Matenrou Opera ~ History & Profile

Matenrou Opera (摩天楼オペラ lit. "Skyscraper Opera") is a Japanese visual kei rock band. The band was founded by vocalist Sono and drummer Yu in late 2006, but could become active only in early 2007 after the disbandment of Jeniva. The official announcement came on February 23rd 2007 via Yu's blog.  Their debuted live at an event at Urawa NARCISS on May 4th 2007, and released on the very same day, the first maxi-single was on the Office A to Z label. "Alkaloid Showcase”,  the single sold out before the concert began. In late 2007, keyboardist Karen and guitarist Mika left the band and were replaced by Ayame (ex-Ry:dia) and Anzi respectively. In March 5th 2008, after joining the label Sherow Artist Society, the single "Ruri Iro de Egaku Niji" hit number 11 on the Oricon Indies Chart; the EP Gilia hit number 7 and was also released in Europe Matenrou Opera toured through Europe with Versailles from the end of March to the beginning of April 2008. In early 2009 the first full-length album ANOMIE was recorded and promoted with the creation of a secret alter-ego band with the same name. A promotional sampler of this Anomie band was given as a present at certain shops to the people who purchased the “acedia” single, and few live appearances followed in late Spring. The ANOMIE album was released in late June and managed to rank #2 on the ORICON indies album chart. The first oneman live took place at Akasaka BLITZ on July 23th 2009. The free single “Eternal Symphony” was given as a present to all the fans who had bought ANOMIE and brought the exchange ticket to the concert. Anomie officially revealed they were an alter ego of Matenrou Opera and ceased their "activities" after the gig. A live DVD of this concert was released in November 2009. In late 2009, Matenrou Opera shared a national tour of Japan with Deluhi. Matenrou Opera covered X Japan's song "Kurenai" for the compilation Crush! -90's V-Rock Best Hit Cover Songs-. The album was released on January 26, 2011 and features current visual kei bands covering songs from bands that were important to the '90s visual kei movement.

Lineup

苑 (sono) - Vocals
→ GRIDE → Jeniva→ 摩天楼オペラ

 

 

Anzi - Guitar (2007.12.23 - present)
→ Sylphid → Masterpiece → 摩天楼オペラ

 

燿 (you) - Bass
→ Endless Vanity → S.D.I → シリウス (support) → GRAVE SEED → 摩天楼オペラ

 

彩雨 (ayame) - Keyboard (2007.12.23 - present)
→ outburn → Ry:dia → 摩天楼オペラ

 

悠 (yuu) - Drums
→ GRIDE → Marge Litch, Jeniva → Masterpiece, GRAVE SEED, Jeniva → GRAVE SEED → 摩天楼オペラ

Former Members

未伽 (Mika) - Guitar (2007 - 2007.11.17)
→ ANCIENT MYTH → 摩天楼オペラ

華蓮 (Karen) - Keyboard (2007 - 2007.11.17)
→ Masterpiece → 摩天楼オペラ →

Discography

Albums

GILIA
EP (2008.05.14)

ANOMIE
full-length (2009.06.24)

Singles

2007.05.04 alkaloid showcase

2008.03.05 瑠璃色で描く虹 (Ruriiro de egaku niji)

2008.09.24 Spectacular

2008.11.17 LAST SCENE

2009.03.25 acedia

2009.12.16 Murder Scope

2010.02.24 R

2010.05.17 GENESIS/R

2011.07.06 Helios

Live-only releases

2007.10.30 sara (free single)

2008.05.07 2008.5.7渋谷O-WEST配布DVD (free DVD)

2009.07.23 Eternal Symphony (free single)

DVD

2009.11.25 「DAWN OF ANOMIE」in Akasaka BLITZ

2011.03.09 「MATENROU OPERA -1214- at SHIBUYA AX」

Compilations

2009.10.28 COUPLING COLLECTION 08-09

Omnibus albums

2008.03.26 CROSS GATE 2008～chaotic sorrow～

2008.07.09 Visualy「zm」 The Cure Century

As Anomie

2009.03.25 Anomie (promo)