is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in Hirosaki in 1987. The band's current line-up consists of co-founders Shinji Wajima (guitar, vocals) and Ken-ichi Suzuki (bass, vocals) alongside Nobu Nakajima (drums, vocals), who joined in 2004. All three members contribute to the songwriting process. They have been noted for their stage personas, with Wajima dressing as a Meiji-era literary master, Suzuki dressing as a Buddhist monk, and Nakajima dressing as a Yakuza-style gangster.
History
Both natives of Hirosaki, Wajima and Suzuki first became acquainted while attending a concert at the local music venue.Angus Cargill Hang the DJ: An Alternative Book of Music Lists 2008 Page 75 "Ningen Isu The first Japanese band I ever saw and still the very best; Black Sabbath reborn in the Tohoku region of Japan. Fourteen albums to date and you need them all." They eventually became close friends in 1981, when they both entered Hirosaki High School. Their friendship would further develop through frequent exchanges of music records. It was around this time that Suzuki first exposed Wajima to the music of his favorite bands Kiss, Saxon, and Judas Priest, while Wajima shared his love of the Beatles, King Crimson, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin. Suzuki was impressed by Wajima's talent for songwriting and wrote a song called "Demon", while Wajima wrote a song called "Apocalypse of Iron Grill", which was not received well by the local music venue but which Suzuki liked nonetheless. Two years later, Wajima and Suzuki joined the band Shine Shine Dan ("Dead Dead Group"), a band formed by members of the local music venue, with whom they played at music festivals.
In 1985, after enrolling at different universitiesWajima studied Buddhism at Komazawa University, while Suzuki studied Russian literature at Sophia Universitythey formed a hard rock band and settled on the name Ningen Isu in 1987 when drummer Noriyoshi Kamidate joined the band, taking the name from the 1924 short story of the same name by Edogawa Rampo.Mark Driscoll Absolute Erotic, Absolute Grotesque: The Living, Dead, and Undead - 2010 p139 "In the short story "The Human Chair" (Ningen Isu) published in 1924, Rampo intuited this neuropolitical invasion of the body and the de-anthropomorphizing effects that ensue. In the story a worker in a small factory becomes so engrossed in." They first gained public attention in 1989 through a performance of their song "Injū" ("Beast in the Shadows") on Ikasu Band Tengoku (Cool Band Heaven), a new television music competition on Tokyo Broadcasting System Television. Their uniquely heavy sound, technical skill, and lyrics full of literary references took the judges by surprise.
In 1990, they released their first album Ningen Shikkaku, followed two years later by Ōgon no Yoake, after which Kamidate left the band. They kept their heavy sound and lyrics referencing literature. Drummer Masuhiro Goto would support the recording of their fourth album Rashōmon in 1993. In 1995 and 1996, Iwao Tsuchiya served as the band's drummer but was replaced by Goto as a permanent member until leaving in 2003. In 2004, current drummer Nobu Nakajima joined the band. Wajima, Suzuki, and Nakajima once lived in a neighborhood in the district Koenji, Tokyo, which is famous for its subculture, music and free atmosphere.
During the mid-2010s, Ningen Isu saw a significant increase in popularity. They previously spent years in relative obscurity outside of Japan, and the sales of their albums did not go well. The band played at the Ozzfest 2013, hosted by Ozzy Osbourne, which they as Black Sabbath fans felt honored by. In 2019, their record Shin Seinen reached rank 14 in the Oricon music charts, their highest chart position to date. They released the video for their song "Heartless Scat" on YouTube in May 2019, and it has since gained to over 16 million views.
The band performed their first world tour in Berlin, Bochum, and London in February 2020.
Musical style The band's lyrics often reference Japanese classical literature, including authors Edogawa Rampo, Dazai Osamu, Akutagawa Ryunosuke, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, and Mishima Yukio, in addition to authors in other languages such as Edgar Allan Poe, H. P. Lovecraft, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Georges Bataille. They often address topics such as Hell, Buddhism, the universe, samurai culture, and gambling. Wajima and Suzuki have a local accent called the "Tsugaru dialect", which adds a unique and heavy atmosphere and rhythm to their songs. They, especially Wajima, often use difficult and old Japanese (words used in Edo period to Showa period, often hard to understand even for Japanese people). They often wear kimono and traditional fundoshi underwear on stage.
Influences Ningen Isu was strongly influenced by Black Sabbath.人間椅子 来るOzzfestに向け、あふれる「サバス愛」を語りまくる Other influences include UFO, Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Budgie, King Crimson, and similar artists. The style of Wajima's guitar playing is influenced by Robert Fripp, Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page, Ace Frehley, Michael Schenker, and Tsugaru-jamisen. Suzuki is inspired mostly by Kiss and paints his face white while moving in a style similar to Kiss bassist Gene Simmons.
