Ayabie's Aoi(彩冷える葵) and Megamasso's Ryohei(メガマソ涼平) form new unit

Last month, Ayabie vocalist Aoi announced that the band is going on hiatus since he is the only remaining member after his four bandmates left to create their own band. Although he is continuing as a solo artist, he has just revealed a new project with Ryohei of the band Megamasso. They are forming a new unit, currently called "Aoi & Ryohei incl. Ayabie Megamasso/葵＆涼平 incl. アヤビエメガマソ."

Ryohei was the guitarist of Ayabie when the band formed in 2004, but he left in 2006 and formed Megamasso. When Aoi announced that Ayabie would be halting activities, he contacted Ryohei to inform him of the news. After the two reminisced about the days of Ayabie's formation, they decided to work together again, starting with a recent guest appearance by Ryohei on Aoi's radio show.

On December 6, Aoi held a surprise event in Shinjuku, gathering roughly 5,000 fans shortly after he announced it on his blog. The event was also streamed live on the video website Nico Nico Douga. Ryohei appeared on stage with Aoi to announce their collaboration together, much to the delight of the crowd.

During the event, they performed a new song titled "Monochrome," as well as another called "Kei." At the end of the show, they also distributed 1,000 limited copies of a special CD that contains another new song titled "Saihate."

Aoi and Ryohei will release "Monochrome" as their first single on February 16, 2011. It will be released in a limited edition and a regular edition, distributed jointly by Aoi's label Tokuma Japan and Megamasso's label Avex.

葵＆涼平 incl. アヤビエメガマソ's official site: http://avexnet.or.jp/ar/

Source: tokyograph.com