Interview Archives

Interview with DEVILOOF: From underground pioneers to major label success

26 May 2023

The metal band DEVILOOF recently achieved the remarkable dream of signing with a major record label. Considering how big this milestone is for the five-man band, we were curious to learn about the implications ...

Interview with HAKUEI and Karyu: Wholesome talk between shy people

Dorian, Rin and Peertje

3 May 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 ...

Interview with Saki Rose: Emerging solo vocalist in visual kei

Erica and Nori

8 April 2023

Interview

In February, JROCK NEWS was on the scene covering THE LAST ROCKSTARS' debut in New York City. While in Manhattan for the weekend, we reached out to independent musician, Jrock Afficianado and local Brooklynite ...

Interview: Artist Naofumi Yonetsuka defines generations of visual kei

Erica, Nori and Omatsu

18 March 2023

Interview

As written in the name, the Jrock subgenre visual kei is founded on just that—the visuals. Often otherworldly yet at times macabre and downright bizarre, the elaborate garbs and set designs on visual kei music ...

Interview with TAKURO (GLAY): Healing the world through “The Sound Of Life”

NBT

24 February 2023

Interview

The world hasn't been an easy place as of lately, with contributing factors such as a pandemic and war outbreaks, leaving people feeling anxious and helpless. From all of these recent events, TAKURO, the guitar...

Interview with LYNCS: Shedding light on the darkness

Bri, afaenia and Omatsu

30 January 2023

Interview

LYNCS is a cyber gothic metal band that formed in Japan with roots in China. Exploring themes of darkness and night, vocalist Noctis Zang and guitarist LIN don’t shy away from heavier themes and emotions in ord...

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...

Interview: NEMOPHILA guitarists SAKI and Hazuki reflect on US performances

G Andrew White and Nori

18 December 2022

Interview, Tour

In October, JROCK NEWS caught up with the all-female hard rock band NEMOPHILA at Aftershock Festival 2022. We had a quick interview with their guitarists SAKI and Hazuki. They were buzzing from the electrifyin...

Interview: Kouki and HIZAKI’s philosophies of visual kei

Erica and Omatsu

8 December 2022

Interview, Tour

Musicians Kouki (D=OUT) and HIZAKI (Versailles, Jupiter) rocked Nekocon 24, held from November 5-7 in Hampton, VA. After a hectic weekend of autograph sessions, a Q&A panel, and no less than three live conc...

Interview with Sick²: Diving into the pure chaos of digital rock

Erica, Dorian and Omatsu

30 October 2022

Interview, Releases

Digital rock band Sick² is a band of duality. They're instantly recognizable by their flashy, eye-catching costumes and upbeat melodies. Yet when you dive deeper into their lyrics, you're often met by darker th...

Interview with Jose Mangin: Metal Ambassador on Jrock and Jmetal

G Andrew White

18 October 2022

Interview

During our coverage of Jrock bands at Aftershock Festival 2022 in Sacramento, CA, we sat down with the official host, Jose Mangin. He is regarded as the most distinguished personality in hard rock and metal tod...

Interview with Madmans Esprit: Shaping brutal but warm album

Rin

16 October 2022

Interview

Madmans Esprit is an avant-garde metal band from South Korea that incorporates elements of visual kei into both their sound and aesthetics. The band started as the solo project by independent artist Kyuho in 20...

Interview: SCANDAL reflects on touring challenges and looking forward

G Andrew White and Nori

19 September 2022

Interview, Tour

On July 15, SCANDAL made the fourth stop on their North America WORLD TOUR 2022 "MIRROR" in Atlanta, Georgia. JROCK NEWS was in the crowd. This tour, previously planned for 2020 but delayed by the COVID-19 p...

Interview: How touring abroad changed ACME’s worldview completely

Erica

20 August 2022

Interview, Tour

On July 18, visual metalcore quartet ACME played their first-ever concert in New York. ACME commanded a packed dancefloor, assaulting them with crisp, high-treble drums, chugging basslines, and melodic guita...