Good Morning, and Happy New Year!
Today's Bento Box at 11 is an extra double serving of two related, but distinct projects:
Kamijo is a Japanese singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. Best known as lead singer of the visual kei bands Lareine and Versailles. He has also been the head of two independent record labels: Applause Records (formed in 2000) and Chateau Agency.
Kamijo (born July 19th, 1975 in Kanagawa) is a prolific visual kei artist who began his music career in 1994 with the rock band Lareine. After 13 years, Kamijo ended Lareine in 2006. He then co-founded then symphonic metal band Versailles in 2007. When they paused activities in 2012, Kamijo began a solo career the following year. Versailles resumed activities in December 2015.
Versailles is formed in 2007 by vocalist Kamijo and guitarist Hizaki. After recruiting bassist Jasmine You, drummer Yuki and guitarist Teru, they performed their first show on June 23 of that year. Known for their Rococo-esque costumes, dueling guitars and heavy but melodic arrangements. The group gained a significant worldwide following soon after forming as their debut EP Lyrical Sympathy (2007), released by Kamijo's own label Sherow Artist Society, received a simultaneous European release and they performed in Europe and the United States the following year. Their first full-length album, Noble released in 2008, then in North America in 2009.
Versailles signed to major label Warner Music Japan in mid-2009; however, on August 9, days after announcing he would be suspending activities for health reasons, Jasmine You died. Their major debut album Jubilee (2010) was completed with Hizaki performing the unfinished bass tracks. They went on a world tour that took them to Latin America and Europe and ended with new bassist Masashi officially joining. 2011 began with the whole band starring in their own television show titled Onegai Kanaete Versailles (おねがいかなえてヴェルサイユ, lit. "Fulfill My Wish Versailles"), that ran from January to March. Their third album Holy Grail (2011) has been their highest charting, reaching number 12 on the Oricon Albums Chart, and was supported by their second world tour. On July 20, 2012, Versailles announced they would be stopping all activities at the end of the year. They released the self-titled album Versailles on September 26. The band formally reunited, with their latest release being the 2017 Lineage ~Bara no Matsuei~ (Lineage〜薔薇の末裔〜).
Versailles is:
Kamijo – vocals (2007–2012, 2015–present)
Hizaki – guitars (2007–2012, 2015–present)
Teru – guitars (2007–2012, 2015–present)
Masashi – bass (2010–2012, 2015–present)