L'Arc | HYDE | back to shrines

hyde was always my favorite member of L'Arc (my bias, if you're versed in k-pop speak). Similarly to L'Arc, I was introduced to his solo work through PopJapan.tv where I saw the HELLO PV and was changed irrevocably.

hyde was born Takarai Hideto on January 29th, 1969 in Wakayama, Japan (making him an Aquarius). He draws influence primarily from hair metal, punk, goth, and new romantic artists and fashion. Hyde has expressed an interest in the visual arts, and may have worked professionally as a painter if not for his colorblindness. His drawings have been published in magazines, as well as his autobiography. Like most Japanese rock musicians of his era, he remains fairly private and mysterious to this day, but he is well-respected and praised by his peers and juniors. He probably would not want me to tell you he is a short king, but he is (approx. 5'2").

As a soloist, hyde (or rather, HYDE) has released four distinct albums, an English version of his debut, and a compilation. Roentgen (2002) is a gentle, acoustic rock album featuring singles Evergreen, Shallow Sleep, and Angel's Tale. I put it on when I can't sleep. HYDE zags on 'em in 2003 with the hard-rock 666, with singles HELLO and HORIZON. He was so fuckin' hot then.

He took a stab at acting in Gackt's* gay vampire AU fanfiction Moon Child and an adaptation of Ai Yazawa's least interesting manga Last Quarter. I have seen both films many times and cannot recommend either one.

He released Faith in 2006, toured Japan extensively, and played four shows in California. In 2008, hyde formed VAMPS with Oblivion Dust/Spin Aqua member Kaz, seemingly as a way to highlight Kaz's contributions to hyde's rock-centric solo work since 666. They put out a few albums and toured the US quite a bit. They've also since gone on hiatus or disbanded.

HYDE put out a metal album, ANTI, in 2019. He took Gackt's place in the short-lived j-rock supergroup SKIN, rebranded as The Last Rockstars, alongside X Japan's Yoshiki, hot DILF Miyavi, and LUNA SEA's Sugizo. They put out a couple songs and did a few shows.

HYDE just put out a new album, JEKYLL, but I haven't listened to it yet because I've been too busy obsessing over Ghost. I'll get to it eventually!

*I said this assuming you know who Gackt is. I feel like there is a good chance you DO know who he is. When I was in high school, only terminally online weebs knew who Gackt was, but over time, I've met a wider range of types of people who know of this cat. If you are unfamiliar with him, he's a notorious freak you (read: I) hate to love. He served (and serve he did) as the second vocalist of iconic visual kei band, Malice Mizer. He is a skilled singer, but his voice can be polarizing. He's obsessed with his penis. He used to own a restaurant that had no overhead lighting, only candles. Now he's big into poker, tax evasion, and teaching people how to fingerbang on the internet. I do not trust this man but damn if he doesn't have some good-ass songs.