Interview with UROBOROS

For those who don’t know, what kind of band would you say UROBOROS is?

Kurose Keisuke: UROBOROS is a Japanese project formed in September 2015. Our members are Kurose Keisuke, Kamiki Aya, Sasabuchi Hiroshi, Ohmura Takayoshi, and Nakamura Taizo. We develop songs with a dark aesthetic containing metal elements such as modern heaviness, loud rock, and djent.

Kamiki Aya: I think UROBOROS is a professional group, in which musicians gather as performers of a variety of genres to cause a new “chemical reaction” and enjoy music.

Can you give us some background on how UROBOROS was formed?

Kurose Keisuke: UROBOROS began when my previous group Asriel disbanded and I reassessed what music I wanted to create. The current members were assembled with the goal of being able to create technical music with a dark fantasy atmosphere, and to be able to work on an international scale. The word “uroboros” refers to an alchemical symbol depicting a snake biting its own tail. We are a group that works in varied genres through mixing the talents and knowledge of artists and staff to create something new, and so we went with a name reflecting that concept.

Kamiki Aya: I heard that Kurose mostly gathered musicians who matched the image he pictures. At the time, I was active as a solo artist, but I was interested in this sort of genre and working with a band, so I accepted immediately.

UROBOROS is a bit different from each member’s previous activities. How did you decide on this new direction?

Kurose Keisuke: As I said before, the emphasis was on gathering individuals with the ability to communicate ideas musically, so the aim is to work with a variety of different artists without regard to genre boundaries.

Kamiki Aya: Kurose composes, I write the lyrics, and we decide the visual imagery together. I used to sing J-pop as a solo artist, but all the members are making a shift to Kurose's symphonic and gothic style.

How would you describe ZODIAC in a few words?

Kurose Keisuke: ZODIAC was created with the intent of creating something with more “offensive capability” than our previous work, ANOTHER ARK. Rather than making songs for quiet listening, we created these songs to dial up the aggressive energy at our concerts. We made the songs not to listen to them silently but to rumble with them in our lives. The theme of ZODIAC is “a rebellious, treacherous heart”. We created this album with the theme of “surpassing the sun, which through its power dominates even the point of eclipse”.

Kamiki Aya: I think we’ve powered up since our previous work. The sound has become heavier. The songs are all difficult, at least.

Do you have a favorite song from ZODIAC?

Kurose Keisuke: I like Lunar Eclipse. I like songs that impart an image, and I’d say this song is filmic with its grand, dramatic, and beautiful melody.

Kamiki Aya: Mine is Infection. I really enjoy the sound, lyrics, and overall dramatic flair.

Unlike BLACK SWALLOWTAIL, ZODIAC does not tie in with an anime. Did this affect the composition and promotion of the release?

Kurose Keisuke: I was able write it from about the same stance as I would the lead song of an album. When tying in with anime or other works, the color and theme are more concrete. With ZODIAC, we didn't have this, so we made up for it by taking special care with the music video and CD jacket.

Kamiki Aya: Not particularly. Tie-ins have more power when they fit with the song but I don’t think there’s anything suited to a tie-in this time, so we didn't pay it much mind.

How do you decide on visual concepts, particularly ZODIAC’s?

Kurose Keisuke: In order to express our “dark fantasy” theme, this time we decided on a visual concept based on an “impossible existence”. Hence in the music video, we intended to appear inhuman, and in the album jacket we used a collage to create the image of a demon that doesn't exist in this world.

Kamiki Aya: Following the theme of “one that is not human”, I invoked a sort of dark hero. The concept was decided by discussing the image jointly with Kurose.

Congratulations on your first one-man live! How did you feel performing a one-man as
UROBOROS for the first time?

Kurose Keisuke: Thank you so much. We had many fears about things like the fans’ reactions and how we could perfect our performance as a band, but the audience, members, and staff leant us wisdom and power, so I felt we were able to perform and enjoy the live to the fullest. Afterwards, we were able to see plenty of issues, and we’ll work to surpass them one by one, so henceforth I think we’ll be able to give even better performances.

Kamiki Aya: It was an incredible night. Nothing’s more exciting than doing something for the first time. One thing that left an impression was how absolutely moving it was to be able to play music with such wonderful band members. Also, having another guitarist in the form of Leda gave our performance even more impact. It confirmed for myself that this band should have even more lives.

Would you one day like to go on a world tour as UROBOROS? If so, which countries would you like to visit?

Kurose Keisuke: I certainly want to. Northern Europe, Germany, USA, Canada, France, Brazil, other countries in Asia – the list of countries I want to tour is endless.

Kamiki Aya: I really want to hold a world tour. That’s why I'm studying English. If this were to come true, I’d like to try and have a live in every country.

Takayoshi, you've been very busy with BABYMETAL's world tour and such as a member of the Kami Band. Is it difficult to make time for other projects?

Ohmura Takayoshi: No, it's not all that difficult. I can make time for everyone, just like today.

Aya, among Japanese musicians, your English is extremely good. What made you decide to use so much English in your lyrics? What do you feel is the difference between using Japanese and English lyrics?

Kamiki Aya: Thank you so much. I've had Jennifer; an actress and singer from Hawaii, working as my English adviser. I wanted to improve my pronunciation, so I asked Jennifer, in whom I have a lot of confidence. I intend to write many English lyrics, as I have a vision of advancing overseas. I think there are quite a few differences between English and Japanese lyrics. One Japanese word can have various meanings, so I “play” with the words a bit. With English, it’s more about rhyming, I think. Japanese can be pronounced without opening your mouth widely, but I've come to realize that English requires full use of the mouth, tongue, and chin. I bit my tongue all the time during recording (laughs). If we do a live overseas one day, I’d like to do so with near-perfect English, so I'm doing my best to practice every day.

Keisuke, what is your approach to composing for UROBOROS compared to other projects?

Kurose Keisuke: I intend to make catchy, manic songs. Additionally, the key is lower than my previous projects. That’s because I want to express a heavier, darker feeling, and Kamiki’s singing is suited to a lower key anyway. My mission as the main composer is to make songs that feel like only I could make them; songs that make people think “only UROBOROS makes songs like this”.

What is your favorite way to relax in your free time?

Kurose Keisuke: Games. I have so many kinds of hardware at my house. Games are an important source of input when I compose, too.

Kamiki Aya: Bathing. I feel so relaxed in the hot water.

Lastly, do you have a message for our readers?

Kurose Keisuke: Nice to meet you, I'm Kurose Keisuke. Thank you for supporting UROBOROS. We are encouraged that more people are getting interested in UROBOROS as we release albums. I'm looking forward to performing in front of you all someday. We’re working without compromise to bring you music the best sound possible. If words like “dark fantasy”, “female vocals”, or “technical metal band” excite you, please listen to our songs.

Kamiki Aya: Nice to meet you, JaME readers. I'm thankful that I can connect with you through music, and hope your lives are made happier through it as well. I'm looking forward to seeing you! Thank you very much.



JaME would like to thank UROBOROS and PONY CANYON for this interview opportunity.