Sound Horizon

Sound Horizon

Sound Horizon, abbreviated by fans as Sanhora, is a Japanese musical group with composer Revo as the leader. They call themselves the 'fantasy band'.

Musical style

Their music is generally in omnibus style; an album contains multiple stories with different themes that create one long story. Soprano or mezzo-soprano vocals are mainly utilized. Usage of narration is not restrained. Strong anime influences and applications are apparent in their music; they have started inviting seiyū for narration since their major debut. Their lyrics are very often mysterious and metaphorical, even more so than those of other J-rock musicians, with themes varying from fantastic ones like ancient curse, legend, dreams, war, and paradise to forbidden lust, longing, obsession, crime, relationships, etc.

Members

Main

• Revo (レヴォ): Composition, arrangement, lyrics, guitar, keyboard, accordion, etc.

Support

• yokoyan (よこやん): Cover illustrator. The oldest support member of SH, she/he has been involved since its establishment.
• Jimang (じまんぐ): Vocal, chorus, narration, voice. Since his debut in Lost, he has participated in all of SH's subsequent releases.
• Saitou "Jake" Shingo (斉藤"Jake"慎吾): Guitar, band master, concert master
• YUUKI (ゆうき): Vocal, chorus. Formerly a member of the group "SpringS" with Aya Hirano and Ayaka Itō
• KAORI (かおり): Vocal, chorus. Also a member of FictionJunction.
• REMI (れみ): Vocal, chorus
• MIKI (みき): Vocal, chorus
• RIKKI (りっき): Vocal, chorus
• Minami Kuribayashi (栗林みな実): Vocal, chorus
• Mari Endou (遠藤麻里): Vocal, chorus
• Takashi Utsunomiya (宇都宮隆): Vocal, chorus
• Haruka Shimotsuki (霜月はるか): Vocal, chorus, voice. Has been involved with the group since Lost.
• Joelle (ジョエル): Vocal, chorus
• Atsushi Hasegawa (長谷川淳): Bass
• Ryou Sakagami (坂上領): Flute
• Ken☆Ken (けん☆けん): Drums
• Azumi Inoue (井上あずみ): Vocal, chorus
• Eiji Kawai (河合英史): Keyboard
• Ike Nelson: Voice, narration
• Rika Fukami (深見梨加): Voice, narration
• Watanabe☆Fire (渡辺☆Fire): Saxophone
• Hirokazu Ebisu (恵比須弘和): Sound effects
• Kyouko Ishigame (石亀協子): Violin
• Machi Okabe (岡部町): Violin
• Mio Wakamatsu (若松美緒): Viola
• Maiko Sato (砂糖舞妓): Cello
• Tomotaka Saka (坂知学): Manipulator

Former members

• Aramary: Vocal, chorus, narration, voice
• Yasrow: Voice
• Haseri (葉芹): Voice
• Kii Miyasaka (宮坂紀伊): Voice
• Yukari Shinozaki (篠崎ゆかり): Violin
• Ayaka Naitou (内藤彩加): Vocal, chorus; replaced by Mari Endou
• Yoshimi Iwasaki (岩崎良美): Vocal, chorus
• Shigeru Tamura (田村滋): Bass
• Kyouko Oosako (大迫京子): Keyboard, piano
• Kanako Itou (伊藤佳奈子): Violin (solo)
• Kana Strings: Strings ensemble
• Gen Ittetsu (弦一徹): Violin (solo)
• Gen Ittetsu Strings: Strings ensemble
• Hanako Uesato (上里はな子): Violin
• Naomi Ishikawa (石川ナオミ): Percussion
• Ryouji Nanto (南都亮二): Drums

Seiyū

• Akio Ohtsuka (大塚明夫)
• Rika Fukami (深見梨加)
• Mamiko Noto (能登麻美子)
• Nobuo Tobita (飛田展男)
• Norio Wakamoto (若本規夫)
• Yukana (ゆかな)
• Yuuko Minaguchi (皆口裕子)
• Hikaru Midorikawa (緑川光)
• Yukari Tamura (田村ゆかり)
• Souichirou Hoshi (保志総一朗)
• Noriko Hidaka (日高のり子)
• Houko Kuwashima (桑島法子)
• Marina Inoue (井上麻里奈)
• Rikiya Koyama (小山力也)
• Yuuichi Nakamura (中村悠一)

History

It started with Revo releasing his music creations on the internet on his website in the late 1990s. In 2001, Sound Horizon participated Comic Market as part of a doujin circle and released their first story CD, Chronicle, an all-instrumental track CD, with occasional narration, background chorus and sound effects. The inclusion of actual singing began from their second release (Thanatos) onwards. Their subsequent works were released at Comic Market and M3.

