DAMNED, thank you very much for this opportunity!

Please introduce yourselves.

[Hitone] I'm vocalist Hitone (一音).

[Kou.] I'm stage-left guitarist Kou.

[Suica] I'm stage-right guitarist Suica (酔花)

[Sakura] I'm bassist Sakura (咲薇).

[Masaya] I'm drummer Masaya

Congratulations on reaching 150K views on the Suikyou to Majiwari Kyouhakuteki Kachikan (酔狂と交わる強迫的価値観) MV. Please tell us a little bit about that single.

[Hitone] Thank you very much! Since it was the first joint composition between Kou-kun and Suica-san, the song is packed with the individual touches of each member.

[Kou.] At first I wanted to make a DAMNED song that had never been done before, so I asked Suica to bring me an image for the song, and then I added my own touches while keeping that dark image. In particular, the song's sudden changes in tempo emphasize the “struggle between light and darkness” that DAMNED portrays.

[Suica] I think it's a song that develops nicely with a “dark and eerie” atmosphere.

[Sakura] I knew it would be popular as soon as we finished the full demo. I think it's a song filled with the maximum “DAMNED-ness” that we can express right now.

[Masaya] The song mixes heavy and lyrical parts, so I think it turned out to be the best choice for a single.

DAMNED will embark on a five-major-city oneman tour, GARGANTUA, in July.

How will this live series differ from your previous oneman tour, PENTAGRAM?

[Hitone] Of course we'll be showing more powerful songs and performances than last time, but more than that, I want it to be a live that feels unmistakably like DAMNED, in a good way without that sense of being outsiders.

[Kou.] DAMNED has become overwhelmingly stronger than before, and we're going to hit all five major cities. Well, you'll understand once you see us.

[Suica] A lot of people discovered DAMNED through PENTAGRAM, so I want this tour to be an even more intense experience than that challenge.

[Sakura] Last time really felt like we were diving into the unknown, but now we've got a solid image of what we want to do. This time, I want to build on that experience and deliver something with even higher quality. The grand final at Shibuya WWW will be our biggest capacity show ever! Please come out and see us!

[Masaya] Everything about it has scaled up, so I want to prove our growth at every venue.

Will you change the setlist or production depending on the city?

[Hitone] We plan to change it every time.

[Kou.] Of course.

[Suica] We plan to adjust the setlist for each location, not just for those seeing us for the first time, but also for core fans and for ourselves.

[Sakura] Definitely! I want the shows to be fun for everyone, from newcomers to core fans.

[Masaya] I never want to do the same live twice, so that will always be different.

Please tell us about HORIZON, the sponsored event series that will be held at the same time.

[Hitone] Unlike a oneman, these shows will be a challenge to see how we compete against local bands in their hometowns.

[Kou.] It's great to be able to perform with bands who are active in those local areas. I hope their fans will see DAMNED, get to know us, and feel something from the experience. But more than anything, I want the local audience to leave with a smile, thinking, “I'm glad I came to HORIZON.”

[Suica] I hope that we can expand our network by playing with local bands.

[Sakura] By inviting bands who are active in those regions, we're hoping to create a chance for local audiences to discover DAMNED. Also, we get to ask for local food recommendations, go out together, and make new friends (lol)!

[Masaya] It's a type of event that could only happen outside of Tokyo, so please look forward to it.

Congratulations on your upcoming grand final at Shibuya WWW. What are you most excited about?

[Hitone] It's the biggest venue we've headlined for a oneman, so I'm nervous!

[Kou.] We're going to give it everything we've got. We'll show the scenery that we've created to everyone who's supported DAMNED. We'll make it a show that you'll be glad you came to, and more than anything, one that we'll be glad we performed.

[Suica] There are lots of things we're excited about personally, but more than anything, since it's the largest venue we've played, we want to show everyone who supports DAMNED something truly special.

[Sakura] It's the biggest venue in our history, so we're fired up 🔥 We're also planning to bring in special lighting and sound equipment, and putting a ton of care into the production. I think you'll enjoy a more extravagant atmosphere than usual!

