Archive

Neko Hacker’s 1st co-written EP project “Neko-Write”, new frontiers in kawaii future rock

11 November 2023

The "kawaii future rock" sensation Neko Hacker is back with a new energetic release, its first co-written EP titled "Neko-Write Vol. 1"! Formed in 2018 by Sera and Kassan, Neko Hacker is on a mission "to spread...

Interview: Marty Friedman on gifting Jpop to the world (part 2)

Nori and NBT

10 November 2023

Interview

Welcome back to our conversation with guitar legend Marty Friedman! For those who missed the first half, you can find part 1 here. In part 2 on the interview, Marty delves into the prominence of female-led J...

GUNGIRE unleashes fury with second mini-album “SURGE”

Erica

9 November 2023

Releases

Get ready for a surge of intense energy as GUNGIRE, Japan's self-proclaimed "most insanely angry band", drops its second mini-album SURGE on November 11. This release comes hot on the heels of GUNGIRE's debut m...

X JAPAN bassist HEATH passes away at age 55

Nori

7 November 2023

Band status, Lineup change

HEATH, the soft-spoken bassist for the internationally renowned Jrock band X JAPAN, passed away at the end of October. He was 55 years old. According to those familiar with the matter, HEATH had struggled wi...

ACME makes appearance at fan-event “ACME Crossing” this Friday

Astrid

5 November 2023

Tour and event

"ACME Crossing" is an ACME cup sleeve event scheduled for November 10, 2023, in Los Angeles. The event takes place at Heuk Hwa Dang in Koreatown and will run from 15:00 to 20:00 PST. At the event, there will...

Interview with RUKI (the GazettE): Rising from silence to live stage

afaenia

4 November 2023

Interview

This interview was originally published by “club Zy.” in Japanese. JROCK NEWS is partnering with club Zy. and Vijuttoke with the aim to popularize Japanese visual kei globally. Learn more about our partnership ...

LM.C breathes new life into 15-year old song with “JOKER -2023-“

Bri

3 November 2023

Music Video, Releases

Visual kei duo LM.C celebrated Halloween in style by posting their new music video for JOKER -2023- on October 31. The song is a new recording of their song JOKER -my Name is- from the album "GIMMICAL☆IMPACT!!"...

Report: YOSHIKI’s classical performance rocks Royal Albert Hall

Bri

1 November 2023

Review, Tour and event

On October 13, Japanese superstar YOSHIKI performed with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and GRAMMY award-winning artists Ellie Goulding and St. Vincent for a unique classical performance at the Royal ...

Interview: Marty Friedman on gifting Jpop to the world (part 1)

Nori and NBT

31 October 2023

Interview

It’s not every day an international guitar hero replies to our cold call with a resounding yes! But Marty Friedman, formerly of the “big four” GRAMMY-nominated thrash metal legend Megadeth, emphatically welcome...

Is girls metal band boom here to stay? – JROCK ONSEN Ep. 31

Mazohyst_Kyo

30 October 2023

JROCK ONSEN

Alright, back again after our regular multi-month absence. I remember there was a time this was supposed to be monthly. We actually recorded this one back on June 25, to be precise. Anyway, straight to the poin...

Kouki and HIZAKI bring session band to Japan Weekend Valencia

Erica

28 October 2023

Tour and event

Kouki and HIZAKI are set to perform at Japan Weekend Valencia on November 18 and 19, 2023. If you recall, Kouki dropped some hints about this event during our interview in July, and now it's time to reveal all ...

NA.NA confronts the challenges of living with back to back digital singles

Bri

26 October 2023

Music Video, New Look, Releases

If you've found yourself questioning the meaning of life lately, the visual kei band "NA.NA" is right there with you. NA.NA released two consecutive digital singles Itsuka Bokutachiha Shindeshimaunda and Ikiru ...

Emo Night Tokyo event makes spooky comeback for Halloween

Rin

25 October 2023

Tour and event

If your Halloween plans are looking like a ghost town, never fear! The self-proclaimed "saddest party in Japan" is back this month, inviting you to get sad and spooky. Emo Night Tokyo is an event that brings...

BUCK-TICK vocalist Atsushi Sakurai passes away at age 57

Erica and afaenia

24 October 2023

Lineup change

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Atsushi Sakurai, the cherished vocalist of the beloved rock band BUCK-TICK. At the age of 57, he left us tragically due to a brainstem hemorrhage on October 19, 202...