Words by Kayla Hamilton (@kaylazomboid)
*Quotes from The Hideout Studio x KNOSIS Showcase translated from Japanese by Rin (@pizzadaisuki)

PHOTO CREDIT: Takashi Konuma (@takashi_konuma)

“I am KNOSIS”

It is a moniker that Japanese musician Ryo Kinoshita has across his music projects social media platforms. Sitting down across from him at a café, I’m taken aback by his demeanour. His face is emblazed with a friendly grin. We make small talk that feels effortless while we wait for his manager to bring us some drinks. For anybody who has witnessed this man perform, they can vouch for the fact he is the embodiment of the duality of man.

Onstage, he is ferocious. Unrelenting. Almost “evil”- in the words of his manager Shunta. You would never know that from just meeting him. There is a calmness. A patience.

In September 2022, this interview did not seem possible. After years of battling with his mental health, he decided to walk away from music. Spending a decade fronting Japanese metalcore band Crystal Lake, this departure left the metal world a little shell shocked. The singer, known and adored for his monstruous vocal ability and boundless energy, had fans coming together to commiserate his absence. Wiping his social media profiles and going ghost, many listeners wondered if we would ever hear from Ryo again.

Then on the 20^th of December 2022, the silence was broken. Three separate posts went up. The first: a photo of Ryo sitting in the dark, face covered. On the next slide, a photo of two intertwined snakes. Complete with the caption “I am KNOSIS”.

The second post: a video. Ryo clad still in the hoodie, shrouded by the dark and face covered by a cap, microphone in hand. The snakes appeared again with the word KNOSIS underneath. Industrial metal blasting, his unmistakeable voice peppered in the blast beats. Complete with a line: “Know that you know nothing about me”.

The third post: a support slot on an upcoming tour.

The comments blew up and there was no doubt that Ryo Kinoshita was back. But who, or what, was KNOSIS? Was it a band? Even though it’s been over a year since KNOSIS was announced, there are still people confused about what exactly KNOSIS is and who is involved.

“It’s hard to explain but KNOSIS is actually me and Yosh,” Ryo says, “…it’s not a band. It’s not just a typical, stereotypical metalcore band…we can do anything. It’s a project, me and Yosh. Creating something that has been never done,” Ryo continues,

“…it’s not only music.”

“It can be anything,” Ryo’s manager, Shunta, interjects.

“Yeah, playing style or…apparel…it’s art…” Ryo pauses to pull out his phone, looking for the translator to find the right word.

“It’s a concept. A concept of art…of my life. And Yosh’s too.”

When Ryo speaks of Yosh, he is speaking of Yosh Morita, another renowned musician from Japan. On the spectrum of rock music, the two seem to be on the opposite. Yosh fronts Japanese rock band Survive Said The Prophet and operates under The Hideout Studios, writing music leaning towards a lighter side of heavy music. The two are an unlikely pair, but Ryo credits Yosh to bringing him back to music.

When speaking at a Tokyo event back in March, The Hideout Studios x KNOSIS showcase*, about how the duo started working on KNOSIS together, Ryo recounted:

“…when I quit and thought I was going to give up music, you (Yosh) contacted me at a perfect time.”

“I really called to pester him. I told him how I really felt,” Yosh responded.

“Thanks to that I remembered how it felt to want to make music again.”

Thus, KNOSIS was born. As Ryo explained, the concept of KNOSIS is more than just a band. Initially, the word project seemed apt but for those who spend time with Ryo and the rest of the KNOSIS crew- it seems to be more than that. When Ryo claims “I AM KNOSIS” it can be confusing, but while he states “I AM”- it’s more than just an individual endeavour. As humans we become the sum of those of who we surround ourselves with. When if we think of KNOSIS as more than a band, more than a project but as what Ryo said “a concept of art of my life”- it makes more sense.

For instance, the band. Yosh does not perform live with the band, but the members who do signify other parts of Ryo’s life. Their drummer, Moroishi “Moro” Kazma– Ryo had played music with him in the past. Their bass player/DJ Kosuke Tano was introduced to them through The Hideout Studios and has become an integral part of KNOSIS’s music and live shows.

On guitars, KNOSIS has seen the likes of Daiki Koide from Crossfaith and Kazuya ‘Sugi’ Sugiyama from Coldrain. Both playing with Ryo on different shows over the years. Both adding their own flare and style to the mix. While the music is written by Ryo and Yosh, there is no doubt that these musicians have put their stamp on the overall sound of KNOSIS- just how their presence has had an impact on Ryo’s life.

Behind the scenes, it gets even more close. With the staff being known and trusted friends of Ryo. It is a close operation, something that was very prevalent at the band’s The Eternal Doom Part 2 event back in April: a popup store and live show.

While pop-up stores are becoming increasingly common amongst bands, for instance Bring Me The Horizon recently held them as part of their Australian tour, this one was a little different. Speciality merchandise items were sold, in collaboration with artists who had been part of KNOSIS’s journey. For example, the KNOSIS logo, the two intertwined snakes, came from Ryo’s back tattoo- so the tattoo artist involved also designed more items. Takashi Konuma, a photographer who had been taking photos of Ryo since his Crystal Lake days, compiled a photobook of the snaps he had taken of KNOSIS since the first public appearance. The photos even made their way into frames, decorated with a selection of delicately put together flowers, made by Ryo’s mother.

It was not just merchandise.

In an interview last year, Ryo told music streamer Nik Nocturnal how he planned to move back to his hometown and open a taco truck. So, when it was announced food was being served at this event, Ryo’s long-awaited tacos had to feature. Alongside the tacos, drummer Moro served curry made from him and Shunta, Ryo’s manager, shared his other venture: coffee.

When Ryo says “I am KNOSIS”- it is not to say that he is the band. Rather, the band, those behind the scenes, the fans- it feels as if they are him. From his friendship with Yosh, to the bonds he has created along the way- the impact of those around him has created a safety net that has allowed this freedom. It has allowed the music of KNOSIS to flourish.

The proof is in the success of this year. Not only moving to bigger and bigger venues across Japan, touring successfully outside as well. Spreading the word with a European Festival run and of course, probably the biggest news of all: signing with Sharptone Records. 2025 is also already starting to look busy, hitting Australia for the first time with Void of Vision and going back to Bangkok to support German band Unprocessed.

For somebody who felt the need to walk away from music. Who struggled with his mental health and felt “not quite right”, his words, in his old life- it seems to be a different story now.

So is he happy?

“I’m so happy now. Happier than ever. Surrounded by people who love me and people I love. No negativity. Just positivity.”

 

You Can Catch KNOSIS at the following places:

KNOSIS HEADLINE FINAL 2024 TOUR
Tickets Available here: Japan & International

VOID OF VISION: FINAL AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Tickets Available Here

UNPROCESSED live in Bangkok
Tickets Available here