[Masaya] I'm really looking forward to being on stage in a big venue because the the sound, the air, and everything else is fresh there. And more than anything, I'm most excited to see the happy faces of everyone who comes to Shibuya WWW.

This September, DAMNED will celebrate their 3rd anniversary.

How do you feel your music has changed over the past three years?

[Hitone] I think we've become better at working as composers to refine songs into something we truly think is cool.

[Kou.] In the early days, we mostly made songs with strong metalcore elements, especially ones where the focus was on shouting. But when Hitone joined us, we shifted to songwriting that emphasized melody lines to make the most of his great singing ability.

One thing we've always been conscious of is keeping the clarity of composition of each part of our songs. Visual kei songs tend to have clearly defined grooves for each section, and we try not to lose that.

[Suica] I think we've started writing songs that still reflect our style while also being more in tune with the audience.

[Sakura] Compared to the past, I feel like we're more actively pushing toward what's in demand.

[Masaya] Personally, I don't feel like we've changed much. It feels more like the world is finally catching up to us.

How do you feel you've grown as an individual through your time in the band?

[Hitone] My MCs and crowd hyping.

[Kou.] My live performance and mindset.

[Suica] Unknown

[Sakura] I'd say my ability to lead others.

[Masaya] My ability to read people. And being aware that people are watching me.

What is your proudest accomplishment as a member?

[Hitone] Making new friends.

[Kou.] Successfully completing the PENTAGRAM tour, selling out our first overseas show, and deepening the bond we have as a band with the current members.

[Suica] Performing for big crowds at large live houses.

[Sakura] The fact that we're now getting invited to play overseas, and that we've earned enough recognition to take on venues that used to be completely out of reach. I think that's a huge achievement.

[Masaya] Overall, just the fact that people have started to praise us.

In November, DAMNED will embark on their first Europe tour, JUKAI.

What are you most looking forward to on the Europe tour?

[Hitone] The food culture and nature in each country.

[Kou.] Beer 🍺 Also, since I got into music through overseas bands, I'm really looking forward to seeing how live shows feel over there. Go as wild as you'd like.

[Suica] The local vibes.

[Sakura] I'm curious about how the energy and audience reactions differ from Japan.

[Masaya] The food. And the kind of energy and atmosphere you don't get from Japanese crowds.

Looking back on your first overseas live in Korea earlier this year, what stood out most?

[Hitone] Oleunjjog, Oenjjog [Ed. Note: He is referring to the Korean words for left and right.]

[Kou.] There were way more people than I expected who love Japanese culture, which made me like Korea even more. I definitely want to go back. I already eat Korean food often, but of course it tasted way better there than in Japan.

[Suica] There were so many people who could speak Japanese, and I thought they were amazing.

[Sakura] I was honestly so happy that our first overseas show sold out.

[Masaya] When I got on the subway in Korea, they were playing a feature about Takeshima (竹島). [Ed. Note: Probably referring to the Takeshima islets.] Also, taxis are cheap. The hills are super steep. And because of the voltage difference, our gear shorted and I almost got electrocuted.

Several overseas metal reaction channels have featured DAMNED. How do you feel about being heard beyond the visual kei scene?

[Hitone] While DAMNED is fundamentally a visual kei band, I'm happy that people are picking up on the metal influences at our core.

[Kou.] Since DAMNED consciously fuses visual kei and metal, it's amazing to see that our music is really reaching metal fans overseas. Thank you.

[Suica] Metal is incredible, honestly.

[Sakura] We've been aiming for that kind of reach, so I'm just genuinely happy about it.

[Masaya] I'm just genuinely happy about it.

What is the best way for overseas fans to support you?

[Hitone] To never forget about DAMNED and keep loving us.

[Kou.] Please watch, listen, touch DAMNED's music.

[Suica] The biggest support is simply continuing to love us.

[Sakura] Buy from our online store, listen to our music! And if we ever come to your country, the best thing would be to come to our live 😌

[Masaya] Come to Japan!

The “metalcore × loud × visual kei” band.

