Following the release of their debut album Dead Line in 1986, the classic lineup of vocalist Morrie, bassist Crazy Cool Joe, guitarist You and drummer Minato was solidified in May 1987.

Main composer You died unexpectedly in June 2020, and Morrie and Joe expressed doubt on having any future activity as Dead End as a result.

[3] Followed by their debut album Dead Line on June 30,[3] which sold 20,000 copies, a rare achievement for a "house" band not yet signed to a major label.

In 1987, drummer Tano left the band due to poor health, just before Dead End signed to major label Victor Invitation.

[4][6] Though music videos of "Danse Macabre" and "Blue Vices" were airing on MTV's Headbangers Ball television program,[2] and their songs had decent airplay on rock radio stations,[5] Morrie notes that "it just happened" and he "was not conscious of the US at that time.

"[2] The year 1989 started off with the band signing to major label BMG Victor, and they soon went to London, England to write songs and record video material until May.

[7] On July 9 they held a concert in Shinjuku called Standing Convention Gig, where many new songs were played, that same month their second major single "So Sweet So Lonely" was released .

[12][13] He later ceased to take part in the reunion altogether, with Shinya Yamada (Luna Sea) being support drummer before Kei Yamazaki (Venomstrip) took over the role.

[19] On August 8 they hosted a charity concert titled Fourth Devour at Shibuya O-East, where Pay Money to My Pain, Lynch.

On September 16, the band held a concert titled Kaosmoscape at Shibuya Public Hall to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their major label debut.

It features many well-known artists, including Kiyoharu and Hitoki of Kuroyume, Hyde and Tetsuya of L'Arc-en-Ciel, Sugizo, Ryuichi and Shinya of Luna Sea, Yasu with Janne Da Arc members, Baki of Gastunk, Marty Friedman, members from Dir En Grey, La'cryma Christi, Versailles, Boris and many more.

[38][39] Although Joe performs with Minato in the band D runkard Ball, in 2023, he and Morrie both expressed doubt on Dead End having any future activity.

[42] A memorial concert for You was also held at Spotify O-East on June 16, 2022, and included a Dead End session featuring Morrie, Sugizo, Hiro and Sakito on guitars, Fire on bass, and Takeo Shimoda on drums.

[43] On September 7, 2022, Morrie released Ballad D, a "self-cover" album of Dead End songs, featuring Sugizo, Sakito and Heather Paauwe, that was also dedicated to You.

[4] Also in the year before their disbandment Dead End's style changed, with the music being softer in sound and with more mass appeal than their previous releases.

"[2] In regard to band's music and lyrics, Morrie described them as explosive and outward with an incentive kind of a death drive ("Thanatos"),[47] but also "Eros".

[51] However, as Kiyoharu recalls, although the artists were aware of the influence, others in the audience and media mostly weren't until much later while the music industry was hiding it, giving credit for originality to newer bands for sake of better earning.

[53] The musicians who openly acknowledged the influence includes; Sugizo and Shinya from Luna Sea,[50][54] Tetsuya and Sakura from L'Arc-en-Ciel,[50] the latter being a roadie for them in the late 1980s,[55] Hiro from La'cryma Christi,[50] Yuana from Kagerou,[50] Hitoki from Kuroyume,[29] and Rikiji (Oblivion Dust) among others.

[56] Morrie also inspired the visual appearances and rough vocal styles of Ryuichi from Luna Sea,[57][52] Hyde from L'Arc-en-Ciel,[29][52][58] Yasu from Janne Da Arc and Acid Black Cherry,[50][52][58] Kiyoharu from Kuroyume,[52][58] and Aki from Laputa.