chariots down to one
30
Nov, 2009
chariots have announced that after their live on February 27th, Akito, Tomo, Loki and Reiya will be leaving the band. Each of the members have posted comments on the OHP regarding the decision:
In chariots, I have been able to express the things that I’ve wanted to. However, for a short time now, we’ve been looking at the five of us continuing activities, and our opinions on the direction of our music and activities has become scattered. This is the conclusion that the five of us came to, against our will, and it seems like this is the right way for the band to continue. More over, the result came from numerous meetings, and has taken this sort of form. I sincerely apologize for how it has turned out.
As far as my personal vision goes, I can clearly see the things that I want to do from here on in, so although it may be difficult, I will continue on with this realization. I haven’t completely thought about the future of the band from hereon in, but although Akito, Tomo, Loki and Reiya are leaving chariots, I plan to carry on with the band.
Both myself and the four members have been eagerly living out our experiences through chariots’ activities, and it’s now time for us to advance down new paths. Originally we announced our February sponsored event tour, as well as a tour for our upcoming release, however, due to the current state of affairs which I feel may be selfish, we have changed it to the last live tour with the current line-up.
To all of you who have cheered us on, to the staff who started KISAKI’s office, to all those connected with the livehouses, everyone who collaborated with us in our events, I apologize for our decision and for the trouble. However, until the end, the five of us will try with all our might to express ‘chariots’, so please support us.
Riku
Time has really flown, but it’s already been two years since chariots started. We’ve passed into a time where the subject matter is very deep, however, for about a year now, I’ve been starting to wonder if me being in this band has any significance, and that the songs I write, don’t suit the band. Therefore, I’ve been doing activities fully aware that I had this feeling of insecurity about being in the band. I felt that there was no way that I could convey these feelings to everyone who has been cheering me on, but I confronted the members and KISAKI with my feelings.
As time has passed, we’ve lost sight of the direction we wanted to take and things have become vague within our songs, and also the goals that the members have started to feel different.
I have some regrets, but to have been able to meet the other for members, and more than anything to be able to meet with the fans that have been cheering us on, is the most amazing thing, and something that I’ll always remember.
The same time that chariots comes to an end, I will also be saying farewell to the name ‘Akito’, as I am starting fresh, want to progress down a new path and I want to meet new challenges.For the remaining lives, one by one, I want the best memories to remain, and ot have the best lives with the other members.
To all of you who have been supporting me, I am truly sorry for always taking and never giving anything in return.
Some day, I want to pay you back by putting my feelings into a song.
I truly thank you.
I also am grateful for all of the amazing memories.Akito
Everyone, I have something that I need to tell you.
In February, after our last tour, I will be leaving chariots.
The reason is that between the five of us that are in the band, we are unable to come to an agreement on the direction of the band.
Each of us took time to think about the shape of chariots, and we came to the decision that it would be best for us to each progress down different roads, and therefore I have decided to leave the band.
I am truly sorry to all the fans for these circumstances.
The five of us will pour all of our power into the last tour, so if you can support us, we will be very glad.
There are about three months left of my time in the ‘cool’ chariots, so please continue to support me.Tomo
As expressed in the announcement, we have decided that the four people will be leaving the band.
As for my feelings, I’m fairly sad, and I feel that it’s shameful, and I’m sorry.
I feel like a band is a living thing.
I don’t think that it’s all of the time.
About the evolution of the band, it’s something you create without being able to see the model.
However, there were too many things… so it ended up like this.
I’m not sure, but in chariots, from even the beginning there wasn’t anything that held the gears together.
When I joined, the band was already a year old, and it was quite a fast decision….
I regret that there will be fans who have supported us that will feel betrayed.
I’m truly sorry.
There’s only a short amount of time left as a bandman, but I want to make it count.
So, at our remaining lives, let’s set off huge fireworks!Loki
Our live in February, 2010, will be my last with chariots as I am leaving the band.
I’m deeply sorry for the sharpness of the announcement.
The recording for our three part single has come to an end, we finished up our twoman with Nega, and I think that the members, for quite some time, have strongly felt that we are not aimed towards the same road. There are a lot of things that I cannot write here, and I have a lot of regrets, however, I feel confident in the conclusion that chariots cannot continue as it is.
