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

Nov 8, 2024

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 ...

Report: HEY-SMITH steals the show at Supernova Ska Festival 2024

Erica

Oct 24, 2024

Releases, Report and review

The Supernova International Ska Festival marked its 10th anniversary in 2024 by turning the beach at Fort Monroe, Virginia, into a vibrant celebration of ska culture. The festival offered a well-rounded experie...

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 ...

Review: BAND-MAID album “Epic Narratives” steps forward to unlock joy

Nori

Oct 10, 2024

Report and review

BAND-MAID dropped album Epic Narratives on September 25, marking the eight full-length record that follows Unseen World from 2021. After filling the three-year void with the punchy 2022 EP Unleash and two North...

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 ...

Report: MAKE MY DAY says goodbye with final show “The Farewell”

afaenia

Jul 21, 2024

Disband/Hiatus/Revive, Report and review

After 10 years of working together, the members of MAKE MY DAY announced on April 11, 2024, that they would be calling it a day with a final show titled "The Farewell", to take place on May 31. Ten years is a p...

Report: ASTERISM rocks out with fans at Anime Expo 2024

Bri

Jul 15, 2024

Report and review, Tour and event

Instrumental metal band ASTERISM appeared at all four days of this year's Anime Expo, making the most of every moment to meet with fans and share with them the world of PLANET OF METAL. Their jam-packed schedul...

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 ...

Report: SiM dominates The Fillmore Silver Spring in first US headlining tour, “PLAYDEAD”

Erica

Jun 12, 2024

Report and review, Tour and event

On May 15, 2024, JROCK NEWS covered SiM's first-ever US headlining tour, PLAYDEAD in Silver Spring, Maryland. Just last year, I watched them open for DANCE GAVIN DANCE in this very venue. This time, under the s...