LUNA SEA were one of the major forces in visual rock throughout the 1990s and discovered by the late Hideto Matsumoto (
hide (30)). They were signed and released their first album on
YOSHIKI (96)'s Extasy Records. Formed in 1989, the band consisted of members
河村隆一 (Ryuichi Kawamura) (vocals),
J (18) (bass),
SUGIZO (guitar, violin),
INORAN (guitar), and
真矢 (Shinya) (drums/percussion).
LUNA SEA were signed to Yoshiki of
X JAPAN (84)'s Extasy Records and released their debut album LUNA SEA in 1991.
Read more They became immensely popular following this release, which combined softer and structured visual kei with some harder, more speed oriented tracks. Hardworking, talented and image-conscious, LUNA SEA achieved success rival to that of their mentors and friends in
X JAPAN (84). The band continued until 2000 (having previously been on a one-year hiatus during 1997), wrote two more albums (SHINE and LUNACY, respectively) and came to an "indefinite end" at the end of the year. The members remain very active, now pursuing various solo projects. Worth noting, members
INORAN and
ryuichi kawamura are currently involved in the band
Tourbillon together.
