The name was coined by original co-founder Rami (with guitarist Yoshi) as a contraction based on the phrase “Ultimate Melodious” and it works, I think. They started in Osaka in 2008. So quite a few folks see them as being the inspiration for the many female metal-influenced bands since then. They are a biggie, and they’re still together, but there were others before (Show-Ya comes to mind).
Original vocalist Rami (with whom they came across with a fairly traditional metal feel) left in 2011 to get married. She has been doing some performances on her own since then, very metal sounding. Vocalist Re:NO has been with them since 2012 and is a talented songwriter. Her usually soft voice has been described as “ethereal” and her mostly white and pastel colored frilly chiffon princess dresses are more fantasy atmosphere than traditional metal. (She can totally still do the hair-whip headbanging stuff though.) I was just getting used to that, but recently they have been going more for a blackout look. Couldn’t help but notice that one of guitarist Yoshi’s outfits appeared to be black leatherette with spike studs covering the bra portion... I’m guessing they decided to try to go “badass look” there.
Yoshi and bassist Sawa are the two remaining original members. Yoshi seems the most serious, at least on stage. Sawa left to play in Galmet, and for awhile was actually playing in both bands when she first returned. She (and guitarist Toki) smiles so giddily she has been called the happiest bassist in rock.
With Re:NO the sound has more allowance for her voice and more experimentation. Not a bad thing. They still can and do lay down a kickin’ metal sound on a regular basis.
I should also mention Marina, their most recent addition and a very capable drummer. Since her arrival she has more than proven her chops as a masterful percussionist, despite not having any other groups in her resume that I could find. If anyone knows of her membership with other groups, links are appreciated.
http://www.invisibleoranges.com/aldious-highly-stylized-j-pop-esthetics/
Some info pages on them:
https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Aldious/3540296084
After writing the above, I found that Metal-Archives lists vocalist Re:NO as “former” member (which is maybe ahead of time); because of that I looked and sure enough, she’s leaving after their last performance of the year (December 17) due to an ear problem (eustachian valve issue). Well, crap. She has brought some memorable songs and unique style to a largely metal-influenced group and helped them stand out, I think. I will be curious where they go from here. They seem to me to be survivors.
https://twitter.com/ReNO_Aldious
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXlAxEzFTKF/
Maybe we can keep up with her here. I see a post acknowledging that she will be leaving the group after their last show this month:
https://ameblo.jp/renomusic/
Go Away - ironically, this was one of their more recent tunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1rxMeISxbE
Posted this yesterday on a social media site; notice she wore her chiffon dress again for this last performance:
Photo date December 17 - Bittersweet day.
Re:NO’s last bow.
Aldious had their last performance with lead singer/songwriter “Re:NO” the 17th. She had to leave the band because of an ear condition worsening with her performing. She brought a neo-fantasy character to the metal band with her song directions and her Barbie-in-a-pastel-chiffon dress look. I was just getting used to that and appreciating her music and now it’s over.
Aldious survived the departure of Rami six years ago and hired another singer/songwriter/frontwoman (Re:NO); I expect they will find a replacement and transform, again. But a lot of fans will miss Re:NO and hope she finds a solution for her problem.
[photo on Barks.jp website]
https://img.barks.jp/image/review/1000162974/001.jpg
J
Update on Aldious 2019-04-09:
Aldious is doing the “Evoke” tour. From Wikipedia:
“On February 18, 2019, Aldious announced the Evoke Tour consisting of 45 dates in Japan and using guest vocalists R!N, and Saki from Cyntia.”
Hmmm... Tryouts maybe?
R!N I believe is the same as “Rin” of one of the several versions of Destrose. If so, here’s a sample of her work with them, which I like quite well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o7fktsBwQg
A live version. A tad thick on the vibrato for me, still very listenable:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KomzWVfAmGQ
So R!N could be a good one if she doesn’t overdo the vibrato, IMHO.
Saki, formerly of Cyntia, has the subtlety to follow Re:NO. I like her work a lot. The only caveat I see is that she doesn’t lean too far in the pop direction. Cyntia went that way for awhile and lost a sizable chunk of their hard rock/metal-appreciating audience.
Aldious has a rich musical legacy and a lot of talent. Build on that and Aldious will have a long life and prosper in its third incarnation.
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