Destrose was a Japanese heavy metal band formed in 2007. The group remained an independent band their entire career and experienced frequent line-up changes until going on indefinite hiatus in 2015. Although considered pioneers of the Girls Metal Band Boom, Destrose never achieved commercial success and is best known for the subsequent bands later formed by its many members.[1][2]

Destrose
OriginTokyo, Japan
GenresHeavy metal
Years active2007–2015
LabelsMarianne, Flying Cat
Past membersSee members

History

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2006–2012: Formation and singles

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Guitarist and bandleader Mina formed a cover band named Destroya in 2006. She derived its name from Kiss' album Destroyer and the Godzilla character Destoroyah.[3] They performed songs by acts such as Led Zeppelin, Show-Ya, Pantera, Metallica and Manowar.[3] Mina then formed Destrose in 2007, including "rose" in the name to make it more feminine and in reference to Guns N' Roses.[4][3] Destrose contributed the song "Headless Goddess" to the November 2008 compilation album Samurai Metal Vol. 4.[4] Eye, Eri, Kayo and guest drummer Mari all left the band on New Year's Eve 2008 and went on to form Mary's Blood at the end of 2009.[2] In January 2010, Destrose was the opening act for The Iron Maidens' Japanese tour.[2][4] Before the release of their debut single "Hakai no Bara" on October 2, a second pressing was already decided due to excessive demand.[1][5]

Destrose's song "Skykiller" was included on the January 15, 2011 compilation Iron Angel in preparation for their January 22 performance at the two-day Iron Angel Live event alongside other female metal acts such as Ancient Myth, Taia and Dazzle Vision.[6] The band recruited vocalist Nene and drummer Nana in March 2011.[5] Nene is also a fortuneteller and would give tarot card readings at concerts.[5] The single "Deathless Memories" was released on May 25 and reached number 8 on Oricon's independent singles chart.[7] Destrose announced they would temporary suspend activities after their September 25 concert at Meguro Live Station and that it would be their last with Nene, Nana and guitarist Satty.[8] Bassist Miho joined Destrose on November 11.[9] Marina joined about a week later and would become their longest serving vocalist.[2][10]

Destrose resumed activities after the January 9, 2012 Women's Power 20th Anniversary concert, where they played alongside Show-Ya, Aldious and Babymetal.[11][12] Two days later, drummer Haruna officially joined the band.[13] They released "Fenixx -To Revive-" on March 28, which reached number 7 on the indie chart.[11][14] Its title is not only a reference to the band resuming, but also refers to Japan's recovery from the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.[15] Guitarist Narumi officially joined the band on June 1.[10][16] The single "Nostphilia", coined by combining "nostalgia" and "philia", was released on November 14.[17]

2013–2015: Studio album and hiatus

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As bassist from 2011 to 2015, Miho was the second-longest serving member of the band.

The band's only studio album, the self-titled Destrose, was released on April 10, 2013 and supported by a fourteen-date Japanese tour that ended with their first one-man concert on June 1 at Meguro Live Station.[18] It reached number seven on Oricon's indie albums chart.[19] They were the only indie band at Show-Ya's female artists-only Naon no Yaon 2013 festival on April 29, which also included Scandal and Cyntia among others.[20][21] Destrose performed in the US for the first time in early August as part of Tokyo in Tulsa.[22] The double A-side single "Rin / Maze" was released on November 13 and reached number 7 on the indie chart.[23][24] To celebrate, they held a one-man concert at Shibuya O-West that same day, which was recorded and later released as a concert video.[25] Later that month, Mina announced she was taking a hiatus from live activities due to health issues.[20]

In March 2014, Destrose performed in the US again at Naka-Kon.[26] Soon after Marina left and formed Mardelas, with Lisa replacing her on April 25.[2][27] The mini-album, The Prologue was released on September 24 and reached number 5 on the indie chart.[26][28] Each member wrote a song for the record, which was supported by an eleven-date nationwide tour.[26] Drummer Haruna left the band after her farewell concert on December 24 at Meguro Rock-May-Kan due to her upcoming marriage.[29]

Risa☆Risa joined as drummer on January 30, 2015, and had her first Destrose concert the following day.[30][31] In February, leader and sole constant member Mina left the band due to her ongoing health issues.[32] At the same time Lisa went on hiatus to treat vocal cord nodules, with Ibuki filling in as guest vocalist.[32] In May, Destrose announced that they would be going on indefinite hiatus in July.[33] They played their final concert, titled Persistence of Rose, at Meguro The Live Station in Tokyo on July 18, 2015.[33][34]

Also in July 2015, Mina formed the steampunk metal band Fate Gear.[35] Their debut album A Light in the Black, released the following month, and their third album, 2018's 7 Years Ago, both include re-recordings of Destrose songs.[36][37] Their 2019 EP Headless Goddess is composed almost entirely of re-recorded Destrose songs and features guest vocalists, including Ibuki.[38] In September 2015, Narumi and Risa☆Risa formed Disqualia with Ibuki.[39] Miho and Haruna formed Lovebites in 2016 and recorded the unreleased Destrose song "Bravehearted" for their 2017 debut, The Lovebites EP.[40]

Members

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Timeline

Discography

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Destrose discography
Studio albums1
Compilation albums1
Singles5
Video albums1
Mini-albums1
Albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions
JPN
Oricon

[41]
JPN
Oricon
Indies
JPN
Billboard

Top
[42]
Destrose
  • Released: April 10, 2013
  • Label: Flying Cat
  • Note: Full-length album
69 7 50
The Prologue
  • Released: September 24, 2014
  • Label: Flying Cat
  • Note: Mini-album
99 5 77
Chronicles ~The Complete Flyingcat Recordings~
  • Release: June 30, 2021
  • Label: Flying Cat / VAA
  • Note: Remastered 3 CD and 1 DVD set
  • VAA Official Store Exclusive
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.
Singles
Title Year Peak chart positions
JPN
Oricon

