[J-Music] Sound Horizon

What is Sound Horizon?

The fantasy band Sound Horizon 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.

Sound

In a word, Sound Horizon’s music is “story music”. Its main characteristic is the way stories are depicted using a lot of poems, songs, talking, sound effects, etc., in accordance with the setting. The music is expressed in “suite form”; each album is made as though it were a suite.

Concept

The concepts underlying their works question fundamental elements of human nature that have a contradictory dual aspect; they include life and death, light and shadow, love and hate, and happiness and sadness. The more one listens to the music, the more one understands its depth

Illustration

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.

LIVE Stage

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. 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.

Known as the Gensou Gakudan (幻想楽団 – The Fantasy Band), Sound Horizon has but one official member: Revo. All other members are there by invitation, whether singers, seiyuu or musician; the cast-list varies from album to album.

During the first era of Sound Horizon, the only collaborating members were Jimang and Aramary, but since 2006, other singers have collaborated.
Singers
Revo (Leader)
Aramary
Jimang
Haruka Shimotsuki
Hazeri
YUUKI
KAORI
REMI
RIKKI
Gelia Zilkha
Azumi Inoue
MIKI
Ayaka Naitou
Mari Endo
Minami Kuribayashi
Takashi Utsunomiya
Yoshimi Iwasaki
Joelle
Hatsune Miku (Vocaloid)
Junger März (Vocaloid)
Ceui
Kanami Ayano
Chinatsu Ishii
Kazuki Kiriyama
Mikuni Shimokawa
Tomoyo Kurosawa


Musician
Shingo “Jake” Saito, Guitar
Kyoko Oosako, Keyboard
Eiji Kawai, Keyboard
Shigeru Tamura, Bass
Atsuji Hasegawa, Bass
Ryoji Nanto, Drums
KenKen, Drums
Ryou Sakagami, Flute
Kyoko Ishigame, Violin
Naomi Ishikawa, Violin
Gen Ittetsu, Violin
JUN-JI, Drums
Marty Friedman, Guitar
Motoi Sakuraba, Keyboard
Tomotaka Saka, Manipulator

Sound Horizon has released 19 albums/singles to date. 6 of them belong to the Doujin era, 6 are major releases, and 4 are tie-up/collaboration related albums.

Story CD – Chronicle – Thanatos – Lost – Elysion – Roman – Moira – Märchen
Maxi Single – Shonen wa Tsurugi wo… – Seisen no Iberia – Ido e itaru Mori e itaru Ido
Pleasure CD – Pico Magic – Pico Magic Reloaded
Collaboration – Leviathan – Poca Felicità – Schwarzweiβ – Dream Port

1st Concept Story CD (plus) 「Chronicle」 (December 30, 2001)

Sound Horizon
Black Chronicle
Shijin Ballad no Higeki / 詩人バラッドの悲劇 / The Tragedy of Ballad the Poet
Arbelge no Tatakai / アーベルジュの戦い / The Battle of Arbelge
Juhjyou no Kun ~Koote Tsuita Majou~ / 樹氷の君～凍てついた魔女～
Ao to Shiro no Kyoukaisen / 蒼と白の境界線 / The Borderline of Azure and White
Raijin no Hidariude / 雷神の左腕 / The Thunder God's Left Arm
Shoujo Ningyou / 少女人形 / The Girl Doll
Kimi ga Umarete Kuru Sekai / 君が生まれてくる世界 / The World You'll be Born Into
[Bonus Extra Track] Natsu no Shigure / 夏の時雨 / The Summer Rain

2nd Story CD 「Thanatos」 (August 11, 2002)

Sound Horizon [mode:Thanatos]
Soko ni Aru Fuukei / そこに在る風景 / The View that Exists There
Kowareta Marionette / 壊れたマリオネット / The Broken Marionette
Giniro no Basha / 銀色の馬車 / The Silver Carriage
Rinne no Sunadokei / 輪廻の砂時計 / The Sand Clock of Reincarnation
Sango no Shiro / 珊瑚の城 / The Coral City
Thanatos no Gensou / タナトスの幻想 / Thanatos' Fantasy

