Sound Horizon, abbreviated by fans as Sanhora (サンホラ) is a group of artists led by the sound creator Revo. In order to express a fantastical story musically, he gathers and organizes suitable artists, without restrictions with regard to the number and sex of singers and storytellers. They started their career as a doujin band by released albums in Comiket. The band also has various supports from musicians, doujin/anison singers and seiyuus.
It started with Revo releasing his music creations on the internet on his website in the late 1990s. In 2001, Sound Horizon participated Comic Market as part of a dōjin music circle and released their first story CD, Chronicle, an all-instrumental track CD, with occasional narration, background chorus and sound effects. The inclusion of actual singing began from their second release (Thanatos) onwards. Their subsequent works were released at Comic Market and M3.
In 2004, Sound Horizon signed with KING RECORDS and made their major debut with the album Elysion ~Rakuen e no Zensoukyoku~. Their first maxi-single, "Shōnen wa Tsurugi wo...", which was released in 2006, includes "Shūtan no Ou to Isekai no Kishi ~The Endia & The Knights~", the theme for the PlayStation 2 simulation RPG Chaos Wars, and "Kamigami ga Aishita Rakuen ~Belle Isle~", the opening theme for the MMORPG Belle Isle. On September 3, 2008, Sound Horizon released the album Moira. The album featured Takashi Utsunomiya of TM Network as one of the vocalists. Moira debuted at No. 3 on the Oricon weekly album charts, selling over 45,000 copies in its initial week. Sound Horizon released the single "Ido e Itaru Mori e Itaru Ido" on June 16, 2010. The single featured guitarist Marty Friedman and Vocaloid Hatsune Miku, along with a beta voicebank for Vocaloid known as "Junger März PROTOTYPE β".
Revo and REMI
Their music is generally in omnibus style; an album contains multiple stories with different themes that create one long story. Soprano or mezzo-soprano vocals are mainly utilized. Usage of narration is not restrained. Strong anime influences and applications are apparent in their music; they have started inviting seiyū for narration since their major debut. Their lyrics are very often mysterious and metaphorical, even more so than those of other J-rock musicians, with themes varying from fantastic ones like ancient curse, legend, dreams, war, and paradise to forbidden lust, longing, obsession, crime, relationships, etc.
The “stories” performed by Sound Horizon are not only auditory they are presented as a “package”, the elements of which make further interpretation possible. The illustrations by Mr. Yokoyan, who makes all of the album jackets, play an important role in expressing the fantastic worldview of Sound Horizon.
Illustration of IdoIdo by yokoyan
Sound Horizon gives two types of performances: “concerts” and “live tours”.
At “concerts” held in conjunction with the release of a new album, with the concept of re-creating “story music” on the stage, the audience can enjoy a fantastic world in which “story music” is presented not only aurally, but also visually.
7th Story Concert "Marchen"
The “live tours” are nation-wide tours with the name “Territorial Expansion Tour No. XX”. They consist of performances of a wide variety of numbers, including old music that was on an indie label and pieces by Revo himself, as well as music that is only performed live. The concept is for the entire venue to become a stage for the presentation of a “fantastical world”. One of the attractions of both types of performance is that they are set up for audience participation.
MEMBERS
Spoiler:
Main
Revo (レヴォ): Composition, arrangement, lyrics, guitar, keyboard, accordion, etc.
yokoyan (よこやん): Cover illustrator. The oldest support member of SH, she/he has been involved since its establishment.
Support Vocals
Jimang (じまんぐ): Vocal, chorus, narration, voice. Since his debut in Lost, he has participated in all of SH's subsequent releases.
Saitou "Jake" Shingo (斉藤"Jake"慎吾): Guitar, band master, concert master
YUUKI (ゆうき): Vocal, chorus. Formerly a member of the group "SpringS" with Aya Hirano and Ayaka Itō
KAORI (かおり): Vocal, chorus. Also a member of FictionJunction.
