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La'cryma Christi

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La'cryma Christi
Also known asStrippe-D Lady
OriginOsaka, Japan
Genres
Years active
  • 1991–2007
  • 2009–2010
  • 2012–2013
  • 2025
Labels
MembersTaka
Hiro
Levin
Shuse
Past membersSima-chan
Kita-J
Jun
Koji
Websitewww.lacrymachristi.jp
See More

La'cryma Christi (Latin for "The Tears of Christ") is a Japanese visual kei rock band, formed in Osaka in 1991. After changing their name from Strippe-D Lady, the classic lineup of vocalist Taka, guitarists Hiro and Koji, drummer Levin and bassist Shuse lasted from 1994 until 2005. Following Koji's departure that year, the band continued for two more years before disbanding in January 2007. At their peak in the mid-to-late 1990s, they were considered one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of visual kei" alongside Malice Mizer, Fanatic Crisis and Shazna.[1] Barks described La'cryma Christi as having a hard rock sound, despite having achieved popularity through accessible pop songs.[2] The five members reunited for a festival performance in 2009, a short reunion tour in 2010, and a 15th anniversary tour in 2012 and 2013. Koji died from cancer in 2022, and the four surviving members are scheduled to perform in November 2025.

History

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The band was originally formed in 1991 under the name of Strippe-D Lady by vocalist and leader Taka with his college friend and neighbor, Hiro. The two friends held a small audition in Kansai to find new talent for the band. They recruited bassist Kita-J and drummer Sima-chan, although Sima-chan was later replaced by Levin, who invited his high school friend, Koji, to join the band as the second guitarist. This Osaka based band played hard rock and heavy metal during this time period. In October 1994, Kita-J decided to leave the band and was replaced by Jun and later Shuse, who had played in the same band as Taka in the past.

After this the band changed their name to La'cryma Christi before releasing their first single, "Siam's Eye", on a local indies label in 1994. The band moved to Tokyo in 1996, after releasing their first mini-album, Warm Snow, which sold 15,000 copies.[3] In 1997, they signed with Polydor Records and made their major label debut with the single "Ivory Trees".[3] The album Dwellers of Sand Castle was named one of the top albums from 1989 to 1998 in a 2004 issue of the music magazine Band Yarouze.[4] Their single "Mirai Kōro" was used as the ending theme of the anime Nightwalker: The Midnight Detective and reached No. 3 on the Oricon singles chart.[5]

They founded their own label, Majestic Ring, in 2003. Koji left the band after their Zepp Tokyo gig on March 21, 2005.[6] Continuing as a quartet, they released their eighth album Zeus on May 25 of that same year. The band's final album, Where the Earth is Rotting Away, was released on September 27, 2006. That same month, La'cryma Christi announced that they would officially disband on January 20, 2007. They explained that each member had differing opinions after discussing their future music and activities.[2]

Koji formed ALvino in 2006, with former Pierrot member Jun. Taka and Hiro formed the band Libraian in 2007. In 2009, Hiro became a support guitarist for Creature Creature, the solo project of Morrie from Dead End. He also contributes compositions to the band, including "Dream Caller", the lead track of their 2009 album Inferno. Levin played with several artists including Toshi with T-Earth, while Shuse played with acts such as Acid Black Cherry and 44Magnum, and in 2010 formed †яi¢к.

La'cryma Christi, including Koji, reunited for one night at the V-Rock Festival on October 21, 2009.[7] There they announced their reunion tour, La'cryma Christi Resurrection ~Final Prayer~, which started on January 12, 2010 and ended on February 1.[8]

La'cryma Christi's song "With-You" was covered by Daizystripper on the compilation Crush! -90's V-Rock Best Hit Cover Songs-, which was released on January 26, 2011 and features current visual kei bands covering songs from bands that were important to the '90s visual kei movement.[9] Their song "Mirai Kōro" was covered by Blu-Billion on its sequel, Crush! 2 -90's V-Rock Best Hit Cover Songs-, that released on November 23, 2011.[10]

In 2012, La'cryma Christi performed a 15th anniversary tour from May 8 to July 29.[11] At the final show, another concert was announced for September 30 at Shibuya-AX.[12] Two additional anniversary concerts were held the following year; Shibuya-AX on May 5 and Akasaka Blitz on June 8.[13]

Rhythm guitarist Koji died from esophageal cancer on April 15, 2022.[14] The four surviving members of La'cryma Christi are scheduled to reunite and headline both nights of the Cross Road Fest, which will take place at the Makuhari Event Hall on November 15 and 16, 2025.[15]

