Interview

Interview with ELFENSJóN: Bringing dark fantasy to life with music and art

Feb 19, 2025

ELFENSJóN is a creative project driven by the musical compositions of Kurose Keisuke and illustrations by Ishizue Kachiru. Rooted in a dark fantasy theme, ELFENSJóN's collaboration delivers an immersive experie...

Interview with Aoi (the GazettE): Delivering an unforgettable live performance

afaenia and Nori

Feb 15, 2025

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: HEY-SMITH’s Shuhei Igari on the power of live shows, personal freedom in ska-punk

Erica

Feb 10, 2025

Interview, Lineup change

HEY-SMITH, the six-piece ska-punk band from Osaka, has captivated audiences worldwide with their high-energy sound, melodic hooks, and rebellious spirit. Blending the edge of '90s punk with ska's bright, punchy...

Interview: Matenrou Opera’s album “MUTSU NO HANA” explores chaos, hope, and modern metal

Erica

Dec 31, 2024

Interview

Matenrou Opera, the genre-defying rock band known for blending modern edge with operatic grandeur, has captivated audiences since 2007. Blending the aesthetics of visual kei with the symphonic depth of heavy me...

Interview: MAN WITH A MISSION shares how “Demon Slayer” shaped their hit “Kizuna no Kiseki”

Erica and NBT

Nov 8, 2024

Anime, Interview, Tour and event

In celebration of their hit single "Kizuna no Kiseki"—the electrifying opening theme for "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Swordsmith Village Arc"—the legendary half-man, half-wolf rock band MAN WITH A MISSION ...

Interview with PassCode: Global journey driven by fans’ passion and support

NBT

Nov 2, 2024

Anime, Interview

PassCode is known for making waves with their unique blend of EDM, rock, and metal. With an early focus on the international market and having been signed to the UK-based record label, JPU Records, they've buil...

Interview: I Don’t Like Mondays. reflects on 10 years of music with EP “FOCUS”

Erica, Nori and Nexus

Oct 28, 2024

Interview, Releases

Debuted in 2014, I Don’t Like Mondays. is a dynamic four-piece band that fuses vibrant dance-pop with alternative rock. The lineup—YU (vocals), CHOJI (guitar), KENJI (bass), and SHUKI (drums)—draws inspiration ...

Interview with HANABIE.: Rising to global fame as fans learn to pronounce their name

NBT

Oct 14, 2024

Interview

The metal quartet "HANABIE." is rapidly making waves in the metal scene with their distinctive "Harajuku-core" sound, fusing heavy riffs with catchy, cute elements. During their 2024 EU tour, we caught up with ...

Interview with MAD JAMIE: Idol punk rock infused with visual kei essence

NBT

Sep 29, 2024

Interview

Last year, MAD JAMIE made her international debut in Sweden, and this year she surprised fans by returning to Europe for a full-fledged tour! With her popularity rising both in Japan and abroad, we caught up wi...

Interview: Fukuro shares thoughts on mixing music genres, touring overseas

Bri, Rin, Erica and Jack

Jul 25, 2024

Interview, Tour and event

Fukuro arrived at the JW Marriott ahead of their Anime Expo autograph session and concert with a mountain-high pile of equipment and band merch in tow. Having only arrived in the US the day before, they were no...

Interview with ASH DA HERO: Breaking the mold with fusion rock and “Blue Lock” anime music

NBT

Jul 22, 2024

Anime, Interview

ASH DA HERO is a five-man band consisting of members all with unique backgrounds to create a sound rooted in rock, punk, and hip hop. Founded by the vocalist in 2021, who also goes by the name "ASH DA HERO" or ...

Interview: SiM vocalist MAH talks evolution, identity, and international success

Erica, afaenia and Omatsu

Jun 26, 2024

Interview, Tour and event

In a crimson-red graffiti-tagged room at The Fillmore Silver Spring, we caught up with SiM’s charismatic vocalist, MAH, just before their electrifying headlining show. This gig was part of SiM’s "PLAYDEAD" worl...

Interview with ASTERISM: Blending art and metal in innovative album “PLANET OF METAL”

Bri

Jun 21, 2024

Interview, Tour and event

If you haven't yet heard about them, ASTERISM is a three-member heavy metal band, consisting of HAL-CA on guitar, MIYU on bass, and MIO on drums. The trio have developed a reputation with music fans across the ...

Interview with Kroi: Writing for Toriyama and beyond

Nori and Mazohyst_Kyo

Jun 11, 2024

Interview

Jazzy, free-spirited five-piece band Kroi enjoyed a string of tie-in successes in the anime world. Most notably, the band was tasked with composing for the anime adaptation of SAND LAND by the late manga goliat...