3rd Story CD 「Lost」 (December 12, 2002)

Sound Horizon [mode:Lost]
Shiro no Genei [White Illusion] / 白の幻影 (White Illusion)
Koibito wo Uchiotoshia Hi / 恋人を射ち堕とした日 / The Day when I Shot down My Lover
Mahoutsukai Sarabanto / 魔法使いサラバント / Magician Sarabant
Ori no Naka no Yuugi / 檻の中の遊戯 / The Game inside the Prison
Kioku no Minasoko / 記憶の水底 / The Bottom of the Water of Memories
Ushinawareshi Uta / 失われし詩 / The Lost Poem
Hiiro no Hana / 緋色の花 / The Crimson Flower
Yurikago / ゆりかご / Cradle
Eien no Shounen / 永遠の少年 / The Eternal Boy
Wasuremono / 忘レモノ / The Forgotten Things

1st Pleasure CD 「Pico Magic」 (May 4, 2003)

Onegai! Pico Majin☆ / お願いっ！ぴこ魔神☆ / Please! Pico Genie☆
PicoDJ☆ / ぴこDJ☆
Shijin Ballad no Higeki / 詩人バラッドの悲劇 / The Tragedy of the Ballad the Poet
Tadoritsuku Uta / 辿りつく詩 / The Song of Arrival
Raijin no Keifu / 雷神の系譜 / The Genealogy of Thunder God
Ark (Pico Magic ver.)
Majo to Lafrenze [Pico Magic Ver.] / 魔女とラフレンツェ (Pico Magic ver.) /The Witch and Lafrenze (Pico Magic ver.)
Mahoutsukai Sarabanto / 魔法使いサラバント / Magician Sarabant
Koibito wo Uchiotoshita Hi / 恋人を射ち堕とした日 / The Day when I Shot Down my Lover
Giniro no Basha / 銀色の馬車 / The Silver Chariot
Thanatos no Gensou wa Owaranai... / タナトスの幻想は終わらない / Thanatos’ Fantasies are Never-ending…

2nd Pleasure CD 「Pico Magic Reloaded」 (August 17, 2003)

...Reloaded
Yaneura no Shoujo / 屋根裏の少女 / Attic Girl
Ori no naka no Yuugi / 檻の中の遊戯 / The Game in the Cage
Ori no naka no Hana / 檻の中の花 / The Flower in the Cage
Ark [Reloaded Ver.]
Rinne no Sunadokei / 輪廻の砂時計 / The Hourglass of Life and Death Cycle
Rein no Sekai / 澪音の世界 / World of Rein
[Bonus Track] They just said reloaded

1st Story Renewal CD 「Chronicle 2nd」 (March 19, 2004)

