Nocturnal Bloodlust (Japanese: ノクターナル・ブラッドラスト, Hepburn: Nokutānaru Buraddorasuto), sometimes abbreviated as NOKUBURA (ノクブラ), is a Japanese metalcore/deathcore band formed in Tokyo in 2009. They started to incorporate visual kei aesthetics into their appearance in 2012.[1]

Nocturnal Bloodlust
OriginTokyo, Japan
Genres
Years active2009-present
LabelsRAIZ ENTERTAINMENT (2012)
IRIS & CRISIS (2013-2019)
Maverick (2019-present)
Members
  • Hiro
  • Masa
  • Natsu
  • Yu-taro
  • Valtz
Past members
  • Lin
  • Cazqui
  • Daichi
  • Junpei
  • Gaku
Websitewww.nocturnalbloodlust.com

History

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Nocturnal Bloodlust was formed in 2009 and played their first show in Shinjuku. They gained popularity soon after and performed in music festivals such as the Bloodaxe Festival in Japan. In 2012, the band decided to incorporate more visual kei styles into their music and performances, and released a two-part single, Voices of the Apocalypse -sins- and Voices of the Apocalypse -virtues-.[2]

In 2013, the band released their first album, GRIMOIRE, after years of only releasing EPs and singles.[3] This was followed up by three more consecutive single releases in March, April, and May 2014[4] before releasing their second album, THE OMNIGOD, later that year in December.[5]

Nocturnal Bloodlust only performed in Japan until 2016, when they held their first show abroad for the first time in Shanghai, China.[6] Later that year they also made their debut in Europe, holding shows in the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Germany, and Hungary.[7] In 2017, Nocturnal Bloodlust released a best-of album containing a selection of songs from their history, as well as new ones, before doing a short Asia tour to Hong Kong and Taiwan.[8]

In October 2018, the guitarists Cazqui and Daichi announced their departure from the band, with their last live show scheduled for December 2018.[9] The announcement came following their expressed disappointment in staff mishandling their band revenue.

In 2020, the band released three standalone singles: "Life is Once", "ONLY HUMAN" and "Reviver".[10] Following these singles, the band announced the mini-album The Wasteland, which was released on December 16, in tandem with the reveal of their new guitarists Valtz (a.k.a. Meku ex-GALEYD) and Yu-taro (A Ghost of Flare).[11]

Style

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Nocturnal Bloodlust is known for incorporating a variety of styles and different musical elements into their songs. For the three month campaign in 2014, they released three songs that showcase different styles. The first, Strike in Fact, incorporates elements of nu metal. The second release, Desperate, is an extremely dark and fast song which showcases the heavier side of the band. The third song, Libra, is a lighter song that employs elements from ballads.[12] Other songs, such as Triangle Carnage, Providence, and their newest release, (2023) Kingdom include funk and jazz elements as well.

As with many visual kei bands, the members frequently change their clothing and aesthetical style to fit the artistic style of their latest releases.[13][14]

Members

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  • Hiro - vocals (2009-present)
  • Masa - bass (2009-present)
  • Natsu - drums (2011-present)
  • Valtz - guitars (2020-present)
  • Yu-taro - guitars (2020-present)

Former members

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  • Junpei - guitars (2009-2011)
  • Gaku Taura - drums (2009-2011)
  • Cazqui - guitars (2009-2018)
  • Daichi - guitars (2013-2018)
  • Lin - guitars (2019)

Discography

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Albums

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  • Grimoire (2013)
  • The Omnigod (2014)
  • The Best '09–'17 (2017)
  • Argos (2022)
  • Ivy (2012)
  • Omega (2013)
  • ZēTēS (2016)
  • Whiteout (2018)
  • Unleash (2019)
  • The Wasteland (2020)

Singles

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  • "Voices of the Apocalypse -Virtues-" (2011)
  • "Voices of the Apocalypse -Sins-" (2011)
  • "Bury Me" (2012)
  • "Last Relapse" (2012)
  • "Obligation" (2012)
  • "Disaster / Unbreakable" (2013)
  • "Triangle Carnage" (2013)
  • "Strike in Fact" (2014)
  • "Desperate" (2014)
  • "Libra" (2014)
  • "Providence" (2015)
  • "銃創" (2015)
  • "Suicide" (2017)
  • "Live to Die" (2017)
  • "Whiteout" (2018)
  • "Life Is Once" (2020)
  • "Only Human" (2020)
  • "Reviver" (2020)
  • "The One" (2021)
  • "Despise" (2023)
  • "Kingdom" (2023)

References

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  1. ^ "ヴィジュアル系におけるメタルサウンドの移り変わり X JAPANからLUNA SEA、DIR EN GREY、DEZERTまでを総括" (in Japanese). Real Sound. 2019-11-30. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  2. ^ "Japanese band: Nocturnal Bloodlust". May 18, 2014. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  3. ^ "Nocturnal Bloodlust Announces First Full Album". March 23, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  4. ^ "[UPDATE] NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST: 3 Months Consecutive Single Release & DVD Release". February 28, 2014. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  5. ^ "NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST Reveals Details on "THE OMNIGOD"". October 9, 2014. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  6. ^ "NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST to Perform Abroad for the First Time". April 3, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  7. ^ "Nocturnal Bloodlust to Make European Live Debut". May 22, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  8. ^ "NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST give you their everything for "THE BEST '09-'17" new song teasers". February 28, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  9. ^ "NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST's Cazqui and Daichi to Leave Band Following Staff Money Scandal". October 21, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  10. ^ "NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST initiates comeback with digital single "Life is Once"!". May 29, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  11. ^ "NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST reveals new guitarists, mini-album "The Wasteland"". October 20, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  12. ^ "ViSULOG: Interview with NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST". June 25, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  13. ^ "NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST's new look!". January 29, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  14. ^ "Nocturnal Bloodlust – Juusou Teaser & New Look". June 11, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
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