2011 looks to be an exciting year for L’Arc~En~Ciel fans.  The Japanese rock band is celebrating its twentieth anniversary with an international tour, which was kicked off by a New Year’s Eve performance at midnight December 31, 2010 in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. This marks a return from the group’s last hiatus of over two years.  L’Arc~En~ Ciel has also released three “best of” compilation albums in February 2011, a five-concert DVD box set in April, and has announced two live anniversary shows so far, both at Tokyo Stadium in May. 

Known more affectionately as “Laruku” to their fans, L’Arc~En~Ciel’s spirited melodic rock features complex, fast paced guitar work along with up-tempo bass and drum lines, plus embellishment with keyboards and even occasional strings and horns.  This recipe makes for instrumentally rich songs with an overall positive, uplifting vibe which transcends their largely Japanese lyrics to touch audiences around the world.  One has only to view guest comments anywhere the band is mentioned on the internet, to realize their appeal to fans in many countries.  What makes Laruku’s music so universally attractive?  Part of their secret to success is the fact that their songs simply make listeners feel good.  As befits a band whose name means “The Rainbow”, they remind us that rock ‘n’ roll is supposed to be fun.  These artists produce a unique combination of powerful rock rhythms with layers of lighthearted melodies and unmistakably emotional vocals.  It’s an infectious mix that draws fans of all ages, and has kept them loyal throughout the group’s history of hiatus and rejoining.

Perhaps L’Arc~en~Ciel’s most striking attribute is their longevity; all current members have been together since 1997, a claim few bands of any nationality can make.  When listening to their most recent music or watching one of their energetic live performances, it’s hard to believe these artists are now in their forties.  Vocalist Hyde and bassist Tetsuya started the group in Osaka in 1991.  A year and a half later, their original guitarist Hiro was replaced by Ken, and Sakura took over for the original drummer Pero in 1993.  The current lineup was finalized in 1997 when Sakura left the group to be replaced by Yukihiro.  Over the years, Laruku’s style has evolved to include lighter pop ballads alongside heavier rock compositions, but never forsakes their trademark upbeat feel.

Another outstanding aspect of the band is their diversity of talent.  As a group they also create music as P’unk~en~Ciel, in which the members switch around their normal instruments and reveal a sort of “Laruku’s evil twin” persona.  P’unk songs are generally faster and more aggressive, in some cases approaching thrash metal.  They’re recorded as B-sides of some L’Arc single releases.  Besides this group project, each member maintains an active solo career which they develop while L’Arc is on hiatus. HYDE has made three solo albums, and collaborated further with Oblivion Dust guitarist K.A.Z to create the darker rock band known as VAMPS. Yukihiro traded in his drumsticks to serve as vocalist for Acid Android, and Ken took his guitar skills and added vocals to reunite with Sakura in Sons of All Pussys.  As a solo artist, Ken has released one full-length CD and a 5-track mini album.  Laraku bassist Tetsuya created a solo album under the moniker Tetsu69, and recently released another as Tetsuya.  He’s also worked with Japanese rock singer Morrie in a band called Creature Creature.  It may well be this freedom to take breaks and pursue their own projects separately that has made these artists want to reunite again and again, with renewed inspiration each time.  Like partners in any good relationship, L’Arc members clearly know how to balance togetherness and time apart.

L’Arc~En~Ciel first played in the United States in 2004, at an Otakon convention in Baltimore, Maryland.  That was the first time any of the members had performed in America, and according to a DVD Vision Japan interview after the show, the band were surprised at their popularity in the U.S.  Until then, they hadn’t realized that very many people knew of them outside of their home country.  Encouraged by the audience’s warm reaction to their performance, they stated that they would like to continue performing in the U.S.  In fact, HYDE did return to America as a solo act in 2006 and has also done multiple U.S. shows with VAMPS.  L’Arc~En~Ciel again performed intercontinentally in Paris, France as part of their 2008 tour.  However, they have yet to repeat their American concert, leading hopeful fans to speculate that they may book some U.S. dates as part of the 2011 anniversary tour.  In the meantime, check out some of Laruku’s many releases and enjoy a diverse and energetic musical experience.