lynch.

** Vocals: 葉月 (Hazuki; Vocals: 2004-present, Bass (Studio only): 2004-2010, 2017; ex. KUSSE, ベリィ, DEATHGAZE)

** Lead guitar, Backing Vocals: 玲央 (Reo; 2004-present; ex. Lustair, kein,GULLET)

** Rhythm guitar, Backing Vocals: 悠介 (Yusuke; 2006-present; ex. HYBRID-ZOMBIEZ)

** Bass: 明徳 (Akinori; 2010-2016, 2018–present; ex. ASS'n'ARRow〜あすなろ〜, meth.)

** Drums: 晁直 (Asanao; 2004-present; ex. ★★★★★★~sicstar~)

Ex support members:

** Support Bass: 淳児[ (Junji; 2007-September 10th 2010; ex-Ｕｍａ, ex-ｇｏｓｓｉｐ)

** Support Bass (live):ゆきの (Yukino, 天野攸紀/Yuki Amano; 2004-2006, 2017; DIMMDIVISION., ex-the God and Death stars, ex-kein, ex-deadman, ex-GULLET, ex-the studs)

** Support Bass (live): 光輝 (Hikaru; 2006-2007; ex-Vizell)

** Support Bass (live): 人時 (Hitoki; 黒夢/Kuroyume)

** Support Bass (live): Ryo (defspiral)

** Support Bass (live): Natsuki (DuelJewel)

** Support Bass (live): Miro (LOKA)

History:

lynch. (stylized with a period) is a Japanese rock and metal band formed in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, in August 2004. Known for combining aggressive heavy music with melodic songwriting, the band has become one of the leading acts to emerge from the Nagoya visual kei scene. Although often associated with visual kei and loud rock, the members have consistently rejected genre labels, emphasizing individuality and musical freedom. Since their inception, lynch. have built their reputation primarily through extensive live performances and have maintained a dedicated fanbase both in Japan and overseas. Their official fan club is named SHADOWS.

Formation and early years (2004–2006)

lynch. was formed in August 2004 after guitarist Reo, who had recently left Gullet, invited vocalist Hazuki and drummer Asanao to form a new band in Nagoya.

They were originally playing secret lives as the session band デスゲーム。 (Deathgame.) comprised of vocalist Hazuki (ex-deathgaze), guitarist Reo (ex-Gullet), drummer Asanao (ex-Sicstar), with Yukino (also ex-Gullet) as their support bassist, before performing officially under the name lynch..

The name "lynch." was conceived by Reo. According to Hazuki, the period at the end of the name was added simply because it looked cooler in writing, comparing it to the punctuation mark in the name Morning Musume. Ironically, Hazuki himself has occasionally forgotten to include the period.

From the beginning, the band prioritized live performances over record releases. During the early independent era, many songs were written specifically with audience interaction and live energy in mind. Reo, already a recognizable figure in the Nagoya scene, deliberately avoided media exposure because he did not want the band to be viewed merely as "a new band by former members of another group." Until a stable lineup was completed, the group refused magazine interviews and relied almost entirely on live performances to establish their reputation.

The band made its live debut on December 27, 2004, at Nagoya CLUB QUATTRO. Support bassist Yukino, formerly of deadman, participated in the early recordings and tours. Their first album, greedy dead souls, was released on April 20, 2005.

In February 2006, lynch. temporarily suspended activities while searching for a permanent member. Guitarist Yusuke joined in July 2006, completing the twin-guitar lineup that would remain intact throughout the rest of the independent era. Interestingly, Yusuke initially intended to join as a bassist. Apart from greedy dead souls, whose bass tracks were recorded by Yukino, all other independent releases featured bass performed by Hazuki in the studio.

Independent success and overseas expansion (2006–2010)

The band steadily expanded their audience with singles such as "A Grateful Shit", "Roaring in the Dark", "Enemy", and "Forgiven", followed by the albums The Avoided Sun (2007), The Buried (2007), and Shadows (2009).

lynch. were frequently described as part of the "Nagoya-kei" lineage, citing Kuroyume, Laputa, and Rouage among their influences. Musically, they blended heavy metal, hardcore, and loud rock with memorable melodies and hooks.

On October 11, 2007, they signed with the European label CLJ Records, allowing their music to reach audiences outside Japan. In 2009 they embarked on a three-man tour with heidi. and Sadie.

