BABYLON was formed in November 2003 when two ex-RUSH members, vocalist Takuma and guitarist Yoki, along with two support members of RUSH: KAZUKI and Misa. All four members had been part of the visual scene for a long while; Misa had been a member of Da'vid Shito aL and Aioria while KAZUKI in addition to being a member of Due'le Quartz was also a former member of Deshabillz and Je*REVIENS. BABYLON was off to a good musical start! Bassist Haku completed this first line up for BABYLON.
Unusually, they released their first single, 1 (Ichi) in February 2004 without performing any lives first to gain some attention. This was followed by a mini album 2 (Ni) in March. Both CDs came with DVD 'presents' and it is a testimony to the earlier popularity of the band members that BABYLON's first CDs performed exceptionally well sales-wise. 1 reached number 16 on the Oricon Indies Chart, something of an achievement for a brand new band.
Riding on this sucesss, BABYLON held their first live two days after the release of 2, a tour of certain cities including Osaka, Nagoya, Yokohama and a number of dates at Tokyo's Takadanobaba Area.
In May 2004, they interrupted their touring schedule to produce another mini album 3 (San), which interestingly featured composing efforts from all members and thus represented a variety of different musical styles. By the end of May, BABYLON had resumed their solo touring, playing numerous dates at Takadanobaba Area throughout the summer and further in July, partaking in 'Stylish Wave Natsu no Jin (Summer 'Camp')'.
BABYLON continued their 'numerical' releases and touring until the end of the year when sadly, Yoki decided to leave the band. By January 1, 2005, however, he was replaced with Toki, soon followed by Mikage of ex-Schwardix Marvally. By spring, the band endured another lineup change when KAZUKI quit.
The band soldiered on, though, and despite their suffering, performed more one-man lives than ever before while still making time to hit the recording studio, releasing several singles through the summer into the fall. 2005 ended not only with the release of their first album, Clan Gene but yet another lineup change, as both Toki and Mikage announced their withdrawal from the band.
2006 turned into a rocky year for BABYLON, as they played until May with support members, releasing a new maxi single and mini album shortly before their new permanant members, Ryouichi and Maya joined the lineup. By August, the band hit the road after releasing their album in a second pressing, touring across Japan. Although their touring became less prolific, it seemed that BABYLON was starting to concentrate on bigger individual projects than many little ones, however they finished 2006 with a live at their favourite venue, Takadanobaba Area with a New Years Eve concert.
At the start of 2007, it was clear that lineup change would not get BABYLON down, as they continued to spread their touring wings and appeared at Nagoya's Electric Lady Land while releasing their 12th maxi single, Gramarous 9 Call. The band continued to tour straight through the year, releasing their second full album in the early Spring.
By 2008, with a large fanbase and a substancial discography, BABYLON seemed to be going straight to the top. By Feburary, despite the sudden decision from Maya to leave the band, things seemed to be going well. Within one month, Sae joined the band and they toured consistently, seeing the release of a new album by June.
Although the band seemed to be doing well, it was announced in the early spring of 2009 that BABYLON would disband. Fans gathered at Takadanobaba AREA where they celebrated BABYLON's success one last time. As of June 26, 2009, the band disbanded.
At this time, none of the BABYLON members have moved on to new bands, but their loyal fans remain hopeful that they will return to the music scene, too.
