NéiL began in 1996, but little is known about this initial period of their career. All we know is that all of the band members used to play in other bands previously, but none of them were popular. In the first two years, they released a few songs on omnibuses, but had no releases of their own. Only after they met H.L. EURO (vocalist of SPEED-ID and later the head of the Key Party label) in May 1997 did they finally release a demo called Re'Call and began to gain popularity.
July of the same year witnessed the release of their first maxi-single, CLOUD, which was soon followed by more releases. Their breakthrough year ended soon afterwards, but 1998 brought them even more fans, mainly thanks to the release of the single RHAPSODY and their first mini-album, MISERY. Around this time they also released their first VHS, Itan no ako - stranger in the box -, which contained their first three PVs.
As their popularity grew, their image and music style changed. Their music became more punk, though the shift wasn’t drastic.
All of their changes finally paid off, because by the end of 1999 NéiL went major, releasing their first major album, Razor, under Columbia. Their future looked bright, but in 2000 TAKUYU suddenly left the band. The remaining members did not feel like continuing as NéiL. In May 2000 they released ALL TRACKS COLLECTIONS, a best-of collection of 16 tracks from their older CDs, which was their last release before the band ceased activities in August 2000.
After a short break, DAISUKE and TERUHIKO returned with a new band, Jezebel, but this band was also short-lived. TERUHIKO is currently part of Bastard, but the other members are currently not active in any bands.
DAISUKE continued his career in the Japanese music scene and is working as a producer. He has produced an album for Kagrra, and is working with various visual kei indie bands. For the curious ones that wonder how NéiL's singer got involved with the popular visual kei band, the answer is simple: vocalist Isshi was once NéiL's roadie.