Although the group had no clearly defined image during their earliest years and simply played music they enjoyed, they later identified the song "I'm sick,b'cuz luv u." as the point at which they discovered what "sounded like lynch." Reo and Hazuki later reflected that heavy music was considered unfashionable when the band began in 2004, but they were glad they had persisted.

Final independent period and major debut (2010–2013)

In July 2010, the band announced plans to join a major label. Their final independent release, the single Judgement, was issued on September 22, 2010, followed by the "LAST INDIES TOUR THE JUDGEMENT DAYS".

During the tour, Hazuki developed acute pharyngitis, laryngitis, and swelling of the vocal cords, forcing him to miss several performances. The remaining members continued the tour while offering refunds to fans attending shows without the vocalist.

Former meth. bassist Akinori joined as a support member after Junji ended his support activities. On December 19, 2010, at the final performance of the tour at Shibuya O-East, Akinori officially became the band's bassist. A December 26 performance at Nagoya Diamond Hall effectively marked the end of the independent era.

In June 2011, lynch. made their major-label debut through King Records with the album I Believe in Me. The band continued with Inferiority Complex (2012) and expanded internationally through Okami Records beginning in 2012.

Growing popularity (2013–2016)

The release of Exodus-EP in 2013 marked an important turning point, as songwriting contributions began to come from members other than Hazuki. Until then, Hazuki had written nearly all lyrics and music by himself.

Hazuki's lyrical approach had traditionally focused on creating abstract imagery rather than direct messages, describing lyrics as "something like an abstract painting that exists to enhance the song." Beginning with the single "Lightning", he increasingly explored thematic and conceptual songwriting.

In December 2013, lynch. held their first Zepp tour across Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. The official fan club SHADOWS was established in February 2014.

Their albums Gallows (2014), D.A.R.K. -In the Name of Evil- (2015), and Avantgarde (2016) further solidified their status. Through D.A.R.K., the band made its European debut. In 2016, they celebrated five years since their major debut by holding completely free concerts in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. They also appeared at X Japan's VISUAL JAPAN SUMMIT 2016.

Akinori's arrest and hiatus (2016–2018)

On November 22, 2016, bassist Akinori was arrested by Aichi Prefectural Police for marijuana possession. The band immediately suspended activities and canceled all scheduled performances. Akinori subsequently left the group.

lynch. resumed activities in February 2017 as a four-piece. Their EP Sinners featured contributions from guest bassists including J, Yukke of MUCC, and Yoshihiro Yasui of Outrage. Additional live support bassists included Hitoki (Kuroyume), Ryo (defspiral), and Natsuki (DuelJewel). The band also covered D'erlanger's "XXX for You" for the tribute album Stairway to Heaven.

On December 31, 2017, the group announced that Akinori would return. He officially rejoined at the band's largest concert to date, XIII -GALLOWS-, held at Makuhari Messe on March 11, 2018. The EP Sinners -No One Can Fake My Bløod- was released shortly afterward, featuring newly recorded bass tracks by Akinori.

Their thirteenth album, XIII, debuted at number eight on the weekly Oricon chart, giving the band its first top-ten album.

COVID-19 era and Budokan (2020–2022)

In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, lynch. launched a support campaign for struggling live houses. They released the charity single Overcome the Virus, containing two new songs and a re-recorded version of "A Gleam in Eye". Approximately 11 million yen in profits were distributed among 149 venues throughout Japan.

The same year saw the release of the album Ultima.

To commemorate their fifteenth anniversary, the band announced their first solo concert at Nippon Budokan, titled 15TH ANNIVERSARY THE FATAL HOUR HAS COME AT NIPPON BUDOKAN, scheduled for February 3, 2021. However, the event was canceled following the reintroduction of a state of emergency. Instead, lynch. held a free livestream concert titled The Resistance on YouTube.

On December 27, 2021, the band announced that they would suspend activities after their seventeenth anniversary concert, The Ideal, on December 31.

During the hiatus, all members remained active elsewhere. Hazuki resumed solo activities, Reo revived his former band kein, Yusuke continued with kenko, Akinori formed Vivace, and Asanao supported deadman.

On September 1, 2022, lynch. announced their return. The postponed Nippon Budokan concert was finally held on November 23, 2022.