Influences

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Shuse listed Mötley Crüe, Ozzy Osbourne, U2, Duran Duran, Foo Fighters, Linkin Park, 44 Magnum, Dead End, The Beatles, Jellyfish and Kiss in his favorite bands list.[16] Hiro cited Dead End as one of his favorite bands,[17] while Koji named Van Halen as his favorite.[17]

Yomi from Nightmare covered La'cryma Christi in his high school days.[18]

Members

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Current members
  • Taka – lead vocals, keyboards (1991–2007, 2009–2010, 2012, 2025)
  • Hiro – lead guitar, backing vocals (1991–2007, 2009–2010, 2012, 2025)
  • Levin – drums (1992–2007, 2009–2010, 2012, 2025)
  • Shuse – bass, backing vocals (1994–2007, 2009–2010, 2012, 2025)
Former members
  • Sima-chan – drums (as Strippe-D Lady)
  • Kita-J – bass (as Strippe-D Lady)
  • Jun – bass (as Strippe-D Lady)
  • Koji – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1992–2005, 2009–2010, 2012)

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • Warm Snow (February 4, 1996, mini-album)
  • Dwellers of Sand Castle (July 22, 1996), Oricon Albums Chart Peak Position: No. 71[19]
  • Sculpture of Time (November 12, 1997) No. 8[19]
  • Lhasa (November 25, 1998) No. 8[19]
  • Magic Theater (March 15, 2000) No. 22[19]
  • &.U (March 6, 2002) No. 36[19]
  • Deep Space Syndicate (November 5, 2003) No. 42[19]
  • Zeus (May 25, 2005) No. 59[19]
  • Where the Earth is Rotting Away (September 27, 2006) No. 79[19]

Singles

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  • "Siam's Eye" (October 7, 1994), Oricon Singles Chart Peak Position: No. 25[20]
  • "Forest" (March 13, 1997) No. 50[20]
  • "Ivory Trees" (May 8, 1997) No. 22[20]
  • "The Scent" (July 30, 1997.07.30) No. 23[20]
  • "Nangoku" (南国, October 29, 1997) No. 25[20]
  • "With-You" (May 8, 1998) No. 10[20]
  • "Mirai Kōro" (未来航路, August 26, 1998) No. 3[20]
  • "In Forest" (November 11, 1998) No. 8[20]
  • "Without You" (May 26, 1999) No. 8[20]
  • "Eien" (永遠, August 25, 1999) No. 9[20]
  • "Lime Rain" (January 19, 2000) No. 15[20]
  • "Life" (November 22, 2000) No. 27[20]
  • "Jump!!" (October 24, 2001) No. 27[20]
  • "Jōnetsu no Kaze" (情熱の風, February 6, 2002) No. 26[20]
  • "Hirameki" (December 4, 2002) No. 26[20]
  • "Mystical Glider" (March 26, 2003)
  • "Groove Weapon" (July 30, 2003) No. 44[20]
  • "Cannonball" (April 21, 2004) No. 50[20]
  • "Hot Rod Circuit" (August 11, 2004) No. 65[20]
  • "Yesterdays" (March 23, 2005) No. 40[20]
  • "Sweet Lil' Devil" (June 6, 2006)
  • "Breaking" (August 23, 2006) No. 108[20]

Demo tapes

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  • "Stay Close Tonight" (October 9, 1993)
  • "Stripped-D Lady" (January 1994)

Compilation albums

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  • Single Collection (June 28, 2000) No. 9[19]
  • Greatest - Hits (September 8, 2004) No. 66[19]
  • Sound & Vision The Singles + Selection from Live "Decade" (June 28, 2006) No. 240[19]
  • La'cryma Christi Singles + Clips (January 1, 2010, CD and DVD)

Live albums

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  • The 10th Anniversary Live "Decade" 1st Day (October 7, 2009)
  • The 10th Anniversary Live "Decade" 2nd Day (October 7, 2009)
  • The 10th Anniversary Live "Decade" 3rd Day (October 7, 2009)
  • La'cryma Christi Tour Mirai Kouro 1998.8.28 Tokyo International Forum Hall A (October 7, 2009)
  • La'cryma Christi Live at Lhasa 1999.3.31 Nippon Budokan (October 7, 2009)
  • La'cryma Christi Tour Angolmois 1999.9.4 Yokohama Marina (October 7, 2009)
  • La'cryma Christi Resurrection -The CD Box- (April 21, 2010, 10-CD box set)
    • 2009.10.24 V-Rock Festival'09 at Makuhari Messe (1CD)
    • 2010.1.18 Final Prayer at Zepp Tokyo (2CD)
    • 2010.1.19 Final Prayer at Zepp Tokyo (2CD)
    • 2010.2.13 The Final at Shibuya C.C.Lemon Hall (2CD)
    • 2010.2.14 The Final at Shibuya C.C.Lemon Hall (3CD)

