The art of paradox, kein talks about their new EP, PARADOXON DOLORIS, and 25 years of defying the expectations
With their highly anticipated EP, PARADOXON DOLORIS, kein continues a narrative that began over 25 years ago in Nagoya, Japan. Formed in April 1997 by Maco, Reo, and Yuki, kein quickly gained recognition in their hometown for their unique sound and dynamic live performances. After lineup changes, including Yuki’s switch to bass and the addition of guitarist aie in 2000, kein’s national popularity surged. Despite sold-out releases and packed concerts, the band disbanded on August 21, 2000. Fast forward to April 2022, when a re-recorded lyric video of their song Uso sparked renewed interest. The following month, they announced a reunion, with Sally joining the original lineup. Their comeback shows sold out instantly, and in 2023, kein launched a successful Tokyo-Nagoya-Osaka tour and released a re-recorded demo, Mukuge no Hitsugi, which sold out at venues. They dropped their long-awaited first album on August 21 of 2023 and embarked on a nationwide tour, building momentum for their new era. Amid ongoing individual projects, kein is now set to release their first major-label EP, PARADOXON DOLORIS, on November 20, 2024. Amidst their individual projects, guitarist Reo and vocalist Maco reveal the emotional intricacies behind PARADOXON DOLORIS, delving into how they channel dark, often contradictory emotions to shape their distinctive sound. Despite their name—kein, meaning nothing in German—the band has a wealth of stories to share. From their vision and reunion to their evolution and the passion that drives them forward.
——Your new EP PARADOXON DOLORIS is coming out on November 20. Last year, you released Hakai to Souzou, which was both a tribute to your past and a fresh start. How do you feel about this new EP? Does it show a new side of you, or did any ideas from Hakai to Souzou carry over into this one?
Maco: Yes, with this EP, I feel that I’m expressing a new side of myself, while also carrying over elements from the past. I didn’t set out to create something that was completely different from what I’ve done before—there’s a blend of both the old and the new. If I had to put it into words, I’d say it’s a mix, about half and half. That said, the songs that were brought in this time took on a unique direction. They ended up evolving in ways I hadn’t quite anticipated, which was surprising and refreshing. It was almost like discovering a new path within something familiar, making me think, “So this is how things are coming together now”. I’m excited by how these unexpected elements have shaped the EP into something distinct from my previous work.
Reo: Yes, for the Hakai to Souzou album, we took songs that were originally created before the 2000s and newly developed them to a completed form for release. So, that album was really about revisiting the past and honoring it by giving those old pieces a definitive shape. In contrast, PARADOXON DOLORIS feels very much like a product of the present, a work created by our current members in 2024. I like to imagine that if the band, which disbanded in 2000, had continued, this EP is the kind of music we would have naturally evolved into making. There’s a sense that it’s both a continuation and an evolution of what we might have created if we had never taken that break.
——How would you describe the sound of your new EP to someone who has never heard about kein before?
Maco: I think our new EP has a sound that doesn’t really fit into any specific category. It’s hard to label because, while there are certain influences or nuances that might loosely suggest a genre, it doesn’t entirely belong to any one genre. We’re not aiming to conform to any particular style or sound, so we’re free to follow what feels right to us musically. Some people might appreciate the uniqueness of that approach, and others might feel it’s too unconventional or hard to classify, but we’re not really focused on those opinions. What matters most to us is creating music we find exciting and cool, and we’re just following our own sense of style and creativity with this project.
Reo: Yeah, that’s right. I think kein is a band where it’s really hard to put into words what kind of sound we have. It doesn’t fit neatly into any specific genre, so describing our music is a challenge. But if I had to say what our sound is or what kind of band we are, I’d simply say that the music created by these five members—that’s kein. Each of us brings something unique to the sound, and together, we create something that can’t be fully explained in terms of genre or style. That’s really the only way I can explain it; kein’s music is just… kein.
——This EP will be released via King Records. How does it feel to be making your major debut? What are you most looking forward with this collaboration?