Rebirth and twentieth anniversary (2023–present)

In 2023, lynch. released the album Reborn and began worldwide distribution through JPU Records. The same year they embarked on the "REBORN" and "THE CRAVING BELIEVERS" tours.

The EP FIERCE-EP followed in 2024.

To celebrate their twentieth anniversary, the band launched a large-scale retake project in 2025. New versions of GREEDY DEAD SOULS and UNDERNEATH THE SKIN were released in April, followed by retakes of THE AVOIDED SUN and SHADOWS in September. Additional releases included GOD ONLY KNOWS.

Discussing the current identity of lynch., Reo stated that Akinori's bass had become central to the band's modern sound, explaining that when one member's sound changes, the entire ensemble changes with it. He described contemporary lynch. as a band whose foundation is organically built around Akinori's playing.

In 2026, the band held the fan club-exclusive event DEADLY DEEP KISS, followed by the one-man concert ADMIRE ME. On July 1, 2026, they released the album CLIMAX and launched the nationwide tour IGNITE THE CLIMAX.

Musical style

lynch. base their sound on heavy metal, hardcore, and loud rock while emphasizing catchy melodies, memorable riffs, and rhythmic hooks. Though frequently classified as visual kei or loud rock, the members reject such labels. Hazuki has stated that the band does not consider itself either visual kei or loud kei and aspires to transcend genre boundaries, citing predecessors who never categorized themselves.

Discography:

Albums

2005.04.20 - greedy dead souls

2007.04.25 - The Avoided Sun

2007.11.07 - The Buried

2009.07.08 - Shadows

2011.06.01 - I Believe in Me

2012.06.27 - Inferiority Complex

2014.04.09 - Gallows

2015.10.07 - D.A.R.K.: In the Name of Evil

2016.09.14 - Avantgarde

2018.07.11 - XIII

2020.03.18 - Ultima

2023.03.01 - Reborn

2025.04.30 - GREEDY DEAD SOULS

2025.09.24 - THE AVOIDED SUN

2025.09.24 - SHADOWS

2026.07.01 - CLIMAX

EPs

2005.11.16 - Underneath the Skin

2013.08.14 - Exodus

2017.05.31 - Sinners

2018.04.25 - Sinners: No One Can Fake My Blood

2024.06.26 - FIERCE-EP

2025.04.30 - UNDERNEATH THE SKIN

2025.04.30 - GOD ONLY KNOWS

Singles

2006.07.20 - A Grateful Shit

2006.11.15 - Roaring in the Dark

2006.12.13 - Enemy

2007.01.17 - Forgiven

2008.04.02 - Adore

2008.10.15 - Ambivalent Ideal

2010.04.28 - A Gleam in Eye

2010.09.22 - Judgement

2011.11.09 - Mirrors

2012.10.24 - Lightning

2013.02.20 - Ballad

2013.07.13 - Anathema

2015.08.05 - Evoke

2015.09.02 - Eternity

2017.11.08 - Blood Thirsty Creature

2017.11.11 - Creature

2020.03.18 - Xero

2020.12.23 - Allive (digital single)

Videography

2008.02.23 - Official Bootleg

2009.03.01 - Official Bootleg 2

2009.12.12 - The Shadow Impulse

2011.03.05 - Official Bootleg 3

2012.02.08 - Il Inferno

2014.09.10 - To the Gallows

2016.01.13 - The Decade of Greed

2016.06.15 - Immortality

2018.08.08 - The Five Blackest Crows

Live albums / DVDs

2008.03.01 - Toward The Avoided Sunrise Final Live @ Shibuya O-West

2008.10.24 - The Diffusing Ideal Live @ Liquid Room

2009.09.06 - The Shadow Impulse Final Live @ Akasaka Blitz

2012.02.08 - The Belief in Myself Final: Il Inferno

2014.09.10 - TOUR'14 "TO THE GALLOWS" -ABSOLUTE XANADU- 04.23 SHIBUYA-AX

2016.01.13 - HALL TOUR'15 "THE DECADE OF GREED" -05.08 SHIBUYA KOKAIDO-

2016.06.15 - IMMORTALITY

2018.08.08 - 13th ANNIVERSARY -XIII GALLOWS- [THE FIVE BLACKEST CROWS] 18.03.11 MAKUHARI MESSE

https://lynch.jp