Seikima-II

In 1982, guitarist Damian Harada formed Seikima-II while at university. Demon Kakka (vo.), Zod Hoshijima (ba.), and Ace Shimizu (dr.) joined him. The band have extensive lore, maintaining that they’re demons from a dimension named Makai, where His Excellency Demon Kakka is leader of the akuma (demons).

Seikima-II would see multiple lineup changes over the years with members coming and going. They held their first concert in 1983, and in 1984 passed an audition at CBS/Sony.

In 1985 they released their first full length album (which are referred to as “daikyoten” by the band) titled ‘Seikima-II ~ Akuma ga Kitarite Heavy Metal’. It infamously received a score of 0 in a review by Japanese metal magazine BURRN!, but went on to become the first Japanese metal album to sell over 100,000 copies. Then, in 1989, they became the first heavy metal band to perform at the prestigious Kohaku Uta Gassen.

1991 saw the band perform overseas for the first time, across Asia and Europe. In 1999 the band would release their final album ‘Living Legend’ before disbanding. Demon Kakka continued to release solo material, and the following years would see the band reunite multiple times as part of milestone events.

The band have been referenced and featured in pop-culture over the years, including Fist of the North Star and Detroit Metal City, even receiving their own anime in 1992 titled Seikima II Anime: Humane Society -Jinruiai ni Michita Shakai-. Notably, many bands cite Seikima-II as inspiration, including Sex Machineguns, Galneryus, Exist Trace, and BABYMETAL.

Now in their 40th year, Seikima-II have reunited once again for a limited time. Seikima-II are His Excellency Demon Kakka (vo.), Staff General Luke Takamura III (gt.), Empire Magistrate Jail O’Hashi (gt.), Captain Ace Shimizu (gt.), Dr. Xenon Ishikawa (ba.), and His Highness Raiden Yuzawa (dr.).