Mori Kiyoharu's career started back in the 1980s when he was a member of the bands SUS4 and Garnet. After both bands disbandmented, Kiyoharu teamed up with Hitoki, who was the bassist of Garnet and they created what is now known as the legendary Kuroyume.
Kuroyume was formed in what is known as the "golden age" of visual kei and the band's style, as well as their music, reflected this. In the early stages of their career they were known for their dark and typical sounding visual songs, but as the years progressed their music became harder and better unlike most groups who "soften up" as they age. With Kiyoharu's uniquely powerful voice and Hitokis awesome bass skills, the two of them were an unstoppable duo.
Through many multiman indies events, Kiyoharu formed a close relationship with hyde, the vocalist of L'Arc~en~Ciel. The two of them performed a cover of Gastunk's Husk during a live in 1994 and also had a column in SHOXX magazine that featured very sensual and risqué images.
Throughout the years, Kuroyume ruled the scene with their mix of punk and hard rock, and would eventually become one of the most influential bands in Japan's history next to X JAPAN and Luna Sea. Many young artists today and from years past have listed Kiyoharu as their greatest influence thanks to his musical prowess that has been honed to near-perfection thanks to his many years in the business. Among those young artists are Gara from Merry and Kyo from Dir en grey (who was a roadie for Kuroyume), the latter of whom nearly became Kiyoharu's double in terms of hair, makeup and fashion style.
Though things on the surface seemed to be fine, tension was breaking out between Kiyoharu and Hitoki over how the band should be handled. The two of them couldn't reach an agreement so they eventually decided to break up after a seven-year career.
Not too long after this, Kiyoharu appeared on the scene again in a new band: SADS. Expectations were high that this band would sound like his, as well as the other members', former bands but they surprised everyone with the release of their Tokyo single. Kiyoharu's voice didn't change all that much rather, more of his tremolo style could be found and it was a pleasant mix with this new alternative and punkish sound.
The band eventually opened their own label, Fullface Records, in 2001 and released their own items through it. They also released then up-and-coming indies band Merry's Gendai Stoic; Kiyoharu became their producer and gave them valuable knowledge and advice about the business. In 2003, after dominating the charts with their ever growing darker style, SADS's bassist Eiji Mitsuzono announced his decision to leave the band and now they're currently on a break.
Kiyoharu decided to become a solo artist and released his first album, Poetry, in summer 2004. In addition to singing, he was able to show off his guitar ability and really cut lose. He collaborated with many artists and this release shocked his fans, in a good way, with it's soft and sad melancholic tunes. Many more solo releases followed, each differing from the other in terms of overall music style. Instead of just limiting himself to music alone, he also frequently designs his own clothes, from wristbands to jeans, and he has several lines of silver accessories that he designed.
Much to the delight of fans everywhere, he teamed up with Pierrot frontman Kirito for a coupling tour in 2005. The duo had many similarities both musically and personally and their tour was a huge success. They also participated in a stylish photoshoot for Fool's Mate, which is now sold out.
In 2006, he has released a total of four singles and one album, and had two long promotional tours. Again, in 2007, Kiyoharu released a number of singles and an album, FOREVER LOVE.
2008 witnessed his 15th anniversary as a solo artist, and a release boom in honor of the anniversary. Three singles were released, as well as not one, but two new albums released on the same day, LIGHT -saw the light and shade- and SHADE -saw the light and shade-. Playing off of the prominent themes of light and dark in the creation of his music, Kiyoharu covered himself in the two albums, as a means of self-reflection; along with self-covers of his work from Kuroyume and SADS and as a solo artist, the two albums also include several new songs.
Coming in the near future is a live DVD, Kiyoharu LIVE at C.C.Lemon Hall 10.30, with footage of his 40th birthday live on October 30. To top it all off, a special live was announced on Kiyoharu's 40th birthday: Kuroyume would reunite for one night to perform at Nippon Budoukan - a venue fit for rock stars - in January 2009.
Even after a nearly two-decade long career, Kiyoharu shows no signs of slowing down and no shortage of surprises.
