Tuesdaysounds: exist†trace

Meanwhile, even I noticed that my blog is very strong in the topic Japan again.  Nevertheless, I present you today with exist†trace again a Japanese band …

exist†trace is one of the few all-female visual kei bands in Japan. It was founded on 15 June 2003 by Jyou, Miko, Naoto and Mari. The first live performance they had at 28 December 2003, followed by their first demo tape in February of 2004. Hai no yuki was distributed for free at their concert at that time. Sometime during the march came Omi added as a second guitarist and the 5-member band was complete. First concerts with her were in April, in June was followed by the second demo single Kokumu. This was followed by several concerts in 2005,  before their first official single ambivalence was published on August 26. Until the end of 2006 another 2 singles should follow, which contributed to exist†trace to enable an increasing amount of fans. In the end of 2006 they were also part of the „Meguro Rock May Can by Sequence Records“, the accompanying DVD was released in March of 2007.

In July 2007, also released their first mini live album of the band Demented Show 20070715. End of the year they pushed a second pressing of their mini-album Annunciationhinterher (without DVD Part in the form of music videos for Judea) and ended the year as part of the New Year’s show from „Sequence Records“.

In the spring the band was part of an event of L’eprica which were promoting their new single and for that several bands brought aboard. End of February rose exist†trace also the indie label Sequence Records parallel with the bands Art Cube, Venus and LSD. The only downer was that the band took a break immediately after entry. Until May were still sporadic performances, then first was resting for the year of 2008.

End of August exist†trace returned with a new look  and were first part of the show “Sequence Records 7 Days Live Summer”. Incidentally, the data for the European tour of the 5 girls in October 2008 was released. One Concert led them also to Germany. After the tour the band had a few big concerts with equal several bands. In October they played several concerts with bands like DELUHI, Megaromania, gaudie, Juliette, LSD, Venus and mutch more. These seires of concerts was called Deer Call War No. 5 and No. 6 and also one of them Black Riot. In addition, in November released their first album, which was a best of album of their songs from 2006 – 2008.

exist†trace also took a part on the 8th anniversary of the Sequence Records, but with the bitter aftertaste that they would then leave directly the label. In February 2009, it began with the fact that the band opened a new homepage and their accession by Monster’s Inc. was signed and sealed. With a new label, a new look and with the mini-album, VANGUARD -of the muses- in the baggage they were back on scene.

In autumn the band was part of the famous Shock Edge Events. Together with SOMANTIC GUARDIAN or even kiryu rocked the band on October 12, the stage and were found two days later on the accompanying omnibus CD. Only 2 weeks later the new mini-album Ambivalent Symphony were in the stores found. One day later, exist†trace was also part of the V-rock concerts, along with over 20 other bands (for example: Kagrra, heidi., Merry, LM.C, D=Out). That year, the band was still quite relaxed end the year with a few Live performances, before it went on directly with a oneman in January  2010.

For 2010, it also went again to Europe, this time from late April to early May for several concerts among others in Germany and France. After their return they were part of the sampler Neo Voltage Vol. 1 and her single Knife appeared on 2 June in stores. They were also part of the Neo Voltage Tour 2010 from 10 – June 18 with 3 performances.

In early November, the band released their first full album with name Twin Gate. 2011 saw the launch ecually successful for the band, witch was a part of the Sakura-Con in April and thus the 5 girls had their American debut. After that, stans  again a label change. At this time one step higher, because with the contract with Tokuma Japan Communications reached exist†trace the Major Status.

Cost celebrate the group with her mini album TRUE, which was released on 15 June. In addition, the band had given a sort of farewell oneman show called „The Truth“ on 18 June. Thus, they said goodbye to their indie period befitting. Just a few months after the debut already appeared a second mini-album. 2012, the band gave a few concerts in America in March and on 23 May they released their new album Virgin. From this album comes also one of my favorite songs Daybreak.

Since I’m one day divorced from the visual kei scene, it happens to me with this band (just like many others), that I have somehow lost sight of. So I have heard again from this band on September 24 in 2014 and although they have not inserted a break till 2012 and 2014. Anyway, on 11/24/14 appeared the second major album of exist†trace, entitled World Maker. Furthermore, took placein December the final concert of their (probably started in late 2013) Gekijyou Spiral tour.

Last December, announced exist†trace to the release a previously untitled mini-album for March 2016 , which will contain six songs.

The musical style of the band has evolved repeatedly markedly over the years (just compare the two videos together), can be described as melodic death metal, however, still. Singer Jyou’s voice supports this effect. The music is particularly focused on the drums and the bass. The texts, however, are going more towards Gothic. Works as a head behind the musical is Miko especially, whose compositions are responsible. The band’s name is intended to mean about „trace of presence,“ which describes the concept of group. From clothing style itself are the majority of macho, but is also just in places emphasized by some that it is women, although this is true mainly due to Miko.

Since I have a few gaps in the band description this time, I advise all those who want to know more about the band and can propper read the Japanese Kanji, to look at their official Homepage.