Nightmare began in January 2000 by Sakito and Hitsugi while most of the members were still in high school. Soon, Yomi was invited by Sakito, Ni-ya by Hitsugi, and Zannin joined after they heard their classmates were forming a band. They were all influenced by either X Japan or Luna Sea in some form.
Япония
Just as the band began getting much recognition at live houses and small concerts in the Sendai region, Zannin left the band for unknown reasons. Eventually, Ruka (formerly of the band Luinspear) joined the band as a support member at first, but became the permanent drummer after a short time. Their line-up hasn't changed since.
Their major label debut was in 2003 with their single "Believe." Three months after their debut, they released a three A-side single, Akane/Hate/Over, a first time for any band to release any single with three A-side tracks. In December 2003, they had their first tour along with their first album release Ultimate Circus. Following their release was a tour named after the album, performing songs from "Ultimate Circus" as well as songs from their indies era.
In 2004 Nightmare released three singles; "Varuna", "Tokyo Shounen", and "Cyan"; as well as another full album, Livid. Nightmare once more toured around Japan under the name "Tour CPU 2004". From 2005 to 2006, Nightmare continued working, releasing more singles and their third full length album in 2006, Anima, for which the support tour, [Anima]lism, completely sold out.
With three albums and several tours under their belt, Nightmare released a series of [[greatest hits" albums. Later on that year, they released their ninth single since their debut titled "The World/Alumina." These two songs were used as the first opening and ending themes for the anime series Death Note, respectively, spanning the first nineteen episodes. On 27 February 2007, they released their fourth album, "the WORLD Ruler." Following the album release was "The World Ruler" three month tour all around Japan. After finishing their tour for barely a month, their rock ballad single was released on June 6, 2007 titled "Raison d'Etre." It was the opening theme song to the anime Claymore.
In June 2007, they had a three-day concert event titled "the WORLD RULER ENCORE." On September 23, 2007, they performed at Nippon Budokan for the very first time. The concert was called "Far East Symphony ~the FIVE STARS NIGHT~" and tickets were all sold out within two weeks. Later in 2007, they released two more singles, titled「このは」("Leaf") on October 3rd, 2007; the other titled "DIRTY," released on November 7th, 2007. DIRTY will be another opening theme song to the anime「魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ」(Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro), "Private Evil-Eye Nougami Neuro." The series began airing in October.
To wrap up the year of 2007, they had another tour called "DIRTY Influence" in selected cities in Japan in December 2007. To kick start 2008, they decided to do a Zepp tour titled "2008 ZEPP TOUR six point killer show" in March 2008. At the beginning of the year, they released two more albums, Nightmare 2003−2005 Single Collection and 極東シンフォニー〜the Five Stars Night〜@BUDOKAN. Nightmare 2003-2005 Single Collection was released under their old label, Nippon Crown.
Their first single of 2008 titled WHITE ROOM was released as a limited download via the internet. On May 21, 2008, they will be releasing their fifth original studio album titled "KILLER SHOW." Beginning in June, they will have a live house tour all around Japan titled after latest album.
Ni~ya was guest performing for Penicillin's new single to be released August 20th, 2008, titled, 「RAINBOW / SCREAM」.
On September 17th, 2008, they will also be releasing another single titled "Lost in Blue". This single comes in 3 types, Type A with two tracks and a Lost in Blue PV, type B with two tracks and the 邂逅カタルシス("Kaikou Carthasis") PV. Type C is just the regular CD containing the two tracks. "Lost in Blue" will be the opening theme song to the anime adaptation of 魍魎の匣 (Mōryō no Hako) by CLAMP.
Because of the recent Iwate-Miyagi Nairiku earthquake that happened this past summer, Nightmare held a charity concert on September 26, 2008 at ZEPP Sendai. Proceeds of the concert will be donated to the victims. During their livehouse tour and arena tour ("Nightmare LIVE HOUSE TOUR 2008 killer show" and "Nightmare TOUR 2008 Grand killer show"), they set up a donation box for proceeds to the earthquake and made a quick appearance on 『24時間テレビ』. The proceeds totaled up to 304,048 yen.
On December 3, 2008, they will be releasing another single titled "NAKED LOVE." This song will be the ending theme to 魍魎の匣 (Mōryō no Hako).
Aside from appearing on TV shows, magazine covers, and concerts, they also have a radio program with NACK 5 called "Jack in the Box!". Yom