Members
Current Shinji Wajima / Wazzy (和嶋慎治; born 25 December 1965) – guitars, vocals, theremin, main lyrics, composer (1987–present). His costume has motifs of a literary master from the Meiji era. His main influences are the Beatles, blues, and enka. He often uses original effects he makes himself. He sometimes uses a theremin, which adds a cosmic mood. He loves Rakugo. Ken-ichi Suzuki / Suzuken (鈴木研一; born 11 March 1966) – bass, vocals, lyrics, composer (1987–present). Sporting a shaved head and a painted white face, he dresses like a Buddhist monk. He notably wears fundoshi, old-style Japanese underwear, beneath his kimono. In the band's early days, Suzuki often wore clothes inspired by Nezumi-otoko, a rat-man character from Ge-Ge-Ge no Kitaro. Nobu Nakajima / Nobu (ナカジマノブ; real name Yoshinobu Nakajima (中島慶信); born 20 September 1966) – drums, vocals, composer (2004–present). He wears a koikuchi shirt and sunglasses, taking his look from old-school Yakuza. He sometimes uses Dora, a kind of Japanese gong. His hard and energetic drumming style earned him the nickname "Aniki" ("big brother"). He is a big fan of Hideshi Hino and a collector of sneakers, dam cards, and comic books.
Former Noriyoshi Kamidate (上館徳芳; born 14 June 1962) – drums (1987–1992). He was influenced by Cozy Powell and used very restrained moves to match Suzuki's basslines. Masuhiro Goto (後藤マスヒロ; real name 後藤升宏; born 29 August 1965) – drums, vocals (1993–1995 as a supporting member; 1996–2003 as a full member). His drumming was more dynamic and nuanced, heavily contributing to Ningen Isu's sound during his tenure in the band. He played on five albums and even wrote and sang lead vocals on some. Iwao Tsuchiya (土屋厳) – drums, vocals (1995–1996). He participated in two albums during his tenure, and even wrote and sang part of "Sanjussai" (三十歳) from the album Odoru Issunboushi (踊る一寸法師).
Timeline
Discography Albums Original albums YearAlbum detailsChart1989Ningen Isu (人間椅子; The Human Chair) Jinmen-sou (人面瘡; Human-Faced Carbuncle) Injuu (陰獣; Beast In The Shadows) Ringo no Namida (りんごの泪; Apple's Tears) Ryouki ga Machi ni Yatte Kuru (猟奇が街にやって来る; Bizarre Hunter Come to Town) Shinkei-shou I LOVE YOU (神経症 I LOVE YOU; Neurosis I LOVE YOU) Ningen Shikkaku (人間失格; No Longer Human) Sakura no Mori no Mankai no Shita (桜の森の満開の下; In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom)1990Ningen Shikkaku (人間失格; No Longer Human) Tetsugoushi Mokushi-roku (鉄格子黙示録; Apocalypse of Iron Grill) Hari no Yama (針の山; Hell's Mountain Of Needles) Ayakashi no Tsuzumi (あやかしの鼓; Ghost Drums) Ringo no Namida (りんごの泪; Apple's Tears) Sai no Kawara (賽の河原; The Children's Limbo) Tengoku ni Musubu Koi (天国に結ぶ恋; Love Connected to Heaven) Akuma no Temari-uta (悪魔の手毬歌; Temari-uta of Demon) Ningen Shikkaku (人間失格; No Longer Human) Heavy Metal no Gyakushuu (ヘヴィ・メタルの逆襲; Counter of Heavy Metal) Arnheim no Izumi (アルンハイムの泉; Spring of Arnheim) Sakura no Mori no Mankai no Shita (桜の森の満開の下; In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom)311991Sakura no Mori no Mankai no Shita (桜の森の満開の下; In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom) Bakudan Koushin-kyoku (爆弾行進曲; Bomb March) Yuigon-jou Housou (遺言状放送; Testament Broadcasting) Kokoro no Kaji (心の火事; Fires of the Heart) Yuuutsu Jidai (憂鬱時代; Melancholic Era) Yashaga-ike (夜叉ヶ池; Pond of Yaksha) Tokyo Bondage (東京ボンデージ) Nusutto Sanka (盗人讃歌; Thief Hymn) Sumo no Uta (相撲の唄; Song of Sumo) Koujou-sen Jou no Maria (甲状腺上のマリア; Mary on the Thyroid Gland) Taiyou Kokuten (太陽黒点; Sunspot)571992Ougon no Yoake (黄金の夜明け; Golden Dawn) Ougon no Yoake (黄金の夜明け; Golden Dawn) Dokusaisha Saigo no Yume (独裁者最後の夢; Dictator's Last Dream) Heisei Asaborake (平成朝ぼらけ; Dawn of the Heisei Period) Wa, Gan de Nebega (わ、ガンでねべが; I Have Cancer, Don't I?) Suibotsu Toshi (水没都市; Submerged City) Koufuku no Neji (幸福のねじ; Happy Screw) Mandragora no Hana (マンドラゴラの花; Flower of Mandragora) Subarashiki Nichiyoubi (素晴らしき日曜日; Wonderful Sunday) Shinpan no Hi (審判の日; Judgment Day) Mugon Denwa (無言電話; The Silent Phone Call) Kyouki Sanmyaku (狂気山脈; At the Mountains of Madness)1993Rashōmon (羅生門) Motto Hikari wo! (もっと光を！; More Light!) Ningen Isu Club (人間椅子倶楽部) Namake-mono no Jinsei (なまけ者の人生; A Life of the Idler) Shide-mushi no Uta (埋葬蟲の唄; Sexton, Sexton, on the Wall) Aomori Rock Daijin (青森ロック大臣; Rock Minister in Aomori) Nanya-doyara (ナニャドヤラ) Braun-kan no Hanayome (ブラウン管の花嫁; CRT's bride) Akogare no Arirang (憧れのアリラン; Longing Arirang) Rashōmon (羅生門)1995Odoru Issunboushi (踊る一寸法師; Dancing One-Inch Preacher) Mothra (モスラ) Kurai Nichiyoubi (暗い日曜日; Gloomy Sunday) Dodarebachi (どだればち) Girigiri Highway (ギリギリ・ハイウェイ; Barely Highway) Eizuru-koto naki Shiromono (エイズルコトナキシロモノ; The Fellow That Never Come Insight) Hanemono Jinsei (羽根物人生; Life Without Hits) Sanjussai (三十歳; 30 Years Old) Jikan wo Tometa Otoko (時間を止めた男; The Man Who Stopped Time) Dynamite (ダイナマイト) Odoru Issunboushi (踊る一寸法師; Dancing One-Inch Preacher)1996Mugen no Juunin (無限の住人; Blade of the Immortal) Sarashi Kubi (晒し首; Severed Head) Mugen no Juunin (無限の住人; Blade Of The Immortal) Jigoku (地獄; Inferno) Bankara Ichidaiki (蛮カラ一代記; Stalwart Man Chronicle) Bacchus Gurui (莫迦酔狂ひ; Bacchus's Madness) Mokko no Komori-uta (もっこの子守唄; Cradlesong of Monster) Katana to Saya (刀と鞘; Sword and Sheath) Tsujigiri Kouta Musyuku-hen (辻斬り小唄無宿編; Street Murder Song of Outlaw) Uchuu Yuuei (宇宙遊泳; Spacewalk) Kuroneko (黒猫; Black Cat)1998Taihai Geijutsu Ten (頽廃芸術展; Degenerate Art Exhibition) Tainai-meguri (胎内巡り; Touring in the Womb) Senritsu suru Kodama (戦慄する木魂; Shivering Spirit) Kusouzu no Scat (九相図のスキャット; Scat of Rotting Cadaver) Chinurareta Hina-matsuri (血塗られたひな祭り; Bloody Doll's Day) Kiku-ningyou no Noroi (菊人形の呪い; Curse of Chrysanthemum Doll) Tentai Shikou-shou (天体嗜好症; The Morbid Palatability to Astronomy) Mura no Hazure de Big Bang (村の外れでビッグバン; Big Bang in Village Side) ED75 Excite (エキサイト) Ahen-kutsu no Otoko (阿片窟の男; Man in the Opium Den) Ginga Tetsudou 777 (銀河鉄道777; Galaxy Express 777) Dunwich no Kai (ダンウィッチの怪; The Dunwich Horror)1999Nijusseiki Sousoukyoku (二十世紀葬送曲; Requiem for the 20th Century) Yuurei Ressha (幽霊列車; Ghost Train) Mushi (蟲; Bug) Koi wa Sankaku-mokuba no Ue de (恋は三角木馬の上で; Love on Wooden horse) Tokai no Douwa (都会の童話; Fairytale of Urban) Akatsuki no Dantou-dai (暁の断頭台; Guillotine at Dawn) Shoujo Jigoku (少女地獄; Girl Hell) Haru no Umi (春の海; Spring Sea) Fumin-shou Blues (不眠症ブルース; Insomnia Blues) Sabbath Thrash Sabbath (サバス・スラッシュ・サバス) Kuroi Taiyou (黒い太陽; Black Sun)2000Kaijin Nijuu Mensou (怪人二十面相; The Fiend with Twenty Faces) Kaijin Nijuu Mensou (怪人二十面相; The Fiend With Twenty Faces) Minashigo no Shuffle (みなしごのシャッフル; Shuffle of Orphan) Hiruta Hakase no Hatsumei (蛭田博士の発明; Dr. Hiruta's Invention) Keimusho wa Ippai (刑務所はいっぱい; Prison is Full) Ashinaga-gumo(あしながぐも; Tetragnatha)