ACME is a four piece rock band of the Visual Kei style who formed in 2017. The group consists of Chisa (Vocals), Shogo (Guitar), Rikito (Bassist), and Hal (Drums). Chisa and Shogo had played in a temporary band before they formed ACME, called Chisa & Shogo, which happened to include the future members of ACME, Rikito and Hal. ACME was formed with the concept of ‘delinquent boy in an imaginary world’, which shows not only in their music but fashion style as well. ACME released their debut album, Senkou in August 2017 accompanied by a national tour. In August 2018, a year after their debut mini album, ACME released their first full length album Zesho Oka. In 2019, they made their first overseas and North American performance at Anime Milwaukee, signaling the dawn of more North American tours to come in the future.
ACME means ‘the pinnacle of evoluation’, which this group shows in their music. You hear evoluation throughout each album ACME has released. ACME is not just Visual Kei, Rock, Metal but have evolved their music to include all these types of genres. From their debut album, Senkou to their latest single “Twilight”, you can hear how their music has evolved and how they have evolved as a band since their debut in 2017. Chisa has such a great range in his vocals that can go from singing to screaming depending on the intensity of the track. Listening to the band as a whole, you hear how they started out on the heavier side, such as “Senkou” but in one of their latest tracks, “Senno (Brain washing)”, you hear a more relax and lighter style.
ACME caught my ear a couple years ago when a friend of mine got to meet them and recommended I check out their music, this was back in 2019 during Anime Milwaukee. I had checked out their Zesshou Oka album and enjoyed what I heard - I enjoyed the intensity of their music and Chisa’s vocals, specifically in “Paradox”. “Paradox” is a mixture of screamo, vocals, and showcases that heavy side of the band. Recently, I went back to listening to them and noticed they’ve since released several new digital singles, “Twilight”, “Ulfhednar”, and “Senno”, which show an evoluation in music with the variety just these three offer alone. “Ulfhednar” is my favorite of the three, with its electronic beat then going straight into metal with the guitar, bass, and drum work followed my Chisa’s screamo then leading into his vocal work. I love how this track just takes you on the perfect ride. “Senno” is very stand out as it has a different tone, with its futuristic composition displaying a lighter composition than they usually showcase which makes for a a stand out track. Their newest track “Twilight”, takes you on a ride with Chisa’s vocals and the lighter than heavier style when in between the versus and chorus’, not to mention the use of guitar and bass. Their three newest singles are such a great follow up to their 2022 album Resisted Temptation, which had solid tracks such as “Come Back to You”, “Gekkouyoku”, “Resisted Temptation”, “Kagaribi”, and “Enchanted” to name a few that grabbed my attention. ACME has shown that they hold true to their title in how they are constantly evolving with their music and looking forward to their latest single, “Stand Up” that just released on February 14th.
ACME will be the guest of honor at Kawaii Kon in Hawaii which takes place from March 29th to March 31st at the Hawaii Convention Center.
ACME currently has four albums, Senkou (2017), Zesshou Oka (2018), WE ARE VISUAL KEI (2020), and their latest Resisted Temptation (2022); 17 digital singles including their latest “Twilight”. Check out their official website, X, and their music video for their single “Senno” below.
