Luke Takamura
Backgroundsolo_singer
AliasSgt. Luke Takamura III (Sgt.ルーク篁III世)
Birth dateApril 12, 1964 (age 62)
Birth placeHibarigaoka, Nishitōkyō, Japan
InstrumentGuitar, vocals, piano
GenreRock, hard rock, heavy metal
OccupationMusician, songwriter
Years active1984–present
Current member ofSeikima-II

Luke Takamura (ルーク篁, Rūku Takamura, born April 12, 1964[1]) is a Japanese musician, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as guitarist of the heavy metal band Seikima-II from 1987 to 1999, and for various temporary reunions since. From 2002 to 2020, he was the lead singer and guitarist of the rock trio Canta. Luke was voted the tenth greatest Japanese guitarist in a 2019 poll held by goo.[2] He has cited Yuji Adachi, Steve Vai, Eddie Van Halen and Kazumi Watanabe as guitar influences.[3] In 2018, readers and professional musicians voted Takamura the fifth best guitarist in the history of hard rock and heavy metal in We Rock magazine's "Metal General Election".[4]

Career

Luke joined Seikima-II in February 1987, replacing guitarist Jail O'Hashi. Like the other members, Luke adopted the stage persona of an Akuma ("demon") from the futuristic hyper-evolved dimension Makai ("demon world"), where he was the former Staff General of Military Authorities.[5] They all wear face paint and elaborate stage outfits. The band preaches a demonic religion called Akumakyō through heavy metal music to conquer the Earth.[6] Luke released nine studio albums with them, and is their most credited songwriter.[5] In accordance to their fictional "prophecy" and after completing their "world conquest", Seikima-II disbanded at the end of the century on December 31, 1999 at 23:59:59.[7] They sold over 10 million records,[7] and have had limited time-reunions in 2005, 2010, and 2015.

While still in Seikima-II, Luke released a solo album in 1991. In 1995 he joined the short-lived supergroup Kings, with Shuichi Aoiki (Night Hawks) on vocals, Taiji Sawada (X, Loudness) on bass and Satoshi "Joe" Miyawaki (44 Magnum, Spread Beaver) on drums. He released the instrumental album A Sight For Sore Eyes in 2001 under the name TOYO (Totally Oval Yellow Outbreak). The following year, Luke formed the rock band Canta with Seikima-II drummer Raiden Yuzawa and Animetal bassist Masaki.[8] After 18 years, Canta disbanded in 2020 after a farewell tour.[8]

Since 2007, Luke has supported Toshihiko Takamizawa of The Alfee both in the studio and in live performances.[9] Their group of guitarists is called Ōji Rengō (王子連合) and also includes Anchang (Sex Machineguns) and Koji (La'cryma Christi). Luke contributed to Masatoshi Ono's 2011 album The Voice -Stand Proud!-, playing guitar on covers of Airplay's "Stranded" and "Open Arms" by Journey.[10] In 2016, he provided guitar to the songs "We Are!" from Blizzard of Animetal the Second by Animetal the Second and "Chateau de Sable" from Fate by Mary's Blood.[11][12]

Discography

Solo
  • Takamura (篁) (1991), Oricon Albums Chart Peak Position: No. 25
  • Soaking Wet Live (1993) No. 49
  • A Sight For Sore Eyes (2001) – credited to TOYO
With Seikima-II
Main article: Seikima-II discography
  • Big Time Changes (1987)
  • The Outer Mission (1988)
  • Yuugai (1990)
  • Kyoufu no Restaurant (1992)
  • Ponk!! (1994)
  • Mephistopheles no Shouzou (1996)
  • News (1997)
  • Move (1998)
  • Living Legend (1999)
With Kings
  • Kings (1995) No. 36[13]
With Canta
  • Everything's Gonna Be Alright (2002)
  • Fraction (2003)
  • Non-Homogenized (2005)
  • Hyakka Sōmei (百歌颯鳴) (2006) No. 240[14]
  • Ryuusei to Haru no Arashi (流星と春の嵐) (2007) No. 96[14]
  • Kirakira (きらきら) (2008) No. 154[14]
  • Meramera (めらめら) (2008) No. 160[14]
  • Green Horn (2009) No. 123[14]
  • Miracle (2011)
  • Seven (セヴン) (2012) No. 133[14]
  • My Generator (2013) No. 116[14]
  • Love Fixxxer (2016) No. 68[14]
  • Kurakura (くらくら) (2017) No. 95[14]
  • Did I Make It? (2019) No. 81[14]

References

  1. ^ Seinengappi Database
  2. ^ "本当にかっこいい！日本のすご腕ギタリストランキング 1位から10位" (in Japanese). goo. 2019-05-28. Retrieved 2019-11-21.
  3. ^ 聖飢魔II30th Anniversary ルーク篁参謀／ジェイル大橋代官 Guitar Magazine Special Edition. Rittor Music. 2015. p. 98. ISBN 9784845627134.
  4. ^ "ja:メタル総選挙" [Metal General Election]. We Rock Vol. 065. Sound Designer. July 15, 2018. p. 45. 4910118270782.
  5. ^ "About SEIKIMA II". seikima-ii.com. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  6. ^ "SEIKIMA-II Promulgates 83 Songs from Great Scriptures". Barks.jp. 2013-08-08. Archived 2013-09-11 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  7. ^ "Japan's SEIKIMA-II To Release 'Akuma Nativity – Songs of the Sword' Compilation". Blabbermouth.net. 2009-07-16. Archived 2009-10-09 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  8. ^ "ルーク篁が率いるCANTA解散を発表、18年間の活動に幕" (in Japanese). Music Natalie. 2020-02-20. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
  9. ^ "高見沢俊彦ソロが今年も始動！シングル＆ツアー決定" (in Japanese). Music Natalie. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  10. ^ "小野"SHO"正利 カヴァー・アルバム特集！！" (in Japanese). Geki-Rock. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  11. ^ "ANIMETAL THE SECOND、新アルバムに二井原実作詞のオリジナル曲" (in Japanese). Music Natalie. 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  12. ^ "Mary's Blood激ロック インタビュー" (in Japanese). Geki-Rock. 2016-10-21. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
  13. ^ "KINGSのアルバム売り上げランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived 2013-12-08 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  14. ^ "CANTAのアルバム売り上げランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2021-02-05.