Sound Horizon's first major release was in 2004, with the album Elysion ~Rakuen e no Zensōkyoku~ (lit. Elysion ~Prelude to Paradise~). Their first maxi-single, Shōnen wa Tsurugi wo..., which was released in 2006, includes "Shūtan no Ou to Isekai no Kishi ~The Endia & The Knights~", the theme for the PlayStation 2 simulation RPG game Chaos Wars, and "Kamigami ga Aishita Rakuen ~Belle Isle~", the opening theme for the MMORPG Belle Isle.

Discography

Doujin Albums

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

1. Sound Horizon
2. Black Chronicle
3. Shijin Ballad no Higeki / 詩人バラッドの悲劇
4. Arbelge no Tatakai / アーベルジュの戦い
5. Juhjyou no Kun ~Koote Tsuita Majou~ / 樹氷の君～凍てついた魔女～
6. Ao to Shiro no Kyoukaisen / 蒼と白の境界線
7. Raijin no Hidariude / 雷神の左腕
8. Shoujo Ningyou / 少女人形
9. Kimi ga Umarete Kuru Sekai / 君が生まれてくる世界
10. [Bonus Extra Track] Natsu no Shigure / 夏の時雨

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

1. Sound Horizon [mode:Thanatos]
2. Soko ni Aru Fuukei / そこに在る風景
3. Kowareta Marionette / 壊れたマリオネット
4. Giniro no Basha / 銀色の馬車
5. Rinne no Sunadokei / 輪廻の砂時計
6. Sango no Shiro / 珊瑚の城
7. Thanatos no Gensou / タナトスの幻想

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

1. Sound Horizon [mode:Lost]
2. Shiro no Genei [White Illusion] / 白の幻影 (White Illusion)
3. Koibito wo Uchiotoshia Hi / 恋人を射ち堕とした日
4. Mahoutsukai Sarabanto / 魔法使いサラバント
5. Ori no Naka no Yuugi / 檻の中の遊戯
6. Kioku no Minasoko / 記憶の水底
7. Ushinawareshi Uta / 失われし詩
8. Hiiro no Hana / 緋色の花
9. Yurikago / ゆりかご
10. Eien no Shounen / 永遠の少年
11. Wasuremono / 忘レモノ

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

1. Onegai! Pico Majin / お願いっ！ぴこ魔神☆
2. PicoDJ☆ / ぴこDJ☆
3. Shijin Ballad no Higeki / 詩人バラッドの悲劇
4. Tadoritsuku Uta / 辿りつく詩
5. Raijin no Keifu / 雷神の系譜
6. Ark (Pico Magic ver.)
7. Majo to Lafrenze [Pico Magic Ver.] / 魔女とラフレンツェ (Pico Magic ver.)
8. Mahoutsukai Sarabanto / 魔法使いサラバント
9. Koibito wo Uchiotoshita Hi / 恋人を射ち堕とした日
10. Giniro no Basha / 銀色の馬車
11. Thanatos no Gensou wa Owaranai... / タナトスの幻想は終わらない

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

1. ...Reloaded
2. Yaneura no Shoujo / 屋根裏の少女
3. Ori no naka no Yuugi / 檻の中の遊戯
4. Ori no naka no Hana / 檻の中の花
5. Ark [Reloaded Ver.]
6. Rinne no Sunadokei / 輪廻の砂時計
7. Rein no Sekai / 澪音の世界
8. [Bonus Track] They just said reloaded

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

1. Kuro no Yogensho / 黒の予言書
2. Shijin Ballad no Higeki / 詩人バラッドの悲劇 (cap.7, p. 168)
3. Tadoritsuku Uta / 辿りつく詩 (cap.9, p. 883)
4. Arbelge no Tatakai / アーベルジュの戦い (cap.8, p. 324)
5. Yakusoku no Oka / 約束の丘 (cap.8, p. 216)
6. Bara no Kishidan / 薔薇の騎士団 (cap.9, p. 468)
7. 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)
8. Seisen to Shinigami ～Eiyuu no Fuzai～ / 聖戦と死神　第二部「聖戦と死神」～英雄の不在～
9. 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～
10. Seisen to Shinigami ～Eiyuu no Kikyou～ / 聖戦と死神　第四部「黒色の死神」～英雄の帰郷～
11. Sho no Sasayaki / 書の囁き
12. Ao to Shiro no Kyoukaisen / 蒼と白の境界線 (cap.16, p. 602)
13. Shizunda Utahime / 沈んだ歌姫 (cap.12, p. 741)
14. Umi no Majo / 海の魔女 (cap.13, p. 509)
15. Aoi me no Kaizoku / 碧い眼の海賊 (cap.17, p. 84)
16. Raijin no Sawan / 雷神の左腕 (cap.1, p. 816)
17. Raijin no Keifu / 雷神の系譜 (cap.4, p. 427)
18. Sho no Majuu / 書の魔獣 (cap.24, p. 1023)
19. Kimi ga Umarete Kuru Sekai / キミが生まれてくる世界
20. Hajimari no Chronicle / ＜ハジマリ＞のクロニクル
21. Kuuhaku no Chronicle / ＜空白＞のクロニクル
22. [Bonus Extra Track] Raijin no Migiude / 雷神の右腕

