo first formed Lareine in November of 1994 with guitarist Mayu, whom he met as roadie for Malice Mizer. Together, along with bassist Emiru, Lareine became a successful visual-kei act of the late 1990's, bewitching audiences with their romantic and frilly performances. The height of their career was in the year 2000, a time when the band was signed to Sony Music Entertainment Japan and released their second album フィエルテの海と共に消ゆ～THE LAST OF ROMANCE～ (FIERTE no Umi to Tomo ni Kiyu). Unfortunately, shortly after this release Emiru announced his departure from the band, followed by subsequent secessions from Mayu and drummer Machi. From that point until 2001, Lareine acted as a solo project for KAMIJO, and released the two albums Scream and Vampire Scream.
In 2002, KAMIJO joined the band New Sodmy with Mayu. Although this project was a change of style for KAMIJO, changing to a more of a soft, straightforward, rock sound as opposed to the more symphonic and whimsical style of Lareine, the band only lasted about a year before breaking up.
In 2003, both Mayu and Emiru rejoined Lareine and the band revived. After a few more releases, and another two drummer changes, Lareine ultimately disbanded in 2007 after Mayu started to become unreliable with attendance for live shows. Their last concert was in 2006, with Hizaki filling in as their guest guitarist.
2007 also marked the year that KAMIJO and HIZAKI formed the band Versailles. Like his other projects, Versailles was French themed and played on the themes of eternal life, vampirism, and a love of all things rosy. Unlike Lareine, this band was a symphonic / neoclassical metal group and had a much more steady lineup. After only two releases, the band blew up in popularity and became signed with the European label CLJ and did shows in both Europe and North America. After 2 years of activity, the band got signed to Warner Japan and became one of the most successful visual-kei acts of the decade. The band remained with Warner until 2012: it was then that the band went on an indefinite hiatus from lack of a clear direction.
In 2013, it was announced that Kamijo would embark on a solo project. Support members were not announced until after the title of his first single, Louis ～艶血のラヴィアンローズ～ (Enketsu no LA VIE EN ROSE), was declared. Like his past bands, Kamijo's solo project retains an overall French theme and continues the vampiric storyline set up by Versailles. However, this story was meant to be supplementary to Versailles', rather than a continuation, and is Kamijo's attempt to 'rewrite history.'
KAMIJO's first single was released on August 28th, 2013. It came in 3 types: two of which had DVDs, and the regular edition contained an extra bonus track and instrumental versions of each song. The music video for the title track also featured a cameo by fellow visual-kei musician Mana, of Malice Mizer and Moi Dix Mois. Having been a roadie for Mana back in the 90's, as well as taking considerable influence from his projects, many fans were both shocked and delighted to see them working together. It was later revealed that Mana had no part in the single's composition, but rather had helped in 'reviving an aesthetic' both he and KAMIJO enjoyed.
On March 5th, 2014, KAMIJO released his first mini album entitled Symphony of the Vampire. This also marked his return to the record label Warner Japan, and would be his first large release as a solo artist. The mini album contained 7 songs that flowed into each other, creating a cohesive piece of music that was to be digested, as its name implies, like a symphony. The album also contained music videos for each and every track, telling the story of a young French prince who was granted eternal life by becoming a vampire. Similar to his first single, this mini album came in 4 different types: two editions came with the music videos (one as a DVD, the other a Blu-ray), and the third with an instrumental bonus disc containing songs KAMIJO had written for the movie Vampire Stories.
Soon after the release of Symphony of the Vampire, KAMIJO announced he would embark on his first consecutive single campaign for the summer of 2014, releasing the single Moulin Rouge in June, and 闇夜のライオン (Yamiyo no LION) in July. These two singles, as well as his first single, led up to his first album, HEART, which is set to release in September of 2014.
In addition to KAMIJO's extensive music career, he has also owned and ran two record labels. His first formed in the year 2000, after all of the members of Lareine left the band, called APPLAUSE RECORDS. Through this label, Kamijo released several indie albums and singles for Lareine in addition to producing and supporting bands such as IZABEL VAROSA, 神崎, ＲＩＢＢＯＮ, and collaborating with record label UNDER CODE PRODUCTION for the omnibus Anamorphosis. APPLAUSE RECORDS ceased activities in 2006.