Kuro no Yogensho / 黒の予言書 / Black Chronicle
Shijin Ballad no Higeki / 詩人バラッドの悲劇 (cap.7, p. 168) / The Tragedy of Ballad the Poet
Tadoritsuku Uta / 辿りつく詩 (cap.9, p. 883) / The Song of Arrival
Arbelge no Tatakai / アーベルジュの戦い (cap.8, p. 324) / The Battle of Arbelge
Yakusoku no Oka / 約束の丘 (cap.8, p. 216) / The Promised Hill
Bara no Kishidan / 薔薇の騎士団 (cap.9, p. 468) / The Knights of Rose
Seisen to Shinigami ～Senjou wo Kakeru Mono～ / 聖戦と死神　第一部「銀色の死神」～戦場を駈ける者～ (cap.9, p. 527) / Holy War and the Death God I - "The Silver Death God" ~The One who Rides on the Battlefield~
Seisen to Shinigami ～Eiyuu no Fuzai～ / 聖戦と死神　第二部「聖戦と死神」～英雄の不在～ / Holy War and the Death God II - "Holy War and the Death God" ~The Hero's Disappearance~
Seisen to Shinigami ～Rekishi wo Tsumugu Mono～ / 聖戦と死神　第三部「薔薇と死神」～歴史を紡ぐ者～ / Holy War and the Death God III - "Roses and the Death God" ~The One who Weaves History~
Seisen to Shinigami ～Eiyuu no Kikyou～ / 聖戦と死神　第四部「黒色の死神」～英雄の帰郷～ / Holy War and the Death God IV - "The Black Death God" ~The Hero's Returning to Home~
Sho no Sasayaki / 書の囁き / The Book's Whispers
Ao to Shiro no Kyoukaisen / 蒼と白の境界線 (cap.16, p. 602) / The Borderline of Azure and White
Shizunda Utahime / 沈んだ歌姫 (cap.12, p. 741) / The Drown Songstress
Umi no Majo / 海の魔女 (cap.13, p. 509) / The Witch of the Sea
Aoi me no Kaizoku / 碧い眼の海賊 (cap.17, p. 84) / The Blue-eyed Pirate
Raijin no Sawan / 雷神の左腕 (cap.1, p. 816) / The Thunder God's Left Arm
Raijin no Keifu / 雷神の系譜 (cap.4, p. 427) / Genealogy of the Thunder God
Sho no Majuu / 書の魔獣 (cap.24, p. 1023) / The Beast of the Book
Kimi ga Umarete Kuru Sekai / キミが生まれてくる世界 / The World You'll be Born Into
Hajimari no Chronicle / ＜ハジマリ＞のクロニクル / The Chronicle of <Beginning>
Kuuhaku no Chronicle / ＜空白＞のクロニクル / The <Blank> Chronicle
[Bonus Extra Track] Raijin no Migiude / 雷神の右腕 / The Thunder God's Right Arm

Major Release Albums

「Elysion ~Rakuen e no Zensōkyoku~ / ELYSION ～楽園への前奏曲～」 (lit. Elysion ~Prelude to Paradise~) (October 27, 2004)

Ark
Tadoritsuku Uta / 辿りつく詩 / Journeying Song
Koibito wo Uchiotoshita Hi / 恋人を射ち堕とした日 / The Day when I Shot down My Lover
Rein no Sekai / 澪音の世界 / Rein's World
Mahōtsukai Sarabanto / 魔法使いサラバント / Magician Sarabando
Raijin no Keifu / 雷神の系譜 / The Genealogy of the Thunder God
Ori no Naka no Hana / 檻の中の花 / The Flower in the Prison
Yield

4th Story CD 「Elysion ~Rakuen Gensō Monogatari Kumikyoku~ / Elysion ～楽園幻想物語組曲～」 (lit. Elysion ~Paradise Fantasy Story Suite~)(April 13, 2005)

Eru no Rakuen [-> side:E ->] / エルの楽園 ［→ side：Ｅ →］ / El's Paradise [-> side:E ->]
Ark
Eru no Ehon [Majo to Rafurentse] / エルの絵本[魔女とラフレンツェ] El's Picture Book [The Witch and Lafrenze]
Baroque
Eru no Shōzō / エルの肖像 / El's Portrait
Yield
Eru no Tenbin / エルの天秤 / El's Scale
Sacrifice
Eru no Ehon [Fuebuki Otoko to Parade]/ エルの絵本[笛吹き男とパレード] / El's Picture Book [The Pied Piper and the Parade]
Stardust
Eru no Rakuen [-> side:A ->] / エルの楽園［→ side：Ａ →］ / El's Paradise [-> side:A ->]
Bonus Track (no Title)

1st MAXI Single CD 「Shōnen wa Tsurugi wo... / 少年は剣を…」 (October 4, 2006)

Shūtan no Ou to Isekai no Kishi / 終端の王と異世界の騎士 ~The Endia & The Knights~
Hiiro no Fūsha / 緋色の風車 ~Moulin Rouge~
Kamigami ga Aishita Rakuen / 神々が愛した楽園 ~Belle Isle~
Bonus Track (no Title)

5th Story CD 「Roman」 (November 22, 2006)