REMI (れみ): Vocal, chorus
MIKI (みき): Vocal, chorus
RIKKI (りっき): Vocal, chorus, Best known as Suteki, da ne? from Final Fantasy X
Minami Kuribayashi (栗林みな実): Vocal, chorus. Anime song singer.
Mari Endou (遠藤麻里): Vocal, chorus
Takashi Utsunomiya (宇都宮隆): Vocal, chorus. Vocalist from TM Network.
Haruka Shimotsuki (霜月はるか): Vocal, chorus, voice. Has been involved with the group since Lost.
JOELLE (ジョエル): Vocal, chorus
Support Musicians
Atsushi Hasegawa (長谷川淳): Bass
Ryou Sakagami (坂上領): Flute
Ken☆Ken (けん☆けん): Drums
Azumi Inoue (井上あずみ): Vocal, chorus
Eiji Kawai (河合英史): Keyboard
Ike Nelson: Voice, narration
Rika Fukami (深見梨加): Voice, narration
Watanabe☆Fire (渡辺☆Fire): Saxophone
Hirokazu Ebisu (恵比須弘和): Sound effects
youko Ishigame (石亀協子): Violin
Machi Okabe (岡部磨知): Violin
Mio Wakamatsu (若松美緒): Viola
Maiko Sato (佐藤万衣子): Cello
Tomotaka Saka (坂知学): Manipulator
Gen Ittetsu (弦一徹): Violin (solo)
Gen Ittetsu Strings: Strings ensemble
Marty Friedman: Guitar. Best known as ex-guitarist of Megadeth.
Jun-ji: Drums
Motoi Sakuraba (桜庭統): Keyboard. Best known as composer from Tales of series, Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile.
=== Story CDs
=== 1st Story Concept CD - Chronicle
2001.12.30 | Indie release
Singers/Collab.: Only Revo
1. Sound Horizon
2. Black Chronicle
3. Shijin Ballad no Higeki (詩人バラッドの悲劇)
4. Albelge no Tatakai (アーベルジュの戦い)
5. Juhyou no Kimi ~Koote Tsuita Majo~ (樹氷の君 ～凍てついた魔女～)
6. Ao to Shiro no Kyoukaisen (蒼と白の境界線)
7. Raijin no Hidariude (雷神の左腕)
8. Shoujo Ningyou (少女人形)
9. Kimi ga Umaretekuru Sekai (君が生まれてくる世界)
10. Natsu no Shigure (夏の時雨) (Bonus Track)
2nd Story CD - Thanatos
2002.08.11 | Indie release
Singers/Collab.: Aramary
1. Sound Horizon [mode: Thanatos]
2. Soko ni Aru Fuukei (そこに在る風景)
3. Kowareta Marionette (壊れたマリオネット)
4. Gin'iro no Basha (銀色の馬車)
5. Rinne no Sunadokei (輪廻の砂時計)
6. Sango no Shiro (珊瑚の城)
7. Thanatos no Gensou (タナトスの幻想)
3rd Story CD - Lost
2002.12.30 | Indie release
Singers/Collab.: Aramary, Jimang, Haruka Shimotsuki
1. Sound Horizon [mode: Lost]
2. Shiro no Gen'ei (White Illusion) (白の幻影 (White Illusion))
3. Koibito wo Ichi Otoshita Hi (恋人を射ち堕とした日)
4. Mahou Tsukai Salaband (魔法使いサラバント)
5. Ori no Naka no Yuugi (檻の中の遊戯)
6. Kioku no Suitei (記憶の水底)
7. Ushinawareshi Uta (失われし詩)
8. Hiiro no Hana (緋色の花)
9. Yurikago (ゆりかご)
10. Eien no Shounen (永遠の少年)
11. Waremono (忘レモノ)
12. Waremono wa Zaimasenka (忘レモノハ在リマセンカ)
1st Story Renewal CD - Chronicle 2nd
2004.03.19 | Indie release
Singers/Collab.: Aramary, Jimang, Haruka Shimotsuki, Yasrow
1. Kuro no Yogensho (黒の予言書)
2. Shijin Ballad no Higeki (Instrumental) (詩人バラッドの悲劇 (Instrumental))
3. Todoritsuku Uta (辿りつく詩)
