Hizaki

Hizaki (stylized as HIZAKI, born February 17, 1979) is a Japanese visual kei metal musician, songwriter and record producer. He is best known as guitarist for the symphonic power metal band Versailles. He is also a member of Jupiter and has a solo career. Before forming Versailles he was in several independent bands.

Hizaki
Hizaki in Santiago, Chile, 2010
Background information
Also known asHizaki (緋咲)
Born (1979-02-17) February 17, 1979[1][2]
Shiga
OriginKyoto, Japan
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • guitarist
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • model
  • actor
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • bass
Years active1997–present
Labels
Associated acts
  • Jupiter
  • Versailles
  • Node of Scherzo
  • Sulfuric Acid
  • Schwardix Marvally
  • Crack Brain
  • Garnet Grave
WebsiteOfficial site

Biography

Hizaki debuted as guitarist for the Kyoto-based hard rock band Garnet Grave in 1997. After two years, Hizaki and bassist Hizumi departed from Garnet Grave to form Crack Brain with guitarist Airi (Madeth Gray'll).

In 2002, Crack Brain disbanded and Hizaki and Airi formed the band Gurotesuku Romantikkaa (グロテスクロマンティッカー), who in May 2003 changed their name to Schwardix Marvally.[3] They released two EPs, one composed of cover songs from various bands. Soon after releasing the two EPs, Schwardix Marvally disbanded in 2004.

Hizaki then proceeded to start a solo career that same year and released Maiden Ritual.[4] He published two more EPs: Dance with Grace and Maiden Ritual -Experiment Edition- with a variety of musicians in the visual kei scene. In 2005 he put his solo work on hold and joined Sulfuric Acid, staying until they disbanded in October 2006.[4] On 31 October, Hizaki supported Lareine at their last concert.[5]

He then restarted solo activities and formed his solo group, Hizaki Grace Project, with Hikaru (Izabel Varosa) on vocals, Yuu (Jakura) on bass and support drummer Seiji (Sulfuric Acid). After recruiting Mikage (Babylon) on drums, Teru (Aikaryu) on guitar and Juka (Moi dix Mois) on vocals, they released the album Dignity of Crest.[4] Hizaki Grace Project's album, Curse of Virgo, was released on 26 December 2007.[6]

In early 2007, he became support for Node of Scherzo, a project fronted by Kamijo (Lareine), Juka and Kaya (Schwarz Stein), and also supported by Jasmine You and Asagi (D). At Node of Scherzo's first live performance on 14 March, Kamijo and Hizaki announced they were forming a band together. On 30 March, the details of the band were announced, it would be named Versailles and also included drummer Yuki (Sugar Trip) and Hizaki Grace Project's Jasmine You and Teru.[7] Hizaki's solo work was put on hold while he focused on Versailles.

On September 23, 2008, Hizaki modeled clothing for Baby, The Stars Shine Bright on the runway at Individual Fashion Expo IV.[8] On 15 July 2010, he partook in the one-night only revival of Crack Brain, at a concert for their old record label, Crow Music.

In January 2011, he and the rest of Versailles started starring in their own TV mini drama called Onegai Kanaete Versailles (おねがいかなえてヴェルサイユ, "Fulfill My Wish Versailles"). The show also starred Rina Koike and aired on Mainichi Broadcasting System and TV Kanagawa until March.[9]

Hizaki (right) performing with Jupiter in 2015.

In response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami on 11 March, Hizaki composed and dedicated the song "Prayer" to its victims.[10][11] Both Hizaki and Teru participated in the Blue Planet Japan project, which was created in response to the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The project is composed of many visual kei artists, including members of DaizyStripper, heidi., Matenrou Opera and Dolly. They performed live at Shibuya O-West on 25 June and released the single "Hitotsu Dake ~We are the One~" on 14 September, with the proceeds from the single donated to the victims.[12][13]

Hizaki composed the music for the title track of Kaya's January 2012 single "Vampire Requiem".[14] On 20 July, Versailles announced they were stopping all activities by the end of the year. Hizaki, Kaya, Versailles bassist Masashi, Ken Morioka (Soft Ballet), Kenta Harada and Chargeeeeee (Omega Dripp, ZIZ) performed in a special session band on 7 October at Shinjuku Loft.[15]

On 1 April 2013, every member of Versailles minus singer Kamijo announced they had formed a new band named Jupiter.[16][17] They recruited Zin as vocalist and released their debut single, "Blessing of the Future", in the summer.[16][17] That same year Hizaki participated in the Dead End Tribute - Song of Lunatics - album, paying tribute to the band Dead End by performing on the cover of their song "Dress Burning".[18]

Hizaki returned to solo activities in 2015 with short European and South American tours.[19][20] He released his first solo album in 11 years, Rosario, on 3 August 2016, via major record label Warner Music Japan.[21] A mini album, Back to Nature, was released by Zeno Records on 27 November 2019.[22] The single "Pavane" will be released on 15 July 2020, and credited to Hizaki grace project.[23]

Hizaki Grace Project members
Last line-up
Former members
  • Hikaru – vocals
  • Seiji – drums (support member)

Equipment
Current

- ESP Maiden Hizaki Custom Rose

Other

- ESP Horizon-III Hizaki Custom Pearl White Gold w/flake
- ESP Horizon-III Hizaki Custom Illusion
- ESP Bottom Line GT
- Boss GT-10 Guitar Effects Processor
- Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
- Ibanez Jemini Distortion Pedal
- Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer
- Marshall Guvnor
- Morley Wah Pedal
- Custom Audio Electronics Cables
- TC Electronic G Major
- Korg DTR-1 Rack Tuner
- EX-PRO Wireless System
- Furman Power Conditioner
- Roland FC-200 Midi Foot Controller
- Marshall JVM410H
- Hughes & Kettner, Bogner, Brunetti, Mesa Boogie and Laney Amps
- Keeley Katana Boost Pedal
- Boorocks MD-1 LEON Multi-Driver

