Biography
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Years Active
2002 – present (23 years)
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Founded In
Kanagawa, Japan
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Members
- RUKI (2002 – present)
- れいた (2002 – 2024)
- 戒 (2003 – present)
- 由寧 (2002 – 2003)
- 葵 (2002 – present)
the GazettE is a Japanese visual kei and nu metal band formed in Kanagawa in 2002. The band formed as Gazette (ガゼット), an intentional misspelling of casette. The founding members included vocalist Ruki, bassist Reita, and lead guitarist Uruha, all of whom had been involved in prior bands within the visual kei scene. The three musicians recruited guitarist Aoi and drummer Yune, completing their lineup. Signed to the indie label Matina, Gazette released their first single, "Wakaremichi," on April 30, 2002, followed by a re-release in June. That fall, the band performed their first solo concert and began gaining a local following, further boosted by the release of the five-song compilation Yougenkyou in December.
In early 2003, Yune left and was replaced by Kai, who took on the role of band leader. Around the same time, they signed with PS Company and in May 2003 released their first EP, Cockayne Soup. Their frequent live performances and unique style helped them gain recognition, especially following a co-headlining show with Deadman in December and a performance at Beauti-fool’s Fest, which was released on DVD.
The band’s first studio album, Disorder, released in October 2004, reached the top 5 on the Oricon Indie Charts. In early 2005, Gazette embarked on their Japan-wide spring tour called Standing Tour 2005 Maximum Royal Disorder. The final performance of the tour was held at Shibuya Kokaido on April 17, 2005. On March 9, they released the new single "Reila". On December 7, 2005, the band released their first single under a major label, "Cassis".
In 2006, they rebranded to "the GazettE" and signed with Sony Music Records. Their first single with Sony, "Shiver," became the opening theme for the anime Kuroshitsuji II. Later that year, they headlined Tokyo Dome and released additional singles, "Red" and "Pledge." The following year, they released a best-of album, Traces Best of 2005-2009, alongside a live DVD from Tokyo Dome, in April.
In 2011, the GazettE toured extensively and performed at major festivals, including Summer Sonic and Inazuma Rock. They released the album TOXIC in October 2011 and embarked on their "Venomous Cell" tour, culminating in a grand finale at Yokohama Arena in January 2012. To mark their tenth anniversary, they held an anniversary concert, "The Decade," in March 2012. This was followed by the fan club tour Heterodoxy and their sixth album, Division, which released in Japan on August 29, 2012, and in Europe on October 1.
The band also released a single, titled "Fadeless", in August and an album, titled Beautiful Deformity, on October 23. As part of their world tour in September 2013, the Gazette returned to Europe for concerts; performing two shows in France, two in Germany and one in Finland. The band also went to four Latin American countries that month: Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.
After their 13th anniversary, the Gazette announced a musical cycle called Project: Dark Age. It included several releases and tours. The first release was the album DOGMA, released in September 2015. It was followed by the single UGLY in November, then the single UNDYING in April 2016. These released was coupled with Asian and European tours, respectively, that saw them visit Taiwan, China, France, Germany, Finland and Russia.
The band released their ninth studio album, Ninth, on June 13, 2018. On June 29, 2018, the Gazette announced that they established their own independent company, Heresy Inc., and departed PS Company. From June 2018 to June 2019, the GazettE toured around the world in phases. The tour started in various sized venues in Japan then later spanning over ten countries, including their first show in the UK in 12 years, which was sold out.
On March 10, 2021, their nineteenth anniversary, the Gazette released the song "Blinding Hope" and announced their 10th studio album, Mass, that later was released on May 23.
The band’s journey took a tragic turn on April 16, 2024, with the sudden passing of bassist Reita. His final message to fans, “I hope the GazettE lasts forever,” deeply resonated with the visual kei community. The remaining members shared messages in his memory, while fans worldwide paid tribute, including gatherings outside the Japanese Embassy in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Reita's legacy and contributions remain a lasting part of the GazettE's story and visual kei music history.
the GazettE has released 10 studio albums, "DISORDER" (2004), "NIL" (2006), "STACKED RUBBISH" (2007), "DIM" (2009), "TOXIC" (2011), "DIVISION" (2012), "BEAUTIFUL DEFORMITY" (2013), "DOGMA" (2015), "NINTH" (2018), "MASS" (2021) 6 Mini-Albums and 27 singles.
Members:
Vocalist : ルキ (RUKI) [Ma'die Kusse -> L'ie:Chris -> Kar+te=zyAnose -> the GazettE]
Guitarist : 麗 (Uruha) [Ma'die kusse -> L'ie:Chris -> kar+te=zyAnose -> the GazettE]
Guitarist : 葵 (Aoi) [Melville -> Artia -> the GazettE]
Drummer : 戒 (Kai) [Mareydi†Creia’ -> La'deathopiA -> the GazettE]
Past members:
Drummer : ユネ (Yune)
Bassist : れいた (Reita) [Ma'die Kusse -> L'ie:Chris -> Kar+te=zyAnose -> the GazettE]
Official website: the-gazette.com
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