MELL

MELL is a Japanese singer and lyricist from Sapporo, Japan, born on August 1. Active since 1997, she first performed in her own band, then became one of the earliest vocalists in the Sapporo-based collective I’ve Sound. She made her debut as an I’ve vocalist on the 1999 game song 「美しく生きたい」 and went on to become one of the group’s main singers in the Japanese anison and visual novel scene, working across anime and game music. Her major-label debut came in 2006 through NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan LLC with "Red Fraction", the opening theme of Black Lagoon; her ability with English lyrics was one reason she was chosen for the song. She also performed "Proof" for Hayate no Gotoku! and later returned to Black Lagoon with "Red Fraction IO Drive mix". Her recordings combine J-pop, trance, rock, and electronic production, with sharp, powerful vocals and layered arrangements that move between melodic pop hooks and heavier, darker, more cinematic material. At the end of 2010, she released her second album, "MIRAGE", then temporarily suspended singing activities because of ill health. She returned in October 2011 with the HELLGATE theme "Start of the strongest 〜我今、最下層にて〜". In 2013, she issued the best album "Entrust 〜the name of MELL〜" before graduating from I’ve Sound and formally pausing her career.