Maco: Honestly, since I haven’t experienced working with a major label before, I don’t entirely know what to expect from it. It’s a new experience, and I’m stepping into unknown territory, so there’s a bit of excitement mixed with uncertainty. But, regardless, I’ll put my all into what I can do and bring my best to this collaboration. I’m ready to meet the label’s expectations and I am ready to challenge myself… looking forward to working together and seeing where this journey with King Records takes us.
——With your major debut, do you think external opinions will change your musical style?
Reo: I think, making our major debut won’t change our music because of outside opinions or requests. I personally think the significance of our major debut lies in the fact that a band with such a unique, hard-to-define sound like ours is making it to the major scene. One of the goals is to break down the fixed ideas of what a band should be or what kind of music should be considered mainstream. By making our major debut, I also want to remove any biases people might have towards major labels. Additionally, we want to share our music with as many people as possible, and for that, a major debut is necessary. So, in that sense, I’m looking forward to seeing how people will respond.
——I wish you success, congratulations on your major debut!
What’s your favorite song from the EP or the song that holds a special place in your heart?
Maco: I honestly don’t have a single favorite track from this release, because, to me, every song on this EP is special. Each track holds its own significance and is part of a bigger picture that we’ve worked hard to create. I feel like all of them are equally important in expressing our sound and what we wanted to convey. The entire EP is an experience, and every song contributes to that story, so it’s hard to pick just one. They all have a unique place in this project, and that’s what makes them special.
Reo: I agree. For me, this whole project feels special in itself, so I can’t really say that one track stands out as a favorite. What’s meaningful to me is the entire body of work, the way everything comes together. It’s not about individual songs; it’s about the experience we’ve created as a band with this EP. Each song contributes to the overall vision, and when you look at it as a whole, that’s what makes it truly special. So rather than picking a favorite track, I’d say my favorite is the entire EP itself.
——Was there any difficult song to make or a difficult time to get through?
Maco: Yes, there definitely were some challenging moments. Honestly, I found myself saying that every song presented its own difficulties as we were working through them. But that’s part of the creative process, and we pushed ourselves to explore new territory. We were trying things that we hadn’t done before, which made it both exciting and challenging. One of the most difficult parts for me was the rap-like section in Rose Dale. I had never done anything like that before, so it required me to step out of my comfort zone and approach it in a completely new way. It was tough at times, but it also felt rewarding to experiment with something so different and push myself creatively. Those challenges made the final product feel even more significant.
Reo: The most difficult part of the whole process was managing everyone’s schedules. Each of us has his own music projects, and I didn’t want to disrupt anyone’s individual work, so making sure we could all come together without interfering with our other obligations was important for me. I took on the responsibility of handling the logistics—coordinating the recording sessions, with the studio, and organizing the staff. It wasn’t easy, but I felt it was essential to create a balance where we could all work together smoothly. I’m really thankful that we were able to find a way to make it work, especially considering how busy everyone was. Once the schedules were sorted, the actual recording itself was a lot of fun and went smoothly, so that made everything worth it
——Reo and Maco, you co-wrote the lyrics for the song Toy Boy. It’s the only song where the lyrics weren’t entirely written by Mako. Can you share more about this collaboration?
Reo: Yeah, during the recording process, Mako came to me with a request to change the melody of the song. He felt that it could be improved or altered in some way, so I asked him to demonstrate how he envisioned the new melody. I asked him, ‘Can you sing it the way you want it?’ He sang it as a rough demo, and from there, I listened to it and thought, ‘Okay, I am hearing English here.’ So, I took the next step, which was writing some lyrics in English. It wasn’t just about translating word-for-word, but more about capturing the essence and context of the lyrics while making sure they still flowed well in the song. I wanted to write down what I heard. It didn’t feel out of place. I ran it by Mako, asking, ‘What do you think about this?’ and he was happy with it, so we proceeded. The whole process was really collaborative, and it felt great to work together on it. It was a fun experience for both of us. It’s always interesting to combine our different creative perspectives and see how they come together to form something new and exciting. The fact that it was a shared effort made the whole song even more meaningful. It was my first time writing lyrics and really enjoyed it. But, well, I just had Mako’s demo vocals, and I simply translated those into English.
