History Part 3 : Blockbuster Success in J-pop Market (1998-2000)

Their 1998 single "Winter Fall", became their first number-one single on the Oricon charts. They released the album Heart on February 25, 1998. Ark and Ray were released simultaneously on July 1, 1999, and became the first Japanese albums to be released simultaneously in many other Asian countries. Both topped the Oricon music charts, with Ark occupying number one and Ray at number two. The release of Ark and Ray marked the commercial high point of the band's career, with each selling over two million copies.

Their next album Real was released on August 30, 2000. However, it was their last studio album for some time. "Stay Away" from the album Real was featured in Drum Mania 4th Mix, making the song playable on the machine.

History Part 2 : Sakura's Departure (1997)

In February 1997, drummer Sakura was arrested for illegal drug possession."The Fourth Avenue Cafe", the opening theme for Rurouni Kenshin, was immediately replaced with former theme "Heart of Sword" after only six episodes of running time. In addition, the release of the "The Fourth Avenue Cafe" single was postponed. It was eventually released in 2006. He officially quit the band on October 4, 1997. This proved to be the lowest point in the band's history. When news of Sakura's arrest became public, there was an immediate official response and CDs were removed from the shelves.

Over the next few months the group continued to be featured in magazines, but only as a trio. "The Zombies", which was notionally recorded as a "copy band", sang their songs.They also covered Marilyn Manson's "Irresponsible Hate Anthem". The return from the break was marked by the appropriately named Reincarnation 97 Live in Tokyo Dome, with their new drummer, Yukihiro (former drummer with Zi:Kill and Die in Cries). The first concert in Tokyo Dome had an attendance of 56,000, which sold out in four minutes, a record at that time.

In 1997, "Niji", the first single after Sakura's departure, was released with Yukihiro listed as a supporting member. Not long after the release of the single, Yukihiro was signed on as the official drummer for L'Arc-en-Ciel. (Wikipedia)

History Part 1 : Early Career (1991-1996)

In February 1991, bassist Tetsuya, later band leader, recruited vocalist Hyde along with guitarist Hiro and drummer Pero, and formed a band under the name of L'Arc-en-Ciel. After a year of gaining notoriety in their hometown of Osaka, Hiro left the band on June 12, 1992.

Tetsuya convinced his friend Ken to quit his university studies (he was an architecture major at The Nagoya Institute of Technology) and join the band as the guitarist, but soon Pero left the band on December 30, 1992. In 1993, a new drummer, Sakura, joined the band. On April 1, 1993, the band released their debut album Dune under the indie label Danger Crue.

The album was a success and rose to number one on the Oricon indies charts, catching the attention of some major labels. In 1994, L'Arc-en-Ciel signed on with Sony's Ki/oon division, releasing their second album, TierraHeavenly followed in 1995. True, released in 1996, became their first number-one, million selling album. that same year. (Wikipedia)

eternal rainbows