Sakura Rising

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General Information

Written by: A. Lee, Machiya (町屋) and Suzuhana Yuko (鈴華ゆう子)

Sakura Rising is a song from Wagakki Band's sixth studio album, Tokyo Singing, featuring Amy Lee which is set to be released on October 14, 2020. It was rumored that it was written and performed exclusively for Wagakki Band's "Premium Symphonic Night Vol.2" concert where Amy performed as a guest. This orchestral concert took place in Osaka, Japan on February 16, 2020. However, the song wasn't performed at the concert and was originally penned for Wagakki Band's new album.

On September 11, 2020, Amy posted the following statement on Facebook:

The last time I got on a plane was in February, when Wagakkiband invited me to Osaka to perform with them in a very special concert featuring a full orchestra. For those of you who don’t know their music, they mix traditional Japanese instruments with hard rock to create an epic fusion that is totally unique. Yuko is a fantastic singer and the whole concert was mesmerizing to watch. I joined onstage for a Wagakkiband version of Bring Me To Life, as well as a bit of their song “Senbonzakura” which was my first time singing in Japanese. On the trip, we also wrote a song together that will be on their new album, “TOKYO SINGING,” out 10.24.

On the next day, Waggakki Band posted a anime clip containing a 18-second preview of the song teasing a September 18, 2020 release. Amy published a similar clip depicting New York, whereas the first clip depicts Tokyo. On the 14th, a 30-second preview was published on both artists's social media accounts. The lyric video was released on September 18, 2020. Watch it here.

The song was produced and recorded the day before their orchestral show, but it was finished through file sharing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Amy on the collaboration:

Working with Wagakkiband was a completely unique and very special experience for me. They invited me to Osaka to perform with them in a symphonic concert, and while I was there, we thought it would be fun to try and write something together. I really didn’t know what to expect. Even though we speak different languages, and only had a couple of days together, the creativity just flowed and we ended up with a really cool piece of music. After I flew home, Yuko and I began writing each other lyrics back and forth, interpreting and reflecting on each other’s meanings. As the pandemic hit, we wrote about the same experience from two perspectives, and in two languages. The heart of the song is about unity. We are all the same kind- humankind. We have to fight together instead of fighting each other. And though we have been pulled apart, we are still together on a deeper level, in spirit.

Versions

Studio Versions

Sakura Rising with Amy Lee of EVANESCENCE

• Recording date: February 2020
• Status: Released on September 18, 2020
• Released on: Tokyo Singing (track #5)
• Length: 3:47

Lyrics

I see you

Nothing can stop what we started

Your light shining from the bright side
I feel like I'm in endless night
But nothing can stop what we started

No lies
We are all the same kind
It's time to stand and fight this together
Nothing can keep us apart

This time
We're fighting on the front lines (Just sing for you)
(We just sing for you)
And even if we can't be together
Nothing can keep us apart

SAKURA
SAKURA
We will find our way again
(Find our way again)

Bright light
I don't want to see you die
It feels the same in every language
Nothing can stop what we started

This time
Let me into your mind
We don't have to stay down forever
And nothing can keep us apart

SAKURA
(Don't give in, it's not the end)
SAKURA
We will find our way again
(Find our way again)

I will find you again
I will find you again
I will find you again

And nothing can keep us apart