Interview with Empress Yui of Yousei Teikoku

Following the release of their newest album, SHADOW CORPS[e], Yousei Teikoku's vocalist Yui answered several questions for JaME about music, inspiration, and what it means to be the Dictator for Life.

First of all, please explain the concept of your new album, SHADOW CORPS[e].

Empress Yui: The dark imagery of corpses and zombies, along with the charisma of an army. These are the two concepts for this album.

On the new album, is there a song that best represents Yousei Teikoku's current musical form?

Empress Yui: Truly, it would be Shadow Corps.

SHADOW CORPS[e] contains two wholly instrumental tracks. As a vocalist, what do you feel are the strengths to including such tracks on an album?

Empress Yui: Different from vocal compositions, instrumental tracks enable us to concentrate on the performance of the band. Because such tracks lack vocals, they afford a high level of compositional freedom.

On PAX VESANIA, you included a cover of Kinniku Shoujo-tai's song Kikai, and on SHADOW CORPS[e] , there is a cover of Tainai Tokei Toshi Orrery from "Revolutionary Girl Utena". How do you go about deciding which songs to cover?

Empress Yui: We always make sure to choose songs that exemplify Yousei Teikoku's musical roots.

Since this album is an original album with few tie-ins, did the production process differ in any way?

Empress Yui: With no limitations as to theme or song length, we were able to more freely experiment with certain things we wanted to try ourselves. Thanks to this freedom, our own personal direction and musicianship are much more striking here when compared to our best-of albums.

Your song Yami-iro corsage is, however, featured in the game "Valiant Knights." This being your first collaboration with a mobile game, what advantage do you feel this sort of tie-in has that others do not?

Empress Yui: Most prominent would be the opportunity to become known to a great many people, but I also feel as though a song like ours getting a chance to blossom through such a wonderful tie-in adds another dimension.

As a singer, is there anything specific you would like to try musically?

Empress Yui: I would like to try releasing an album of "unplugged" arrangements of our songs.

As the singer of a goth band, where do you get the inspiration for the words to your songs?

Empress Yui: Movies, music, and novels. Books are my largest source of inspiration.

In your opinion, what sort of being is the "Dictator for Life"?

Empress Yui: The cornerstone of the Fairy Empire's revival, and a symbol for its subjects. Moreover, it is an eternal duty.

Please leave a message for your fans abroad.

Empress Yui: I expect our number of lives abroad will increase, and await the day when I may meet our subjects overseas.

JaME would like to thank Lantis, RESONANCE Media, Include Inc, and Yousei Teikoku for this interview opportunity.