[43]
JPN
Oricon
Indies
JPN
Billboard
Top
Singles
[44]
"Hakai no Bara" (破壊の薔薇)
  • Released: October 2, 2010
  • Label: Self-released
2010
"Deathless Memories"
  • Released: May 25, 2011
  • Label: Marianne
2011 162 8
"Fenixx -To Revive-"
  • Released: March 28, 2012
  • Label: Flying Cat
2012 131 7
"Nostphilia"
  • Released: November 14, 2012
  • Label: Flying Cat
107 88
"Rin / Maze" (霖 -Rin-/MAZE)
  • Released: November 13, 2013
  • Label: Flying Cat
2013 82 7 75
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.
Video albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions
JPN
Oricon
[45]
2013.11.14 Destrose One-man Live! At Shibuya O-West
  • Released: June 25, 2014
  • Label: Flying Cat
82

References

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  1. ^ a b "嬢メタルの旗手DESTROSE、待望の作品リリース". Barks.jp (in Japanese). October 2, 2010. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e "The DESTROSE Connection ~The Prologue~". jame-world.com. March 17, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "DESTROSE Mina隊長 登場!". HMV Japan (in Japanese). December 24, 2010. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "Destrose プロフィール・バイオグラフィ・リンク". Barks (in Japanese). Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "鋼鉄女神DESTROSE、デビューシングル「Deathless Memories」リリース". Barks.jp (in Japanese). May 18, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  6. ^ "Iron Angel". HMV Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  7. ^ "Oricon 2011 Week 23". jame-world.com. June 9, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  8. ^ "女子メタルバンドDESTROSE一時活動休止、Minaはプロジェクトへ". Barks.jp (in Japanese). September 8, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  9. ^ "miho DESTROSE". Destrose Official site (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 4, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  10. ^ a b "BEEAST太鼓判シリーズ第13弾アーティスト『DESTROSE』". Beeast (in Japanese). November 13, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  11. ^ a b "DESTROSE、レコ発東名阪ツアーを敢行". Barks.jp (in Japanese). May 4, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  12. ^ "アイドルとメタルの融合BABYMETALが、「メタル女子会」イベントに参戦". Barks.jp (in Japanese). January 10, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  13. ^ "Profile". Destrose Official site (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 9, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  14. ^ "Oricon 2012 Week 15". jame-world.com. April 11, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  15. ^ "DESTROSE miho登場!". HMV Japan (in Japanese). March 23, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  16. ^ "成美 DESTROSE". Destrose Official site (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 4, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  17. ^ "DESTROSE Marina 登場!". HMV Japan (in Japanese). November 12, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  18. ^ "『嬢メタルシーンの一角を担うDESTROSEが、待望の1stフルアルバム発売&全国ツアー決定』". Barks.jp (in Japanese). April 8, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  19. ^ "Oricon 2013 Week 17". jame-world.com. April 25, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  20. ^ a b "DESTROSE、Mina隊長が休養". Barks.jp (in Japanese). November 6, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  21. ^ "「NAONのYAON」にLoVendoЯ、平野綾らが追加". Natalie (in Japanese). March 15, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  22. ^ "Female Metal Band DESTROSE Makes US Debut". jame-world.com. June 23, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  23. ^ "New Release from DESTROSE". jame-world.com. October 23, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  24. ^ "Oricon 2013 Week 48". jame-world.com. November 30, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  25. ^ "【NEWS】DESTROSE新ボーカリストのプロフィール公開!ライブDVDもリリース!". Beeast (in Japanese). June 3, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  26. ^ a b c "ガールズ・HR/HMバンド"DESTROSE"、激しくも美しいミニアルバムを発売". Barks.jp (in Japanese). September 20, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  27. ^ "【NEWS】ガールズメタルバンドの最高峰、DESTROSEの新ボーカリストが決定!". Beeast (in Japanese). April 25, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  28. ^ "Oricon 2014 Week 41". jame-world.com. October 8, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  29. ^ "DESTROSE Announce Drummer's Farewell Live". jame-world.com. November 11, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  30. ^ "RISA☆RISA DESTROSE". Destrose Official site (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 4, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  31. ^ "New Drummer Joins DESTROSE". jame-world.com. January 31, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  32. ^ a b "Mina Leaves DESTROSE, Lisa Goes On Hiatus". jame-world.com. February 20, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  33. ^ a b "DESTROSE Announce Indefinite Hiatus". jame-world.com. May 31, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  34. ^ "DESTROSE ONE-MAN LIVE 2015 -Persistence of Rose-". Beeast (in Japanese). October 3, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  35. ^ "Mina隊長、ガールズメタルバンドFATE GEAR始動". Barks.jp (in Japanese). July 21, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  36. ^ "Debut Album from FATE GEAR". jame-world.com. June 27, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  37. ^ "FATE GEAR Reveal Album Details". jame-world.com. February 17, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  38. ^ "FATE ,GEAR、新作ミニアルバム『Headless Goddess』をリリース". Barks.jp (in Japanese). January 9, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  39. ^ "New Band: Disqualia". jame-world.com. September 10, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  40. ^ "LOVEBITES ラヴバイツ (miho & haruna) インタビュー". WeROCK (in Japanese). 058 (April/May 2017). Sound Designer: 76.
  41. ^ "DESTROSEのアルバム売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  42. ^ Peak chart positions for albums on Billboard Japan:
  43. ^ "DESTROSEのシングル売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  44. ^ Peak chart positions for singles on the Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales chart:
  45. ^ "DESTROSEのDVD売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved August 10, 2019.
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