Profile (taken from wikipedia.com)
* Fullname: Mori Kiyoharu (森清治)
* Birthday: 1968.10.30
* Blood type: A
* Home Town: Gifu
In his nearly two-decade long career, Kiyoharu has been the frontman for two popular and influential bands (Kuroyume and SADS) and as a solo artist, he’s worked with many artists from Luna Sea’s Sugizo to fellow music business veteran Morrie from Ziggy and Dead end. His main distinguishing feature is his powerful voice with which he’s able to belt out angsty punk anthems and serious ballads and everything else imaginable inbetween.
Another unique feature of his voice is the slightly odd vibrato he uses to hold out notes which is something that not many other singers can do.
Writing, singing and composing aren’t the only things Kiyoharu is good at. In addition, he plays guitar, produces, manages his own label and has collaborated with many designers to create his own special pieces of clothing and accessories.
Because of his style and sheer number of years in the business he's influenced many artists of today, especially the young band Merry.
[edit] History
Mori Kiyoharu’s career started back in the ‘80s when he was a member of the bands SUS4 and Garnet. After both bands disbandments, Kiyoharu teamed up with Hitoki, who was the bassist of Garnet, and they created what is now known as the legendary Kuroyume.
Kuroyume was formed in what is known as the “golden age” of visual kei and the band’s style as well as music reflected this. In the early stages of their career they were known for their dark and typical sounding visual songs but as the years progressed their music became harder and better unlike most groups who “soften up” as they age. With Kiyoharu’s uniquely powerful voice and Hitoki’s awesome bass skills, the two of them were an unstoppable duo.
Through many multiman indies events, Kiyoharu formed a close relationship with hyde, the vocalist of L’Arc~en~Ciel. The two of them performed a cover of Gastunk’s Husk during a live in 1994 and the duo also had a column in SHOXX magazine that featured very sensual and risqué images.
Throughout the years, Kuroyume ruled the scene with their mix of punk and hard rock and would eventually become one of the most influential bands in Japan's history next to X and Luna Sea. Many young artists today and from years past have listed Kiyoharu as their greatest influence thanks to his musical prowess that has been honed to near-perfection thanks to his many years in the business. Among those young artists are Gara from Merry and Kyo from Dir en grey (who was a roadie for Kuroyume), the latter of whom nearly became Kiyoharu's double in terms of hair, makeup and fashion style.
Though things on the surface seemed to be fine, tension was breaking out between Kiyoharu and Hitoki over how the band should be handled. The two of them couldn’t reach an agreement so they eventually decided to break up after a seven year career.
Not too long after this, Kiyoharu appeared on the scene again in a new band: SADS. Expectations were high that this band would sound like his, as well as the other members’, former bands but they surprised everyone with the release of their Tokyo single. Kiyoharu’s voice didn’t change all that much rather, more of his tremolo style could be found and it was a pleasant mix with this new alternative and punkish band’s sound.
The band eventually opened their own label, Fullface Records, in 2001 and released their own items through it. They also released then up-and-coming indies band Merry’s Gendai Stoic and Kiyoharu became their producer and gave them valuable knowledge and advice about the business. In 2003, after dominating the charts with their ever growing darker style, SADS’s bassist Eiji Mitsuzono announced his decision to leave the band and they’re currently on a break.
Kiyoharu decided to become a solo artist and released his first album, Poetry, in summer 2004. In addition to singing, he was able to show off his guitar ability and really cut lose. He collaborated with many artists and this release shocked his fans, in a good way, with it’s soft and sad melancholic tunes. Many more solo releases followed, each differing from the other in terms of overall music style. Instead of just limiting himself to music alone, he also frequently designs his own clothes, from wristbands to jeans, and he has several lines of silver accessories that he designed.
Much to the delight of fans everywhere, he teamed up with Pierrot frontman Kirito for a coupling tour in 2005. The duo had many similarities both musicially and personally and their tour was a huge success. They also participated in a stylish photoshoot for Fools Mate, which is now sold out.
In 2006, he released two singles and an album. Also, he went on two long promotion tours.
[edit] Discography and Former bands
SADS Vocal: Kiyoharu (formerly of Kuroyume) Guitar: Taketomo Sakashita Bass: Masaru Kobayashi Drums: Eiji Mitsuzono
Singles
* [2004-02-09] Emily
* [2005-02-16] LAST SONG -saigo no uta-
* [2005-03-16] HORIZON
* [2005-07-20] Layra
* [2005-11-09] bask in art
* [2005-11-30] wednesday
* [2006-03-08] Seiza no Yoru/Cyclamen no Kahori
* [2006-05-17] Kimi no Koto ga
* [2006-11-22] slow
* [2006-12-06] carnation
Albums
* [2004-03-08] Poetry
* [2005-03-30] MELLOW
* [2005-12-07] Kannou boogie
* [2006-07-12] VINNYBEACH ~kakuu no kaigan~
