Cyntia was a Japanese heavy metal band formed in 2011.[1] They are believed to have been the first act from the Girls Metal Band Boom to have signed to a major record label when they joined Victor Entertainment in 2013.[2] Drummer and co-founder Kanoko left the group in April 2015, and the band moved to the Village Again Association label for their 2016 album Urban Night. Cyntia began an indefinite hiatus after January 13, 2018.

Cyntia
OriginTokyo, Japan
Genres
Years active2011–2018, 2024
LabelsBright Star / Spinning
Victor
Village Again Association
MembersYui
Saki
Azu
Past membersAiri
Kanoko
Ayano
Websitecyntia.jp

History

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Bassist Azu joined the band in 2012.

Guitarist Yui and drummer Kanoko formed Cyntia in April 2011, after meeting on the set of a music video by Liv Moon. In the summer they recruited keyboardist Ayano and bassist Airi, who were followed by vocalist and former idol Saki in November after holding auditions.[3] The name Cyntia is the English pronunciation of Cynthia, another name for the Greek goddess Artemis.[4] Their debut single, "Run to the Future", was released in April 2012 on Bright Star Records,[3] which was formed by fellow all-female metal band Aldious.[5] Shortly after, Airi paused activities due to ill health and Azu from LAZYgunsBRISKY was chosen as support bassist. Airi officially left the group in June, but the band released their first album Endless World in September. Azu became a full member in November.[6]

In January 2013, Cyntia was the backing band for South Korean pop group Kara's concert at the Tokyo Dome.[7] The band released their major label debut, the album Lady Made, in March on Victor Entertainment.[3] Cyntia was voted 2013's best new artist by readers of heavy metal magazine Burrn!.[8] They performed at that year's Naon no Yaon female-only rock festival and then opened for American metal band Kamelot on their Japanese tour.[9][10]

Their song "Senko Strings" was used as the fourth ending theme song to Saint Seiya Omega and released as a single in January 2014.[11] Similarly, "Kiss Kiss Kiss" was used as the theme song of the 2014 Itazura na Kiss 2 ~Love in Okinawa television drama special,[12] before being released as a single in January 2015. Its follow up a month later, "Akatsuki no Hana", was used as the second opening theme of the Yona of the Dawn anime adaptation.[13] The album Woman was also released in February and featured a soft pop rock sound.

Drummer and co-founder Kanoko left the group in April 2015.[14] Cyntia released their album Urban Night on December 14, 2016, via the VAA (Village Again Association) record label. The song "Bless of the Fire" features Aldious guitarist Toki.[15] On December 26, 2017, Cyntia announced that they were suspending all activities indefinitely due to Yui's focal dystonia. Although the guitarist was planning to leave the band so someone new could take her place, the other members decided not to continue without her.[16] An event on January 13, 2018, was their last.

Yui, Saki and Azu will reunite as Cyntia for one-night only at Club Citta on November 29, 2024, as part of the Queen of the Night two-man live with their former labelmates Aldious.[17]

Members

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  • Yui – guitar, backing vocals (2011–2018, 2024)
  • Saki – vocals (2011–2018, 2024)
  • Azu – bass, piano,[4] backing vocals (2012–2018, 2024)
Former members
  • Airi – bass (2011–2012)
  • Kanoko – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2011–2015)
  • Ayano – keyboards, piano, backing vocals (2011–2018)

Discography

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Cyntia discography
Studio albums5
Singles6

Albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions
JPN
Oricon

[1]
JPN
Billboard

Hot
[18]
JPN
Billboard
Top
[19]
Endless World
  • Released: September 5, 2012
  • Label: Bright Star Records
22 33
Lady Made 23 33
Limit Break
  • Released: February 12, 2014
  • Label: Colourful Records
9 10
Woman 37 27
Urban Night
  • Released: December 14, 2016
  • Label: Village Again
33 73 37
"—" denotes a chart that did not exist.

Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
JPN
Oricon

[1]
JPN
Hot
100

[20]
JPN
Top
Singles
[21]
"Run to the Future" 2012 42 43 Endless World
"Return to Myself ~ Shinai, Shinai, Natsu." (Return to Myself~しない、しない、ナツ。) 2013 36 46 31 Non-album single
"Senko Strings" (閃光ストリングス) 2014 13 32 9 Limit Break
"Shori no Hanataba o -Gonna Gonna Be Hot!-" (勝利の花束を-gonna gonna be hot!-") 39 42 Woman
"Kiss Kiss Kiss" 2015 33 49 30
"Akatsuki no Hana" (暁の華) 100 94
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Cyntia". Oricon の作品 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  2. ^ "Cyntia". jame-world.com. December 20, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c "Cyntia Biography". jame-world.com. December 19, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "[Interview] Cyntia: "I hope that adding a new element to the tried and true Cyntia will cause a nice chemical reaction" (Part 1 of 2)". barks.jp. March 1, 2014. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  5. ^ "Female metal band, Aldious, release new PV". tokyohive.com. October 15, 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  6. ^ "Cyntia Biography" (in Japanese). Spinning Inc. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  7. ^ "Girl Band Cyntia Releases Their First Major Debut Single: Bikini Top Included". barks.jp. June 13, 2013. Archived from the original on June 22, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  8. ^ "ガールズ・メタルバンド・Cyntia、世界同時デビュー。雑誌『BURRN!』では新人部門の最高峰に輝く". Barks.jp (in Japanese). March 15, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  9. ^ "【公演行こうぜ!】NAONのYAON、出演者続々決定!". Beeast (in Japanese). March 15, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  10. ^ "Girls Band 'Cyntia' Joins Kamelot 'Stag of Melodic Power Metal Band' First Japan Tour after 6 Years". barks.jp. June 19, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  11. ^ "A Girl-Band First: Cyntia in Charge of Anime "Saint SeiyaΩ" Theme Song". barks.jp. October 25, 2013. Archived from the original on August 7, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  12. ^ "Itazura na Kiss Gets Live-Action Sequel Special in September". Anime News Network. July 22, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  13. ^ "Cyntia Performs Yona of the Dawn Anime's 2nd Opening". Anime News Network. January 17, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  14. ^ "KANOKO Leaves Cyntia". jame-world.com. April 8, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  15. ^ "Cyntia Announce New Album Details". jame-world.com. November 19, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  16. ^ "CYNTIA Announce Hiatus". jame-world.com. December 26, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  17. ^ "CYNTIA活動休止から7年、一夜限りの復活ライブをAldiousと開催!AldiousはRe:NO、Arutoをゲストに迎え、この日限りのスペシャル編成!11/29(金)川崎CLUB CITTA'". PR Times (in Japanese). September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  18. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums Sales | Charts" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. December 21, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  19. ^ Peak chart positions for albums on Billboard Japan's Top Albums chart:
  20. ^ Peak chart positions for singles on the Billboard Japan Hot 100:
  21. ^ Peak chart positions for singles on the Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales chart:
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