Major Release Albums

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

1. Ark
2. Tadoritsuku Uta / 辿りつく詩
3. Koibito wo Uchiotoshita Hi / 恋人を射ち堕とした日
4. Rein no Sekai / 澪音の世界
5. Mahōtsukai Sarabanto / 魔法使いサラバント
6. Raijin no Keifu / 雷神の系譜
7. Ori no Naka no Hana / 檻の中の花
8. Yield

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

1. Eru no Rakuen [-> side:E ->] / エルの楽園 ［→ side：Ｅ →］
2. Ark
3. Eru no Ehon [Majo to Rafurentse] / エルの絵本[魔女とラフレンツェ]
4. Baroque
5. Eru no Shōzō / エルの肖像
6. Yield
7. Eru no Tenbin / エルの天秤
8. Sacrifice
9. Eru no Ehon [Fuebuki Otoko to Parade]/ エルの絵本[笛吹き男とパレード]
10. Stardust
11. Eru no Rakuen [-> side:A ->] / エルの楽園［→ side：Ａ →］

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

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

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

1. Asa to Yoru no Roman (Asa to Yoru no Monogatari) / 朝と夜の物語
2. Honoo / 焔
3. Miezaru Ude / 見えざる腕
4. Norowareshi Hōseki / 呪われし宝石
5. Hoshikuzu no Kawahimo / 星屑の革紐
6. Hiiro no Fūsha (Moulin Rouge) / 緋色の風車
7. Tenshi no Chōzō / 天使の彫像
8. Utsukushiki Mono / 美しきもの
9. Yorokobi to Kanashimi no Budōshu / 歓びと哀しみの葡萄酒
10. Tasogare no Kenja / 黄昏の賢者
11. 11-moji no Dengon (11-moji no Message) / １１文字の伝言

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

1. Arasoi no Keifu / 争いの系譜
2. Ishidatami no Akaki Akuma / 石畳の緋き悪魔
3. Shinryaku Suru Mono Sareru Mono / 侵略する者される者

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

1. Meiou / 冥王 (8:08)
2. Jinsei wa Ireko Ningyou / 人生は入れ子人形 (7:19)
3. Shinwa / 神話 (4:44)
4. Unmei no Futago / 運命の双子 (5:00)
5. Dorei Ichiba / 奴隷市場 (4:11)
6. Raijin-iki no Eiyū / 雷神域の英雄 (4:24)
7. Shi to Nageki no Kaze no Miyako / 死と嘆きの風の都 (7:33)
8. Seinaru Shijin no Shima / 聖なる詩人の島 (5:19)
9. Haruka Chiheisen no Kanata e / 遥か地平線の彼方へ (5:05)
10. Shiseru Monotachi no Monogatari / 死せる者達の物語 (5:42)
11. Hoshi Megami no Miko / 星女神の巫女 (4:30)
12. Shiseru Otome Sono Te ni wa Suigetsu / 死せる乙女その手には水月 (5:27)
13. Doreitachi no Eiyū / 奴隷達の英雄 (5:08)
14. Shiseru Eiyūtachi no Tatakai / 死せる英雄達の戦い (5:16)
15. Shinwa no Shūen / 神話の終焉 (2:05)

• 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)

1. Hikari to Yami no Douwa / 光と闇の童話
2. Kono semai Torikago no naka de / この狭い鳥籠の中で
3. Kanojo ga majo ni natta riyuu / 彼女が魔女になった理由

Collab Albums

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

1. La ragazza col fucile
2. Il fratello
3. Lui si chiama...
4. La principessa del regno del sole
5. Biancaneve bruno
6. Pinocchio
7. Claes tranquillo
8. La principessa del regno della pasta
9. Io mi chiamo...
10. La ragazza
11. 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))

1. Weiß: Gensō e no Sasoi / Weiß ～幻想への誘い～
2. Schwarz: Soshite Shōjo wa Mori no Naka / Schwarz ～そして少女は森の中～
3. 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」

1. Sajin no Kanata he...
2. Sand Dream

External links

• Sound Horizon official website Sound Horizon Official Site