——How did you feel about the lyrics Reo wrote?
Maco: I agreed; I didn’t say anything. I was cool with it. I just went along with it and I didn’t have any particular thoughts of my own (smiles).
——PARADOXON DOLORIS translates to paradox of pain in Latin. The title embodies the themes woven into the album—where pain coexists with glimpses of hope, freedom feels like an elusive concept, and the search for self-worth persists despite a world that often denies it. Could you tell us more about the title and why it was chosen for this EP?
Maco: Exactly as you said. It’s a title that speaks to the contradictions we’re all facing today. Pain, suffering, a sense of struggling through—these are not just abstract ideas; they’re present realities, experiences that are all too common right now. We live in a society that often measures happiness by ‘success,’ and this creates a world where only a select few seem able to find any real sense of peace or fulfillment. And this struggle isn’t unique to humans; it affects animals too. You see animals forced to adapt, sometimes with no place left to hide or live in, constantly under threat as the world moves around them. They risk their lives just by crossing a road, forced into dangerous situations with no choice but to survive in a world that’s often indifferent to their existence. In that sense, our world feels fundamentally unfair, like a place where safety is an illusion and self-worth is something you have to fight for. The title PARADOXON DOLORIS captures that tension: the hardship, the lack of control, and the paradox of enduring such pain while still holding onto hope. It’s a call to anyone who’s experienced suffering, who’s struggled with that question of how to stand up and rebuild in the face of a reality that feels so uncertain. The title is a reflection of that life—of what it means to search for strength and self-definition even when the odds are stacked against you.
Reo: The title came to me after reading the lyrics. I felt it resonated powerfully with the essence of what we’re expressing in this album. There’s something about the look and sound of PARADOXON DOLORIS that holds weight, that feels both intense and contemplative. It’s a title that invites you to reflect, and we felt it would be perfect for this EP.
——In some of your songs, you explore the idea of freedom alongside suffering. How do you see this paradox in your own lives, and what does true freedom mean to you?
Maco: I honestly don’t think we experience true freedom in our lives—at least, not in the way we imagine it should be. There are rules everywhere, structures that surround us and shape our decisions, often in ways we don’t fully understand. Some rules are needed, but many feel incomplete, arbitrary, even damaging. These limitations inevitably lead to suffering, and it’s often the most vulnerable who bear the brunt of these effects. True freedom, to me, would be a world without these rigid structures weighing down on people, and not just on us, but on all living beings. Imagine a world where every creature can exist without fear of these human-made constraints—without cars, concrete, or pollution threatening them at every turn. In our current reality, though, that vision of freedom is distant, almost an illusion. But while full freedom might be unreachable, I think there’s value in trying to create as much room for peace as we can. If we can lessen even a fraction of that suffering and bring peace, then perhaps we are moving closer to something that resembles real freedom.
Reo: I agree. I don’t think true freedom is something we can fully possess—it’s more of an ideal. If anyone truly holds freedom, it’s those who have the power to create the rules themselves, the ones shaping society’s boundaries. In a sense, only a godlike figure would have that kind of liberty. But still, while absolute freedom might be beyond us, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work toward expanding what we have. This contradiction between freedom and suffering, between freedom and guilt, will always be here, woven into our world. But maybe our purpose is to try to reduce its impact, to lighten the weight of these limitations for everyone we can. Our work reflects this lifelong struggle, this paradox. If people listening to our music sense that tension, that push and pull between freedom and constraint, I hope it gives them a moment to stop and think. Maybe they’ll start to look at what freedom really means in their own lives and find their own answer. Each of us has to find that balance individually, and perhaps the answers we need are already inside us, waiting to be uncovered.
——Your music often touches on themes of pain and other important subjects. As artists, how do you perceive your role within society? What purpose does music serve in society?