4. Albelge no Tatakai (Instrumental) (アーベルジュの戦い (Instrumental))
5. Yakusoku no Oka (約束の丘)
6. Choubatsu no Kishidan (薔薇の騎士団)
7. Seisen to Shinigami Dai 1 Bu "Gin'iro no Shinigami" ~Senjou wo Kakeru Mono~ (聖戦と死神 第1部「銀色の死神」 ～戦場を駈ける者～)
8. Seisen to Shinigami Dai 2 Bu "Seisen to Shinigami" ~Eiyuu no Fuzai~ (聖戦と死神 第2部「聖戦と死神」 ～英雄の不在～)
9. Seisen to Shinigami Dai 3 Bu "Choubatsu to Shinigami" ~Rekishi wo Tsumugu Mono~ (聖戦と死神 第3部「薔薇と死神」 ～歴史を紡ぐ者～)
10. Seisen to Shinigami Dai 4 Bu "Kokushoku no Shinigami" ~Eiyuu no Kikyou~ (聖戦と死神 第4部「黒色の死神」 ～英雄の帰郷～)
11. Kaki no Sasayaki (書の囁き)
12. Ao to Shiro no Kyoukaisen (Instrumental) (蒼と白の境界線 (Instrumental))
13. Shizunda Utahime (沈んだ歌姫)
14. Umi no Majo (海の魔女)
15. Aoi Me no Kaizoku (碧い眼の海賊)
16. Raijin no Hidariude (Instrumental) (雷神の左腕 (Instrumental))
17. Raijin no Keifu (雷神の系譜)
18. Kaki no Majuu (書の魔獣)
19. Kimi ga Umaretekuru Sekai (キミが生まれてくる世界)20. <Hajimari> no Chronicle (＜ハジマリ＞のChronicle) (Hidden Track)
21. <Kuuhaku> no Chronicle (＜空白＞のChronicle) (Hidden Track)22. Raijin no Migiude (Instrumental) (雷神の右腕 (Instrumental)) (Bonus Track)
23. "Chro2" System Voices Shuu (『Chro2』システムヴォイス集) (Bonus Track)
1st Major Album - Elysion ~Rakuen e no Zensoukyoku~ (Elysion ～楽園への前奏曲～)
2004.10.27 | BZCS-5004
Singers/Collab.: Aramary, Jimang, Haruka Shimotsuki
1. Ark
2. Tadoritsuku Uta (辿りつく詩)
3. Koibito wo Uchi Otoshita Hi (恋人を射ち堕とした日)
4. Rein no Sekai (澪音の世界)
5. Mahou Tsukai Sarabant (魔法使いサラバント)
6. Raijin no Keifu (雷神の系譜)
7. Ori no Naka no Hana (檻の中の花)
8. Yield
4th Story CD - Elysion ~Rakuen Gensou Monogatari Kumikyoku~ (Elysion ～楽園幻想物語組曲～)
2005.04.13 | BZCS-5006
Singers/Collab.: Aramary, Jimang
1. El no Rakuen [-> side:E ->] (エルの楽園 [→ side:E →])
2. Ark
3. El no Ehon [Majo to Lafrenze] (エルの絵本【魔女とラフレンツェ】)
4. Baroque
5. El no Shouzou (エルの肖像)
6. Yield
7. El no Tenbin (エルの天秤)
8. Sacrifice
9. El no Ehon [Fuefuki Otoko to Parade] (エルの絵本【笛吹き男とパレード】)
10. StarDust
11. El no Rakuen [-> side:A ->] (エルの楽園 [→ side:A →])
12. Elysion (Bonus Track)
5th Story CD - Roman
2006.11.22 | KICS-91286/KICS-1286
Singers/Collab.: Hiver Laurant, KAORI, YUUKI, RIKKI, REMI, Jimang, etc
1. Asa to Yoru no Monogatari (朝と夜の物語)
2. Honoo (焔)
3. Miezaru Ude (見えざる腕)
4. Norowareshi Houseki (呪われし宝石)
5. Hoshikuzu no Kawahimo (星屑の革紐)
6. Hiiro no Fuusha (緋色の風車)
7. Tenshi no Chouzou (天使の彫像)
8. Utsukushiki Mono (美しきもの)
9. Yorokobi to Kanashimi no Budoushou (歓びと哀しみの葡萄酒)
10. Tasogare no Kenja (黄昏の賢者)
11. Juichimoji no Dengon (11文字の伝言)
12. bonus track: Yaneura Roman (屋根裏物語)
7th Story CD - Marchen
2010.12.15 | KICS-91630/KICS-1630
Singers/Collab.: Märchen von Friedhof, Ceui, Kanami Ayano, Azumi Inoue, etc.
