Unsraw
Encyclopedia
, is a Japanese visual kei
metal band currently signed to the label Speed Disk. They formed in July 2006.
, vocalist Yuuki and drummer Shou started a new project called UnsraW. The band performed several "secret lives" with no releases, and were scouted by Speed Disk, a record label specializing in bands of the visual kei
style.
After signing to Speed Disk, UnsraW released the singles "-9-" and "Gate of Death". Both singles were limited to a 1000-copy pressing, and sold out quickly. In late 2006, the band released its first EP
, Spiral Circle in two types, which also sold out soon after release.
Beginning in 2007, UnsraW began releasing material in Europe
through import label CLJ Records, with their first full-length album
Spiral Circle -Complete-, and concert DVD
Screaming Birthday. The band went on to release another single leading to a pair of EPs in the summer of 2007 titled Abel and Kein (a reference to Cain and Abel
). Abel was released in August, while Kein was released on September 26. The two EPs were released as a single album in Europe with a bonus track, and later in Japan with a differing bonus track.
After a few shows initiating 2008, Yuuki became suddenly ill and unable to perform with the band. The rest of the members performed instrumental shows, not wanting to cancel any performances. In April, it was revealed Yuuki would be returning to music, but that he was still fighting a lung disease, but in May UnsraW announced they will be pausing activities until Yuuki has fully recovered.
In June 2009, UnsraW announced that Yuuki had made a full recovery, and they would be having two return lives scheduled in August to celebrate. Unfortunately, due to a hand injury acquired in a motorcycle accident on 24 December 2008, bassist Jun decided to withdraw from the band.
After restarting their activities in August, UnsraW announced the release of their first single after one year hiatus. The single will be out on 23 September and will include three songs: Nightmare, Reborn, and Switch.
On 13 January 2010 it was announced Rai would be leaving UnsraW on February 27 after their European tour. And on February 27, it was announced they have two new members: Madoka (円) and Jin (迅). It was also announced they'd be having a oneman live on 19 April 2010 called "TRACE OF GUILT" in Takadanobaba AREA.
On 3 March 2011 it was announced that UnsraW were to be disbanded following the departure of vocalist Yuuki. This information was released on their official website and the band will still perform their remaining scheduled shows.
Former members
Visual Kei
is a movement among Japanese musicians, that is characterized by the use of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics. Some sources state that visual kei refers to a music genre, or to a sub-genre of Japanese rock, with its...
metal band currently signed to the label Speed Disk. They formed in July 2006.
Biography
After the dissolution of the independent band Core the ChildCore the Child
Core the Child was an independent Japanese visual kei rock/metal band formed in 2004. They disbanded in 2006.-Biography:Core the Child was formed in June 2004 by Yuuki, Ryou, Shunsuke and Shou...
, vocalist Yuuki and drummer Shou started a new project called UnsraW. The band performed several "secret lives" with no releases, and were scouted by Speed Disk, a record label specializing in bands of the visual kei
Visual Kei
is a movement among Japanese musicians, that is characterized by the use of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics. Some sources state that visual kei refers to a music genre, or to a sub-genre of Japanese rock, with its...
style.
After signing to Speed Disk, UnsraW released the singles "-9-" and "Gate of Death". Both singles were limited to a 1000-copy pressing, and sold out quickly. In late 2006, the band released its first EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, Spiral Circle in two types, which also sold out soon after release.
Beginning in 2007, UnsraW began releasing material in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
through import label CLJ Records, with their first full-length album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
Spiral Circle -Complete-, and concert DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
Screaming Birthday. The band went on to release another single leading to a pair of EPs in the summer of 2007 titled Abel and Kein (a reference to Cain and Abel
Cain and Abel
In the Hebrew Bible, Cain and Abel are two sons of Adam and Eve. The Qur'an mentions the story, calling them the two sons of Adam only....
). Abel was released in August, while Kein was released on September 26. The two EPs were released as a single album in Europe with a bonus track, and later in Japan with a differing bonus track.
After a few shows initiating 2008, Yuuki became suddenly ill and unable to perform with the band. The rest of the members performed instrumental shows, not wanting to cancel any performances. In April, it was revealed Yuuki would be returning to music, but that he was still fighting a lung disease, but in May UnsraW announced they will be pausing activities until Yuuki has fully recovered.
In June 2009, UnsraW announced that Yuuki had made a full recovery, and they would be having two return lives scheduled in August to celebrate. Unfortunately, due to a hand injury acquired in a motorcycle accident on 24 December 2008, bassist Jun decided to withdraw from the band.
After restarting their activities in August, UnsraW announced the release of their first single after one year hiatus. The single will be out on 23 September and will include three songs: Nightmare, Reborn, and Switch.
On 13 January 2010 it was announced Rai would be leaving UnsraW on February 27 after their European tour. And on February 27, it was announced they have two new members: Madoka (円) and Jin (迅). It was also announced they'd be having a oneman live on 19 April 2010 called "TRACE OF GUILT" in Takadanobaba AREA.
On 3 March 2011 it was announced that UnsraW were to be disbanded following the departure of vocalist Yuuki. This information was released on their official website and the band will still perform their remaining scheduled shows.
Miscellaneous facts
- Yuuki is the member that writes all of the lyrics and composes almost all of the music, only collaborating with Shou on some songs.
- Their new bassist Jin was previously their support bassist on their European Tour.
Members
Current members- Madoka (円) - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Tetsu (哲) – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Jin (迅) - bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Shou (匠) – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Former members
- Jun (准) – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Rai (礼) – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Yuuki (勇企) – vocals
Albums
- Spiral Circle -Complete-Spiral Circle CompleteSpiral Circle -Complete- is an album released by Unsraw on January 24, 2007. It contains the songs from the previously released EP Spiral Circle, and 3 additional songs...
(January 24, 2007) - Abel/KeinAbel/KeinAbel/Kein is an album released by Unsraw on September 26, 2007. It contains the songs from the previously released EP's Abel & Kein, and 1 additional song.-Track listing:#"Social Faker" – 4:18#"STARVING MOON" – 3:26...
(September 26, 2007)
Extended plays
- Spiral Circle (December 20, 2006)
- Calling (March 28, 2007)
- AbelAbel (album)Abel is an EP released by Unsraw on August 29, 2007. It is part of a dual-album release campaign with Kein. The pair of EPs are named after the biblical story of Cain and Abel.-Track listing:#"Social Faker" – 4:18#"Starving Moon" – 3:26...
(August 29, 2007) - KeinKein (album)Kein is an EP released by Unsraw on September 26, 2007. It is part of a dual-album release campaign with Abel. The pair of EPs are named after the biblical story of Cain and Abel.-Track listing:#"Clevage" – 3:59#"Sora" – 6:01...
(September 26, 2007) - "Guilty" (April 21, 2010)
Singles
- "-9-" (August 30, 2006)
- "Gate of Death" (October 25, 2006)
- "Lustful Days" (June 27, 2007)
- "Reborn" (September 23, 2009)
- "Kleza in Utero" (November 19, 2010)
- "Kleza in Marsh" (December 21, 2010)
- "Kleza in Red clay" (January 16, 2011)