D'espairsRay

[Peace Heavy mk II 7200]

FFFFF this is because I listened to [Coll] on my way to work this morning.

I'm surprised Subliminal hasn't commented yet.

[The Libertine 2]

FECES!!!

[Nathalie 4]

I consider Collset one of the best visual releases ever.

And also... how to forget one of the most beautiful and profound songs, both of D'espairs Ray as the visual kei scene too? 闇に降る軌跡（やみにふるきせき）...

God, I still don't assimilate it...

[Tony 1]

This is absolutely devestating.

[relentless 254]

The only critique I'd have regarding VK singing, is that standard nasally sound which is found in most vocalists.

Other than that, I expect each member to go off and form their own band and fade away into existence, you know, what usually happens to VK bands.

[Corronum 13]

I had a bad feeling this was going to happen. It's such a shame, too. I was also one of those who sort of "grew up" with Despa. They were one of the first visual bands I listened too.

Best of luck to Hizumi.

[Kaleidoscope 195]

Don't a lot of Visual singers not sing properly to begin with? I'm not a vocalist and don't know shit, but I hear some people criticize Visual singers, not because lol dey suck but because their method of singing is poor and complain that they will ruin their voice. I've heard that complaint tossed around towards whats his face in -OZ-. They don't complain saying he sucks but complain that he's not singing properly and will ruin his voice.

His technique when it comes to clean singing is actually pretty good (even in the beginning he didn't mess it up), but I'm not sure about his raw singing and the screaming since it's hard to identify his technique. Sounds sometimes really raspy to me, not sure how he does it. I'm pretty sure this whole vocal chords trauma is because he kept singing for a long time during this coughing he talked about though, it's probably not too surprising that it left some damage.

Well, let's hope he can recover one day, I still don't give up hope that he'll find a way to rebuild his damaged vocal chord.

[AmberKid 0]

Whatever projects the members are with now...the era of D'espairsray is over.

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_i ... 0316936527

I think it's sad they disband, yet I can understand their decision.

As a fan (7 of 11 years) I'm still not over the shock, even though it somehow was to be expected, IMO.

[merrik 0]

It's... more than sad for me. I grow up with this band, and their music means a lot for me.

I really do hope, that someday something will change and they will be able to come back, but...It's only hope and I don't think that it is really possible.

Other than that, I expect each member to go off and form their own band and fade away into existence, you know, what usually happens to VK bands.

Eh...It may happen with Tsukasa and Karyu. Zero some time ago, during interview told that he won't play in other band, if D'espairsRay will disband, or stop activity. Also Hizumi, because his health won't start new career.

His technique when it comes to clean singing is actually pretty good (even in the beginning he didn't mess it up), but I'm not sure about his raw singing and the screaming since it's hard to identify his technique. Sounds sometimes really raspy to me, not sure how he does it. I'm pretty sure this whole vocal chords trauma is because he kept singing for a long time during this coughing he talked about though, it's probably not too surprising that it left some damage.

when he sings, he do it properly, but as far as I know (I am not specialist, I can only tell what I heard/read) when he screams, he don't. And most of VK vocalist have the same problem at all

[yumione 0]

this is a serious problem in the japanese music scene, the pressure to release music so fast is seriously hurting the musicians in a way they cant recover, it dries up inspiration and vocalists cant recover from their vocal injuries. There is a reason why western bands often stretch out releases a bit longer. Its not uncommon here to not release music for 3 years without popularity degradation. It gives time to heal and get inspiration to write and create new songs. Thats why bands here sometimes even survives multiple decades. How many rock bands can survive for 3 years in Japan?

Sucks though, i like DesprairsRay a lot. Their later albums werent that great but still nice. I consider Collset one of the best visual releases ever.

Considering the speed with which the Japanese release media, D'espa were one of the slower bands actually.

in terms of just cd's yes, but past years almost every year 1 album if you would spread them over a few singles like other bands do, it is still a lot.

[sai 868]

Well crap. Sure gonna miss them. MIRROR was a beast of an album, and even though I didn't like the full album, REDEEMER always remained my first and favourite song by them.

You shall be missed.

[futoshi92 34]

I'm very sad about that too! Even though i was listening to them for 3 years, I think that is shocking. Hizumi's scream was purely awesome and I really liked their last album.

We will all miss Despas, but who knows maybe they will return. I still have hope that they will be back even after some years.

[X-Marc 7]

same as futoshi92, i do think that if they find something that will help Hizumi they will return (i hope it so much)

[Zeus 7997]

A band doesn't exist continuously for 10 years, put out a good number of albums and disband and then stay down. How many bands have been around for half that time and still pull off revivals every other year? Tons! I think they disbanded D'espairsRay for now so the band members can put other priorities in their lives first (like moneymaking, recovery, etc) but if/once Hizumi is able to recover then they'll join back up again (and if Hizumi isn't able to recover they don't pull an √eight on us). I'm sure of it.

Hands down, this was the best decision they could have made.

[AmberKid 0]

I totally agree. After I put some thought into it...I'm sure they will be back once Hizumi has really undergone treatment and has recovered his voice fully.

And it's not like they've fallen off the face of the world...they still tweet and blog...and the music they have created remains.

Funny enough I see lots of coverversions of Despa-songs popping up recently...coincidence?

[nekkichi 6043]

I'm surprised they haven't hired a good phoniatrician yet. It's either too expensive and his insurance doesn't have it covered, or his vocal troubles are of Jui's type, where it works as a polite excuse for something.

[AmberKid 0]

AFAIK he has already undergone a couple of treatments, but until now, none of them seem to be effective enough...oh well...even if he just wants a break...let him. He has been on stage for 10+ years...I know I would definitely need a break.

[Number Girl 48]

I'm sure he could continue singing, but he has said that he doesn't want to come back with a half-assed quality voice. That wouldn't be fair to the fans and I find that commendable.

But it is not completely impossible for Hizumi to resume a musical career if he really wanted. Can't be play other instruments too?

[AmberKid 0]

AFAIK every member of Despa can play at least one other instrument.

As for Hizumi, I can totally understand his choice and I have a lot of respect for it.

I used to sing, more classical stuff though and most of the time in different choirs. I'm a mezzo-soprano, had to sing lead soprano, though...and one performance almost killed my voice for good. Singing a solo with a lot of high notes in a church without heating system in the middle of winter...no good. I had no voice for 3 weeks after and after a long talk with my doc...I quit singing for the sake of my voice.

I just told that story to emphasize that I know what Hizumi is going through...I can relate.

[futoshi92 34]

Jeez, It really makes me feel sad, whenever I'm thinking about it

RIP DespairsRay, thanks for the 12 years of badass music!

I still have a bit of hope that Hizumi will recover.

[Kuroihotaru 0]

Hope Hizumi get well soon, and the guys can play in one band again

[shizia 0]

Any D'espairs Ray fans interested? Good old GEMINI single, with autographs

I'm clearing out my collection because I'm terribly broke.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Despairs-Ray-GE ... 3cc95ad86b

[biological-slicer 2]

Ahhh, D'espa was (is) an amazing band. If only every group had as much determination!

[x_dak_x 5]

real pissed off I missed their seattle performance.....

gotta expect the unexpected I guess...

at least they ended on a good note. kick ass album

[masquerade-parade 0]

Ohhhmyyy do I miss this shit. I used to be lurking all over the despa livejournal (waah, what was the name of it??),and remember when we had FC-blog translations?? That was waaay back. I'm getting all nostalgic now ;__;