How do you think “visual kei metalcore” differs from general metalcore?

[Hitone] That's a tough question (lol). Musically, they're pretty close. If I had to say, I think general metalcore bands show more of their hardcore roots. Visual kei metalcore bands tend to focus more on atmosphere.

[Kou.] It's hard to explain the difference clearly (lol). If I had to, maybe it's the clarity of each song section, how we present ourselves—and since it's visual kei, definitely the impact of our appearance too (lol).

[Suica] I think the big difference is our power to stimulate with visuals, both with our appearance and live performance.

[Sakura] I think we have completely different philosophies when it comes to how we present ourselves, how we stage things, and what we place importance on as a band.

[Masaya] I don't think of visual kei as a music genre but as a culture, so musically I don't think there's a big difference. They're both cool.

In recent years, more visual kei loud bands have emerged. What sets you apart?

[Hitone] I hope my vocals are what set us apart.

[Kou.] Our super strong point is that our musicality can adapt to a wide range of genres. A lot of bands tend to lean too hard into either shouting or clean vocals, but Hitone handles both at a high level thanks to his overwhelming potential. You might think, “is this metal?” but then catchy melody lines come in. Our motto is metal that's easy to listen to.

[Suica] DAMNED has two big weapons: songs that are catchy regardless of genre; and the overwhelming visuals and balance of the members, including myself.

[Sakura] Each member of DAMNED has been through a lot in the past, so our experience levels are different. Also, we genuinely love visual kei, so I think our understanding of it is on another level.

[Masaya] We all have different musical tastes and styles, and I think that becomes our strength.

What first got you into visual kei?

[Hitone] Anime theme songs.

[Kou.] YouTube.

[Suica] After watching a commercial for accessories.

[Sakura] A late-night commercial I saw when I was in elementary school.

[Masaya] The opening theme for the anime Black Jack.

Are there any visual kei artists who still influence you today?

[Hitone] ROUAGE, SOFT BALLET, DIR EN GREY

[Kou.] lynch., NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST, the GazettE, DIR EN GREY, DEATHGAZE

Among them, I've been especially influenced by Cazqui (ex-NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST): his guitar playing, live performance, everything.

[Suica] There are too many to name, but the GazettE, MEJIBRAY, and Cazqui.

[Sakura] It's the GazettE, Lycaon, AvelCain, Amai Bouryoku (甘い暴力).

[Masaya] DIR EN GREY, the GazettE, Janne Da Arc, etc

Looking to the future.

In the announcement video for GARGANTUA, you declared you would “swallow the entire band scene.” What role do you see DAMNED playing in the scene?

[Hitone] I want to express a deeper side of visual kei.

[Kou.] DAMNED is DAMNED.

[Suica] DAMNED is DAMNED and I don't really think of us having a particular role.

[Sakura] People have been saying visual kei is fading for years now. I want us to play a role in turning that around. I want us to be heroes or a symbol of hope for the scene. That might sound a bit presumptuous, though...

[Masaya] A turning point for the visual kei scene. Destruction, in a sense. It's the Age of Aquarius, after all.

What's something you still want to accomplish?

[Hitone] I want to sell out a oneman show someday.

[Kou.] Sell out every venue [of a tour].

[Suica] Sell out Spotify O-WEST.

[Sakura] Sell out a oneman live.

[Masaya] Sell out every venue.

Lastly, please leave a message for our readers.

[Hitone] Thank you always for your support. I'll keep doing my best so I can keep enjoying singing.

[Kou.] Your support is what drives everything we create. Thank you, always.

[Suica] Thanks for reading this far. Your love is our fuel. Let's keep pushing forward together toward something thrilling.

[Sakura] It's thanks to all of you that we're able to keep going. Truly, thank you.

[Masaya] We're a band with high expectations, so please look forward to what's next.

Thank you for this interview. We wish you the best of luck!

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DAMNED links

• X (Twitter)
• YouTube
• TuneCore
• official website
• official shop
• Europe tour tickets

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Thank you to inartistic for translation and coordination.

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