Featured

Interview with Hikari Shiina: Exploring the electric underground where fashion meets music

Mar 22, 2025

Discovered as a teen model and rising to fame through Popteen, Hikari Shiina—better known as "Pikarin"—has forged a bold path as a musician, fashion icon, and subculture trailblazer.Since her 2012 solo musi...

Interview with HYDE: Revealing Jekyll to the world

Nori, NBT and Sizergyia

Mar 18, 2025

Interview

HYDE awaits JROCK NEWS in a private conference room near The Novo club in downtown Los Angeles. It's the evening before his HYDE WORLD TOUR finale, yet the legendary vocalist has graciously set aside time to s...

Interview with solo musician Mike: “This is Wagatame”

Erica and afaenia

Feb 22, 2025

Interview

Wagatame, the solo project led by former Blu-BiLLioN vocalist Mike, made a striking first impression at Nekocon 2024 with their debut U.S. performance. Joined by guitarist "mag." (also of Blu-BiLLioN) and drumm...

Report: Wagatame’s breakout success at Nekocon 2024

Erica

Feb 21, 2025

Report and review

In November 2024, Nekocon marked its 26th year at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, VA, drawing approximately 7,000 attendees. The event, known for celebrating Japanese culture, featured its usual...

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

NBT, Dorian and Kay

Feb 19, 2025

Anime, Doujin, Interview

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...

Report: BABYMETAL expands conquest of the Metalverse with show in Des Moines

Zephyr

Dec 30, 2024

Report and review, Tour and event

BABYMETAL, a metal phenomenon whose name at this point needs no introduction, brought heavy metal chaos upon the crowd in Des Moines, Iowa on November 27 as a stop on their 2024 World Tour. Leading up to the sh...

Report: “Inside” HYDE’s world tour finale in Los Angeles

Nori

Dec 20, 2024

Featured, Report and review

Jrock superstar HYDE descended upon Los Angeles on November 30 with his haunting carnival, marking the ultimate stop of the HYDE LIVE 2024 WORLD TOUR. HYDE’s travels had swept him across Asia—to Taipei, Hong K...

Review: HANABIE.’s unapologetically fierce EP “Bucchigiri Tokyo”

NBT

Dec 4, 2024

Report and review

Today marks the release of HANABIE.’s EP, Bucchigiri Tokyo (ぶっちぎり東京), and we’ve had the opportunity to dive deep into its tracks ahead of its official launch. Our first impression was how the EP offers a more r...

Giveaway: “YOSHIKI: Under The Sky Special Edition DVD”

NBT

Nov 20, 2024

Featured

To celebrate the November 19 release of "YOSHIKI: Under The Sky" on DVD and Blu-ray, we’re teaming up with A List Media Entertainment for a giveaway! One lucky winner will receive the special edition DVD (USA r...

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...