In 2007, KAMIJO's other record label was created--Sherow Artist Society. This label housed two very success bands' early careers: Versailles and 摩天楼オペラ. Both of these bands have toured overseas and are currently signed with major record deals. Other artists signed to Sherow at some point include: Juka, Metis Gretel, ドーリスマリィ, -The- UnForGiveness, ルシア and Hizaki Grace Project. 2010 marked the year both Versailles and 摩天楼オペラ left the label due to getting signed to international record deals, as well as the year all of this label's activities stopped (as none of the other groups signed to it were still active). This label remained dormant until 2014, in which Kamijo announced he has signed a new band and became their producer: [MU:].
Sherow Artist Society also had a short lived super group entitled Node of Scherzo. This group was made up of KAMIJO, Kaya, and Juka as vocalists; HIZAKI as the guitarist, and Jasmine You as the bassist (the 2nd guitar and drums were played by the rest of Versailles as support members). This band's music told a story about the battle of light and darkness, and even featured a spot from Asagi (of D). Node of Scherzo only released 1 official song, while playing songs also playing songs from each member's solo projects.
In addition to producing and performing, KAMIJO has also written music for the movie Vampire Stories (as mentioned earlier). He has also performed guest vocals in an album for 哀旋士.
Recording Support Members
Guitar: Anzi (摩天楼オペラ)
Guitar: HIZAKI (Versailles, currently in Jupiter)
Guitar: MEKU (ex-GALEYD)
Bass: JU-KEN (VAMPS)
Bass: IKUO (BULL ZEICHEN 88, Rayflower)
Bass: Masashi (Versailles / Jupiter, ex-ＡＬＰＨＡ, Ａｓｈ)
Bass: 根岸孝旨(negishi takamune) (Dr.StrangeLove)
Drums: 山崎慶 (Yamazaki Kei) (Venom Strip)
Live Support Artists
Guitar: HIZAKI (Currently in Jupiter)
Guitar: MEKU (ex-GALEYD)
Guitar: DAISHI ([MU:], ex-天照)
Bass: IKUO (BULL ZEICHEN 88)
Drums: Shinya (ex-La:Sadie's, DIR EN GREY)
Discography
[2013.08.28] [Maxi-Single] Louis ~Enketsu no La Vie en Rose~ (Louis ～艶血のラヴィアンローズ～)
[2014.03.05] [Mini-Album] Symphony of The Vampire
[2014.06.18] [Maxi-Single] Moulin Rouge
[2014.07.16] [Maxi-Single] Yamiyo no Lion (闇夜のライオン)
[2014.09.24] Heart
[2015.06.10] [Best-Album] 20th Anniversary All Time Best ～革命の系譜～
[2015.07.15] Royal Blood -Revival Best-
[2015.07.20] [Live DVD] Tour 2014 - The Death Final - The Empire of Vampire 2014.12.13 AiiA Theater Tokyo
[2016.07.13] [Live DVD] LA VIE EN ROSE 2015.12.28 Zepp Divercity Tokyo
[2016.07.18] [Live DVD] LA VIE EN ROSE 2015.12.28 Zepp Divercity Tokyo (Blu-ray edition)
[2017.04.00] [Live DVD] KAMIJO Epic Rock Orchestra
[2017.05.10] [Maxi-single] CASTRATO
[2017.09.27] [Maxi-single] mademoiselle
[2018.01.16] [Maxi-single] Nosferatu
[2018.01.31] [Live DVD] Epic Rock Orchestra at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo
[2018.03.21] SANG
[2018.03.21] [Maxi-single] SANG -Another Story-
[2018.07.18] [Maxi-single] Sang ~君に贈る名前~
[2018.12.19] [Live DVD] Sang Live at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo
[2019.01.30] [Maxi-single] Chamber Music Selection I
[2019.02.27] [Maxi-single] Chamber Music Selection II
[2019.03.27] [Maxi-single] Chamber Music Selection III
[2019.07.17] [Live DVD] Dream Live "Symphony of the Vampire" KAMIJO with Orchestra
[2019.07.24] [Maxi-single] Eye of Providence
[2019.11.27] [Maxi-single] TEMPLE -Blood sucking for praying-
[2020.02.26] [Maxi-single] SYMBOL OF THE DRAGON
[2020.04.29] [Maxi-single] Persona Grata
OHP: https://www.kamijo.club/
Heart
KAMIJO Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
愚かな者達
故に逆賊の魔女と
同じもてなしを 受けるがいい
「身に余る光栄」 ぞう言って 彼らは乞う
「願わくば許しを 命を」
The Heart is forbidden territory by law of clan
人は本質を見抜いて
夢と愛を生み出し 求め合えって
形成されてゆく
心という形無き芸術
あぁ 私も友と同じ罪を犯した
願わくば心を愛を
