is a Japanese heavy metal band from Osaka, formed in 2008 by guitarist Yoshi and vocalist Rami. After a few member changes, they released their debut EP Dear Slave the following year and soon after formed their own record label, Bright Star Records. A stabilized line-up including guitarist Toki, bassist Sawa and drummer Aruto was established by 2010. Their first album Deep Exceed (2010) reached the top 15 on the Oricon chart, as did their second Determination (2011). However, Rami announced she was leaving the group in June 2012 and new vocalist Re:NO joined Aldious just one month later. They produced their third album District Zero in 2013 and it became their highest-charting release to date, reaching number 7. Their fourth album Dazed and Delight (2014) peaked at number 20, before Aruto left the band in September and was replaced by Marina in April 2015. Their fifth album Radiant A was released in December 2015 and was their first album on the VAA record label and their first released in Europe via JPU Records. After one more album, Unlimited Diffusion (2017), Re:NO left the band at the end of 2018 and was replaced by R!N in August 2019, until she too left in June 2021. Aldious have been labelled pioneers of the Girls Metal Band Boom that began in Japan in the 2010s. History Formation, debut and Rami's withdrawal (2008–2013) Aldious was formed in Osaka in June 2008 when guitarist and leader Yoshi teamed up with vocalist Rami. The name Aldious was created by Rami shortening the phrase "Ultimate Melodious." The singer said that they intentionally express their femininity by wearing dresses with big hair, a style that saw the band labelled "Age-jō". In November they took part in the compilation album Red Hot Burning Hell Vol.16, soon after which guitarist Ruki and bassist Sawa left. In January 2009, Toki and Kaze joined as guitarist and bassist respectively, later the band self-released and sold-out their debut four-track EP Dear Slave on November 7. Kaze left in December, and drummer Aruto joined in January 2010. March saw the return of Sawa on bass and, around this time, Aldious formed their own record label, Bright Star Records. Their first single "Defended Desire", released on July 7, sold-out all 7,000 copies, reached the number 4 position on Oricon's Indies singles chart and number 49 on its regular chart. In April, Bright Star became