Zi:Kill (stylized as ZI:KILL or ZI÷KILL) was a Japanese visual kei rock band active from 1987 to 1994. The core members were vocalist Tusk, bassist Seiichi and guitarist Ken. Zi:Kill achieved moderate success, with their three major label studio albums reaching the top ten on the Oricon chart. They were featured in a chapter of Karl Taro Greenfeld's novel Speed Tribes that documents the writer's time spent with the band and the events that nearly caused their break up.
History
Early years and rise: 1987–1991
Zi:Kill (originally called G-Kill) was formed in November 1987 with Ken on guitar and Seiichi on bass. Tusk joined in February 1988 and soon after Masami joined on drums. On April 20 they played their first show at Meguro Rokumeikan. In 1989 they released their first album, Shin Sekai ~Real of the World~ on the label Ghost Disc. The album was reissued on July 21, this time distributed by Extasy Records, whose founder Yoshiki was introduced to the band by his X Japan bandmate hide, and with the extra track "Karei". After a May 3 concert at Meguro Live Station Masami left the group.
Their first album proved to be successful, with the band becoming one of the more popular groups in Japan's emerging visual kei scene. After recruiting new drummer Yukihiro and signing to Extasy, they released their second album Close Dance in 1990. The album was an even greater success; it reached the first position of Oricon's indies chart, with 30,000 copies pre-ordered. During an October 10 show at Shibuya Kōkaidō, Zi:Kill announced their signing with major label Toshiba EMI, who also gave the band their own label, Planet Earth.
After a small tour Zi:Kill went to London, where they worked on their major label debut. The group had become known for infighting within the band, and upon completing the album, Yukihiro was fired at a December 28, 1990 gig at Kawasaki Club Citta.
Desert Town, their major label debut, appeared to be the bands breakthrough album when it was released in 1991. It hit the Oricon top ten, and their debut single "Lonely" sold 40,000 copies. In 2004, it was named one of the top albums from 1989 to 1998 in an issue of the music magazine Band Yarouze. However, after recruiting new drummer Tetsu and starting a nationwide tour, the band began a bitter dispute with Toshiba EMI that led to Zi:Kill leaving the label. The band ceased promotion of Desert Town, spending the rest of the year playing only a handful of shows. On September 24, 1991 Tetsu announced he was leaving the group. The single "Hero" was released three days later, with Sceana of Kamaitachi providing backing vocals on the B-side "Your Face".
Regrouping and final years: 1992–1994
In January 1992, Zi:Kill announced they had resumed activity with new drummer Eby. As free agents they collaborated with Extasy Records on a history compilation album of songs from their indies albums, along with their newest single "Hero" and new songs "Crack Eye" and "Don't Ask Me!" especially for the record. Tomorrow... was released in 1992 and hit number 34 on the Oricon charts, a monumental success for an indies album. In retaliation, Toshiba EMI released its own Zi:Kill compilation album, Disgrace - The Best, two months later.
In the Hole, a new album recorded that summer, was released by King Records on October 28, 1992. It hit the 8th position on the Oricon, with "Slow Down" as its lead single. After another national tour, they appeared at Extasy Records' Extasy Summit at the Osaka-jō Hall and Nippon Budokan, and had their own one-man performance at the Budokan on December 17, 1993.
For the recording of 1993's Rocket, Zi:Kill went back to London. Ranking 5th on the Oricon, it marked their highest chart appearance. The single "Calling" was also a success, being used as "Tony's Theme" in the anime Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle.
After a nationwide tour titled Flying Rocket 1993, they performed at the Nippon Budokan again on January 11, 1994. This was their last performance, as in May 1994 Zi:Kill disbanded.
Post Zi:Kill
Ken went on to release a number of solo efforts, featuring ex-Zi:Kill drummers Yukihiro and Eby. He also formed the bands Vast and Cry Baby, but currently is a studio musician and producer. Eby is also a session musician who held supporting roles with Bellzlleb, Shazna, Gackt and currently plays in the band Lizard's Tail, who changed their name to Bordeaux in 2014, with former Aion and Craze singer Kenichi Fujisaki. On September 22, 2013, Eby performed in a special band with Pata, Sex George (Ladies Room), Yoshihiko (heidi.) and Cutt, at a concert in memory of hide.