Interview

Interview with Crystal Lake: Entering a new era with “The Weight Of Sound”

Dec 21, 2025

Crystal Lake have been touring relentlessly this year, and we managed to catch up with them back in May while they were in Stockholm, Sweden. During our conversation, we talked about the band’s new lineup and t...

Interview: Inside exist trace’s first full album in 11 years, “WHO I AM”

Erica and afaenia

Nov 27, 2025

Interview, Releases

One of the pioneering all-female bands in visual kei, exist trace (stylized as exist†trace) has returned with “WHO I AM”—their first full-length album in 11 years, released digitally worldwide on November 19. T...

Interview with Sawano Hiroyuki: Inside the mind behind iconic anime soundtracks

Jorge M.

Nov 10, 2025

Anime, Interview

Sawano Hiroyuki, a music composer with a worldwide recognition, from creating soundtracks for games and anime to TV dramas and movies. With a long trajectory in the industry, he has shouldered music creation fo...

Interview with ASH (ASH DA HERO): Shaping the future sound of Ultraman

NBT and Jorge M.

Oct 26, 2025

Interview

Vocalist ASH from ASH DA HERO, a fan of the Ultraman series since childhood, recently lent his voice to Ultraman Omega's opening theme "BRIGHT EYES" and ending theme "Missing Link". With Ultraman being part of ...

Interview: D’ESPAIRSRAY reborn after 15 years, stronger than ever

Erica

Oct 17, 2025

Interview

After nearly 15 years away, the internationally beloved rock band D’ESPAIRSRAY shocked fans with their long-awaited revival. The band storms the stage at CROSS ROAD Fest on November 15, 2025, then tackles their...

Interview with DEVILOOF: Fulfilling a long-awaited promise to overseas fans

NBT, Mazohyst_Kyo and Omatsu

Oct 11, 2025

Interview, Tour and event

After years of anticipation and overcoming many hurdles, Japan’s brutal metal band DEVILOOF is finally heading to Europe for a tour! With the tour "properly" kicking off next month, we took the opportunity to c...

Video interview: Mellows forges “cute” with “metal” – JROCK NEWS 10th anniversary

afaenia, Erica and NBT

Sep 13, 2025

Interview, Online Concert, Tour and event

Meet Mellows, a musical juggernaut that combines "cute" and "metal" , as part of JROCK NEWS' 10th anniversary celebration. The milestone will be marked with a live concert and livestream event "PULSE vol.1" at ...

Video interview: SLOTHREAT, weaving modern metal – JROCK NEWS 10th anniversary

afaenia, Erica and NBT

Sep 12, 2025

Interview, Online Concert, Tour and event

Meet SLOTHREAT, masters of the art of blending melodic metal with ambient sound, as part of JROCK NEWS' 10th anniversary celebration. The milestone will be marked with a live concert and livestream event "PULSE...

Video interview: GUNGIRE, Japan’s angriest rock band – JROCK NEWS 10th anniversary

afaenia, Erica and NBT

Sep 12, 2025

Interview, Online Concert, Tour and event

Meet GUNGIRE, Japan's angriest rock band, as part of JROCK NEWS' 10th anniversary celebration. The milestone will be marked with a live concert and livestream event "PULSE vol.1" at Shinjuku ANTIKNOCK in Tokyo,...

Video interview: Dimrays, Osaka’s rising metalcore duo – JROCK NEWS 10th anniversary

afaenia, Erica and NBT

Sep 7, 2025

Interview, Online Concert, Tour and event

Meet Dimrays, Osaka's rising metalcore duo, as part of JROCK NEWS' 10th anniversary celebration. The milestone will be marked with a live concert and livestream event "PULSE vol.1" at Shinjuku ANTIKNOCK in Toky...

Interview: BAND-MAID’s Miku Kobato on storytelling through anime

Nori and Aya

Aug 18, 2025

Interview, Releases

BAND-MAID’s latest single What is justice? slices across digital platforms on July 18 and into living rooms as the ending theme for the gritty role-reversal anime TOUGEN ANKI. Gnashing through with KANAMI’s gui...

Interview with MAN WITH A MISSION: 15 years of precious moments across the globe

NBT

Aug 13, 2025

Interview

MAN WITH A MISSION marks their incredible 15-year anniversary by celebrating with "XV EP Across the Globe", embarking on a Japan tour, and preparing for a long-awaited European tour.From unforgettable live ...

Video interview: Punk rock idol MAD JAMIE’s worldwide adventure – JROCK NEWS 10th anniversary

afaenia and NBT

Aug 9, 2025

Interview, Online Concert, Tour and event

MAD JAMIE reflects on her international experiences as part of JROCK NEWS' 10th anniversary celebration. The milestone will be marked with a live concert and livestream event "PULSE vol.1" at Shinjuku ANTIKNOCK...

Interview: DIR EN GREY’s Die on their triumphant U.S. return and the road ahead

Erica, Nori and Zephyr

Jul 28, 2025

Interview, Tour and event

In April of 2025, after nearly six years away, DIR EN GREY made a powerful return to the U.S. with a sold-out, three-night run in Los Angeles and Anaheim, California. Drawing a combined crowd of approximately 6...