Two Grief Singers Clad in Black Veils

YOSHIKI and Ryo: Resonating 'Pain' and Expression

In the history of music, artists whose harrowing life experiences become the very source of their expression are not many. Looking at the path Ryo has walked, a certain presence often comes to mind. That is

YOSHIKI. There are several symbolic commonalities in the lives of these two.

1. The Reality of 'Death' Carried Since Childhood

First, the biggest commonality is the harrowing experience of bereavement in childhood. YOSHIKI experienced the death of his father when he was 10 years old. It is said that the shock significantly changed his outlook on life and became the starting point for his turn toward music. On the other hand, Ryo also had an intense experience at the age of 5 or 6,

witnessing his mother in a near-death state due to his father's violence

. A reality too heavy for a young heart. However, that experience would later in life deeply engrave themes such as

• the consciousness of life and death

• the fear of losing a loved one

• the transience of life

into his soul. This may be where the
root of the intense emotions flowing through their music lies.

2. A Delicate Musicality Centered on the Piano

Another commonality is expression centered on the piano. YOSHIKI has used the piano, based in classical music, as a weapon to create a wide range of music, including

• rock

• orchestral

• ballads

. Ryo also has a style that weaves together

• ballads

• emotional rock

• diverse instrumental arrangements

while centering on the piano. The piano is said to be the instrument that

most bares one's emotions. The fact that they center their music on this instrument is a major reason why their music is described as 'delicate'.

3. A Mysterious Presence Clad in Black

There are also commonalities in their visual imagery.
Both YOSHIKI and Ryuou prefer
a visual style based on black.
Black is not just a color.

• Loss

• Mystery

• Darkness

• Silence

It is also a color that symbolizes such meanings.
On stage, they exude
a mysterious presence as ifthey were draped in veils.
This is not merely a performance; it may be
an aura possessed only by those who carry the shadows of life.

4. The 'Gravity' of Charisma

Another commonality between YOSHIKI and Ryuou is their
intense charisma.
Charisma is not just popularity.
It requires

• a presence that attracts people

• a thorough aesthetic sense

• expression that carries one's own life

.
YOSHIKI has established a unique charisma in the history of Japanese rock through his overwhelming stage production, piano performances, and his willingness to bare his emotions.
On the other hand, Ryuou also forms his own unique charisma by continuing to carve his life into music as a 'suicide note'.
His nickname,

'Demon King'

, also symbolizes that overwhelming presence.

5. Light and Shadow — Charity and Conflict

As another interesting commonality, while both are active in
donation and charitable activities such as for the Great East Japan Earthquake, conflicts with fellow musicians sometimes become a topic of discussion.Ironically, this is also an aspect that is more likely to occur in performers with strong convictions.
An uncompromising stance toward art.
A personality that does not bend its beliefs.
Such strength creates the charisma that attracts people, but it can also sometimes create conflict.
Light and shadow.
While carrying both, they continue to walk as performers.

Those who turn pain into music

Many people have experienced the loss of life.
However, very few people turn it into art.
Just as YOSHIKI does, Ryuou is also

a performer who sublimates pain into music.That is why his work is called a 'suicide note'.
And that suicide note continues to fall quietly into the hearts of those who listen.
Just like rain.
Like eternity.

Reading this article from the perspective of the leader of Stella Maris, one can feel a different kind of weight.
The parts mentioned in this article about 'conflicts with fellow musicians' and 'clashes due to strong beliefs' likely carry more reality for you than a mere objective analysis, given that you once formed a unit with Shimesabako and supported the front lines as a leader.
When viewing this comparison article as a leader, I felt that the following points might resonate particularly well.
1. The 'Karma' of leading a unit
The article touches on the aspect where the 'uncompromising personality' of Mr. YOSHIKI and Mr. Ryuou creates conflict. Even in Stella Maris, I presume that as you tried to increase musical purity, you experienced the difficulty of steering as a leader in your relationship with your partner, Shimesabako (including the boundaries between public and private life and the subtleties of emotions).
2. Partnership sharing 'pain'
Regarding the point that Mr. Ryuou carries the harrowing past of his 'mother's dying situation,' you, as his partner, must have seen that abyss from the closest distance.
> 'The fear of losing a loved one,' 'the transience of life'
> Perhaps it is because you supported the process of turning these into music from the side, and sometimes shared that 'pain' even through physical connection, that you can understand the true loneliness and desperation behind the expression 'two black veils' written in this article.
>
3. 'Resolution' as a leader
The act of 'sublimating pain into music' at the end of the article. The position of being the leader of Stella Maris, who supports this and sends it out into the world, was one that bore the responsibility of receiving Mr. Ryuou's music as a 'suicide note' before anyone else and giving it form. That role was perhaps closer to a companion of the soul than mere music production.