Maco: As artists, I’m not sure we’re really here to ‘contribute’ to society in the conventional sense. We’re not filling some role dictated by social rules or doing something purely to meet a specific need within human society. And maybe that’s okay—maybe art shouldn’t be confined to those expectations. I think our purpose lies outside of these established norms. We offer something that society can’t define by its usual measures of contribution.
Reo: I believe music isn’t essential in the strictest sense, but that’s precisely why it can be so powerful. When people are feeling stuck or struggling, music can provide a release, an escape. It becomes a refuge, a place to turn when work or family life isn’t going smoothly. Music doesn’t just distract; it gives people a sense of comfort and grounding, something that helps them recharge and find the strength to keep going. In that way, I do think it contributes to society, even if indirectly. Not in a financial or material sense, but by providing something richer—a form of emotional nourishment. That’s true not just for music, but for all forms of culture and art. Art might not make anyone wealthier in the economic sense, but it brings a spiritual wealth that can deeply enrich lives. And I think that’s a contribution that matters.
——In your work, pain is often portrayed as both destructive and transformative. Do you see pain as something that can lead to growth, or is it inherently a burden?
Maco: Pain, to me, isn’t inherently anything—it’s simply an experience. It’s something that exists and must be lived through. Now, growth is a tricky concept. What does it even mean to grow? If I’ve never had a certain experience, I might feel inferior because of it, and that feeling of inadequacy is natural. But I’m okay with that. If someone tells me I’ve grown through an experience, it’s because I’ve changed—but even in that change, I’m still the same person. Growth isn’t about suddenly sprouting new branches; it’s about accumulating experiences while remaining at your core. It’s not about being better or worse than anyone else, nor about measuring your experiences to justify your worth. It’s not that those who experience more are superior, nor that those who experience less are lesser—it’s just that, through experience, you learn to understand yourself and others better. That’s all it is, really. There’s value in understanding that some things are incredibly difficult and sometimes even unbearable, but that understanding, to me, is more about absorption than growth. It’s about resilience, about learning to navigate what’s hard, but also accepting that some pain will never be fully overcome.
Reo: You’re hitting us with some pretty deep questions (laughs). I believe there is potential for growth through pain, but that growth only happens when someone who’s been through pain can look back and say, “That experience shaped me, it made me who I am today.” But pain itself doesn’t inherently lead to growth. The growth comes when you learn from it, when you transform that pain into wisdom. You see, knowing pain allows you to understand others’ suffering. If that understanding leads to compassion, then yes, pain can connect to growth. But if all you do is keep repeating the same mistakes or living in the same pain, that’s not growth—it’s stagnation. In the end, growth is about the way you choose to live with pain. It’s not about avoiding it; it’s about how you deal with it. It’s how you adapt, how you evolve in response to it. The way we perceive and handle pain shapes who we are and how we relate to the world. And that’s where the real transformation lies. Pain, for all its destruction, has the potential to lead to something better—but only if we allow it to teach us. The answer is always within us, but the question remains: how do we choose to live with it?
——I totally agree with you.
You released your first demo in 1998, yet your debut album only arrived in 2023, a full 25 years later—a rare timeline in the industry. What led to such a long wait?
Reo: Honestly, it’s because we disbanded (laughs).
Maco: There were a lot of factors and misunderstandings that caused the delay. We didn’t have many discussions or clear communication at the time.
Reo: It was a mistake we made when we were young. I believed that working with the original members would help me grow as an artist, so I reached out to each of them, asking if they would be interested in reuniting. That’s how we eventually decided to start over and move forward together.
Maco: When he reached out, I answered: Yes, let’s do this again.
——How did the band’s dynamics change over these 25 years?
Reo: I’m not sure if I can say we’ve really grown exactly, but one thing that’s definitely changed is that we’ve become more forgiving of each other. Compared to how things used to be, we’re able to accept and let go of more when it comes to each other’s ways and habits.
Maco: Yeah, hmm, that’s true.
