Nil (stylized as nil) is a Japanese rock band formed in 1998 by Tetsu Takano (ex-Malice Mizer, ex-Mega8Ball, Zigzo, The JuneJulyAugust), Hiroyuki Kashimoto and Kyoshi Moro. The original intent of Nil was to become Tetsu's solo unit and even though it has become a full-fledged band, all lyrics and songwriting has been solely handled by Tetsu. The band only lasted briefly during its first incarnation and went on hiatus by the end of 1998. It would not resurface until the middle of 2002 when they would start recording again and Tetsu formed his own record label, Afro Skull Records. The name "Nil" literally means "absolute zero" and as an acronym refers to "native irreligious language".
In 2005, Nil had many setbacks which resulted in the departure of founding members Kashimoto and Moro who both left the band on January 10, 2005, the last day of the "Touring Inferno" tour. Eventually replacement drummer Furuton (ex-Oblivion Dust, ex-Mega8Ball support) left the band after only 6 months. By the end of 2005 Nil finally settled down with the addition of Masaru Kobayashi (ex-Soy Sauce Sonix, ex-Sads, The Cro-Magnons) on bass and Kazama Hiroyuki (ex-Fantastic Designs) on drums.
In the years since resuming activities, Nil has recorded and released 5 full albums, 7 mini albums, 1 cover album, 1 live album, 1 compilation album, 3 singles, 2 fan-club only CDs and 8 DVDs. Tetsu has claimed that Nil is his life's work and despite some bumps in the road, he has shown no signs of slowing down with his music and the band Nil.
In February 16, 2025, it was announced that Nil would release their new full album lil ill on April 27th, along with a tour. It was also announced that Jin Terui (Pulling Teeth, The Black Comet Club Band, Disco Volante, ROODY'S) would join Nil permanently as a drummer, replacing Hiroyuki Kazama.
Members Tetsu Takano (ex-Ner-vous, ex-Malice Mizer, ex-Mega8Ball, ex-Zigzo, The JuneJulyAugust, The Black Comet Club Band) – vocals, guitar, songwriter, leader (1998, 2002–present) Masaru Kobayashi (ex-Soy Sauce Sonix, ex-Sads, The Cro-Magnons, The Black Comet Club Band) – bass (2005–present) Jin Terui (Pulling Teeth, The Black Comet Club Band, Disco Volante, ROODY'S) – drums (2025–present)
Former Hiroyuki "Marawo" Kashimoto – bass (1998, 2002–2005) Kyoshi Moro (ex-Ner-vous, Mugiwara Boushi) – drums (1998, 2002–2005) Sota "Furuton" Ofuruton (ex-Oblivion Dust, ex-Mega8Ball support) – drums (2005) Hiroyuki Kazama (ex-Fantastic Designs, The Black Comet Club Band) – drums (2005–2025)
Discography
Albums 12Inplosion (May 8, 2004), Oricon Albums Chart Peak Position: No. 161nilのアルバム売り上げランキング oricon.co.jp Retrieved 2012-01-13 The song "Hate Beat!" was used as the ending theme of the TV program Quiz! Hexagon. Excalibur (エクスカリバー, April 6, 2005) No. 184 The Painkiller (January 24, 2007) No. 179 The Great Spirits (March 19, 2008, compilation album) No. 211 Multiness (マルチネス, September 10, 2008) No. 176 Scotoma (September 16, 2009) No. 198 Granvia (September 03, 2014) No. 161 lil ill (April 27, 2025)
Mini albums Nil from Hell (September 1, 2002) Sayonara da Vinci (さよならダヴィンチ, December 1, 2002) Down to Dawn (September 18, 2003) The Covering Inferno (November 25, 2004, cover album) No. 220 Agape (アガペー, November 2, 2005, limited edition EP available only at live appearances or by mail-order) Scherzo (スケルツオ, November 2, 2005) No. 259 Man Woman (マンウーマン, October 25, 2006) No. 234 Guitar and Skirt (ギタートスカート, November 22, 2006) No. 274 Aria (December 13, 2006) No. 296 Geron (ゲロン, September 12, 2007) No. 210 Warp Rock (September 8, 2010) No. 223 Wildflower EP (May 1, 2026)
Singles "Drop" (March 16, 2005), Oricon Singles Chart Peak Position: No. 121nilのシングル売り上げランキング oricon.co.jp Retrieved 2012-01-13 "Gita to Sukato" (ギタートスカート, November 22, 2006) "Aria" (December 13, 2006)
Live album Stroke! Swing!! Shout!!! (January 10, 2005)
Fan-club only CDs Thank You (July 2004) One Day Ver. DS Mix (November 2005) Thank You Rerecording (2010)
Compilations Search Out the Jams: The Pogo Tribute Album (October 8, 2008) Contributed a cover of the song "1990 (Machiwabita Toki)" (1990(待ちわびた時))
DVDs Stronger Than Paranoid (July 2004, PV collection) Tears for Killers (March 4, 2006, limited edition collection of PVs available only at live appearances or by mail-order) The Pirates (February 2007) Tonight! Revolution! (March 24, 2007, live concert) MultinessSpecial (April 11, 2009, live concert) Sco-Tomato (September 13, 2009) "W.H.M" (January 1, 2010, live concert) The Warp Rock Studio (September 20, 2010, PV collection)
References
External links Official website Official MySpace Kyoshi Moro's official website Hiroyuki Kashimoto's blog