Home videos

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  • Glass Castle (March 1997)
  • 4U (February 11, 1998)
  • Zero (December 24, 1998)
  • Live at Lhasa (June 30, 1999)
  • True Color (December 22, 1999)
  • 4U・True Color (May 31, 2000)
  • Six Visions (June 30, 2004), Oricon DVDs Chart Peak Position: No. 65[21]
  • The 10th Anniversary Live "Decade" (March 31, 2005)
  • Last Live "White Period" (August 8, 2007)
  • The 10th Anniversary Live "Decade" 1st Day (October 7, 2009)
  • The 10th Anniversary Live "Decade" 2nd Day (October 7, 2009)
  • The 10th Anniversary Live "Decade" 3rd Day (October 7, 2009)
  • La'cryma Christi Tour Mirai Kouro 1998.8.28 Tokyo International Forum Hall A (October 7, 2009)
  • La'cryma Christi Live at Lhasa 1999.3.31 Nippon Budokan (October 7, 2009)
  • La'cryma Christi Tour Angolmois 1999.9.4 Yokohama Marina (October 7, 2009)
  • La'cryma Christi Resurrection -The DVD Box- (April 21, 2010, 5 DVD box set)
    • 2009.10.24 V-Rock Festival'09 at Makuhari Messe (1DVD)
    • 2010.1.19 Final Prayer at Zepp Tokyo (2DVD)
    • 2010.2.14 The Final at Shibuya C.C.Lemon Hall (2DVD)

References

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  1. ^ "SHAZNA、ラクリマ、マリス、F◇C…番組から生まれた「ヴィジュアル系四天王」偏見の矢面に立たされた彼らの真の実力". JB Press (in Japanese). 2024-11-20. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  2. ^ a b "La'cryma Christi、解散発表". Barks (in Japanese). 2006-09-15. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  3. ^ a b "ラクリマ・クリスティー". OK Music (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2019-07-23. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  4. ^ "Top 44 Albums from 1989 - 1998". jame-world.com. 2004-05-09. Retrieved 2015-02-19.
  5. ^ "Anime News Network - Answer Man August 01 2002 Column". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2007-09-09.
  6. ^ "ラクリマからギタリストのKOJI、脱退". Barks (in Japanese). 2005-02-10. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  7. ^ "La'cryma Christi reform for V Rock festival". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2011-05-12.
  8. ^ "La'cryma Christi One Year Reunion". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2011-05-12.
  9. ^ "'90s Visual Kei Cover Album". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  10. ^ "Aoi, Moran, and more to release '90s Visual Kei cover album". tokyohive.com. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
  11. ^ "La'cryma Christi Announce 15th Anniversary Live Performance". musicjapanplus.jp. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  12. ^ "La'cryma Christi Announce Additional Performances at Tour Final!". musicjapanplus.jp. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
  13. ^ "【ライブレポート】ラクリマ・クリスティー、15年の歴史総括、残すところあと1公演". Barks (in Japanese). 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  14. ^ "「ラクリマ・クリスティ」ギタリストのKOJIさん、49歳で逝去 2月公開の動画でライブ復帰や楽曲作りについて語っていたばかり". nlab.itmedia.co.jp (in Japanese). April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  15. ^ "La'cryma Christi再結成！90'sヴィジュアル系バンド集結フェス「CROSS ROAD Fest」開催". Natalie (in Japanese). April 22, 2022. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  16. ^ "shuseofficial". Facebook. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
  17. ^ a b 荒川れいこ (1997-09-01). "Kouichi(Laputa) & HIRO, KOJI (La'cryma Christi) ニューエイジ・ギタリストによる対談が実現！！". 月刊 ロッキンf (in Japanese). 262. 立東社: 18–24.
  18. ^ Nightmare (2008). Revelation［黙示録］photographs and history (in Japanese). Vol. BOOK-2 history. ぴあ. ISBN 978-4-8356-1704-6.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "La'cryma Christiのアルバム売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2011-02-13. Retrieved 2011-05-12.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "La'cryma Christiのシングル売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2011-02-13. Retrieved 2011-05-12.
  21. ^ La'cryma ChristiのDVD売り上げランキング oricon.co.jp Retrieved 2011-05-12
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