Discography
Albums and EPs
  • Maiden Ritual (29 September 2004)
  • Dance with grace (27 April 2005; two editions: regular was instrumental)
  • Maiden Ritual -Experiment Edition- (11 May 2005)
    • The song "Tragic Serenade" was replaced by the instrumental "Scarlet", while "Ritual" has been replaced by its instrumental version.
  • Grace Special Package I (2005)
    • Three disc box set: includes Dance with grace, Maiden Ritual -Experiment Edition- and bonus CD-R with "Members Comment" and instrumental version of "Tragic Serenade".
  • Rosario (2016)
  • Back to Nature (2019)

With Hizaki Grace Project
Albums
  • Dignity of Crest (1 January 2007)
  • Ruined Kingdom (19 September 2007)
  • Curse of Virgo (26 December 2007)
Singles
  • "Pavane" (15 July 2020)
DVD
  • Eien no Kokuin (永遠の刻印, 17 February 2007; distributed at concert)
  • Monshou (紋章, 9 May 2007)
Omnibuses
  • Graceful Playboys (5 August 2006; with "Race Wish")
  • -Unique- (9 August 2006; split EP with +Isolation, with "Solitude" and "Cradle")
  • Summit 03 (29 November 2009; with "Cradle")
  • Final Summit 2000~2010: Sequence Records (16 February 2011; with "Philosopher")

With Garnet Grave
  • "Haitoku no Savior" (背徳のSavior, 1998, demo tape)

With Crack Brain
  • "Crack Diary" (24 July 1999; demo tape)
  • "Sokubaku Izonshou" (緊縛依存症, 18 April 2000; demo tape)
  • "Sunadokei" (砂時計, 27 June 2000; demo tape)
  • "Kankinshitsu no Tobira" (監禁室の扉です, April 14, 2001)
  • -Reset- (23 March 2002)
  • "-Speed･R-" (11 May 2002; freely distributed at concert at Meguro Rock-May-Kan)

With Schwardix Marvally
  • Kairoroku ~Dai san Shou~ (回顧録～第三章～, 20 August 2003)
    • Four track EP with covers of Gargoyle, Luna Sea and Madeth gray'll and one original song, track one credited to Gurotesuku Romantikkaa (グロテスクロマンティッカー).
  • Heaven's Romance (28 January 2004)
    **Released in two versions, each with a different bonus disc.
  • Schwardix Marvally ~Tenkuu e no Monogatari~ (Schwardix Marvally～天空への物語～, 1 January 2007; compilation album)

With Sulfuric Acid
  • "Vanilla Sky" (19 September 2005; freely distributed at concert at Meguro Rock-May-Kan)
  • "Aka Hebi -Kimi to Mita aka no Kioku-" (赤蛇 -君と見た赤の記憶-, 28 December 2005)
  • "Ao Hebi -Boku no Naka no Aoi Yami-" (青蛇 -僕の中の青い闇-, 28 December 2005)
  • 【s∧lfj'urik 'aesid】 (April 27, 2006)
  • Kyousei Inyou [03-06] Ongenshuu (強制引用【03-06】音源集, 29 November 2006; compilation album)
  • Final Summit 2000~2010: Sequence Records (16 February 2011; omnibus with "Acid Trip")

With Versailles
Main article: Versailles discography

With Jupiter
Main article: Jupiter (band) § Discography
gollark: What we need is domes.
gollark: Um, are you forgetting the poisonous atmosphere?
gollark: As I said, we control one probe (maybe KAL would let us manage the one fork too), collaboratively.
gollark: No, we all control one probe.
gollark: Also, before repowering the reactor, make sure to make/update a backup of the AI which the other probe (the asteroid mining one) can read.

References
  1. "Profile". Hizaki Official website. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  2. "Related Artists" (in Japanese). recochoku.jp. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  3. "Crack Brain JaME Profile". jame-world.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  4. "Hizaki JaME Profile". jame-world.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  5. "Hizaki to Help Lareine". jame-world.com. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  6. "Curse of Virgo". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  7. "Versailles". Jame-world.com. Archived from the original on 2009-01-18.
  8. "Individual Fashion Expo IV - Backstage Interviews". jame-world.com. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  9. "Versailles to act in a drama". shattered-tranquility.net. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  10. "Versailles – short EU tour and special song from Hizaki". shattered-tranquility.net. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  11. Versailles Hizaki - Prayer on YouTube
  12. "Visual-Kei Collab Band Blue Planet Japan Peforms [sic] "We Are The One"". jpopasia.com. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  13. "Visual Kei Charity Single". jame-world.com. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  14. "Beauty & Decadence in Kaya's Vampire Requiem". rokkyuu.com. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  15. "Kaya to Collaborate with Hizaki and Masashi in a Special Band!". musicjapanplus.jp. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  16. "New Band from Versailles Members". jame-world.com. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  17. "Versailles members create new band, 'Jupiter'". tokyohive.com. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  18. "Second Set of Artists to Participate in DEAD END Tribute Album Announced". barks.jp. Archived from the original on 31 October 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  19. "Hizaki World Tour". jame-world.com. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  20. "Jupiter's Hizaki in South America". shattered-tranquility.net. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  21. "Hizaki Announces New Solo Album". jame-world.com. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  22. "New Mini-Album from HIZAKI". jame-world.com. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  23. "New Releases from VERSAILLES, KAMIJO and HIZAKI grace project". jame-world.com. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
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