1. Yoiyami no Uta (宵闇の唄)
2. Kakei no Majo (火刑の魔女)
3. Kuroki Okami no Yado (黒き女将の宿)
4. Garasu no Hitsugi de Nemuru Himegimi (硝子の棺で眠る姫君)
5. Nama to Shi wo Wakatsu Kyoukai no Furuido (生と死を別つ境界の古井戸)
6. Bara no Tou de Nemuru Himegimi (薔薇の塔で眠る姫君)
7. Aoki Hakushaku no Shiro (青き伯爵の城)
8. Haritsuke no Seijo (磔刑の聖女)
9. Gyoukou no Uta (暁光の唄)
=== Pleasure CDs
=== 1st Pleasure CD - Pico Magic
2003.05.04 | Indie Release
Singers/Collab.: Aramary, Jimang, Haruka Shimotsuki
1. Onegai! Pico Majin☆ (お願いっ! ぴこ魔神☆)
2. Pico DJ☆ (ぴこDJ☆)
3. Shijin Ballad no Higeki (詩人バラッドの悲劇)
4. Todoritsuku Uta (辿りつく詩)
5. Raijin no Keifu (雷神の系譜)
6. Ark (Pico Magic ver.)
7. Majo to Lafrenze (Pico Magic ver.) (魔女とラフレンツェ (Pico Magic ver.))
8. Mahou Tsukai Sarabant (魔法使いサラバント)
9. Koibito wo Uchi Otoshita Hi (恋人を射ち堕とした日)
10. Gin'iro no Basha (銀色の馬車)
11. Thanatos no Gensou wa Owaranai... (タナトスの幻想は終わらない...)
2nd Pleasure CD - Pico Magic Reloaded
2003.08.17 | Indie Release
Singers/Collab.: Aramary, Jimang
1. ...Reloaded
2. Yaneura no Shoujo (屋根裏の少女)
3. Ori no Naka no Yuugi (詩人バラッドの悲劇)
4. Ori no Naka no Hana (檻の中の花)
5. Ark (Reloaded Ver.)
6. Rinne no Sunadokei (輪廻の砂時計)
7. Rein no Sekai (澪音の世界)
8. They there said Reloaded...
=== Singles
=== 1st Maxi Single - Shonen wa Tsurugi wo... (少年は剣を...)
2006.10.04 | KDSD-00111
Singers/Collab.: KAORI, YUUKI, REMI, RIKKI
1. Shuutan no Ou to Isekai no Kishi ~The Endia & The Knights~ (終端の王と異世界の騎士 ～The Endia & The Knights～)
2. Hiiro no Fuusha ~Moulin Rouge~ (緋色の風車 ～Moulin Rouge～)
3. Kamigami ga Itoshita Rakuen ~Belle Isle~ (神々が愛した楽園 ～Belle Isle～)
Story Maxi Single - Seisen no Iberia (聖戦のイベリア)
2007.08.01 | KICM-91208
Singers/Collab.: Shaytan, KAORI, YUUKI, RIKKI, REMI, Jimang
1. Arasoi no Keifu (争いの系譜)
2. Ishidatami no akaki Akuma (石畳の緋き悪魔)
3. Shinryakusurumono Sarerumono (侵略する者される者)
Quote:
it's story is about the Holy War in Iberia.