The Heart is forbidden territory by law of clan
愛する者よ
麗しき瞳が 描き出す心
そなたの為に 夜空の星が
赤くあかく気高く 燃えている
伯爵の画蓈に
木炭の少女がいた
彼女は片手にナイフを持ち
その絵の中の右端に
静かに立ち尽くす
その理由は 真実は わからない
あぁ 魔女狩りを装い
皆を欺き 側に置いた
願わくば太陽を彼女に
The Heart is forbidden territory by law of clan
真夜中の庭園に
密かに連れ出して
何も言わずに ただ抱きしめて
喉を赤く染めた
麗しき瞳に
あぁ 吸い込まれて
禁断の愛 夜空の星が
二人見届けている
そう二人は永遠
終わりなき愛
悲しみも 喜びも
もう感じない
もう感じない
The lyrics to KAMIJO's song "Heart in 2" are poetic and cryptic, with layers of meaning to unravel. The opening lines, "Hyenas swarm around the dead count's head / Foolish people / Therefore, they should accept the same hospitality as the rebel witch," create a dark and eerie atmosphere. The lines may refer to the aftermath of a violent and chaotic struggle for power, where even the dead are not at peace. The mention of a rebel witch suggests that the song may be set in a historical or mythical world, where magic and witchcraft are real.
The chorus, "The Heart is forbidden territory by law of clan," adds a sense of forbiddenness and secrecy to the song. The heart, which can represent both physical and emotional aspects, is a powerful symbol in many cultures. The idea of the heart being forbidden suggests that there are taboos or boundaries that must not be crossed. The verses that follow depict the search for love and meaning in life. "People see through the essence / Create dreams and love / And seek each other out / The formless art called heart is formed," suggest that love and human connection are essential to our lives and are the ultimate form of art.
The lines, "Ah, I also committed the same sin as my friend / I wish for a heart, for love," suggest a personal dimension to the song's message. The singer may be reflecting on past mistakes or experiences that have shaped his understanding of the world. The final lines, "The two are eternal / Endless love / No longer feeling / No longer feeling" suggest that love can be a form of transcendence that allows us to escape the pain and suffering of this world.
Line by Line Meaning
死んだ伯爵の首にハイエナが群がる
Hyenas swarm around the neck of the dead count
愚かな者達
Foolish people
故に逆賊の魔女と同じもてなしを 受けるがいい
Therefore, receive the same hospitality as a rebel witch
「身に余る光栄」 ぞう言って 彼らは乞う
They beg, saying 'It is an honor beyond our worth'
「願わくば許しを 命を」
They wish for forgiveness even if it costs their life
The Heart is forbidden territory by law of clan
The clan prohibits access to the Heart
人は本質を見抜いて 夢と愛を生み出し 求め合えって 形成されてゆく 心という形無き芸術
People create dreams and love by seeing through someone's essence, forming the formless art of the Heart
あぁ 私も友と同じ罪を犯した 願わくば心を愛を
Oh, I too committed the same sin as my friend. I wish for the Heart and love
愛する者よ
Oh, my beloved
麗しき瞳が 描き出す心 そなたの為に 夜空の星が 赤くあかく気高く 燃えている
The beautiful eyes draw out the Heart, and for you, the stars in the night sky burn heroically in red and blue
伯爵の画蓈に 木炭の少女がいた 彼女は片手にナイフを持ち その絵の中の右端に 静かに立ち尽くす その理由は 真実は わからない
There was a charcoal girl in the count's painting, standing quietly at the right end with a knife in her hand. The reason for her presence and truth is unknown
あぁ 魔女狩りを装い 皆を欺き 側に置いた 願わくば太陽を彼女に
Oh, dressed as a witch hunter, I deceived and left everyone behind. I wish for the sun to shine upon her
真夜中の庭園に 密かに連れ出して 何も言わずに ただ抱きしめて 喉を赤く染めた
Secretly taken to a midnight garden, held without words as the throat reddened
麗しき瞳に あぁ 吸い込まれて 禁断の愛 夜空の星が 二人見届けている
I am drawn into those beautiful eyes, and the forbidden love is witnessed by the stars
そう二人は永遠 終わりなき愛 悲しみも 喜びも もう感じない もう感じない
So we two are forever, with endless love. We no longer feel the sadness or the joy, no longer feel.
Writer(s): Yuji Kamijo
Contributed by Victoria D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andreas
on Trésor (Instrumental)
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