Epic newest song. And collaborations with Hiroyuki Sawano and Aimer. chelly (EGOIST) plays a big role in "Kabaneri"!

EGOIST started as a unit in which YUZURIHARA Inori, a character from "Guilty Crown," was the vocalist. Their subsequent activities are well known to everyone. EGOIST returned to a film directed by Tetsuro Araki, who can be said to be the father of EGOIST, after an absence of about five years. The opening theme "KABANERI OF THE IRON FORTRESS" for "KABANERI OF THE KOUTETSU JOUNO KABANERI" was released. The ending theme "ninelie" also features collaborations with Hiroyuki Sawano and Aimer. We interviewed chelly, a very active vocalist!

It's coming at you!　It's a hot and thick song!

─ How did you feel about singing the opening theme for "Kabaneri of the Iron Castle"?

chelly EGOIST and YUZURIHA Inori are both the parents of director Araki Tetsuro, so I was deeply moved. I was able to come back to director Araki's work after 5 years since "Guilty Crown", so I wanted to return the favor.

─ The title of the opening theme is "KABANERI OF THE IRON FORTRESS". The title of the song is taken directly from the English title of the work, isn't it?

chelly It's very straightforward...many of EGOIST's songs are stylish, but I felt a "muddiness" in both the lyrics and the tune of this song. The expression is direct and very passionate. Ikoma, the main character of "Kabaneri," is the type of boy who "stands up even if he gets covered in mud," so I think the song is in sync with that.

─ ─ The lyrics are scattered with many hot words such as "Stand up" and "Burn that life.

chelly I think the producer, ryo-san, consciously did something different from usual. I also sang the song, wanting to bring the passion to the limit of EGOIST.

─ ─ I heard that ryo-san handed you materials on "Kabaneri" to read when you recorded the song.

chelly Yes. This is also a rare thing for EGOIST. I often record without having any information about the work in my mind. It was refreshing to be able to read the material and reflect my impressions in the songs.

What kind of materials were they?

chelly It contained the theme of the work and what we wanted to convey to the audience. Director Araki speaks calmly and quietly, but I felt from the first time I met him for "Guilty Crown" that he has a passionate heart inside him. I was also moved by the director's thoughts.

─ ─ In fact, "Kabaneri" has become an amazing work.

chelly Yes, it is. I went to an advance screening at a movie theater, and I felt that it was a truly passionate work. The characters have a nostalgic feel, but the images are new, and there is a perfect balance between the two. I thought that Director Araki had created an amazing work.

─ ─ What kind of direction did ryo-san give you for the recording?

chelly As is always the case, ryo-san did not tell me to "sing like this," but I sang as I felt. This time, in particular, he wanted to emphasize first impressions, and even though it was a difficult song, the recording session did not take too long.

─ ─ What was difficult about it?

chelly The rhythm and melody were both challenging. Also, the melody of the chorus changed a lot from the demo stage. I had memorized the melody from the demo, so I couldn't help but be drawn to it, and it was very difficult.

───How did the melody change?

chelly There were quite a few changes, like melodies that had been lowered were raised. I think the finished version is more grandiose.

─ ─ It is true that the song gives the impression of getting higher and higher as you listen to it. What did you think when you heard the finished song after the arrangement?

chelly I got the impression that the arrangements were done with a lot of energy and care. The strings and choir are very thick, and the song comes at you! It was like that. I think the passionate blood of the many people involved in "Kabaneri" flowed into this song.

─ The choir was also very cool.

chelly Actually, ryo-san and I recorded a demo of the choir and distributed it to the singers (Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus). It was a new experience for me, and it was refreshing. It was a memorable part of the recording.