can be downloaded here
Prologue Single - Ido e itaru Mori e itaru Ido (イドへ至る森へ至るイド)
2010.06.16 | KICM-91311
Singers/Collab.: Märchen von Friedhof, Joelle, MIKI, Hatsune Miku, Junger März
1. Hikari to Yami no Douwa (光と闇の童話)
2. Kono Semai Torikago no Naka de (この狭い鳥籠の中で)
3. Kanojo ga Majo ni Natta Riyuu (彼女が魔女になった理由)
GUNSLINGER GIRL Image Album - POca Felicita
2005.12.21 | MJCD-20043
Singers/Collab.: JOSEFA, Ami Koshimizu…
1. La ragazza col fucile
2. Il fratello
3. Lui si chiama...
4. La principessa del regno del sole
5. Biancaneve bruno
6. Pinocchio
7. Claes tranquillo
8. La principessa del regno della pasta
9. Io mi chiamo...
10. La ragazza
11. La ragazza col fucile e poca felicita
Haruka Shimotsuki x Revo Collaboration Maxi Single - Kiri no Mukou ni Tsunagaru Sekai
2006.06.14 | KDSD-00099
Singers/Collab.: Haruka Shimotsuki
1. Weiβ ～幻想への誘い～
2. Schwarz ～そして少女は森の中～
3. schwarzweiβ ～霧の向こうに繋がる世界～
Revo x Yuki Kajiura Collaboration Maxi Single - Dream Port
2008.06.18 | KIZM-15～16
Singers/Collab.: Sound Horizon + Wakana, Keiko, Kaori, Yuuka, Yuriko Kaida, Yuri Kasahara.
1. 砂塵の彼方へ…
2. sand dream
=== DVD/blurays
=== Elysion~Rakuen Parade e Youkoso
2006.03.08 | BZBM-5003～5004
Sound Horizon Concert Tour “Roman”
2007.04.25 | KIBM-90135～6
Triumph~Great Invasion of Territorial Expansion II
2008.02.08 | bundled with Triumph Photobook
6th Story Concert: Moira~Soredemo, oyukinasai kora yo~
2009.03.25 | KIBM-90186～90187
Triumph of 3rd Territorial Expansion – Celebration of Revo’s Inception DAY 1
2009.12.09 | KIBM.228～229/KIXM.13
Triumph of 3rd Territorial Expansion – Celebration of Revo’s Inception DAY 2
2009.12.09 | KIBM.230～231/KIXM.14
Triumph of 3rd Territorial Expansion – Celebration of Revo’s Inception COMPLETE DVD BOX
2009.12.09 | KIBM.90228～90231
5th Anniversary Movie “Across the Horizon”
2010.03.24 | KIBM-236/KIXM-16
NEW RELEASE / INFO 2011.03.22 The trailer for the 7th Story Concert “Märchen” is UP!
2011.02.01 The 7th Story Concert will be in 3D theaters before its DVD Release! + Sound Horizon Cafe
As it has just been announced at the Imperial Household Agency, the upcoming DVD “Sound Horizon 7th Story Concert 「Märchen」 ～ Kimi ga ima waratte iru, mabayui sono jidai ni… ～” will be in theaters, screened in 3D before its release. This means that we’ll possibly have to wait a bit more until the DVD Release, but everyone (in Japan) who didn’t manage to attend the live will be able to see it in 3D!
It has been confirmed that this year there will be a Sound Horizon Cafe, like in 2010. The place hasn’t been set yet, but it will be longer that last year’s: from March 17th to April 13th! Too bad this is nothing but awesome stuff we can’t enjoy.
Quote:
Still new to Sound Horizon, interested in it and didn't know what song you should heard first?
1. I would recommend to download "Seisen no Iberia" single or try to watch this:
2. Need another awesome live to convince? Here's 死せる英雄達の戦い from 6th Story Concert "Moira"
3. Or you can try to download "Ido e Itaru Mori e Ido" single and "Marchen" album
That's my recommendation, which is make me going into Sound Horizon Kingdom.
25th March 2011, 02:11 AM
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