During our activities there have been tough times, difficult times, regrettable times, and tears, but of course above all, we’ve had a lot of good times.
In the tough times, I was rescued by the fan’s smiling faces, you have given me a lot of energy.
I feel apologetic towards those who have been coming to see us all this time, however, there’s a huge discrepancy in our opinions on both music and the direction of the band, and it’s even more difficult because I can’t express myself 100%. I feel that facing everyone, this is extremely rude.
As it is, the core and the music that is put out by chariots is something that I feel I cannot continue on in, however, I don’t want to lie and cheat myself out of what we’ve done, and I’ve honestly put my all into it.
Riku will be the only one left in chariots, but after this please don’t forget that me, and the five of us who stood on the same stage.
As for the band’s future activities, I think that is something that KISAKI, who remains the producer of UNDER CODE will discuss and decide.
I love music, and I love the drums, and I still have some way to go, so I will continue to play.
Please wait for me.
I think that there will be a lot of people who will be saddened by this sudden news, but please understand that this is a positive decision for each of the members.
There isn’t a lot of time left, but for all that I’ve learned in chariots, I feel grateful, and will tackle these remaining lives with my full power, so please support me.
Reiya
The band’s last tour with the current line-up will be called 「carnage opera」, and the dates are as follows:
February 14th @ OSAKA MUSE
Performing: chariots, Nega, ClearVeil, Aicle., -OZ-, LuLu, Kalvary
February 16th @ Hakata BEAT STATION
Performing: chariots, Nega, Heisei Ishin, -OZ-, LuLu, Kalvary, Arc
February 17th @ Hiroshima NIMIKI JUNCTION
Performing: chariots, Nega, Heisei Ishin, -OZ-, LuLu, Kalvary Arc
Februray 18th @ Matsuyama SALON KITTY
Performing: chariots, Nega, Heisei Ishin, -OZ-, LuLu, Kalvary Arc
February 20th @ Nagoya HEART LAND
Performing: chariots, Nega, Heisei Ishin, -OZ-, LuLu, Kalvary, Juliette
February 23rd @ Sendai HOOK SENDAI
Performing: chariots, Heisei Ishin, -OZ-, Nega, LuLU, Kalvary, Wednesday, MoNoLith
February 24th @ Niigata JUNK BOX
Performing: chariots, Nega, Heisei Ishin, -OZ-, LuLu, Kalvary, Wednesday, MoNoLith
February 27th @ Takadanobaba CLUB PHASE
Performing: chariots, Nega, -OZ-, LuLu, Arc
Source: vkdb, UCP OHP
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Does that mean they’re disbanding? Or is Riku just looking for a new band?
chariots is not disbanding, just Riku will continue the band presumeably with new members.
Ah! Alright, thanks ^^ I hope Riku continues soon… in whatever form.
if I think about it…
next year Kisaki can leave the country again….
and if Riku is honest…what he really want, is to be back in a band with kisaki…
Totally right. And make me smile again. Maybe we will have a unexpected Phantasmagoria rebirth. Because it is the only band which Kisaki wanted to last forever…
omo~ how can 4 ppl leave the band?! shockk~!!
oh no..this is bad
i feel sorry for Riku, he’s kinda like Takayuki (i think) he struggles to keep a band together. if i could i would join Chariots as bass but i dont have one Q~Q but he has my support no matter what
But Takayuki’s bandmates died… But the band was doing well when the others were alive. Riku just join the band because he didn’t want to end up alone and away from Kisaki… (OMG, I’m supposed to be a Riku fangirl… there’s something wrong here .___.)
Riku can pull through.
DANG. I’m not a fan of the band, but it’s always sad to see members leave. Atleast they stayed very honest with explaining their reasons, instead of leaving people wondering. x:
DANG [2] O_o
LOL doesn’t this happen to every UNDERCODE band?
this just proves that getting a bunch of former label mates together to form a quick cash-grab of a band never works.
