An emotional songs delving into themes of life and the universe.
Band overview:
Formed in 1997, ACIDMAN is a three-piece rock band from Japan
Each of their albums is shaped around a strong conceptual core, with unified visuals across artwork and music videos to build a cohesive world. They’ve played internationally and are frequent performers at major festivals.
Member:
Nobuo Ooki (vocals/guitar)
Masatoshi Sato (bass)
Ichigo Urayama (drums)
Musical Style:
Rooted in alternative rock, ACIDMAN is known for their emotionally charged lyrics and atmospheric, cinematic arrangements. Their music often explores grand themes like the universe, life, and existence itself.
Notable Tracks:
Some of their best-known songs include “Aru Shoumei”, “Sekitou”, “Your Song”, and “FREE STAR.”
Recent Activity:
In 2022, ACIDMAN celebrated their 25th anniversary by hosting their own festival, SAI, at Saitama Super Arena. They also contributed the theme song “Kagayakeru Mono” to the Golden Kamuy movie and continue to actively release new music and perform live.
In Japanese rock scene, ACIDMAN is still active in their long career.
Many Japanese music fans who have attended a music festival have probably seen their name at least once.However, even if people know their names, few may know much about their musical style.
In 2013, ACIDMAN parted ways with their major label and launched their own independent management firm. While their appearances in mainstream media became less frequent, they’ve since focused intensely on pursuing their creative vision—continuing to deliver deeply personal and uncompromising messages through their music.
As a longtime fan and a member of ACIDMAN’s official fan club, I’d like to share what makes this band so special—through my own experience and deep admiration for their work.
A singular band devoted to capturing life’s fragility.
In those moments, we’re struck by the weight of life’s fragility—how fleeting and precious our time really is. These are truths we often forget in the rush of daily life. But ACIDMAN has always brought them back into focus, through music that resonates on a deeply human level.
Now approaching 30 years as a band, ACIDMAN has never strayed from their core themes: the universe, life, and existence. From their early days, they’ve consistently explored these vast subjects with a kind of philosophical intensity. Their lyrics can be abstract or difficult to decipher at times—but they deliver these complex messages through accessible sounds drawn from punk rock, post-rock, and alternative, shaking audiences to their core in packed live houses across Japan.
One song that holds personal significance for me is “Ai wo Ryōte ni” (「愛を両手に」).
It was their first single produced by Takeshi Kobayashi, known for his work with many major Japanese artists. A music video was also released for the track. The song was written after the passing of vocalist Nobuo Ooki’s grandmother. Through lyrics that gently ask, “Were you happy?”, the song explores the emotions of grief, life, and loss with quiet depth.
I, too, have lost loved ones—my grandmother, and close friends. And to this day, I can’t listen to this song without tears.
The music video tells a short, emotionally raw story about a man grieving his father’s death. It’s so visceral that even remembering it brings a tightness to my chest. “Ai wo Ryōte ni” confronts life and death head-on, but with simple, universally understandable words. It’s one of those rare songs that speaks directly to the heart.
ACIDMAN uses rock not just to entertain, but to imprint something lasting on the soul—reminders of how delicate life is, and how important it is to live fully in the present. They channel these ideas through sound, shaking the air and moving listeners deeply.
More than just a band, ACIDMAN is a force that brings us back to what matters most.