JROCK NEWS — Latest News, Releases & Tour Dates

ACME’s single “Sennou” takes us back to the future

14 January 2023

As metalcore group ACME ramps up for their 6th anniversary, they surprised fans with a new look, a single, and an upcoming tour. On February 14, ACME releases their 15th single Sennou (洗脳). Sennou, or in Eng...

SuG teases mysterious live performance after 5 years

Bri

14 January 2023

Disband/Hiatus

Visual kei band SuG returns for an upcoming concert on March 9, but the implications of it currently remains a mystery, as it turns out it is neither a "disbandment performance" nor "reunion". After SuG disb...

BAND-MAID commemorates 10th anniversary with Japan, US tours

Nori

12 January 2023

Tour

BAND-MAID revealed tour circuits for Japan and the US to commemorate 10 years of dishing out face-melting metal. The news dropped following its sold-out “Okyu-ji” concert and livestream at the colossal Tokyo Ga...

Aimer and amazarashi perform theme songs for NieR:Automata Ver1.1a anime

NBT

10 January 2023

Anime, Music Video, Releases

Two of the biggest forces in anime, Aimer and amazarashi, join the lineup of sci-fi anime NieR:Automata Ver1.1a with their new theme songs, escalate and Antinomy, respectively. The anime, which started airin...

ALICE NINE. freezes activities to pursue personal growth

Erica and afaenia

9 January 2023

Disband/Hiatus, New Look

Veterans of visual kei "ALICE NINE." announced an indefinite hiatus, which they are calling a "frozen period" starting September 3, 2023. According to the statement, translated below, the band plans to take thi...

Interview: BAND-MAID unpacks sold-out US tour and aggressive EP “Unleash”

G Andrew White and Nori

7 January 2023

Interview, Tour

Between a wildfire US tour, and prepping for their first big concert of 2023, BAND-MAID sat down for an interview with JROCK NEWS. The metal maidens from Tokyo had a lot to say about their US tour experience th...

LADYBABY starts new project

NBT

6 January 2023

New Band

The idol group LADYBABY has had its ups and downs, however, it is announced that a new project will begin this year! From a short teaser, it is implied that the new project will be in collaboration with HERO...

Celebrate vocalist K (Pay money To my Pain) with EP “Orange Ave.”

NBT and afaenia

4 January 2023

Releases

Pay money To my Pain teased on December 30, 2022, that something will be announced on January 4, 2023. Today, the band reveals the digital EP "Orange Ave.", deliberately on the birthday of the deceased vocalist...

Former Crystal Lake vocalist Ryo starts experimental metalcore project “KNOSIS”

NBT

31 December 2022

New Band

Former vocalist of Crystal Lake, Ryo Kinoshita, has begun a new journey with project "KNOSIS". His departure from the metalcore band Crystal Lake was announced back in October, a decision made due to Ryo's stru...

Top 10 visual kei and Japanese rock artists 2022

NBT, Erica, Rin, Nori and G Andrew White

29 December 2022

Entertainment

This year has been quite a special one, with Japan opening up to the world again, and at the same time, we saw more Japanese bands seeking to perform abroad. Our toplist for the year 2022 gathers notable vis...

Golden Bomber explores humanity with two music videos and upcoming album

Bri

28 December 2022

Music Video, Releases

You can’t say that Golden Bomber doesn’t know how to throw a Christmas party! On December 25, the band held a Christmas event that was streamed on YouTube Live for their fans. In addition to music, merriment, a...

DEXCORE bassist kai and drummer reizi depart band

Sizergyia and Dorian

26 December 2022

News, Releases

DEXCORE abruptly announced that bassist Kai and drummer Reizi will both leave the band after their performance at the fiveStars presents 'CONFESSION OF PHILOSOPHY-40min×4MAN-' event on December 27. Thereafter, ...

ELFENSJóN’s dramatic and powerful single “ECLIPSE” is out!

NBT

23 December 2022

Music Video, Releases

ELFENSJóN releases the single ECLIPSE on December 22, the second single from the consecutive monthly winter releases. Just like the previous single DAWN, the new song features guest vocalist YURiCa (Hanatan)...

Report: Cazqui’s Brutal Orchestra conducts dramatic live demonstration

Shmilly

22 December 2022

Review

It was a crisp November evening when I headed to Aoyama RizM, but the chill in the air was of quite a different kind to the chill atmosphere inside the packed live house. Pensive background music from Enya only...