LUNA SEA resurrects legacy with re-recordings of albums “MOTHER”, “STYLE”

Visual kei pioneer LUNA SEA unveiled the rerelease of two genre-defining albums MOTHER and STYLE, due November 29. Nearly three decades since the original versions, all 21 songs have undergone rigorous rearrangement for a modern take on the classic repertoire. Multi-GRAMMY-winning producer Steve Lillywhite, known for his work with bands U2, Talking Heads, and The Killers, takes helm in re-recording every note from scratch.

Originally released in 1994, MOTHER vastly expanded both LUNA SEA’s musical direction and fanbase. From start to end, MOTHER packed itself with both rebellious aggression and wondrous mystique. Boasting tracks LOVELESS, ROSIER, and IN FUTURE, which all remain setlist staples to this day, the album firmly established the quintet as leaders of the Jrock scene. The single TRUE BLUE topped the Oricon Singles Chart in the same year, becoming the first work by the band to land the coveted spot.

Two years later, STYLE further evolved these soundscapes with grander mainstream appeal. Singles DESIRE, END OF SORROW, and IN SILENCE continued to skyrocket the band as a household name, while album cuts G. and FOREVER & EVER showcased the versatility of the compositions, ranging from high-speed thrash to rosewater ballads. STYLE eventually earned LUNA SEA its first number one title in the 1996 Oricon Albums Chart.

Pre-releases of LOVELESS and G. are available on streaming platforms now. In LOVELESS, rhythm guitarist INORAN’s twelve-string arpeggios dance atop lead guitarist SUGIZO’s fretless passages with even finer grace. G. receives a throaty makeover in the rhythm section from bassist J and drummer Shinya. As vocalist RYUICHI takes the mic, fans will instantly recognize why LUNA SEA’s dynamism has always held up since the days of the band’s youth.

Celebrating the revival of the two albums, LUNA SEA kicked off the nationwide DUAL ARENA TOUR 2023 this month in Japan. Each stop will have two back-to-back dates titled MOTHER OF LOVE, MOTHER OF HATE and UN ENDING STYLE, featuring setlists comprised mostly of songs from the titular album.

Which remake are readers most looking forward to hearing? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more updates on JROCK NEWS!