Alice Nine

Alice Nine (アリス九號.^?, previously stylized as alicenine.)^[1] is a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in Tokyo, Japan in 2004.^[2] Originally signed to PS Company, a sub-division of Free-Will, they then signed to King Records until 2010. As of 2010, the band is signed to both PS Company and Tokuma Japan Communications in Japan, as well as to German label CLJ Records in Europe^[3] and has released five full-length records,^[4] along with several EPs, singles and DVDs.

Style

Alice Nine's musical style can mainly be described as rock, with touches of pop, and a few instances of dance music. Their works range diversely, including heavier songs that were more prevalent in their early career, slow ballads and medium tempo songs, and the lighter rock sound marked with more melodic instrumentation and synthesizers that is present on their 2007 album, Alpha. As they progressed through the years, the band began releasing songs that focus more on appealing to the mainstream public. On their newest album, 9, Alice Nine switched back to a more heavy metal feel, incorporating speed metal, power metal, and metalcore elements.

The band's appearance and shift from a heavy visual kei look also took place over the length of their career. In early work, Alice Nine's clothing in promotional footage and live concerts was a stylized take on traditional Japanese clothing, along with moderate makeup, piercings, and bright hair colors such as red and pale blonde. However, in 2006, the look began to fade out and essentially disappeared the year after, having been replaced with leather and the onset of street fashion, clothing that would appeal to popular culture. Music videos for "Blue Planet" and "Gekkou Yoku" show off a relaxed and casual look, while videos such as those for "Cosmic World" and "Rainbows" are examples of forays into street fashion.

Members

• Shou (将^?) – Lead vocals, leader
  • As of January 2012, the position of band leader has been moved from Nao to Shou.^[38]
• Hiroto (ヒロト^?) – Lead guitar, acoustic guitar
  • Also in the supergroup Karasu, that formed in 2009 with Tatsurou (Mucc), Mizuki (Sadie), Dunch (Jealkb) and Kenzo (Ayabie).^[39]
• Tora (虎^?) – Rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, backing vocals
  • Also in the supergroup The Tokyo High Black as lead guitarist "Mon Marshy", with Saga as "Tomorrow Joe" and Musasaby (Nao from Kagrra,), Madao (Keiyu from Kra), Tako (Takuya from Administrator) and Gey (drums)
• Saga (沙我^?) – Bass, synthesizers, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Also in the supergroup The Tokyo High Black as rhythm guitarist "Tomorrow Joe", with Tora as "Mon Marshy".
• Nao (ナオ^?) – Drums, percussion