DEATHGAZE (typeset as simply deathgaze from 2004 to 2006) is a Japanese alternative metal/metalcore band formed in July of 2003 in Nagoya. The band's original lineup was 柑那 (Kanna), 藍 (Ai, ex-KeiL), 直樹 (Naoki) and 葉月 (Hazuki), the latter both formerly members of ベリィ and KUSSE.

Current line-up:

藍 (Ai) - Vocals (2007-present), guitar (2010-present), bass (2003-2008)

貴樹 (Takaki) - Guitar, backing vocals (2009-present)

孝介 (Kosuke) - Bass, backing vocals (2008-present)

直樹 (Naoki) - Drums (2003-present)

DEATHGAZE plays a style of alternative metal with some elements of hard rock (mostly in more recent releases) and some ballads can also be found on albums. They can also be grouped in nagoya kei which is a subgenre of visual kei focusing on a darker sound and appearance, usually with more prominent bass as well.

The band started their career with a few small performances and in February of 2004 released their first maxi-single, 「294036224052」. After a brief tour from March-April 2004, Hazuki left to become the vocalist of lynch. and Kanna left to play guitar for Puppet Mammy. The remaining two DEATHGAZE members contacted KeiL‘s 直人 (Naoto) and 宗 (Sou), ex-Be≒Luna and DEATHGAZE was complete again.

In the fall of 2006, vocalist Sou decided to leave the band to get married, leaving DEATHGAZE without a front man once again. The band finished what concerts they had planned, without a vocalist, and announced a hiatus in March of 2007, after going on a coupling tour with ギルガメッシュ (girugämesh) called "Girugaze&Deathgamesh".

In November 2007, the band returned, with bassist Ai having become the vocalist. They announced 孝介 (Kousuke) as bassist in the beginning of 2008.

The band announced that guitarist Naoto would leave the band for personal reasons after their one-man show at April 26, 2009. On their website it said that the band will continue activities with a support guitarist, 貴樹 (Takaki), who officially became a member at their tour final on December 20, 2009. In 2009 they also held a coupling tour with cocklobin named "Deathlobin".

DEATHGAZE have since released their third full-length album, BLISS OUT, on December 8, 2010. The limited deluxe edition of that album contains a bonus disc with re-recordings of some older songs from around the time of genocide and mass murder.

Ex-members:

葉月 (Hazuki) - Vocals (2003-2004) (now in lynch.)

宗 (Sou) - Vocals (2004-2006)

柑那 (Kanna) - Guitar (2003-2004)

直人 (Naoto) - Guitar, backing vocals (2004-2009)

DEATHGAZE official homepage: www.deathgaze.jp

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