Asa to Yoru no Roman (Asa to Yoru no Monogatari) / 朝と夜の物語 / The Roman (Story) of Day and Night
Honoo / 焔 / Flame
Miezaru Ude / 見えざる腕 / The Invisible Arm
Norowareshi Hōseki / 呪われし宝石 / The Cursed Jewel
Hoshikuzu no Kawahimo / 星屑の革紐 / The Harness of Stardust
Hiiro no Fūsha (Moulin Rouge) / 緋色の風車 / The Crimson Windmill (Moulin Rouge)
Tenshi no Chōzō / 天使の彫像 / The Sculpture of Angel
Utsukushiki Mono / 美しきもの / Beautiful Things
Yorokobi to Kanashimi no Budōshu / 歓びと哀しみの葡萄酒 / The Wine of Joy and Sorrow
Tasogare no Savant (Tasogare no Kenja) / 黄昏の賢者 / The Savant (Sage) of the Twilight
11-moji no Dengon (11-moji no Message) / １１文字の伝言 / The 11-lettered Message
[Bonus Extra Track] Asa to Yoru no Roman ~Another Roman Mix~ / 朝と夜の物語 ～Another Roman Mix～

1st Story Maxi CD 「Seisen no Iberia / 聖戦のイベリア」 (August 1, 2007)

Arasoi no Keifu / 争いの系譜 / The Genealogy of Conflicts
Ishidatami no Akaki Akuma / 石畳の緋き悪魔 / The Crimson Demon of the Stone Pavement
Shinryaku Suru Mono Sareru Mono / 侵略する者される者 / The Invaders and the Invaded

6th Story CD 「Moira」 (September 3, 2008)

Meiou - Thanatos / 冥王 – Θανατος (8:08) / Hades
Jinsei wa Ireko Ningyou - Matryoshka / 人生は入れ子人形 – Матршка (7:19) / Life is Like a Doll
Shinwa - Mythos / 神話 - Μυθος (4:44) / Myth
Unmei no Futago - Didymoi / 運命の双子 – Διδυμοι (5:00) / The Twin of Destiny
Dorei Ichiba - Douloi / 奴隷市場 – Δουλοι (4:11) / Slave Market
Raijin-iki no Eiyū - Leontius / 雷神域の英雄 – Λεωντιυς (4:24) / The Hero of Thunder God
Shi to Nageki no Kaze no Miyako - Ilion / 死と嘆きの風の都 – Ιλιον (7:33) / The City of Death, Grief, and Wind
Seinaru Shijin no Shima - Lesbos / 聖なる詩人の島 – Λεσβος (5:19) / The Island of Holy Poets
Haruka Chiheisen no Kanata e - Horizontas / 遥か地平線の彼方へ – Οριζοντας (5:05) / Towards the Other Side of the Distant Horizon
Shiseru Monotachi no Monogatari - Istoria / 死せる者達の物語 – Ιστορια (5:42) / The Story of the Dying Ones
Hoshi Megami no Miko - Artemisia / 星女神の巫女 – Αρτεμισια (4:30) / The Priestess of Goddess of Stars
Shiseru Otome Sono Te ni wa Suigetsu - Parthenos / 死せる乙女その手には水月 – Παρθενος (5:27) / The Dying Virgin with Moon Reflection on Her Hand
Doreitachi no Eiyū - Eleuseus / 奴隷達の英雄 – Ελευσευς (5:08) / The Hero of the Slaves
Shiseru Eiyūtachi no Tatakai - Iromachia / 死せる英雄達の戦い – Ηρωμαχια (5:16) / The Battle of the Dying Heroes
Shinwa no Shūen - Telos / 神話の終焉 – Τελος (2:05) / The End of Myth
[Bonus Extra Track] Kami no Hikari / 神の光 (7:06) / The Light of God

1st Prologue Maxi CD 「~Ido e Itaru Mori e Itaru Ido~ / イドへ至る森へ至るイド (June 16, 2010)

Hikari to Yami no Märchen (Hikari to Yami no Dōwa) / 光と闇の童話 (7:36) / The Märchen (Fairytale) of Light and Dark
Kono Semai Torikago no Naka de / この狭い鳥籠の中で (6:06) / Inside this Small Birdcage
Kanojo ga Majo ni Natta Riyū / 彼女が魔女になった理由 (6:47) / The Reason Why She Became Witch
[Bonus Track] / Tereeze、Moshiku ha Eriize no Tameni / テレーゼ、もしくはエリーゼの為に (3:13) / For Therese, or For Elise
[Bonus Track] (Limited Edition Version) / Kuroki Shi no Shinkou / 黒き死の進行 (2:15) / The March of Black Death