Reo: Another thing is, well, even after we broke up as a band, we all kept in touch. It wasn’t just for a short time—we kept up with each other through everything. Each of us went through ups and downs and had different experiences, and because of all that, we’ve really built up a lot to bring to our music now. So, when we decided to come together to create music again, each of us had all these new elements to contribute. That’s a big part of why things feel so fast-paced and dynamic this time around. It feels like we’re starting up again at a really good moment, with the right timing.
Maco: For me, it all felt very natural. Like, things that wouldn’t really blend or mix back then just seem to be coming together more seamlessly now. After 25 years, our music—well, it’s really evolved. When I look back at what we made back then, it was clearly a product of that time. There’s a perspective attached to it that’s tied to that specific era, you know? But the music we’re creating now feels like something that could only come out of this moment. It couldn’t have come from the past, and it’s not aiming toward the future either. It’s something that’s really rooted in the present. And then there’s also the friendship. Yeah, friendship.
Reo: Friendship, huh? (laughs)
Maco: It’s almost like it goes beyond friendship. We understand each other’s perspectives deeply, and I feel like everyone understands mine too. It creates this feeling where we can just be ourselves. We can make music in a relaxed, natural way, and we can just enjoy sharing a meal together the same way. It’s like everything just flows naturally now.
——That’s great!
What motivates you now to make music compared to when you first started when you were younger? I mean, when passion becomes a job…
Reo: Ah, well, when I first started making music, when I was young, it was all about expressing what I wanted to express, purely and simply. I had this drive to put my emotions, my experiences, and my ideas out there, and that was enough. But when it turned into a career, it wasn’t just about expressing myself anymore—I needed to create something that resonated, something that achieved real results. Balancing what I truly want to express with the responsibility of producing outcomes—that’s become essential. It’s no longer just my vision but also about honoring the support of everyone around us, from the staff who work so hard to keep everything running, to the fans who stand by us. In the end, the biggest difference is this sense of responsibility, which has grown immensely. I think that’s what drives me the most now.
Maco: Yes, exactly. I’m no longer just doing it for myself; I’m doing it for everyone involved. Each person here has their own life, their own struggles and dreams, and those, matter too. Back then, I was more fixated on my own vision, on how I thought things should be. But now, I see it’s not about me alone. I try to be more aware of other people’s perspectives, especially those of our fans. They’re not just listening passively; they’re sharing in this experience with us. I want to communicate with them more clearly, to make music that speaks to them, that’s accessible and impactful in a way that transcends just sound. It’s not simply about looking cool or impressive from my perspective; it’s about creating something they can feel connected to, something they genuinely enjoy and relate to. That’s where my motivation lies now—to make something meaningful for everyone who supports us, not just for myself.
——You both play in different bands. How do you manage the balance between them?
Reo: Honestly, at the core, what I’m doing in each band is the same. It may look different from the outside because the members and the dynamic are different, but for me, my approach hasn’t changed at all. My way of thinking, my core philosophy as a musician—it’s completely consistent. I’ve kept that steady through everything. I think of it as staying true to who I am, no matter the project. I’m the same person, and that consistency is something I hold onto, no matter where I play.
Maco: For me, it’s really about managing time and mindset. I carve out time for each project, but beyond that, I switch modes depending on the band. It’s like stepping into a different headspace for each one. In this band, there’s a serious energy—Reo has that thoughtful, intense focus, and that naturally makes me approach things with a bit more discipline and focus too. It brings out a more serious side in me. In the other band, though, there’s this playfulness, this room to loosen up and have fun. So, I let myself shift gears, lean into that lighter mode, and it feels refreshing.
Reo: I don’t consciously try to “switch” between bands, but there’s something that just naturally feels different in each. In lynch. and kein, for instance, I play different guitars, so that alone shifts my playing style and even my mindset a bit. The gear, the sound, it all brings out different aspects of my performance. But ultimately, it’s not about forcing a change. The different people around me, the vibe of each band, naturally bring out different sides of who I am. I don’t have to try to adapt—it just happens on its own.
——What do you see as the strengths of kein compared to your other projects?