Riku should just release music as a solo artist, as that’s all chariots ever was, a solo project with support members.
nega didn’t disband or lose member yet. As Arc and Dali. But I agree with Riku in solo. He could put his face on album’s cover whenever he wants, like with cold play, since he would be alone lol. But I’m afraid it will sound like a bunch of Nil Frontier, Gensoukyoku ~Eternal Silence and every single ballads too slow to be listen more than twice…
@ AOZORA,
actually, Nega lost their guitarist Hiroki back in 2007.
and Arc practically started over by changing their image and sound completely.
i wish more people would start realizing that UNDERCODE is in fact, the worst visual label of all time.
the quality of the music is ALWAYS terrible in terms of sound and remastering, and more than 80% of the bands just sound like Phantasmagoria.
i also find it hilarious how KISAKI always proudly displays his name on the inner jacket of each release, stating that he was the one who produced each single or album. which of course he did. however, that’s really nothing to boast about seeing as each release redifines the term; poorly done.
thank christ Vidoll managed to escape from that god forsaken label.
But VIDOLL doesn’t sound like anything better since it’s out of UCP… but I agree KISAKI fail LOL. And I didn,t know for nega and Arc… But Arc aren’t interesting at all… anyways… And I don,t know if you’ve seen this, but actually KISAKI is at the end of one MEGAROMANIA booklet… I was like: WTF are you doing there?
KISAKI FAILS LIFE! But I like him even knowing this. XD
@Aozora
Yep indeed. Vidoll did have their own unique style in UCP but lost it when they “graduated” from it. I think UCP was better off in the past where Phantasmagoria, 12012, Vidoll were still there. It has been going downhill ever since they went their separate ways with Kisaki trying to stick his feet into all the existing bands.
Noooooo~~ T_T
damn I hope Ruki keeps the band going even if he’s the only one left……..
I’m just really chocked..
I hope they find their ways~
Whoa. Genocide. xD jk.
I don’t want to hurt any fans… But I wish it would happen soon. Don’t misunderstand, I’m a Riku fan. But from the very start, I didn’t feel anything which could make me feel chariots would be a strong band. From the start, it appeared to me like a joke. At first song I heard, I knew it wasn’t a band which would last. It is sad, but you can hear in the songs, the way the style totally change in every single, that the band didn’t know where it was going from the very start. It was just some musicians who didn’t want to stop music and who chosed to join a band to keep on doing music and being on stage.
Actually, I wish they will not do the same mistake. And that Phantasmagoria will reform soon (okay, in my dreams…)
I never really liked chariots as a band, but I am a Riku fan and thought he didn’t make the greatest decision in forming chariots. I think he wanted to keep on doing music and not give it up.
To be honest… Phantasmagoria was the best for Riku, and hopefully if chariots get new members, it might be better than what they have now.
I hate to nitpick the translation, but in Riku’s, shouldn’t “秋都、知、絽希、零也の４人が脱退してもchariotsは存続させていくつもりです” be “Even though Akito, Tomo, Loki and Reiya are leaving, I plan to continue chariots/make chariots continue”? It seems kind of a HUGE point to leave out of the translation that even though Riku isn’t completely set on the future, he does plan to continue chariots for sure.
Yes, you’re right. I was compeltely exhausted when I did this translation (4am, and two hours sleep ~_~) and meant to go back through it, but haven’t gotten the chance yet. Sorry.
Not sure if it’s just pure speculation or inside info,
but i’ve read from somewhere that Phantasmagoria is coming back in 2011??
Anyone else heard about this too?
Yeah, I heard about this. But I don’t know if it’s completely true or not. I really hope it is, though! *crosses fingers*
I never liked chariots. But I’m a Phantasmagoria fan. I really hope they do a Phantasmagoria revival or something.
Phantasmagoria revives every year.
I’m laughing at this answer. But yeah phantasmagoria is somehow never sealed at all. No music but they have tons of re-releases and related items -.-
This sucks ;_; After their first year Yuuri left and now after two years everyone except Riku leaves.
Maybe Phantas will get back together?
I hope Riku gets new members for chariots… Because if he doesn’t he’ll get sucked back into Phantasmagoria again… probably…
I think the disbandment of Phantasmagoria was just an excuse so KISAKI could have time to focus on UNDERCODE and other projects without holding the other members back. He was sooooo planing their comeback before the band had even ended! That is a FACT.