7th Story CD 「Märchen」 (December 15, 2010)

Yoiyami No Uta / 宵闇の唄 / The Song of Dusk (10:18)
Kakei No Majo / 火刑の魔女 / The Witch at the Stake (09:18)
Kuroki Okami No Yado / 黒き女将の宿 / The Dark Landlady's Inn (06:53)
Garasu No Hitsugi De Nemuru Himegimi / 硝子の棺で眠る姫君 / The Girl That Sleeps in the Coffin of Glass (08:31)
Sei To Shi Wo Wakatsu Kyoukai No Furuido / 生と死を別つ境界の古井戸 / The Old and Unused Well of the Boundary That Separates Life and Death (09:19)
Bara No Tou De Nemuru Himegimi / 薔薇の塔で眠る姫君 / The Girl That Sleeps in the Tower of Roses (09:00)
Aoki Hakushaku no Shiro / 青き伯爵の城 / The Blue Marquis' Castle (07:38)
Takkei no Seijo / 磔刑の聖女 / The Crucified Saint (08:09)
Gyoukou no Uta / 暁光の唄 / The Song of Dawn (04:31)
[Bonus Track] 無音 / Silence (03:23)

Collaboration

Collab Albums

Leviathan Image CD 「Shuumatsu wo Tsugeshi Kemono」
Gunslinger Girl Image Album 「Poca felicità」

La ragazza col fucile
Il fratello
Lui si chiama...
La principessa del regno del sole
Biancaneve bruno
Pinocchio
Claes tranquillo
La principessa del regno della pasta
Io mi chiamo...
La ragazza
La ragazza col fucile e poca felicita

Shimotsuki Haruka † Revo Collabo CD 「Kiri no Mukou ni Tsunagaru Sekai / 霧の向こうに繋がる世界」 (lit. schwarzweiß ~Worlds Connected Beyond the Mist~) (June 14, 2006))

Weiß: Gensō e no Sasoi / Weiß ～幻想への誘い～
Schwarz: Soshite Shōjo wa Mori no Naka / Schwarz ～そして少女は森の中～
Schwarzweiß: Kiri no Mukō ni Tsunagaru Sekai / Schwarzweiß ～霧の向こうに繋がる世界～ (Atelier Iris: Grand Fantasm theme song)

Revo x Kajiura Yuki 「Dream Port」

Sajin no Kanata he...
Sand Dream

01. Yoiyami no Uta
02. Kakei no Majo
03. Kuroki Okami no Yado
04. Garasu no Hitsugi de Nemuru Himegimi
05. Sei to Shi wo wakatsu Kyoukai no Furuido
06. Bara no Tou de Nemuru Himegimi
07. Aoki Hakushaku no Shiro
08. Haritsuke no Seijo <= Favouriiiite
09. Gyokou no Uta

Meiou / 冥王 (8:08)
Jinsei wa Ireko Ningyou / 人生は入れ子人形 (7:19)
Shinwa / 神話 (4:44)
Unmei no Futago / 運命の双子 (5:00)
Dorei Shijou / 奴隷市場 (4:11)
Raijin-iki no Eiyū / 雷神域の英雄 (4:24)
Shi to Nageki no Kaze no Miyako / 死と嘆きの風の都 (7:33)

朝と夜の物語 / Asa to Yoru no Monogatari
焔 / Honoo
見えざる腕 / Miezaru Ude
呪われし宝石 / Norowareshi Houseki
星屑の革紐 / Hoshikuzu no Kawahimo
緋色の風車 / Hiiro no Fūsha
天使の彫像 / Tenshi no Chouzou
美しきもの / Utsukushiki Mono
歓びと哀しみの葡萄酒 / Yorokobi to Kanashimi no Budoushou
黄昏の賢者 / Tasogare no Kenja
１１文字の伝言 / Juichimoji no Dengon