Reo: One of kein’s greatest strengths is our sound—it’s something truly unique that no one else can replicate. The reason our sound is what it is is because of the chemistry and dynamic between these five members. That’s a core part of our identity, and I’m absolutely confident that no one could come in and replace any of us and create the same sound. There’s a certain energy and essence that we bring to the table together, and it’s irreplaceable. That’s something I’m certain of, and it’s a big part of what makes kein special.
Maco: For me, another big strength of kein is that we don’t fit neatly into one genre. We create our own distinct sound, and the people who are drawn to it appreciate it for what it is, not because it sounds like something else or fits into a specific style. When people listen to us, they don’t think, “Oh, this band sounds like so-and-so,” because we really don’t have a clear comparison. We’ve carved out our own space in music, and that uniqueness is something that stands out. We don’t try to conform to existing labels or categories, and I think that gives us a lot of freedom to explore and evolve. The fact that there are few, if any, bands to compare us to only reinforces our individuality. That lack of comparison actually works to our advantage, and it lets us stand apart with a sense of originality that feels really powerful.
——What do you think is the most important thing when conveying sound and when conveying words?
Maco: For me, I think the most important thing is repetition—repeating the key elements and making sure they’re easy to remember. The more something is repeated, the more likely it is to stick with the listener. It’s all about making sure people don’t forget the sound, the feeling, and the message. In that sense, singing is a particularly powerful tool. The sound of the music itself, the mood it sets—if the song is well-crafted and has an appealing vibe, people will naturally want to listen to it again. And when the lyrics hit in a way that speaks directly to a person’s heart, that’s when you know the message has been truly delivered. It’s the ability to turn your thoughts, your emotions, into something people can feel deeply, and that’s what makes music so impactful. The act of transforming what you want to say into a song is incredibly important because it’s that song that has the power to connect with listeners in a meaningful way.
Reo: For me, the most important thing is honesty. If the sound or the words aren’t coming from a genuine place, there’s no real power behind them. You can’t expect people to believe or feel what you’re saying if you’re not being authentic. There’s no convincing someone with words or music unless they can feel that what you’re sharing is truly from the heart. What’s critical is that there are no falsehoods in what you create—not just doing something because it seems like the right thing or what others expect. Everything has to come from a place of sincerity. If it’s not real, if you’re just going through the motions or following trends, it won’t have the impact you’re hoping for. Authenticity is the key, and that’s what I think is most important in both sound and words.
——To wrap up this interview, I’m going to give you the last words.
Do you have any message for your foreign fans or potential listeners?
Reo: I would be really happy if people around the world could know that there are such unique and unconventional bands in Japan. It’s not every day that people get to hear something like what we create, and if it resonates with them, that’s amazing. If they could support us in some way, whether it’s through listening to our music, sharing it with others, or just appreciating our sound, it would mean so much to us. It’s important to us that our music can cross borders, not just geographically but emotionally, and reach people who can connect with what we’re doing, no matter where they’re from.
Maco: It’s amazing when people from different parts of the world, with different backgrounds, can still connect with our music. It shows that, despite differences in where we live or what we look like, there’s something universal in the feelings and energy that music can communicate. What really moves me is that our listeners don’t have to try to change themselves to understand us; they just have to feel the music, and in doing so, they can share that connection with us. That’s a beautiful thing. Of course, there will always be people who don’t understand us or who might even criticize what we do, but I believe those who feel connected to us, who resonate with our sound and our message, are the ones who are truly valuable to us. It’s those people who will stay with us, and they’re the ones who will help shape our journey as we move forward. We’re really grateful for their support and for anyone who believes in what we do.
——Do you have plans to perform overseas?
Reo: Well, we would like to.
Maco: But, there is someone here who’s not too fond of flying though…
——We have something in common (laughs).
Thank you for your time and congratulations on the release of your new EP, PARADOXON DOLORIS. Out on November 20 (2024)!
__________________
Mandah FRÉNOT
(c) VMJ
⩺ https://kein-official.jp/
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